Mass recognizes service of nine priests

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer

Priests of the Archdiocese of Louisville gathered May 18 at the Cathedral of the Assumption to honor nine clergy at the Presbyteral Jubilee Mass.

The annual liturgy honors priests celebrating the 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of their presbyteral ordinations.

Priests celebrating 60 years include Fathers James E. Flynn and John W. Hanrahan and Conventual Franciscan Friar Benjamin Knopp.

Priests marking their golden jubilees are Fathers Thomas L. Boland and J. Wayne Murphy, Passionist Father Robert Weiss and Conventual Francsican Friar Christian Moore.

Jubilarians celebrating 25 years are Fathers J. Randall Hubbard and John J. Stoltz.

Father Hubbard, who gave the homily at the jubilee Mass,asked members of the presbyterate to recall Jesus’ words in the day’s gospel passage: “Do you believe now?”

“We must ask ourselves, do we believe now?

“As we celebrate this event, we, as brother priests, are ever mindful of our call to the service of God’s people, continuing that mission of proclaiming the good news,” he said.

Father Hubbard noted that for all the differences of those gathered, the one thing that connects everyone, is the word of God and the sacrifice of the altar.

“Regardless of our ministries … we are united in the body of Christ. We come here to celebrate this good news and we are asked ‘do we believe?’ Do we believe in all we have given our lives to?” he said.

Jesus explains to the disciples that what he offers them is simply his peace, Father Hubbard noted.

“And our belief is that same peace that Jesus offers us. And so to you my brothers I say peace be with you.”

Father Hubbard currently serves as pastor of Church of the Epiphany. He was ordained June 2, 1990. He served as associate pastor of St. Helen, Holy Spirit and St. Raphael churches, as well as St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Ky. He also served as chaplain of the deaf community and at Sacred Heart Academy. He was also the director of the Deaf Office.
In addition, he served as pastor of St. Stephen Martyr Church.

Following is information on the other jubilarians honored at the liturgy:

60 years

Father James E. Flynn, ordained March 26, 1955, has served as a pastor, administrator and sacramental moderator. He was the founding pastor of Epiphany Church in 1971. He also served as pastor of St. William Church and was chairman of the Liturgical Commission. He served as associate pastor of St. Ann, Our Lady of Lourdes and Mother of Good Counsel churches. He retired in 1999.

Father John W. Hanrahan, ordained March 26, 1955, has served as a teacher, assistant pastor and pastor. He has also served in administrative roles for the Archdiocese of Louisville.  He served as a teacher at Trinity High School, an assistant pastor at St. Barnabas Church and pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Church. He served as secretary, chancellor and a member of the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Metropolitan Tribunal. He retired in 1999.

Conventual Franciscan Friar Benjamin Knopp, ordained May 30, 1955, served as a pastor, a hospital chaplain and a Navy chaplain. He was associate pastor at parishes in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. He served as pastor of parishes in Georgia and Wisconsin. He also served as a hospital chaplain in Michigan and at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville. He served as a Navy chaplain in Japan, the Philippines and Adak. Since 2014, he has been in residence at Nazareth Home.

50 years

Father Thomas L. Boland, ordained May 8, 1965, has served as a teacher, chaplain and pastor. He was the assistant chaplain at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Home. He served as a teacher at Trinity High School and as associate director of the Vocation Office. He has served as a counselor at the Family Relations Center and director of the Family Ministries Office. Before his retirement in 2010, he was pastor of Holy Spirit and St. Patrick parishes.

Conventual Franciscan Friar Christian Moore, ordained March 13, 1965, has served as an educator, campus minister and pastor. He served as a teacher and principal of Mt. St. Francis High School Seminary in Mt. St. Francis, Ind. He also served as a campus minister at Indiana State University and Rose Hulman Institute. He has served as a pastor in Illinois and Ohio and is presently the pastor of Incarnation Church in Louisville.

Father J. Wayne Murphy, ordained May 8, 1965, primarily served as an associate pastor and pastor before he retired in 2004. He was associate pastor at Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Stephen Martyr and St. Denis churches, as well as St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, Ky. He served as pastor of Guardian Angels and St. Thomas More parishes.

Passionist Father Robert Weiss, ordained May 8, 1965, has served as a high school seminary director and local superior. He continues to preach at parish missions, for clergy and at religious retreats.

25 years

Father John J. Stoltz, ordained June 2, 1990, has served as a pastor throughout his ministry. He was associate pastor of St. Barnabas and served as chaplain of Assumption High School. He has served as administrator of Christ the King Church in Tompkinsville, Ky. He also served as pastor of Christ the Healer Church in Edmonton, Ky., and at St. Gabriel Church. He is presently pastor of St. Aloysius Church in Pewee Valley, Ky.