Coplay and Northampton boroughs share a rich history of cement plants. Many past employees of the plants migrated to America from Austria, with family roots in Burgenland.

Your Excellency Bishop Agidius Zsifkovics, Bishop of Eisenstadt, Burgenland, Austria, visited the boroughs Oct. 24.

The Burgenland delegation, led by Bishop Zsifkovics and Dr. Walter Dujmovits, spent a whirlwind beginning with a tour of the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum in Northampton. They continued with a stop at the Sister Cities monument celebrating the connection between Northampton and Stegersbach, Austria.

In the evening, Zsifkovics conducted a Mass at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Coplay, followed by a social event in the church hall.

This was Zsifkovics' first visit to the United States.

The highlight of his visit to Coplay was the celebration of Mass at St. Peter's, where 300 men and women packed the church. Zsifkovics gave the homily in both English and Austrian. The combined choir sang hymns in the Austrian/German dialect.

The 50-year-old bishop, dressed in white robes, was accompanied by the Knights of Columbus, Queenship of Mary Council.

Following Mass, the church hall was packed with well-wishers enjoying Austrian and German pastry and baked goods.

Joey Weber and Emil Shanta entertained the crowd with the accordion and button box accordion. Afterward, Bob Strauch also played the button box accordion.

Strauch, who has Burgenland roots, said the bishopw as "charismatic."

"It is really exciting, a day to remember," said Ed Tantsits, formerly of Coplay, who has relatives living in Burgenland.

St. Peter's pastor, Monsignor John Martin, said Zsifkovics' visit and celebration of Mass was a special day for the church.

Atlas Cement Memorial Museum Curator Ed Pany gave the tour of the museum, citing the names of Burgenland men who worked at the plant. Pany's father, former Mayor Anthony Pany, was instrumental in forming the Sister Cities tie with Burgenland.

Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock, who visited Burgenland in the past, presented Zsifkovics with a plaque and keys to the borough.

The Burgenland delegation paid a visit to a cemetery where borough residents with Austrian ties are buried. They also visited the Hungarian Hall, Northampton's Uptown Business District and the veterans plaza.

Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra welcomed the group to Coplay.