FRONT PORCH PERSPECTIVE: Changing…

May 7, 2013 · 0 Comments

Changing of the Guard at Our Lady of Grace Church
By Stephen Somerville

Time sure does fly by. Already four months in the books for 2013.

I also can’t believe that Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is getting ready to say good bye to Fr. Tim Hanley. It just seemed like he got here the other day.

Father Tim replaced Fr. Don MacLean as the local pastor back in the summer of 2007. Fr. MacLean presided over my wedding and also baptized our son. It was stated that Fr. Don has presided over eight thousand such liturgical services!

Fr. Hanley is a native of Whitby, who is, get this, an accountant by training!

He was ordained in 1992 when he was assigned to St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Mississauga. In 1993, he was made Vice-Rector of St. Augustine’s Seminary in Scarborough, returning to Mississauga in 1997 to St. Dominic’s Parish, where he served as pastor until this appointment. He has been our pastor since September 2007.

In addition to his parish duties, Fr. Tim is currently a member of Board of Governors of St. Augustine’s Seminary, and has also recently been elected to serve once again on the Board of Trustees of The Shepherds’ Trust.

Fr. Tim has been appointed as Pastor of St. Ignatius Loyal Parish, effective July 3rd. This move reminds me of the movie, “Back to the Future” – with Fr. Tim going back to assume responsibility for the church he initially served twenty years ago.

The weekly homilies delivered by him were always just about right – they were never too long and the message conveyed was straightforward. Fr. Tim made the weekly hour a good time for both personal introspection and reflection.

Fr. Tim introduced the weekly church bulletin which really proved helpful in keeping our community up to date on activities of interest.

I think his most lasting legacy will be that he has been able to mobilize more of our parish community to commit their time and talents to serve on one of the various Parish Ministries that support many community endeavours.

Replacing Fr. Tim will be his current associate pastor, Fr. Joe Gorman.According to the Parish website:

“Fr. Joseph Gorman was born and raised in Newmarket, Ontario. The son of Terry and Jill Gorman, he is one of seven children (5 sisters and 1 brother). He likes to say he has one brother and six ‘mothers’!

“Fr Joe says his vocation was nourished and supported from a very early age in the home. He credits Fr. Bill Scanlon with inspiring him to be a priest for the people.

“A graduate of York University, Fr. Joe was also a member and a Director of the Columbus Boys Camp from 1992 – 2008. He was ordained on May 10th, 2008. Prior to his appointment to Our Lady of Grace parish, Fr. Joe was Associate Pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Mississauga where he worked closely with the principals and teachers in the parish, elementary and high schools.”

Having observed Father Joe for the last two years, he has a special quality that seems to draw the younger parishioners to him. The former college football player has a big smile, an engaging personality and like

Fr. Tim gives a good homily. Fr. Joseph Pham will now officially become the associate Pastor. Congratulations Fr. Joseph!

From the weekly church bulletin: “Taking request of Father Joe and Father Joseph being already with us here at the Parish, the Cardinal has accepted my request for a mini-Sabbatical of six weeks beginning May 15, 2013. At that time I will leave the Parish and travel to Colorado for a thirty day Ignatian retreat, as well as some time for holidays before I begin my new ministry in Mississauga.”

During the weekend of May 11 and 12th, there will be a reception after each Mass in order for Fr. Tim to thank parishioners for their support and prayers over the last six years.

Irrespective of one’s religion, men like Fr. Hanley and Fr. Joe, and their counterparts in the other faiths around town, render a service that is so very important. They help those in Aurora laugh in celebration, share the sorrow of those who are grieving, and assist those preparing for death. The nobility and selflessness of these men is special; they have been, and will be there for us.
Our community is a much better place by having men like these in our midst.

Congratulations to Fr. Joe and Fr. Joseph as you assume responsibility for the Parish!

Good luck in your new post and thank you Father Tim! You will be missed!

Stephen can be contacted at
stephengsomerville@yahoo.com