Weekly Pastor's Corner
Third Sunday of Advent
W/E 12/13/25-12/14/25
While Fr. Joe is on sabbatical, Fr. Ron Coyne will be writing this column:
Friends,
In the Archdiocese of Boston, priests are expected to work full time until they reach 75 years of age. Each of us is then asked to write a letter requesting retirement status. If you choose to continue to work full time as a pastor for example and you have good health, that is an option. So, there are pastors well into their 80’s and even 90’s. Cardinal O’Malley is an example as he was willing to continue in his position until he turned 80. While a priest serves in a parish, the parish pays his salary and his medical and health insurance. Once the priest officially retires, the Archdiocese is responsible for paying his insurance. That’s the purpose of the Clergy Trust. The collection on Christmas and Easter is specifically taken up for this purpose. In the Archdiocese of Boston there are presently more priests over the retirement age than under it. Many of the retired priests continue to serve the Archdiocese and our people in various ways. These are options which include living at the priest’s retirement home (Regina Cleri), or a nursing facility if necessary, taking up residence in a family home, living in a rectory as a senior priest, or being on the Emergency Response Team, filling in as I am doing for interim periods of time when no one else is available. In many of these circumstances, the retired priest is a wonderful presence as he helps out in local parishes and can choose to do as much as or as little as he is able.
Throughout the years of my priesthood, I have lived with many gifted men who served with me in various parishes. Obviously, at one time I was the youngest priest in the parish, and it was also the best of times in the Catholic Church so there was a wonderful support system. I was in my glory. In the past 20 years with the acknowledgement of the sex abuse crisis and the impact it has on the image of the Catholic Church and the priesthood, it has become a different world. Rightly so, each priest has to now earn the trust and respect of those he serves. The average person is much more skeptical of young men or older who choose to serve in the priesthood. I understand those questions. We now know that every priest is an individual with a family history who has been formed by his life experiences including his relationship with the Church.
Over the years, I have met and been reunited with many retired priests especially at our Annual Convocation, social gatherings at holidays and at local vicarate meetings among the parishes in which I have served. It is truly a reality check when I am in the presence of a priest that I knew years ago and have not seen in quite a while. Illness takes its toll, and it can break your heart to see someone who was so vibrant, full of energy and served so well for so many years, who is now struggling physically or emotionally.
On behalf of the retired priests of the Archdiocese of Boston I ask you to make the Christmas collection in our parish a priority. The Clergy Trust is restricted for the exclusive purpose of supporting the retirement needs of senior priests. I would never ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself.
Enjoy Life!
Fr. Ron Coyne
Introduction to Fr. Ron Coyne
Friends,
My name is Fr Ron Coyne and I’m introducing myself as I come to your parish as administrator while Fr. Joe
MacCarthy is away. I serve on the Emergency Response Team (ERT) for the Archdiocese of Boston. I am presently
the only one on the “Team”. Since I left being the pastor of the Blue Hills Collaborative in Hyde Park (Most Precious Blood, St. Anne & St. Pius X) in 2019. I volunteered to fill in at various parishes when they need a temporary administrator. Most priests are now alone so if they retire, get sick, go on sabbatical or are transferred and the archdiocese is not able replace them immediately, I am willing to fill the vacancy, temporarily. I don’t call them assignments; I call them opportunities.
I moved into the rectory on October 12th. Over the past 6 years I have served in this capacity in Marblehead,
Wilmington, the Back Bay, Charlestown, Revere/Chelsea/Everett, Medford, Wayland, Methuen, Foxboro and most recently Amesbury/Salisbury which I left on October 7th.
I grew up in Roslindale/West Roxbury (Holy Name Parish). I’m half Irish and half Italian. I have an older sister and
a younger brother, so I have all the wonderful traits of a middle child.
Most of my priesthood prior to the ERT was in the city of Boston (Mattapan, Dorchester, Roslindale, Charlestown, Hyde Park) I was also the pastor in Weymouth and Randolph. Cambridge is a new experience for me.
I look forward to getting to know you and the wonderful history of your faith community. I like the unknown,
meeting new people and experiencing, evolving and ministering together as we celebrate God’s presence in the church and humanity. During my years in ministry the role of the church has changed greatly, and it is much more challenging to engage families and convince them that the church can be a positive presence in their lives. Many have moved beyond the need to celebrate their faith in a community. That is a huge loss to the church physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. If we want our people to remain engaged with the church, the three reasons they will choose a parish over others are good preaching, uplifting music and hospitality.
Fr. Joe MacCarthy welcomed me with open arms. I wish him the best as he recuperates. He has spoken so highly about St. John the Evangelist Parish, your wonderful staff and contagious spirit. I have met Fr. Gustave Miracle and Fr. Tom Leclerc and look forward to ministering with them. They love this parish. How blessed we are with their presence and ministry.
I anticipate meeting you and celebrating our faith together. May God bless you and those you love with peace,
happiness and good health.
Enjoy life!
Fr. Ron Coyne
