Longtime Pastor of St. Catharine, St. Margaret's in Spring Lake Dies

Rev. Monsignor Thomas A. Luebking, the longtime pastor of St. Catharine and St. Margaret's parish in Spring Lake, died Sunday in a Philadelphia hospital after battling a long-term illness, according to an obituary posted Tuesday.

An obituary for Luebking said Luebking, 74, assumed his role as Pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish Feb. 3, 1989, where he continued to serve the parish and school community until his death.

Before he was ordained a priest in 1971, Luebking earned a Doctorate of Education in administration from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., a Master's Degree in Library Science and a bachelor's degree in Political Science, both from Villanova University, the obituary said. He worked as an assistant professor at West Chester State College, West Chester, PA, and St. Francis College, Loretto, PA, both now universities.

Before his duties began in Spring Lake, Luebking served as Diocesan Superintendent of schools and Catholic Chaplain of Somerset County Community College. A member of the Knights of Columbus since 1958, Luebking also served as Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, District Deputy and, since ordination, to various councils and assemblies, the obituary said.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church, at the corner of 3rd and Ludlow Ave., Spring Lake with the Bishop David M. O'Connell presiding.

Until the completion of St. Anne's Mausoleum, Luebking will be entombed in St. Catharine's Cemetery, the obituary said. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to St. Anne's Scholarship Fund, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 07762.