Annual Appeal supports retired priests

CHESTER  There’s no place like home, especially a home like Nazareth Village here. At this one-of-a-kind facility, its residents are a special group of men — priests that have given a lifetime of service to the people of the Diocese of Paterson. Nazareth Village first opened in 1993 and the retirement residence offers a unique setting for these priests in their golden years. They have fraternity with their brother priests yet live independently at their own residence.

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal, with this year’s theme, “Be Rich in Good Works,” supports Nazareth Village and many other ministries of the Paterson Diocese including serving diocesan seminarians, inner-city area elementary school children and those in need of social services through diocesan Catholic Charities agencies.

Many of the retried priests at Nazareth Village continue to minister throughout the diocese, assisting at weekday and weekend Masses, visiting the sick and taking part in diocesan events.

One of the residents is Father Edward Davey, 91, who is happy to call Nazareth Village his home. In fact, he always says to people, “Keep smiling. Tomorrow will be better.” “Living here is one of the best decisions I made in my life. It’s a great place,” he told The Beacon. “While we are able to live independently, we have a real sense of community here. The priests here laugh a lot together and we are always thinking about and praying for all in the Diocese.”

Father Davey, former pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Newton, has been in residence here since 1999. He served for 19 years at the Newton parish and in total has served the Paterson Diocese for 63 years as a priest. Father Davey still stays active. He drives to local places and he helps out many times at Our Lady of the Mountain, St. Luke and St. Mark parishes, all in Long Valley. He said being able to still serve at parishes is a blessing and will continue to do as long as he is able.

Father Davey said, “I love going out there and being with the people. Everyone is so nice to me and I’m happy I’m able to give them encouragement. I meet a lot of seniors and sometimes they joke around with me, “Don’t you ever feel pain.” I say to them, ‘If I could do it, you could do it.’ For the young people, they say we have a lot of wisdom. I guess because I have experienced a lot.”

Each priest-resident at Nazareth has a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. In addition, common rooms include a recreation room, library, refectory, TV room, parlors, laundry, physical therapy room, and exercise room. The priests are charged a portion of their monthly pension as rent.

Father Davey makes use out of the exercise room. “I exercise everyday. I really think that has been the secret for me to be able to be out and about still,” he said.

Nazareth Village is under the direction of Msgr. Raymond Lopatesky. The priests at Nazareth Village believe the staff is the best out there. Father Davey said, “They really do treat us as if we were their fathers. They are patient and understand and we are very fortunate that we have them here.”

One of the highlights of living at Nazareth Village is the lunch served in the main dining for all the priest residents. This is when much of the conversation takes place, whether it’s about theology, stories about the priesthood or some light hearted jokes. Just recently, a main topic has been about baseball.

“I root for the New York Yankees,” said Father Davey. “ One priest here thinks the New York Mets are the best. But there’s so much camaraderie here, we don’t argue.”

Nazareth village consists of 10 condominiums that are connected to five large buildings — Our Lady of Nazareth Residence, St. Joseph Residence, St. Francis Residence, St. John Vianney Residence, Cabrini Home Health Care Facility, and “The Carriage House” maintenance building.

The cornerstone and heart of Nazareth Village is its chapel — Our Lady Mother of Priests Chapel — allowing priests to celebrate daily Mass.

In addition to the independent apartments, Nazareth Village also has a home health care residence called Cabrini Residence as an option for retired priests instead of a nursing home. Cabrini Residence houses priests with special limited health needs, such as bathing, dressing, getting up or going to bed, administering medication and physical therapy. The home health care model allows priests to “age in place,” by providing them with shelter, companionship, hospitality, utilities, meals and some, although limited, health and rehabilitative services.

With its rural and quiet setting, Nazareth Village is also open as a place for private retreats to all priests and deacons of the diocese.

To those who give to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, Father Davey said, “I think it’s important that we get together to do good and that’s what the Appeal is about. We can’t do this individually and when we are all able to be a part of the Appeal, we help the sick, the young, the old, seminarians and so many others. Every little bit counts.”

[To support the 2016 Bishop’s Annual Appeal with a pledge, visit the diocesan website at www.rcdop.org and click on Bishop’s Annual Appeal or contact the diocesan development office at (973) 777-8818, ext. 215.].