86-year-old pastor marks jubilee with others; Holy Week schedule

By Maria LeDoux | CFP Associate Editor

Father James B. Flynn was ordained to the priesthood 60 years ago in 1964 and is still an active pastor at St. Matthew Parish in Southborough at the age of 86. He has been there for 31 years and said, “good genes and good health” and God’s blessings have gotten him this far.

“If you’re happy, you can go on forever,” Father Flynn said. “I love the parish and the people. The parishioners are extremely supportive.”

One of his favorite parts is working with young people. Having worked as a guidance counselor at what was then Holy Name Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Worcester for 30 years, he said, “I never thought I would miss it. [Now] I can’t believe how much I miss it.”

Referring to the parish’s youth ministry and service programs, he said, “The kids in Southborough are wonderful ... [You can see] a transformation in their attitudes toward other people and their commitment to the faith.”

A rewarding part of being a pastor, he said, is “ministering to people especially in times of sorrow. Being able to minister brings happiness and the family is so grateful. It is amazing the joy it brings you to support people. It doesn’t take the pain away, but it is comforting” to be with families during these times with presence, prayers and the liturgy.

“It’s been beautiful,” he said.

Priests of the diocese celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordination this year are to be recognized at the Chrism Mass at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at St. Paul Cathedral. The Mass will be livestreamed on worcesterdiocese.org and on cable access stations.

This year Father Theodore R. Laperle is celebrating his 70th anniversary, having been ordained in 1954.

Three priests, ordained in 1964, are marking their 60th anniversary: Fathers James B. Flynn, Thaddeus X. Stachura and Paul J. Tougas. Ordained in 1969 and now celebrating 55th anniversaries are three more priests: Fathers David E. Doiron, Raymond M. Goodwin and Joseph A. Marcotte.

Six priests are celebrating 50th anniversaries, having been ordained in 1974. They are Msgr. James A. Mongelluzzo and Fathers John A. Dwyer, John J. Foley, Richard P. Lewandowski, Edward D. Niccolls and Edward M. Ryan.

In 1979, five priests were ordained and are marking 45 years in the priesthood: Fathers Timothy M. Brewer, H. Edward Chalmers, David W. Cotter, Leo-Paul J. LeBlanc, and Daniel R. Mulcahy Jr.

Father John F. Madden is marking his 40th anniversary of the priesthood, having been ordained in 1984. Ordained in 1994, Father Krzysztof Korcz, Msgr. Richard F. Reidy and Father William C. Schipper are marking 30th anniversaries this year.
   
Also marking significant anniversaries are Fathers John M. Lizewski and James S. Mazzone, celebrating the 25th anniversary of ordination in 1999. (See the eEdition of the CFP, pages 7-12, for biographies.)

All clergy and the public are invited to participate in this diocesan liturgy at which the bishop blesses the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens and consecrates the holy chrism to be used for the administration of the sacraments throughout the year, and during which all priests will renew their priestly commitment. holy oils will be distributed to parish representatives following the liturgy.  

Holy Week Schedule

Following is the schedule for Holy Week celebrations at St. Paul Cathedral at which Bishop McManus will preside, unless noted by an * at the beginning.

These liturgies will be livestreamed at the diocesan website worcesterdiocese.org and shown on some cable access channels in Worcester County, including WCCA Ch194 in Worcester, unless noted.

Palm Sunday
March 24, *8 a.m. Mass with the blessing of palms, in Spanish; 10 a.m. Mass with the blessing of palms, in English; *noon Mass with the blessing of palms in Spanish (no broadcast).
 
Chrism Mass
March 26, 10:30 a.m., the Chrism Mass gathers the diocesan family to celebrate the unity of all persons who have been anointed with holy chrism at baptism, confirmation and holy orders.
 
Holy Thursday
March 28, *9 a.m. Office of Readings (livestream and broadcast only); 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper, bilingual. This Mass marks the beginning of the Easter Sacred Paschal Triduum, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.
 
Good Friday
March 29, *9 a.m. Stations of the Cross (livestream and broadcast only); noon outdoor Stations of the Cross in downtown Worcester led by Bishop McManus (no broadcast). Stations begin at St. John Church and end at the cathedral. Confessions will be available at the cathedral immediately following the Stations; 3 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. This service includes the sung proclamation of the Passion, veneration of the cross and distribution of Holy Communion. Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday or on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil service, which begins after sundown.
                                                                           
Easter Vigil
March 30, 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christ’s Resurrection begins in darkness with the lighting of the Easter fire, and, from it, the pascal candle and the candles of worshippers.   
 
Easter Sunday
March 31, *8 a.m. Mass, in Spanish; *10 a.m. Mass, in English; noon Mass celebrated by Bishop McManus, in Spanish (no broadcast).  

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