Rather Seifert was appointed Pastor to St. Stephen of Hungary Parish and Diocesan Director of Prison Ministry in May 2006 by His Excellency the Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, then-Bishop of Allentown.

Father Seifert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Scranton with minor concentrations in Psychology and Communications, which he received in 1977. He was awarded a Masters of Divinity degree from Mary Immaculate Seminary and College, Northampton, in 1980. He has done advanced studies at Gallaudet University, Washington D.C., in Ministry to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Advanced studies were also completed at John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, Washington, D.C. as well as advanced studies in Theology at Mary Immaculate Seminary and College, Northampton.

He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 23^rd, 1981 by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, then-bishop of Allentown.

Fr. Seifert has served in various capacities for the Diocese of Allentown including:

• Regional Director Apostolate for the Deaf
• Assistant Master of Ceremonies for the Bishop
• Senior Consultant for the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
• Senior Consultant for the Diocesan Board of Education
• Secretary for the Diocesan Task Force on Chastity
• Senior Consultant for the 2006 Diocesan Synod

Father Seifert has had a fulfilling career teaching throughout the Diocese of Allentown:

Allentown Central Catholic High School

Professor of Theology, Chairman of the Theology Department

Director of Youth Ministry

Chess Coach; Weightlifting and Wrestling Coach

Bethlehem Catholic High School

Professor of Theology

Director of Spiritual Activities

Chess Coach; Weightlifting and Wrestling Coach

Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua

Professor of Theology

Director of Spiritual Activities

Adjunct Faculty at Alevernia College, Reading

Kutztown University

Full Time Campus Minister

DeSales University

Adjunct Professor of Theology

Before being appointed to St. Stephen’s, Fr. Seifert served many parishes throughout our Diocese, including chronologically from his ordination:

• Residency at St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown
• Residency at St. Mary’s Church of the Annunciation, B.V.M., Catasaqua
• Residency at Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bath
• Residency at Ss. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem
• Residency at St. Jerome’s, Tamaqua
• Interim Pastor at St. Patrick’s, Pottsville
• Simultaneous pastoral appointments at:

Annunciation, B.V.M., Shenandoah

Saint Mary’s, Ringtown

Saint Mary Magdalen, Lost Creek

• Pastor of St. Joseph’s, Easton

Father Seifert has also authored several books, including:

• Education for Love: A summary and commentary on: The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality
• Touching the Truth: A summary and commentary on: The Splendor of Truth, the tenth encyclical letter of Pope John Paul II
• Proclaiming the Gospel of Life: A study of Evangelium Vitae