Memorial Mass for Jesuit Fr. Paul McCarthy

IC photo/Linda Petersen

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Fr. John Evans, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, gives the homily during the Jan. 31 memorial Mass for Jesuit Fr. Paul McCarthy, who ministered at the parish from 2000 to 2014. Fr. McCarthy died Jan. 18 at the Jesuit retirement home in New York. A photograph of Fr. McCarthy is shown at far left.

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Friends and former parishioners of Father Paul J. McCarthy, S.J. filled St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Cottonwood Heights Jan. 31 for a memorial Mass for the priest, who passed away Jan. 18 at the age of 97.

Fr. McCarthy, who came to Utah after he retired as a chemistry professor, was associate pastor at the St. Thomas More Parish from 2000 to 2014. Then, at the age of 90, he moved to his order’s retirement home in the Bronx, N.Y.

In his homily at the memorial Mass, Father John Evans spoke warmly of his former mentor, who reached out to him when he heard of Fr. Evans’ appointment as pastor at St. Thomas More.

“He shared the best of what he could, and it was so very helpful,” he said. “He had a kindness about him, a gentleness, a lovely sense of humor, and he wanted the good not just for himself but for everyone.”

“He opened his heart to God, and we could see it and we could feel it, we could experience it,” Fr. Evans said. “He spent a lifetime preparing to be in eternal communion with God.”

After the Mass, remembrances of the Jesuit priest were shared by Monsignor Terence M. Moore, a retired priest of the diocese who had served as St. Thomas More Parish pastor during Fr. McCarthy’s years as associate pastor; and Lynn Parker, a longtime friend.

Parker recounted several memories, including the story of Fr. Paul’s brownies becoming a staple fundraiser at the Ladies of Thomas More annual bake sale because, being “holy,” they could fetch more money, she said.

In a more serious note, she said, “Ninety-seven years of awe-inspiring accomplishments as a teacher, scientist, musician, linguist, chef and man of God – he did it all calmly and quietly with dignity and humility. He was a joy to all who were lucky enough to know him.”

In closing she shared a saying Fr. McCarthy was well known for: “‘Don’t be sad it’s over, appreciate that it happened.’ I am sad it’s over but no doubt we can all agree that we’re very grateful that Fr. Paul happened,” she said.

Also recalled by the speakers was Fr. McCarthy’s close friendship with the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, while the latter served as bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. The two would visit each other often and spent many hours together late into the night playing the piano at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Fr. Evans said.

“He was truly a loving, compassionate and caring pastoral associate who would go to any lengths to serve the people of the parish and was a wonderful partner with me in that work,” said Msgr. Moore, who would head to the ski slopes with Fr. McCarthy every Friday during the winter. He recounted the story of Fr. McCarthy, who had once skied 50 times in one season, deciding to give up the sport on the advice of his doctors at the age of 85.

“Oh, to be 80 again,” he recalled Fr. McCarthy saying longingly at the time.

“He was just an amazing man in so many dimensions,” Msgr. Moore said. “I do remember him as an ebullient, positive, such a fervent person who brought joy and hope and creativity into all of our lives. Thank you, Paul, from all of us for showing us how to live with an attitude of gratitude.”

Father Bill Martin, a visiting priest, concelebrated the memorial Mass; assisting were Deacon John Keyser and Deacon Mark Solak.