Rev. Barry R. Gross, 67

June 06, 2014

Rev. Barry R. Gross, 67, of Rockville, MD, formerly of Lancaster, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, June 6 2014. Beloved son of the late Jeanne H. and Vernon C. Gross, Sr.

He attended St. Mary’s School in Lancaster and was a 1964 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. He continued his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD and Catholic University, Washington, D.C. where he procured his Masters degree in Theology.

Father Gross was ordained on April 5, 1975 at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Ephrata, PA, and was a priest for the Diocese of Lafayette, IN. Following ordination he was a guidance counselor at Bennett High School in Marion, IN, he worked with Catholic Charities and he was Administrator of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Montpelier, IN. For the past 29 years he was at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD where he was Priest, Chaplain, Teacher and friend to many.

Although raised at St. Mary’s he was welcomed and claimed as the first vocation to the priesthood from St. James Parish where he assisted with masses when visiting family in Lititz.

He was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking for friends and family and also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, especially from the Washington Post. He enjoyed reading, especially the works of C.S. Lewis, whose writings were incorporated into many religion classes and homilies.

Surviving is a brother, Vernon C., Jr., husband of Kathleen, of Raleigh, NC; a sister, Frances M., wife of Charles Bingham, of Lititz; a nephew, Christopher Gross, husband of Angela, of Ooltewah, TN; 2 nieces, Jennifer Davis, wife of John, of Anniston, AL, Diana Seward, wife of Neil, of Woodbridge, VA, and 9 great nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11AM on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA 17543 with Rev. James O’Blaney, C.Ss.R. as Celebrant. A visitation will be held from 7-9PM on Friday, June 13, 2014 with a Vigil Service at 8PM at the church and again from 10-11AM on Saturday at the church. Interment immediately following the mass in St. Joseph’s New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Performing Arts Center (checks made payable to OLGCHS), 17301 Old Vic Boulevard, Olney, MD 20832.