Just as He Did in Life, He Did in Death

Some final acts speak louder than a lifetime of words.

Four and a half months before he died, Monsignor Edward Domin made one final pastoral decision.

Knowing that his earthly ministry was drawing to a close after battling advanced cancer, he contacted the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania with a simple but profound goal: to continue supporting the people and Catholic ministries he loved long after he was gone.

It would become one of the final acts of his priesthood.

Before his death on June 26, 2026, Monsignor Domin established the Domin Family Endowment Fund, a perpetual charitable fund that will provide annual support, forever, to Catholic organizations that held special meaning throughout his life and ministry.

Those who knew Monsignor Domin say the decision reflected exactly who he was.

“Ed was always thankful,” said Monsignor William Handges, who offered the homily at the vigil service before Monsignor Domin’s Funeral Mass. Monsignor Handges, now 90, became both mentor and lifelong friend after serving as pastor during Monsignor Domin’s first assignment as a newly ordained priest.

“He was just happy being a priest,” Handges said. “He was joyful — a loud extrovert who never associated prayer with just words. To him, prayer was action.”

That spirit of joyful service echoed throughout Monsignor Domin’s Funeral Mass at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church in Easton.

“He was bigger than life,” said Monsignor Thomas Orsulak, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Reading, who delivered the funeral homily. “And he breathed life into every room he entered.”

Born in Palmerton and raised in Coaldale — “a true Coal Cracker,” as his obituary proudly described him, Monsignor Domin never lost his blue-collar roots.

“Ed Domin was a blue-collar priest,” Monsignor Orsulak said. “He loved working with his hands.”

Throughout his homily, Monsignor Orsulak shared stories that revealed both the humor and humanity of his longtime friend, whom he first met while studying for the priesthood.

“There were two things he loved: celebrating Mass and golf,” Monsignor Orsulak said. While Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Oils and weekly Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament ranked among Monsignor Domin’s deepest spiritual joys, the golf course also became an unexpected place of evangelization. He also was a rather good golfer, shooting three holes-in-ones during his lifetime.

“Golf was his Road to Emmaus experience,” Monsignor Orsulak said. “Many people came back to the Church after walking the fairway with him.”

Bishop Alfred Schlert, who served as the main celebrant of the Funeral Mass, reflected on the countless relationships Monsignor Domin built during his 38 years of priestly ministry.

“No matter what pathway you met Monsignor Domin,” Bishop Schlert said, “when you got there, you always found a good priest.”

That is precisely the legacy Monsignor Domin hoped would continue.

Created in memory of Edward and Loretta Domin by Monsignor Edward Domin and his twin brother David, the Domin Family Endowment Fund reflects their gratitude for the deep faith and enduring love their parents instilled in their family. Through the fund, the parishes, schools and Catholic ministries that shaped Monsignor Domin’s life and priesthood will receive annual support forever, ensuring that his final gift continues strengthening the Church he faithfully served.

“When someone knows their time on earth is growing short, their priorities become very clear,” said Pete Waldron, president of the Catholic Foundation. “Monsignor Domin chose to spend some of his final months making sure the Church he loved would continue to flourish long after he was gone.