Growing up in Leechburg, Monsignor Larry Kulick was no stranger to church.

“I often say one of the main reasons I’m a priest today is because of my experience in my home parish,” Kulick said. “I can remember being really interested in altar serving.”

Kulick, 54, serves as diocesan administrator in the Diocese of Greensburg. It’s the diocese’s top position as it waits for Pope Francis to appoint a new bishop.

It’s unclear how long Kulick will be serving as diocesan administrator or when a new bishop will be named.

“There is no timeline. It’s a process. We will know who the next bishop is when the Pope, the Holy Father, makes the appointment,” said Jerry Zufelt, spokesman for the diocese.

Residing on Harrison Avenue his entire childhood, Kulick was a parishioner of the former St. Martha Parish.

Kulick returns frequently to the tiny borough nestled along the Kiski River to visit his parents and friends.

“It was like Mayberry, and I talk about how fortunate we were,” he said.

Kulick fondly recalled visits sitting outside with his neighbors in their gardens, many of whom were immigrants eager to tell stories about coming to America. Among them were his Slovak grandparents, who lived across the street from him.

During a recent sit-down interview at Christ The King parish in Leechburg, Kulick recalled how his formative years in Leechburg influenced his life, and ultimately, his ongoing priestly journey.

A call to serve

Larry J. Kulick was born Feb. 24, 1966, to Leechburgers Myrna and Larry Kulick.

The St. Martha Parish was a home away from home for Kulick.

“The people of St. Martha had a tremendously devout faith,” he said. “Growing up in Leechburg, I thought everyone had that opportunity and environment — family, neighbors and the faith of the people.”

As a second-grader, Kulick was eager to step into the role of altar boy at St. Martha’s, which was founded by Slovak immigrants in 1911.

He recalls telling his late Slovak “old school” priest, Father Rudolph Halvonik, of his interest even before his First Holy Communion. Soon after, Kulick thought he was ready, but Halvonik and Kulick’s mom were skeptical. Probably after a day or two, they thought, Mass would be too early in the morning for Kulick and his interest would wane.

To this day, that hasn’t happened.

“I got up every morning. I persevered,” Kulick said. “I loved altar serving.”

Leechburg morals, cool car remain

Kulick worked numerous part-time jobs around Leechburg, including delivering newspapers for the Valley News Dispatch, cutting grass and a gig at the local supermarket.

The son of a police officer, Kulick said his father stressed living an orderly and disciplined life.

“My father would say, ‘You have to be an example,’” Kulick said.

Kulick grew up around Pontiacs, and on his 18th birthday was gifted with a big surprise from his grandmother.

“It was the deed to my grandfather’s 1966 Pontiac LeMans,” Kulick said.

Kulick still drives his late grandfather’s (Donald Coleman) car, including going to vintage car shows in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“I’ve owned that car twice as long as my grandfather did. I drove it last weekend.” said Kulick, who owns three classic antique Pontiacs.

Former St. Martha parishioners and Leechburg residents recall a young Kulick leading a fine example.

“I remember (Larry) coming into church kitchen where the church ladies were baking nut rolls and dancing with them,” said Mary Lucas, 95, of West Leechburg and former parishioner at St. Martha’s. “He always had that true calling, and people just love him.”

Dominic Troya, 92, of West Leechburg remembered observing Kulick frequently before Mass.

“He was an altar boy; he would come in and Father would trust him to get his robe,” Troya said. “He was a very good kid, and I was impressed with his devotion to the church.”

Kulick graduated from St. Joseph High School in Harrison and later, Saint Vincent College in 1988.

When Kulick left for the seminary, Troya said he saw less of Kulick, but never doubted his vocation.

“It was my gut feeling that he would be a priest,” Troya said. “He always had that desire. His dedication — I remember him serving multiple Masses on Sundays back then.”

Kulick said upon earning his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent, he set his sights on becoming a priest.

“I just felt continually called, and it was affirmed at different stages in my life,” Kulick said. “When I was in college, I said I have to try this. And if it’s isn’t (for me) I’ll know and be able to put it aside. But it was never not affirmed.”

Christ The King parishioners Sylvia and Ron Ravotti of Gilpin said they’re pleased to see a small-town boy achieve numerous pastoral appointments.

“We are happy to see someone from the Leechburg area from a family we knew so well become a priest,” said friend Ron Ravotti, a hunting friend of Kulick’s father. “Monsignor Kulick’s homilies are uplifting to me because they get into your soul.”

Pastoral appointments

A standout memory for Kulick was his ordination day in 1992.

“My first Mass was at my home parish in Leechburg, and it was the beginning of my priesthood,” Kulick said. But it’s like a marriage, and you harken back to that day when you began that journey. It fills me with a great sense of memory and emotion.”

His pastoral appointments include: parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg (1992-95); and Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1995-97); pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd Parish, Kent (1997-2002); St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington (2002-08); and St. James Parish, New Alexandria (2012-present).

Kulick holds a master’s degree in systematic theology from Saint Vincent Seminary and earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in 2012.

He received the title of monsignor in 2014.

Appointed vicar general in 2012 by Bishop Lawrence Brandt, Kulick was reappointed by Bishop Edward Malesic in 2015.

As Kulick navigates his most recent appointment as diocesan administrator of the Greensburg diocese after serving as a priest for more than 28 years, he hopes to continue his service in Western Pennsylvania, a region he’s never left.

“My great hope and desire is that I can continue to serve as a diocesan priest, because a diocesan priest is in the community and with the people,” Kulick said. “The Diocese of Greensburg is a hidden gem — I always believed that, and I want to give back to the region.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)