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‘Pastor Among Priests’ Receives Papal Honors
Administrator of Senior Priest Residence Named Monsignor
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ROCKVILLE CENTRE,
NEW YORK, June 5, 2007 — Pope Benedict XVI conferred the
 papal
honor of monsignor on Father Thomas F. Mulvanerty, diocesan
vicar for senior priests and administrator of the St. Pius X
Residence in Uniondale, N.Y. Msgr. Mulvanerty was one of two
monsignors to be named Prelate of Honor, which is bestowed
upon priests holding significant canonical offices or having
more advanced years. The title is distinguished by red piping
and buttons on a black cassock, and a purple sash.
Msgr. Mulvanerty also assists at Holy Name of Jesus parish,
Woodbury, N.Y., on a regular basis on weekends.
“I’m humbled by this affirmation,” Msgr. Mulvanerty said. “I’m
very appreciative of the honor and I’m very grateful.”
Msgr. Mulvanerty, a diocesan priest for the past 28 years, was
a Franciscan Brother for 10 years before entering the Seminary
of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, N.Y. He joined the
brothers during his senior year at St. Francis College,
Brooklyn, N.Y. He earned a master’s degree in theology from
LaSalle College, Philadelphia, and from the seminary.
While a Franciscan Brother, Msgr. Mulvanerty taught religion
at elementary schools and high schools, including St. Anthony
High School, formerly in Smithtown.
“I felt a real call to be a priest, but I recognized that I
could not do it among them,” Msgr. Mulvanerty said of his
decision to leave the brotherhood and enter the priesthood.
“There were priests that I met over the years that really
inspired me.”
Ordained in 1979, Msgr. Mulvanerty was first assigned to St.
Boniface Martyr parish, Sea Cliff, N.Y., and then to St.
Joseph parish, Garden City, N.Y., in 1985. He was named pastor
of Church of the Resurrection parish, Farmingville, N.Y., in
1989.
“Father Tom has been an excellent pastor, guiding Resurrection
through challenging times,” said the Most Reverend Emil Wcela,
retired Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
They first met when Bishop Wcela was on the faculty at the
seminary and Msgr. Mulvanerty was a student. The two priests
served together at St. Joseph as pastor and associate pastor,
respectively. Bishop Wcela founded Church of the Resurrection,
but Msgr. Mulvanerty succeeded him as pastor after one year
because of Bishop Wcela’s appointment to auxiliary bishop.
“He is extremely thoughtful and considerate,” Bishop Wcela
said. “He cares about the people he works with, and for, and
goes out of his way to support, encourage and, sometimes in a
good way, to challenge them.”
Msgr. Mulvanerty said the transition from brother to priest
was a tough one.
“There was a real loss of the community aspect,” he said. “It
was very comfortable living with [the Brothers] and working
with them. I needed to develop a whole new core of
friendships.”
In 1998, Msgr. Mulvanerty was named director of the diocesan
office of priestly life and ministry. In 2001, he was named
vicar for senior priests and vicar for priestly concerns at
St. Pius X. He continued to hold both positions until 2005,
when he began to devote all his time to the residence.
Currently, Msgr. Mulvanerty is responsible for ensuring the
safety and care of about 114 retired priests. He and
Franciscan Brother Patrick Murphy act as liaisons between
Bishop Murphy and senior priests. They provide physical,
psychological and spiritual support for residents through home
health aides, 20 cooked meals each week, housekeeping,
transportation to doctor appointments, daily Mass, weekly Holy
Hour, confessions, retreats and a regular newsletter. The duo
is responsible for easing the transition from a retirement
home to an assisted living facility.
“He’s always on call,” Brother Murphy said. “It’s a very
demanding ministry, and he does it exceptionally well.”
Brother Murphy said when a staff member has a special
occasion, Msgr. Mulvanerty always mentions them in prayer.
“I see myself as a pastor among our priests,” Msgr. Mulvanerty
said. “They are really my parishioners.”
He makes sure cakes and cards abound for staff birthdays,
Brother Murphy said. He maintains long-term relationships with
parishioners from all assignments and often gets called back
for marriages, baptisms and funerals.
“As a priest, Tom Mulvanerty is a very good brother,” said
Msgr. Paul Rahilly, pastor of St. Joachim, Cedarhurst. Msgr.
Rahilly was also a Franciscan Brother (the two actually lived
together) and was also recently named Prelate of Honor. “He is
a man of great charity and sacrifice. He fights a very good
battle for the priests.”
Editor’s Note: Photo Courtesy of The Long Island
Catholic/Greg Shemitz
# # #
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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