Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. McCarthy, 83, of River Vale, NJ, formerly of Twp. of Washington, NJ, entered into eternal life on Monday, March 12, 2018. He was born in Bayonne, NJ to Thomas and Rose McCarthy. He attended Xavier High School, Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary and completed his doctoral studies at Fordham University where he earned a Ph.D. in Theology. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Boland on May 23, 1959. His assignments included St. Peter, Belleville, NJ, Church of the Ascension, New Milford, NJ, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bayonne, NJ and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Twp. of Washington, NJ where he served as pastor from 1979-2009. He served the Archdiocese of Newark for 12 years as Director of Continuing Education while serving as pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel. His greatest joys as a priest; ministering to the sick and confined, celebrating mass and preaching, working with the Cornerstone Men’s Group and in fact, just being a priest. In his retirement, Msgr. was able to celebrate mass in his residence on Sundays and Holy Days for those unable to attend church due to age or infirmity. In Msgr. McCarthy’s own words: “I have a special place in my heart for the parishioners of OLGC who helped me better understand the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives.” Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 668 Ridgewood Road, Twp. of Washington, NJ on Thursday, March 15 from 3-7PM with a Vigil Prayer Service to follow beginning at 7:30PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating Msgr. McCarthy’s life, faith and priesthood will be held on Friday, March 16 at 10:30AM at the church. Prior to the funeral mass there will be visitation from 9-10:00AM. Interment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Msgr. McCarthy’s name to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Twp. of Washington, NJ. Arrangements under the direction of Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, NJ.
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