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Twenty-four priests of the archdiocese are retiring this year, the Cardinal’s Office has announced.
They are: Msgr. Joachim Beaumont, senior priest at St. Brendan’s, the Bronx; Msgr. Francis Bellew, senior priest administrator of St. Mary’s, Wappingers Falls; Msgr. Patrick Carney, senior priest administrator of Sacred Heart, Hartsdale; Father James Connolly, senior priest at St. John the Evangelist, Manhattan; Father Joseph Darbouze, senior priest at St. Raymond’s, the Bronx; Msgr. Peter Gelsomino, senior priest administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Port Chester; Msgr. Neil Graham, senior priest administrator of St. John the Evangelist, White Plains; Father Aroldo Guerra, senior priest at Incarnation, Manhattan; Msgr. Patrick Keenan, senior priest at St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor.
Also, Msgr. Thomas Leonard, senior priest administrator of Holy Trinity, Manhattan; Msgr. John McCarthy, senior priest administrator of St. Patrick’s, Staten Island; Msgr. Patrick McNamara, senior priest administrator, St. Gabriel’s, New Rochelle; Msgr. Robert O’Connor, senior priest administrator of Blessed Sacrament, Manhattan; Msgr. Edward O’Donnell, senior priest at Resurrection, Rye; Msgr. John Ruvo, senior priest at St. Joseph’s, New Rochelle; Msgr. Nicholas Soares, senior priest administrator of St. Clement and St. Michael, Staten Island; Msgr. Guy Vinci, senior priest at St. Joseph’s, Bronxville; and Msgr. Charles Zanotti, senior priest administrator of St. Joseph’s, Glasco.
Six priests who have or will turn 75 in 2014, the normal retirement age for archdiocesan priests, also retired. They are: Father Peter Bannan, pastor of St. Catharine’s, Pelham; Father Virgilio Competente, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception, Yonkers; Father Edmundo Gomez, parochial vicar of St. Helena’s, the Bronx; Msgr. James Moore, pastor of St. Joseph’s, Somers; Msgr. James O’Connor, pastor of St. Joseph’s, Millbrook; and Father Peter Scaramuzzo, parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua, West Harrison.
All but one of the retirements became effective July 1. Msgr. Bellew’s will become effective Sept. 1.
Five other priests turning 75 this year will continue in parish assignments. They are: Father George Hommel, as senior priest administrator at St. John’s, West Hurley-Woodstock; Father John Lynch, as senior priest administrator of Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne; Msgr. Robert McCabe, senior priest administrator of St. Mary’s, Haverstraw; Msgr. Kevin O’Brien, senior priest administrator of St. Philip Neri, the Bronx; and Msgr. Edward Straub, senior priest administrator of St. Peter’s, Liberty.
Father Peter Bannan had served as pastor of St. Catharine’s, Pelham, since 1991. He had been on a sabbatical since January. He served as parochial vicar at Corpus Christi in Manhattan, 1983-1991; St. Joseph’s, Manhattan, 1975; SS. John and Paul, Larchmont, 1969-1973; and Immaculate Conception, 1967-1969. He was on the faculty of Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1975-1983. He was temporary administrator of St. Charles Borromeo, Dover Plains, 1975. He served at Our Saviour Monastery, Elmira, 1973-1975. Born in Newburgh, he was ordained in 1967.
Msgr. Joachim Beaumont had been a senior priest at St. Brendan’s, the Bronx, since 2010, and served as parochial vicar, 2009-2010. He was pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and administrator of St. Benedict the Moor, both Manhattan, 2003-2009. He served as pastor of four other parishes in Manhattan: St. Emeric’s, 1998-2003; St. Elizabeth’s, 1986-1998; St. Brigid’s, 1980-1986; and St. Paul’s, where he was co-pastor, 1976-1980. He was vicar of North Manhattan, 1989-1998, and vicar of South Manhattan, 1982-1986. He was director of the Spanish-speaking Apostolate, 1973-1976. As a parochial vicar he served in Manhattan at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1966-1973, and St. Agnes, 1964-1965, and on Staten Island at St. Mary of the Assumption, 1965-1966, and St. Michael and St. Clement, 1965. Born in Pamplona, Spain, he was ordained in his native country in 1959. He was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1974 and was named a monsignor in 1983.
Msgr. Francis Bellew had served as senior priest administrator of St. Mary’s, Wappingers Falls, since last year, and previously was pastor there since 1993. He has served as regional vicar of Dutchess County since 2007. He was principal of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie, 1986-1993. He was on the faculty and served as dean of students at Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1970-1986. He served as parochial vicar of St. Angela Merici, the Bronx, 1966-1970. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1966 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Patrick Carney had been senior priest administrator at Sacred Heart, Hartsdale, since 2005, and previously was pastor there since 1998. He served as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Manhattan, 1980-1992, and St. Jerome’s, the Bronx, 1973-1980, where he was temporary administrator, 1972-1973. He served as county director of Catholic Charities for Dutchess and Ulster Counties, 1964-1973. He served on the staff of Catholic Charities, 1963-1964. He served as parochial vicar of St. Helena’s, the Bronx, 1957-1961; St. Joseph’s, Millbrook, 1955-1957 and St. John’s, Clover, 1955. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1955 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Father Vigilio Competente had been parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception in Yonkers since 1994. He served as parochial vicar at St. Philip Neri, the Bronx, 1983-1994, and Holy Trinity, Manhattan, 1981-1983. Born in the Philippines, he was ordained there in 1967 and incardinated into the archdiocese in 2000.
Father James Connolly had been a senior priest at St. John the Evangelist since 2000. He had been parochial vicar there, 1990-2000. He has served as associate spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Union of the Holy Name Society. In the Bronx, he served as administrator of St. Adalbert’s, 1987-1990, and pastor at SS. Peter and Paul, 1978-1987. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Manhattan, 1969-1978; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Elmsford, 1963-1969; and at St. Joseph’s, New Paltz, 1954-1958. He served in the U.S. Navy, 1958-1963. In 1969 he was appointed regional director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Office. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1954.
Father Joseph Darbouze had been a senior priest at St. Raymond’s in the Bronx since 2006. He was pastor of St. Gregory the Great, Manhattan, 1999-2005, and served there as administrator, 1994-1999, and parochial vicar, 1993-1994. He was parochial vicar of Holy Name of Jesus, 1980-1992, and St. Gregory the Great, 1976-1980, both Manhattan. Born in Haiti, he was incardinated into the archdiocese in 1996.
Msgr. Peter Gelsomino had been senior priest administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Port Chester, since 2012. He served that parish as pastor, 1994-2006, and administrator, 2006-2012. He served as parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shrub Oak, 1993-1994. He served at Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1958-1993. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Bronx, 1957-1958, and St. Lucy’s, Manhattan, 1955-1957. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1955.
Father Edmundo Gomez had been parochial vicar of St. Helena’s, the Bronx, since 2009. He served as pastor of St. John Vianney, the Bronx, 2004-2008. He also served as parochial vicar at St. Helena’s, 1990-2004; and at SS. Peter and Paul, the Bronx, 1981-1990. Born in Colombia, he was ordained in his native Colombia in 1969 and incardinated into the archdiocese in 1994.
Msgr. Neil Graham had been senior priest administrator of St. John the Evangelist, White Plains, since 2012. He was pastor of St. John the Evangelist, 1998-2009, and administrator, 2009-2012. He was vicar for Hispanic Affairs, 1991-1997. He was pastor of St. Margaret Mary, the Bronx, 1980-1991. He was associate executive director of the South Bronx Pastoral Center, 1979-1980. He was coordinator of the Spanish-speaking Apostolate in the Rockland and Orange Vicariates, 1970-1973. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victory, the Bronx, 1973-1979; St. Emeric’s, Manhattan, 1961-1970; and St. Gregory the Great, Manhattan, 1959-1961. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1959 and named a monsignor in 1995.
Father Aroldo Guerra had been senior priest at Incarnation, Manhattan, since 2006. He served as temporary administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mount Vernon, 2004-2006. He was parochial vicar of Annunciation, Manhattan, 1994-2004. Born in Havana, Cuba, he was ordained in 1954 in Spain and incardinated into the archdiocese in 2000.
Msgr. Patrick Keenan had been senior priest at St. Columbanus, Cortlandt Manor, since 2009 and earlier served as pastor since 1987. He served as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception, Stony Point, 1979-1987; St. Mary Mother of the Church, Fishkill, 1974-1979; and St. Ann’s, the Bronx, 1969-1970. He also served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy, 1970-1974. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1969 and named a monsignor in 1995.
Msgr. Thomas Leonard had been senior priest administrator of Holy Trinity, Manhattan, since 2003 and previously was pastor there since 1990. He was administrator of Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne, 1990. He served as temporary administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Highland Falls, 1989-1990. He was pastor of Incarnation, Manhattan, 1977-1980. In 1973 he was appointed chairman of the priests personnel board and vice chancellor. He was episcopal vicar of Manhattan West for three years beginning in 1990. He was temporary administrator of St. Brigid, Manhattan, 1971-1973. He served on the faculty of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 1969-1971. He was parochial vicar at Incarnation, Manhattan, 1967-1969, and Immaculate Conception, Irvington, 1956-1961. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1956.
Msgr. John McCarthy had been senior priest administrator of St. Patrick’s, Staten Island since 2010. He served there as pastor, 1986-2007, and administrator, 2007-2010. He served as pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Roosevelt Island, 1973-1986. He served as temporary administrator of St. Joseph’s, Manhattan, 1973. He was parochial vicar of St. Peter’s, Staten Island, 1954-1973. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1954 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Patrick McNamara had been senior priest administrator of St. Gabriel’s, New Rochelle, since 2009. He served as pastor there, 1990-2009. He was pastor of St. Angela Merici, the Bronx, 1978-1990. He was parochial vicar of Holy Name of Jesus, Manhattan, 1971-1978; St. Columba’s, Manhattan, 1960-1966; and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Bronx, 1966-1971. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1960 and named a monsignor in 2006.
Msgr. James Moore had served as pastor of St. Joseph’s, Somers, since 2003. He was pastor of Annunciation in Crestwood, 1989-2003. He served as priest secretary to Cardinal O’Connor, 1988-1989; executive director of the trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1988-1989; director of Calvary and Allied Cemeteries, 1983-1988; and director of the Archdiocesan Data Systems, 1970-1980. He was in residence at Sacred Heart, Mount Vernon, 1980-1983. He also taught at Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1968-1970. He served as parochial vicar of St. Patrick’s in Yorktown Heights, 1967-1968. Born in New York City, he was ordained in 1967 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. James O’Connor had been pastor of St. Joseph’s, Millbrook, since 1994. He also served as administrator of St. Joseph’s, Clinton Corners, 2002-2006. He was professor of dogmatic theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 1972-1992. He was named spiritual director of the Legion of Mary in the archdiocese and the New York Senatus in 1977. He was parochial vicar at SS. Peter and Paul, the Bronx, 1966-1969. Born in White Plains, he was ordained in 1966 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Robert O’Connor has been administrator of Blessed Sacrament since 2009; he was pastor there since 1985. He served as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus, Manhattan, 1972-1985. He was temporary administrator of St. Rita’s, the Bronx, 1972. He served as parochial vicar of St. Columba’s, Manhattan, 1971-1972; St. Peter’s, Yonkers, 1958-1964; and St. Philip Neri, the Bronx, 1956-1957. He was assistant librarian of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 1957-1958 and 1965-1971. He was on the faculty of Msgr. Farrell High School, Staten Island, 1964-1965. Born in Manhattan, he was ordained in 1956 and named a monsignor in 2006.
Msgr. Edward O’Donnell had been senior priest at Resurrection, Rye, since 2003. He served as temporary administrator of St. John the Baptist, Yonkers, 2002-2003. He was chancellor of the archdiocese, 1999-2001; vice chancellor, 1990-1999; and vicar for religious, 1987-1990. He was pastor of Our Lady of Solace, the Bronx, 1981-1987, and St. Gregory the Great, Manhattan, 1970-1981. He served as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, Yonkers, 1954-1957 and 1960-1970; St. Peter’s, Poughkeepsie, 1957-1960, and St. Mary’s, Washingtonville, 1957. Born in New York City, he was named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. John Ruvo had been senior priest at St. Joseph’s, New Rochelle, since 2009. He was pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Bronx, 1984-2008. He served in archdiocesan posts from 1970 to 1983, as assistant chancellor, director of the Archdiocesan Service Corp. and secretary of the Pension Office. He was parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes, Manhattan, 1957-1970, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Poughkeepsie, 1954-1957. Born in Potenza, Italy, he was ordained in 1954 and named a monsignor in 1983.
Father Peter Scaramuzzo was parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua, West Harrison, since 1994. He served as parochial vicar SS. Peter and Paul, Mount Vernon, 1984-1994; St. Francis de Chantal, the Bronx, 1981-1984; St. Thomas of Canterbury, Cornwall-on-Hudson, 1977-1981; St. Stanislaus, Pleasant Valley, 1975-1977; and Our Lady of the Angels, the Bronx, 1966-1975. Born in Yonkers, he was ordained in 1966.
Msgr. Nicholas Soares had served since 2009 as senior priest administrator of St. Clement and St. Michael on Staten Island, where he previously had been pastor, 1988-2009. He was parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Staten Island, 1979-1988. He was ordained in his native India and incardinated into the archdiocese in 1980. He was named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Guy Vinci was senior priest at St. Joseph’s, Bronxville, since 2006. He served there as parochial vicar, 2001-2006. He served as pastor of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Manhattan, 1985-1995, and also was administrator of Most Holy Crucifix, Manhattan, 1989-1995. He was chaplain of the New York City Fire Department, 1981-1985, and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, 1964-1969. He also was parochial vicar at St. Gregory the Great, Harrison, 1995-2001; Immaculate Conception, Manhattan, 1969-1981; Immaculate Conception, Sleepy Hollow, 1963-1964; and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Manhattan, 1959-1963. Born in the Bronx he was ordained in 1959 and named a monsignor in 1990.
Msgr. Charles Zanotti was senior priest administrator of St. Joseph’s, Glasco, since 2002, and pastor there, 1984-2002. He was parochial vicar at St. Mary and St. Andrew, Ellenville, 1982-1984; Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta, Staten Island, 1979-1982; St. Luke’s, the Bronx, 1970-1979; St. Joseph’s Staten Island, 1968-1970; Holy Rosary, Manhattan, 1965-1968; and St. Michael’s, Staten Island, 1953-1965. Born in Trent, Italy, he was ordained in 1953 and named a monsignor in 2006.
Senior Parish Administrators
Father George Hommel had been pastor of St. John’s, West Hurley/Woodstock, since 1994. He has served as regional vicar for Ulster County since 2010. He served on the faculty of Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale, 1990-1994, and Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, 1971-1990. He was parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament, New Rochelle, 1966-1971. Born in the Bronx, he was ordained in 1966.
Father John Lynch had been pastor of Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne, since 1996. He was parochial vicar of St. Joachim’s, Beacon, 1990-1996. He was pastor of St. Sylvia’s, Tivoli, 1988-1989. He served at St. Mary of the Assumption, Katonah, 1981-1988, and as parochial vicar at St. Mary Star of the Sea, City Island, 1971-1981, and St. Gabriel’s, New Rochelle, 1965-1971. Born in Newburgh, he was ordained in 1965.
Msgr. Robert McCabe had been senior priest administrator of St. Mary’s, Haverstraw, since 1999. He served as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, Forestburgh, 1987-1998. He was parochial vicar at Holy Family, the Bronx, 1981-1987; St. Joseph’s, Yorkville, Manhattan, 1973-1981; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shrub Oak, 1965-1973; and St. Agnes, Manhattan, 1964-1965. Born in Yonkers, he was ordained in 1964 and named a monsignor in 1995.
Msgr. Kevin O’Brien had been pastor of St. Philip Neri’s, the Bronx, since 2008. He served as spiritual director of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 2001-2008. He was pastor of Immaculate Conception, 1991-2001 and St. James, 1981-1991, both Manhattan. He was regional vicar of South Manhattan for 15 years beginning in 1986. He was parochial vicar of Holy Family, the Bronx, 1980-1981, and St. Rose of Lima, Manhattan, 1973-1980. Born in New York City, he was ordained a priest in 1973 and named a monsignor in 1995.
Msgr. Edward Straub had been pastor of St. Peter’s, Liberty, since 1986. He was named regional vicar of Sullivan County in 1998. He was on the faculty of John Coleman Catholic High School, Hurley, and parochial vicar of St. Colman, East Kingston, 1981-1986. He was parochial vicar at St. Joseph’s, New Windsor, 1974-1981; St. John’s Church, the Bronx, 1971-1974; St. Peter’s, Monticello, 1965-1971; and St. Aloysius, Livingston Manor, 1965. Born on Staten Island, he was ordained in 1965 and named a monsignor in 1999.
