Father McCarthy unable to return as a visiting priest to St. Stephen’s

WARWICK — The parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr recently learned the sad news that Father Flor McCarthy will be unable to return this year as a visiting priest. It would have been his 32nd consecutive summer in Warwick.

McCarthy is a Salesian priest living in Dublin who has worked as a catechist in second level schools in addition to serving parishes in Ireland. He is also the author of more than a few books including “The Gospel of the Heart,” published in 2005.

The parishioners at St. Stephen’s, however, know him as a talented homeliest who offers clear explanations in modern terms of gospels written more than 2000 years ago. They also appreciate his natural Irish humor and his recent evening writing classes.

Recovering from hip surgery
Rev. Michael McLoughlin, pastor of the parish, asked his parishioners to pray for McCarthy, who had a hip replacement performed this past December.

The good news is that the surgery went well. Although he spent time in rehab, he was able to return to his community. However, while McCarthy continues his rehabilitation, he cannot drive and has to use a crutch. As a result he will not be able to spend the summer at St. Stephen’s this year but he and all the priests, parishioners and staff at the church are hopeful he will return in 2014.

Storyteller
McCarthy has served four pastors at St. Stephen’s going back to the time when the church was located on South Street. His service gives the priests who are assigned to the church an opportunity to take some vacation time.

On the 30th anniversary of his arrival at St. Stephen’s, McCarthy demonstrated his sense of humor when he mentioned that many people had asked him how things were going in Ireland, which had experienced a severe downturn in its economy at that time.

“On St. Patrick’s Day,” said McCarthy, “the Irish Prime Minister presented President Obama with a lovely bowl of shamrocks. It’s an old custom. But this year the Prime Minister asked if he could have the bowl back.”

- Roger Gavan