Parents: Steven and Angela Edwards

Steven’s teachers have seen a growth in all aspects of his academic and social development. He is diligent, courteous and responsible, and shows empathy toward others. He is involved in the Robotics Club and serves as a lector for school Masses. Outside of school, he plays baseball. Steven is a model of Christianity for today’s youth.”

Ford City – Father Tyler J. Bandura’s first memory as a student at

The Divine Redeemer Catholic School is walking down a hallway to his prekindergarten classroom and being warmly greeted by his teacher. The staff’s welcoming attitude made it easier for him to separate from his parents for the first time and overcome the fears that the first day of school can bring.

As he traveled those same hallways until sixth grade, the atmosphere was always very much like a family.

“It was a family that was very Catholic,” he said. “That’s where I learned a lot of the devotional practices that are still part of my life today.”

He recalled the entire school gathering for the lighting of Advent candles and participating in the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent.

“Together we learned and prayed and had fun,” he said.

All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Greensburg are on a mission to form students to be disciples of Christ. Father Bandura, who is now pastor of St. James Parish, New Alexandria, and Director of Priestly Vocations for the Diocese, said his faith formation in those early years at the school taught him how to live out what the Gospel calls us to do.

“A lot of that influence made me who I am today,” he said. “It was there that I learned the foundation of what Christian love is and how we are called to share that through baptism. Looking back, I think I realize the wisdom and the dedication of the teachers as they worked with us each day to form us to become future holy men and women.”
It was at The Divine Redeemer Catholic School where Father Bandura first thought about a vocation to the priesthood. When he was in fifth grade, the late Father William Kiel and a religious sister came to his classroom to talk about vocations.

“Father Kiel asked us, ‘Who wants to be a priest?’ and all of the boys raised their hands,” he recalled. “I know I raised my hand, but I also know that in no way at that time had I even thought about the priesthood. That was the first invitation I received.”

When he was in sixth grade, a substitute teacher told him he would make a great priest.

The Ford City area has provided the Diocese of Greensburg with a number of vocations, including Father Eric J. Dinga, Pastor of Christ, Prince of Peace Parish, Ford City, and St. Lawrence Parish, Cadogan, and Deacon Andrew Hamilton, who will be ordained in June.

Father Bandura believes that community support sustains those considering a vocation.
When he was ordained, classmates and teachers from The Divine Redeemer Catholic School attended the Mass, along with friends from high school and college.

As a priest, Father Bandura has played a part in the lives of his former classmates, too.

“Those relationships were very important, and they had roots beyond our six years in the school,” he said. He said he has been excited to be able to continue to remain part of fellow classmates’ lives while presiding over weddings and baptisms.

“It is always a great blessing because all of them in some way had something to do with me considering the priesthood or even who I am today.”

Parents: Steven and Angela Edwards

Steven’s teachers have seen a growth in all aspects of his academic and social development. He is diligent, courteous and responsible, and shows empathy toward others. He is involved in the Robotics Club and serves as a lector for school Masses. Outside of school, he plays baseball. Steven is a model of Christianity for today’s youth.”