As you know by now, I have the good fortune of having been assigned to succeed Fr. Leonard Villa as the administrator of St. John’s, effective February 1, 2015. The timing is somewhat unusual for such a transfer, but it’s a good reminder to us – and especially to me – that God works on His own schedule!
By way of background, I grew up in Fishkill, where my parents still live (my father is one of the deacons at St. Mary’s Parish there, and I’m an alumnus of the parish school). I graduated from all three levels of the seminary system: Cathedral Preparatory Seminary; St. John Neumann Residence, while earning my bachelor’s degree at Fordham University; and St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. I was ordained in May 1999, and served as a parochial vicar at two parishes: Holy Trinity in Poughkeepsie (1999-2003) and St. Joseph’s in Croton Falls (2003-2007). In November 2007, I was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception (commonly known as St. Mary’s) in Port Jervis, where I’ve been stationed since.
I’ve had the chance to spend time with Fr. Peter and Msgr. Bayani, and have met Deacon Tom and some of the staff. I’ve always been impressed from afar with the spirit of St. John’s, and look forward to experiencing it firsthand. My plan is to be there in time for the Saturday evening Mass on January 31, though that’s all contingent on a new priest being in place here in Port. I anticipate the first few months will be spent learning names, learning routines, unpacking, and figuring out which key opens what. In the meantime, please pray for me, and know of my prayers for all of you. After that, we’ll see what God has in store for us together!