Here is a photo of the newly renovated chapel.

Hi, it has been so long since I have posted anything here that I am feeling guilty. However, I have been keeping up to date on Facebook. However, I am happy to report that on the 5th of June we celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for my 50th Anniversary of Priesthood in the newly renovated chapel in the Mall. It was the first Mass celebrated inthe renovated Chapel. The chapel has come out even better than I had imagined. We really have to take our hats of the the architect, George (Butch) Razoyk and to Santini Construction. We were a little slow in getting started, but once the work began on the Tuesday after Easter, we were back in the chapel on June 5th, nine weeks! And that is pretty good for a radical renovation. The Chapel was completely gutted except for the wall panelling and the lighting on the columns.

Greetings to everyone. I am really sorry that I haven't posted anything in so long. However, December has been a really busy month. Fr. Mario is on vacation so that keeps Felix and I on our toes. Plus the fact that I am busy with the architect with details for the renovation of the Chapel. I'm happy to report tht we will have a place to relocate the Chapel during the renovation. We will be using what used to be the locale of Kitchens etc. which went out of business about three years ago. It is a good size location with direct access from the parking lot.
The Architect and I went down to Braintree the other day to see some stained glass windows for the Chapel. We saw two that I really like. One is of St. Therese (our patroness) a very beautiful window, and the other is of the Good Shepherd. There is a good chance that we will be able to get them.
The actual 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Chapel is January 28th.
Have a truly blessed Christmas.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Well, today we bid farewell to Leo McCarthy, O.Carm. as he was laid to rest in St. Mary's cemetery in Salem, MA. A beautiful Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Discalced Carmelite Nuns Monastery chapel in Danvers. Bishop Francis Irwin became sick at the last minute and I had to fill in as celebrant for the Liturgy. Concelebrants were, Frs. Felix, Mario, John Russell (homilist), Joe McGowan, Dick Foley, O.S.A., and Bill Wert. Corey Bassett-Tirrell and Eric Anderson provided the music for the liturgy. It was really quite beautiful. The simplicity of the Trappist style casket, together with the symbols of the Book of the Gospels, the cross and the chalice and stole which were placed on the casket after it was brought before the altar set a nice tone for the whole liturgy.
Fr. Leo's brothers, Stephen and Robert were present with his neices, nephews and various extended family members.
A former Carmelite, and class mate of Leo's from his Georgetown days, was also present, Jeremiah Malloney. Other former O.Carms. who were present were Mark Wenzel of Salem, John Leary, and Eugene Foley. They delighted in seeing Frs. John Russell and Joe McGowan.
For the burial itself, we couldn't have had better weather. It was a bright sunny day, with a slight breeze and not too cold at all. The Committal Service was presided over by Bill Wert.
A collation was served at the Priory after the Mass, catered by Mizioch-Witham of Peabody..

Here in the Priory we are all saddened by the death of Fr. Leo McCarthy, O.Carm. last evening in Sarasota, Florida. He was a great friend of us all. He had actually chosen to join our community when he retired but on a part time basis. His plan was to live with us during the summer, and in our retirement home in Florida during the winter. It never worked out because the cancer in his prostate returned last Spring and he has been under treatment in Florida since that time.
Fr. Leo will be buried n St. Mary's Cemetery here in Danvers some day next week, probably right after Thanksgiving. The details are still to be worked out. Please pray for him.

Fr. Felix and I attended the "Priests Appreciation Dinner" at the Convention center in Boston last night. It was quite an experience. About 300 priests were gathered to receive the homage of about 1300 parishioners and friends. It was a very ejoyable evening. We could only marvel at how well it was organized. They served 1,600 delicious meals.

Fr. Herb

How time flies! I entered the Carmelite Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada 57 years ago today, the Feast Day of the Birth of our Blessed Mother. Little did I know then where my commitment to Jesus, to his mother, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and to the church would take me. It has been a wonderfully full life. Praise the Lord!