Sr.Mary Henrietta Iroghumg, Sr. Mary Victur Egbokg, Sr. Mary Victoria Loeka and Sr. Mary Obi Oraka say their goodbyes and embrace Msgr. Joseph Granato near the front door of the rectory as he exits today after Mass. Posted on 07/01/2009 1:58:23 PM PDT by NYer
NEWARK -- Hundreds of people -- some sobbing and crying out, "Why are they doing this?" -- bid an emotional and largely ceremonial goodbye today to a Newark priest who served the same Italian-American parish for 54 years.
It was Msgr. Joseph Granato's last day at St. Lucy's Church.
Officially. For now.
But this story won't end as easily as all that. Even the much reviled Jim Goodness -- reviled by St. Lucy's parishioners -- the spokesman for Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, held out the possibility the 80-year-old but energetic priest might return "some time down the road" as pastor emeritus. Once a new pastor is firmly in control.
And supporters of Granato's desire to remain in the church rectory in retirement vowed to fight on. "It's not over," said Dee Kirk, head of the Friend's of St. Lucy's.
"We're just beginning," said Joseph DiVincenzo, the Essex County executive and the first of a number of political figures to join the fray.
The priest, after all, only moved a few blocks away to the boyhood home on Clifton Avenue he left 60 years ago to enter seminary. He could walk to the church and, according to Goodness, could say Mass there as often as he wishes.
"No," said an emphatic monsignor, finally granting an interview after years of refusing to speak publicly. "I would not feel comfortable saying Mass here."
Sr.Mary Henrietta Iroghumg, Sr. Mary Victur Egbokg, Sr. Mary Victoria Loeka and Sr. Mary Obi Oraka say their goodbyes and embrace Msgr. Joseph Granato near the front door of the rectory as he exits today after Mass.
Granato will, however, preside over funerals at St. Lucy's. "To refuse that would be to punish the families," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.nj.com ...
There are some beautiful pictures at the web link.
I don’t know what to say about Catholics who claim to be obedient, faithful and traditional...except when the bishop gives an order theu oppose. I think 54 years at one parish is more than enough.
“Going My Way?”
One of the things to keep in mind here is that St. Lucy's is a historically Italian parish that is located in what has been one of the worst parts of the city of Newark after the first- and second-generation immigrants left. They eventually demolished all of the public housing around the church a few years back.
From what I understand, there are very few parishioners left there. But you can travel almost anywhere in the Northeast, meet someone with an Italian name, and learn that they themselves -- or a close relative of theirs -- can trace their family roots back to St. Lucy's in Newark. Those people have provided that place a lot of financial support over the years . . . which is why it is still there today even as the surrounding neighborhood went the hell.
It’s a heartbreaker for sure.
Let the old Msgr die in his beloved parish. Assign a priest to assist him, only to take over after the death of the Monsignor.
Good idea. If he’s sound of mind he should be allowed to continue, no matter how many years he’s been there.
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