More than 300 people of all religious faiths gathered at Marian Catholic High School, Hometown, yesterday to honor the Rev. Msgr. J. Francis Haley, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill, on the occasion of his elevation in the Catholic church as well as the chaplaincy role he fulfilled during World War II.

He was elevated to the rank of monsignor on May 22 in the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, by Bishop Joseph McShea of the Diocese of Allentown.

In addition to his priestly honor, the dinner attendees praised the priest for the outstanding courage he displayed while serving with the 162nd Regiment of the 41st Infantry Division in New Guinea in 1943, for which he received the Legion of Merit award from Gen. Douglas MacArthur.