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Father Urbano Rodrigues, parochial vicar of St. Lucy’s parish in the Bronx since 2017, died Sept. 9. He was 55.
A Parish Requiem Mass was offered Sept. 18, with Cardinal Dolan as celebrant. Father Eric Rapaglia, pastor of Sacred Heart parish on Staten Island, delivered the homily.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 19, with Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen as celebrant. Father Nikolin Pergjini, pastor of St. Benedict’s parish in the Bronx, was the homilist.
Father Rodrigues served as parochial vicar in the Bronx at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2012-2017, and Our Lady of Angels, 2010-2012.
“People loved him, and it’s a big loss for St. Lucy. He was honest and humble. He touched many souls,” said Father Pergjini, who served as pastor of St. Lucy for 12 years before being appointed to St. Benedict’s in 2021.
“He was very joyful. The joy came from his soul. His voice was always joyful. He never showed any signs of despair or lack of hope.”
Father Pergjini said he went to lunch with Father Rodrigues just days before his birthday on Sept. 5 and texted him on his birthday.
“I will miss him first as a brother priest, his friendship and his joyful spirit,” Father Pergjini said.
Born in India, Father Rodrigues was ordained in 1994 and was incardinated into the archdiocese in 2019.
Burial was in St. Raymond Cemetery, the Bronx.
