Father Michael

This past Sunday, St. Stephen’s Parish celebrated and honored Father Michael McLoughlin. Father McLoughlin is leaving St. Stephen’s after 12 years of pastoral and spiritual leadership.

Due to a snafu in scheduling, I wasn’t able to present the Village’s Proclamation during the Mass, but I was able to present it to Father Mike during the reception that followed.

The proclamation clearly defined Father Mike’s wonderful accomplishments over the past 12 years – his work with Catholic Charities, his innovative youth programs, his parish pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, France and Fatima.

But there is more.
Local leadership, a spiritual leader or elected position, is often described as, “in the trenches.” Beyond performing the sacraments and daily services a parish priest is a caretaker, confidant and shepherd of many souls. Misfortune and need can happen to anyone at any time. A soulful spiritual leader can be a safety net when worlds seem crashing around us.

Father Michael was just this. His responsibility, humanity and deep sense of Christianity guides him and helped many.

The men and women who make up our spiritual community work together through the Ecumenical Council. They do many good things including the Warwick Food Pantry. Father Michael played an important role in this group over his 12-year tenure.

I have had the privilege of knowing council members over the past many years – The Rev. Chris Yount of the Methodist Church, Father (now Bishop) Scott Barker of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Bruce Bernard of the Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Michael Otte of the Reformed Church to name a few and including Father McLoughlin brought a dynamic energy to our community.

As a mayor trying to develop a better place, it is surely made easier by the inner groundwork of human goodness set by our priests and ministers.

Father, you will be missed by many parishioners and many Warwickians. We wish you well at your next parish.

You have given us great gifts in a quiet, gentle way with the humility of God’s servant, and the understanding of human frailty and forgiveness.

We have been truly blessed.
Michael J. Newhard

Mayor, Village of Warwick