Fr. Herb Jones, O.Carm.: December 2009

Fr. Herb Jones, O.Carm.

I am a Carmelite priest serving as Director of the St. Therese Carmelite Chapel-in-the-Mall at the Northshore Mall in Peabody, MA. Born in Methuen, MA, I did my seminary formation in Carmelite seminaries in Niagara Falls, Ont., New Baltimore PA and Washington, DC. Ordained on June 4, 1960, I have served in Santiago, Chile(1961-67), Teaneck, NJ(1967-72), Cresskill, NJ(1972-75), Bogota, NJ(1975-84, Lima, Peru (1984-2000) and Peabody MA(2000). In Spanish I am known as P. Santiago.

About Me

Name: Fr. Herb

Location: Peabody, MA, United States

Fr. Herbert Jones, O.Carm. is the Director of the Chapel-in-the-Mall ably assisted by Frs. Felix Prior, O.Carm. and Mario López, O.Carm. and Deacon John Sprissler, O.Carm. Bro. Damien Chong, O.Carm. is also a member of the staff serving as Sacristan. Fr. Herbert has been Director of the Chapel for the past twelve years. He has been ordained 52 years and before coming to Peabody he served in Santiago, Chile, Lima, Peru, Teaneck, NJ, Cresskill, NJ and Bogota, NJ.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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 01, 2009

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..