POMPTON LAKES, N.J. — At a luncheon commemorating his milestone birthday earlier this month, an additional honor was bestowed on Kevin Downey, OFM, as Anne Silversey, speaking for the staff, advised Kevin that the hall in the St. Mary’s Church Michael J. Carnevale Center was being named for him.
Kevin, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, was surprised by the parish staff with a birthday luncheon on Oct. 14 in honor of his 60th birthday.
“The spirit and teachings of St. Francis have always been at the core of Fr. Kevin’s desire to help us grow spiritually and to become the parish we are so proud of — a parish that constantly looks for ways to be of service to others in their need,” according to an announcement posted on the cover of the Oct. 17St. Mary’s bulletin.
“The Carnevale Center is a hub for so many of our caring ministries and now Downey Hall will be another wonderful reminder of what our parish is about,” the bulletin said.
Kevin has been part of St. Mary’s Parish off and on for nearly 25 years — first in his years as a brother, then after his ordination as a parochial vicar and as pastor since 2002.
The framing of the photo taken by David Blodgett was done by Bill and Betty Houston of Cardinal Frame and Fine Art in Pompton Lakes, as a gift to the parish, said Silversey, the parish’s director of youth ministry.