By Father Harry Monaco — who passed away at age 48 in 2011 following a courageous battle with cancer — touched many hearts and souls through his priestly vocation. The following article about the celebration of his first Mass on the altar of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Ballston Spa was written by Ann Hauprich for publication in the May 24, 2009 edition of The Saratogian. It is being reprinted by the author a decade later in the fervent hope that the late Franciscan friar’s legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Newly ordained priest returns to boyhood parish
St. Mary’s is in many ways a symbol of all that led up to my ordination. The parish in Ballston Spa has been a consistent place and presence in my life.
“St. Mary’s will always be my home parish,” Father Monaco reflected during a phone interview from St. Bonaventure University where he teaches theology and assists with Campus Ministry. “The celebration of Christ’s resurrection is always a joyous occasion, but this Sunday’s Mass will be especially meaningful because it will include a gathering of family members and others who have been with me on my faith journey. St. Mary’s is in many ways a symbol of all that led up to my ordination. The parish in Ballston Spa has been a consistent place and presence in my life.”
One of four Franciscan friars to be ordained at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City on Saturday, May 16, Father Monaco expects to be joined on St. Mary’s altar by its pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Kelley. It is also expected that an assembly of Franciscan clergymen will be seated near the front of the historic church on Milton Avenue.
‘I was attracted by the person and the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the manner in which he chose to live the Gospel’ said Father Monaco, who first read about the life of his role model in the pages of a book he had borrowed from the village’s public library during his high school years.
Father Monaco said his first Homily as a priest will reflect upon words from the first letter of John: “God is love and all who abide in love abide in God.”
Readings will be done by Paul Loatman, one of the priest’s relatives, and by Audrey Bopp Hauprich, one of Monaco’s former elementary school teachers. “I chose Paul because he is also a lector at Assumption St. Paul Church in Mechanicville and I asked Mrs. Hauprich both because of her connection to my early education in the village and because I have heard her read at morning Masses when I’ve been home for holidays and think she’s a beautiful reader.”
The congregation will also hear songs that were personally selected by the new priest, including “O God Beyond All Praising” and “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Father Monaco said he finds the lyrics of the second song to be particularly moving because they are the canticle of St. Francis of Assisi. Leading the choir that will perform the songs will be music director Ann Vanderwerker. Following the recessional hymn, a reception with light refreshments will take place in the Parish Hall.
Those in Franciscan circles note that last weekend’s ordinations of Father Monaco and the three friars are significant because all four men are “second-career priests” who are experiencing a “life shift” – to use a phrase made popular by the Holy Name Province’s recent advertisement for men to join in religious life.
A 1981 Ballston Spa High School graduate, Father Monaco earned a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Bonaventure’s University in Western New York and a master’s degree in social work from Boston College. He had initially entered the Province’s formation program in the late 1980s, but withdrew in 1992. He subsequently worked in a variety of social outreach programs before re-entering the Order’s formation.
“I was attracted by the person and the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the manner in which he chose to live the Gospel,” said Father Monaco, who first read about the life of his role model in the pages of a book he had borrowed from the village’s public library during his high school years. “I was inspired by the story of his work among the lepers in Medieval Italy and seriously pondered the possibility of vocation during my adolescence, but ended up taking the slow route to my destination.”
Among the most memorable – and life transforming – stops along the way was the period when Father Monaco held a position as a social worker in Boston. “Working among the homeless, many of whom had problems with drug addictions and had tested positive for HIV, certainly influenced my decision to pursue this vocation.”
Asked about others who had contributed to his decision to become a priest, Father Monaco replied that he had been “blessed with role models too numerous to name.” He expressed gratitude to his parents, Angela and Harry Monaco, Sr. and to his older siblings, Patricia and Vincent, for their steadfast support over the years.
While his reunion with loved ones connected to his home parish will be short-lived due to the need to return to St. Bonaventure on Monday morning, Father Monaco is looking forward to resuming his work there in the spirit of St. Francis.
“I love teaching students who are open and receptive to acquiring new knowledge and helping with the music ministry at St. Bonaventure,” said Father Monaco, whose talents include being an accomplished pianist.
In addition to his campus responsibilities, Father Monaco assists priests at neighboring parishes and also lends a hand liturgically at a nearby convent that houses Franciscan nuns.
True to the Prayer of St. Francis, the new Franciscan priest will continue to walk in humility as he brings light where there is darkness, joy where there is sadness, and hope where there is despair while setting an example of faith that may ultimately lead others to ponder the possibility of a future vocation.
Additional insights into the Franciscan friar’s legacy may be gained by clicking on the following website links: Holy Name Province and Armer Funeral Home.
