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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  At Marywood, six priests mark 381 years of ministry

by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 20, 2008

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Fr. Charles O’Neill (right), a 62-year jubilarian, looks at a congratulatory certificate as he and five other residents of Marywood Nursing Care Center celebrate their anniversaries of priesthood. Fr. O’Neill is joined by Fr. Henry Villerot (center).

Livonia — Because of health conditions, most of the priests at Marywood Nursing Care Center couldn't make it to the Archdiocese of Detroit's annual Mass and luncheon for priests celebrating jubilees.

But that didn't keep the priests who live at the skilled nursing home in Livonia from throwing their own celebration.

"Men, here's to ya," said 95-year-old Fr. Ferdinand Wolber with a smile, raising a glass of iced tea with fellow priests at the jubilarian party in Marywood's dining hall last Friday.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Fr. Ferdinand Wolber (seated) shakes hands with Msgr. George Brown during the celebration. Fr. Wolber, 94, marked his 68th year of priesthood.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Fr. Albert Lombardi raises his congratulatory certificate, handed to him by Marywood’s Maureen Gorie. Fr. Lombardi marked his 61st jubilee.

Fr. Wolber was celebrating the 68th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He was joined by Fr. James Hayes, celebrating 70 years; Fr. Andrew Forish, celebrating 66 years; Fr. Charles O'Neill, celebrating 62 years, Fr. Albert Lombardi, celebrating 63 years; and Fr. Jay Samonie, celebrating 52 years.

In all, the six men have served more than 380 years of priestly ministry.

The six priests were joined by several friends from Senior Clergy Village, around the corner on the same Felician campus in Livonia. The six Marywood residents and their juniors from Senior Clergy Village — some of whom have celebrated half-centuries in the priesthood themselves — reminisced over a luncheon held after their morning rosary June 13.

After many years, the jubilarians continued to count their blessings, too. Fr. Hayes said he was grateful to the Lord "that I'm still alive at (this) age." Fr. Forish also said he was grateful for "good health."

Fr. Lombardi said that, over the course of his ministry, he's been thankful for "the knowledge Jesus imparted into our hearts and souls." "One rule is to go to Jesus and use all these graces that he has given to you for the honor and glory of God," Fr. Lombardi said.

After 66 years in the priesthood, Fr. Lombardi also proved he could still cut it up.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Frs. James Hayes and Andrew Forish pause from their jubilee celebration to pose for a photo. They celebrated their 70th and 66th jubilees, respectively.

Asked what was the greatest blessing he received during his priestly ministry, he quipped:

"That requires a lot of thought. But who knows? I could wind up becoming a genius.

"I've been known to have a good, solid sense of humor," he added with a smile.

Fr. O'Neill, too, thanked God for light-heartedness — something he's well known for with his friends.

" I'm grateful for all the friends that you make in this business," Fr. O'Neill said. "This is a great group of guys."

He added that the priesthood has been a rewarding way of life.

"I always found it a great joy to be able to help people," he said, "and the priesthood certainly gave you that opportunity." His friend, Deacon Bob DeWitt, who had served with Fr. O'Neill at Our Lady of Grace in Dearborn Heights, said the people were fortunate to have been served by him.

"He's an Irish man and he's a blessed man, and we were very blessed to have him as well as all these priests," Deacon Dewitt said.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Fr. Jay Samonie, the youngest of the jubilarians, marked his 52nd year of priesthood.

Fr. Jay Samonie, the youngest of the jubilarians at Marywood, had just returned from the hospital in time for the celebration.

He said he was most thankful for "the constant assistance by the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit guiding me through life."

"I've seen Him many times," Fr. Samonie said. "And if you see Him once, your life will never be the same."

Maureen Gorie, a caregiver at Marywood who helped plan the get-together, said the staff was grateful to have the priests as residents, and that they enjoyed socializing.

"It's good for all of them to get together, to reminisce and to share," Gorie said.

During the jubilee celebration, Gorie awarded each priest a certificate to commemorate the occasion.

On hand to watch was a seminarian, Jeff Allan. Having entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary from nearby St. Collette, Livonia, he volunteers at Marywood in the afternoon and has gotten to know the jubilarians.

Especially valuable, Allan said, is being able to see the wisdom of the men and the strong bond of fraternity that exists between priests after 50 to 70 years in the ministry.

"Seeing this, seeing all the experience — it's a real blessing for their witness," Allan added. "They're a real witness, especially to the young guys, seminarians, who are pursuing the priesthood."