Rev. Richard Cebula, O.S.B. (1981–1998)

On July 12, 1981, Rev. Richard Cebula O.S.B. was transferred from Saints Peter and Paul Parish and appointed Ninth Pastor of Holy Rosary.

In June of 1983, a Parish Census was undertaken. Members of a census committee visited homes throughout the area, discovering many Catholics who wish to be included in Holy Rosary Parish. Forty Baptisms and several concelebrated marriages take place as a direct result of the census, and many people request Catholic Faith instruction.

On May 12, the Parish is re-dedicated to the Blessed Mother. The Act of Consecration composed by Pope John Paul II is prayed at all Masses that weekend.

On July 21, 1991, Holy Rosary Parish commemorated its Centennial with a procession and Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Murphy, Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle. He was joined at the altar by many of the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, including the Right Rev. Abbot Conrad Rausch O.S.B.

Mass was followed by a School open house and then a banquet. Special guests included Sister Sharon McDonald, O.S.B., Prioress of Saint Placid, the Honorable Karen Vialle, Mayor of Tacoma, and the Honorable Joseph Stortini, Pierce County Executive.

Later that year, Father Cebula was appointed pastor of Saint Joseph Parish. Holy Rosary and Saint Joseph would operate together under the same pastor until 2015.

In 1994, the Church steeple was sheathed in copper, replacing the leaking asbestos shingles. For many months until the copper developed its patina, the steeple flashed and shone in the sunlight.

In 1998, restoration work was undertaken on the stained glass windows of the church. This is made possible thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, who wished to do this in memory of her parents.

Father Cebula retired in the summer of 1998, and Saint Martin’s Abbey indicated that they would no longer be providing pastors to the churches of western Washington. After more than a century, the Benedictine Period of Holy Rosary came to an end.