St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

By Kelly on Oct 19, 2009

Three priests have had a positive impact on my life: Fr. Jean Valliere, OMI, Fr. Albert Martineau and Fr. Edward Richards.

By Br. Richard Cote, OMI on Oct 25, 2009

I would like to remember Fr. Joseph Debergh, OMI, former pastor of St. Jean Baptiste Parish, Lowell (1973-1978). Fr. Debergh was also known as “Our Lady’s Salesman”. For 22 years this Oblate priest from Belgium,
having suffered internment in a German Nazi prison camp, came to the U.S. to promote devotion to Our Lady of Beauraing. He not only imparted in my early life as a Brother, a devotion to Our Lady but was the first Oblate priest to fully encourage and support the vocation of the Oblate Brother! If I have persevered to this day as an Oblate Brother it is due to such a wonderful priest.

By Jim on Nov 5, 2009

There have been several priests who did and some who do continue to influence my life. I would like to think of one who is with the Lord, Father Richard Clavelle, OSB, of Saint Anselm Abbey in Manchester,NH. He became a friend and guide to me during my college years as I began to practice my Catholic Faith more deeply. The Abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey, while I am not close with him, remains to this day to me a model of what it means to be a holy man. A good friend of mine is a priest, Father Paul Aveni, a pastor of the Archdiocese; I knew him from my days in the seminary, and while I am not in formation anymore, he remains a steadfast source of spiritual and fraternal support to me to this day. I would like to second Father Terry’s opinion of Father Carlson; I got to know him a little years ago when I spent some time at his parish in Lawrence, and came to respect him as a man of the Lord. Finally, all the priests at the Shrine, each in their own way, continue to be a source of support to me as I continue my Christian journey. And I cannot leave out the late great John Paul II and his successor Benedict XVI; two men who love the Lord and the Church, and inspire me to do the same.

By Aurora Scott on Nov 21, 2009

I’ve just moved to Lowell in April 2009 and have been going to the Shrine since. It’s been our custom/tradition to have a priest bless our homes before settling in. Being Easter week, a very busy day for the priests, it could not be done then. Also, as I understand, it was not one of the functions of the Shrine but the parish church to whom I belong. However, one very understanding and compassionate priest, Fr. James Flavin, the Director at the time, went out of his way to bless my apartment in May. I was honored, humbled, and grateful for this very kind gesture. Fr. Flavin was my “padre confesor” and spiritual adviser until he took on a new assignment. Thank you so much Fr. Flavin. You are one of a kind and truly a man of God!

By Diana on Nov 21, 2009

I would like to remember Fr. Jack Lau, OMI. He has been a spiritual guide and friend for over 17 years, through many rough hurdles in my life. No matter where his journey has taken him he has always made time to listen to me with an open and caring heart. He has given me guidance and support when there was no one else. I am forever grateful for him. He always challenges me to think outside the comfortable box to enable me to grow into the person I am and the person I am becoming. Thank you Fr. Jack.

By Vivian Ouellette on Nov 24, 2009

The Oblate Retreat House in Hudson, N.H. is where I began to grow in my faith journey with the help of many Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate. For thirty years, this peaceful and serene house of prayer introduced me to many priests who, by the grace of God helped me grow closer to Him.
Father Herve Gagnon served as director at the house. I remember attending my first weekend retreat as a teenager in the early 1960’s. On Friday evening we gathered in chapel for evening prayer. Fr. Gagnon knelt in the rear of the chapel and prayed out loud very softly for us. I felt relaxed and placed myself in the presence of the Lord in preparation for my weekend with Him.
In the 1970’s, Father Francis Demers gave such wonderful conferences. One year he spoke on ‘how to read the Bible’, another on ‘anxiety’, one on ‘loneliness’, another on ‘prayer’ and so on. Every conference he gave touched my life for the better. I always looked forward to hearing him speak. He was also a wonderful confessor.
Father Gil Boucher brought a breath of fresh air to the house. During our farewell at the end of one retreat weekend he said two words to me that boosted my self-esteem. I remember it everytime I see him.
Father Bob Morin brought much humor to his conferences. I especially enjoyed Saturday evenings by the fireplace in the Marian hall. He gave us the opportunity to ask questions and to share our faith with the group.
Father Gerry Roux, now deceased, once said something during his conference that encouraged me to follow my heart to become a volunteer in a nursing home. He took away my fear of the unknown and gave me the courage I needed to move forward. Sleep well Fr. Gerry.
Father Tom Horan was the last director to serve at the house when it closed in 2001. He is one of those people you like to have as a friend, and I considered him one of mine. He once commissioned me to serve as Eucharistic Minister during a women’s retreat. Fr. Tom didn’t know that he planted a seed in my heart that day. I will never forget the feeling I had while holding the cup containing the Body and Blood of Christ and serving it to my sisters in Christ. It was an awakening. What a gift!
Fourteen years ago Father George Roy, thru the recommendation of Father Paul Ouellette, hired me to work here at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine, in the rectory. Over these many years I have met so many more Oblates who have touched my life in special ways.
Father John Cox supported me when I accidentally broke a very special statue of mine of the Blessed Mother. He secretly had it restored and returned it to me as a gift.
Father William McSweeney helped me to realize how fortunate I really am and not to complain about my menial struggles.
Father George Croft supported my daughter and me during a very difficult time.
Father Albert Martineau, ‘my buddy’, was always there for me here at the rectory. He always reminds me that my family comes first in any decision I make.
These Oblates Fathers are but a few I hold dear in my memories. Thru the grace of God they helped me to learn how to handle difficult moments in my life by focusing on the Lord’s presence. They taught me that life with Christ is the ONLY way.
I wish to thank Father Terrence O’Connell for being my confessor and for giving me this opportunity to honor all the priests who have blessed my life by their words and examples.
Thank you and God Bless you all! Viviane Ouellette

By Joyce on Nov 24, 2009

I would like to acknowledge and thank all the priests here at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine since I have been here.
Fr. Flavin, Fr. Martineau, Fr. Walsh,
Fr. Hollywood, Fr. O’Connell & Fr. Tremblay.
Each one of you have shown me Christ’s love and how to live, with the help of the grace of God, through trials not just when times are good. You truly let Christ’s light shine!

By Ranit Kuriakose on Nov 24, 2009

I would like to remember Fr.Thomas Kurunthanam, who is celebrating the 25th year of his ordination to the priesthood, this year. I have a lot of good things to say about him, because I’ve got the privelge of growing up as his younger sister. Out of all the things, what touched me the most is that he always reflected God as “Father, the friend of children”. When he was in seminary, I was studying in elementary school. When he comes home for his Annual summer vacasion, the first thing he would do is that, the moment he sees me will pick me up, throw me up in the air and catch. From that time onwards, until the day he goes back to seminary, he would lift me up, always encourages, always supports , very playful & caring.
I’ve got the understanding about God through him, as how loving the God must be.
I am very thankful to God for such a wonderful brother that he has given me & praying that he will be an excellent priest for his church! I’d request all of you to pray for him, especially for his deliverance from alcoholism.

By Ranit Kuriakose on Nov 24, 2009

I’d like to remember Fr. Joseph Aikkaramattom who will be retired by the end of this year. I’ve got the privilege to be his niece, and also he was our parish priest, especially at the time while I was born - he was the priest who baptized me.

The most wonderful thing about Fr. Joseph is that he was always happy & radiant at all times. As a child, I could experience the joy thatt God giving to us from the face of Fr.Joseph.
His gentleness was outstanding. I’ve got an understanding of the gentleness of God through him.
He always had time for me, whenever I visit him in the rectory with my family or he visits us at our home. That told me that how much precious I, who is only a child, would be in God’s eyes.

I would like to request you to pray for this angel of Christ to enjoy his rest of the life on earth, with peace, happiness & love.
Especially this is a difficult year for him, because his poor health compelled him to be retired.

By Donna on Dec 27, 2009

Many priests have touched my life as well as my families life over the years but I have a few who are and always will be cherished gifts and great blessings to me. Fr.James Erving through the gift of reconciliation brought me to truly know God’s love for me and how in knowing that immense love we truly can be the person we we born to be. He also touched both of my sons life in just simply being the beautiful priest that he is. They both learned through him about the call of God to a young man and that even though they may have their own plans for life they could to, possibly hear the call of God to them, something they truly could not ignore. He is a cherished friend to our whole family and if we had to pick one thing that speakes of Fr. James Erving it is his compassion for the poor not only monetary but spiritually. We pray daily for Fr. Erving for his priesthood and God’s blessings upon him. Another priest I would like to remember is Fr. Roger Roy whose simplicity and love of deep quiet prayer and joy of his priesthood touched me deeply. We had many times to talk about how the Lord has touched our lives and he taught me that with God in our lives we have it all. His love for the Lord touched everyone in my families life in a special way and we miss him very much. He truly was a good and faithful sevant and I am sure he has seen the face of our Lord and sitting by His side watching over us. God Bless you Fr.Roy always. I would also like to remember Fr. Romeo Murphy whom I came to know in the last few years. His love of His priesthood showed in every aspect of his beautiful life. His ministry to the sick and dying was compassionate and unending. He worked long and hard for our Lord and it was truly inspirational. I will always cherish my friendship with Fr. Romeo and our love for St.Therese. He taught me about her little way everyday in all the little things he would do for others that no one knew. His laughter was something I love to hear and share with him and he always told me that laughter was the best medicine so continue to share it wherever you go. May you rest in peace Fr. Romeo. My final priest I would like to remember is Fr. Terrance O’Connell who is a priest of great compassion and love. His love for each and every soul is heard everyday in his beautiful preaching of the truth to the little flocks at the Shrine. I don’t think he realizies how many lives he touch in speaking the truth in a very simple way so all can understand. He has touched our family in a very special way and we pray for him and his priesthood everyday. For myself and my family especially my two sons, who are teens it has been a great blessing to have known these priests who encourage us in our walk in faith and we are very grateful to God for each and every one of them.

By Mary on Jan 4, 2010

Years ago I carried a sin with me. I felt awful about what I had done, and far from God. I stayed away from confession because I was ashamed and afraid. Finally I went to confession at the Shrine. My confessor was Fr. Cox. I did not know him at all.

He was compassionate, kind, understanding, and gentle. He listened and comforted me as I cried and confessed. He gave me absolution and made me understand that God had forgiven me. Eventually I was able to forgive myself.

I will never forget that day. I was able to move beyond the past and feel like God’s child again. I now go to confession regularly. I appreciate its healing so much, and Fr. Cox, who could have said so many things, but said only kind and loving ones.

By Sue Francisco on Jan 26, 2010

I would like to acknowledge Fr. Henri Bolduc who passed away in 1985. I wish I could remember the parishes he was assigned too in the Lowell area (St. Jean Baptise was one.) My Mom (a young widow with 3 children)in 1965 remarried Fr. Henri’s brother Albert (a young widower)not an easy situation for childen to understand. I remember Fr. Henri’s soft voice, endless kindness, spiritual humankind presence with a solid understanding of everyday family life.
He was a great story teller, very interesting to listen too. He came to dinner every holiday and I always looked forward to his company at our table. Thank you for the opportunity to honor him, a good man who is sorely missed.

By Dale Rouse on Feb 1, 2010

I remember with fondness the priests that I was aware of during my youth. Not coming from a family that was even nominally devoted to the Church, priests always seemed to be warm and friendly, yet a bit of a mystery to me.

When I attended college 3000 miles from where I grew up, I felt a great longing to attend daily Mass. The pastor’s name at the urban parish I attended was Mnsgnr Clement J McKenna, a priest from the old country, a former Army chaplain. I had not seen or heard from my father since I was 8, and never realized the impact of not having a male roll model in my life had on me. I got to know Mnsgr McKenna through the years I was in college, ended up serving on the altar with him, listened to his comments on all that was going on in the world. He would ask about my school work, not just in passing, but took the time to talk, to invite me in and visit. He was a very masculine man and his talk could sometimes be a little gruff, although, compared to what one hears today, there was nothing objectional. I learned from him that the priesthood was a masculine vocation, that being a man in pursuit of holiness is the epitome of masculinity. The Church was important to me before I met Mnsgr McKenna, but I think I grew to love the Church in large part because of him. He died in 1993 and I still think of him all the time. He gave me an example of what a man should be that I can relate to. I wish I was at least a little bit more the man that he was. He lived a life of courage and faith. Unlike me, Mnsgr McKenna was not one given to sentiment and I can only imagine what he might think of this little commentary. Even so, he still is in many ways, my role model. God bless you Msngr McKenna.

By r on Feb 7, 2010

I had been away from the church for many years and came to the shrine during a difficult time. Fr Hollywood said mass.. and gave a sermon that spoke to me.You brought me back.Thank you Fr. you made ( and continue to make) such a difference..