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Valley Stream Pastor Named Monsignor
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ROCKVILLE CENTRE,
NEW YORK, June 8, 2007 — Pope Benedict XVI conferred the
 papal
honor of monsignor on Father Thomas J. Harold, pastor of Holy
Name of Mary parish, Valley Stream, N.Y.
Msgr. Harold said he was surprised when the Most Reverend
William Murphy, Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, made the
announcement. He said the parishioners at Holy Name of Mary
parish were “very affirming.”
Msgr. Harold was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduated from
Chaminade High School, Mineola, N.Y. He earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree in theology from St. John’s University, a Master
of Arts degree in English from Hofstra University, Hempstead,
N.Y., and a Master of Divinity from the Seminary of the
Immaculate Conception, Huntington, N.Y.
He was a Marianist Religious Brother for 15 years and taught
English at Chaminade High School from 1976 to 1987.
Ordained into the priesthood May 25, 1991, Msgr. Harold was
first assigned to Holy Family parish, Hicksville, N.Y. In
1996, he was appointed Director of the diocesan Vocations
Office. In 2000, he was assigned to Holy Name of Mary parish,
where he is pastor.
Msgr. Harold said the biggest difference between being a
priest and being a pastor is the administrative issues.
“You need to try to be an effective leader and continue to try
to be an effective priest,” he said.
He said the best part about priesthood is celebrating the
Eucharist and Sacraments, as well as “having the privilege of
sharing important moments of [parishioners’] lives with them.”
He has been on the Board of Admissions for the Seminary of the
Immaculate Conception for the past two years.
Msgr. Harold has five brothers and one sister. He is a fan of
golf, baseball and dramatic movies.
Editor’s Note: Photo Courtesy of The Long Island
Catholic/Greg Shemitz
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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville
Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198
square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese
serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population
in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134
parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000
confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages
took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000
students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary
schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69
Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college
in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in
religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island
consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a
community-based home for those with special needs and a
hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than
59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged
on Long Island. (4/20/07)
For more information Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
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