Fr. James E. Goode, OFM

He was born on November 18, 1940 in Roanoke, Virginia, and at the age of three months, was adopted by Robert D. and Lula Bell Young. After attending Roanoke Catholic High School, Jim served our country in the United States Air Force. He attended Holy Apostles Seminary in Connecticut and was admitted into the formation program of our province in Troy, NY. He was received into the order on August 15, 1967 at St. Anthony Novitiate in Catskill, and professed first vows on August 16, 1968. Jim studied theology at St. Anthony-on-the-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, and professed solemn vows on August 16, 1973. He was ordained a priest on May 13, 1972 at St. Anthony Church in Manhattan by Bishop Bernardine Mazzarella, O.F.M.

His first assignment was faculty member at Serra High School, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and served as pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church in San Francisco, and Our Lady of Charity Church in Brooklyn. Jim served the province with many positions, including Provincial Definitor, Secretary of Missions and Evangelization, and FMU Promoter.

He is best remembered for his many years of service to the African American community. He was known as the Dean of Black Catholic Preachers and was recognized internationally as a missionary and evangelist. He preached over three hundred Black Catholic Revivals and Convocations, and in 1989 founded the National Day of Prayer for the African American Family. For many years Jim was Director of the Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry at St. Clare Friary in Manhattan and received many awards and proclamations throughout his life.