Looking back on their decades of priestly ministry, the two longest-serving priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore are grateful for the opportunities to serve people at some of the most important moments in life – whether they be happy times such as marriages and baptisms or more difficult times of sickness, loss and death.
Monsignor Paul G. Cook and Monsignor Martin E. Feild, both ordained May 23, 1959, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, are each celebrating 65 years of priesthood.
The two retired priests, who reside at Mercy Ridge Retirement Community in Timonium, were honored for their service during a special Nov. 18 Mass at St. Joseph in Cockeysville that also recognized other priests of the archdiocese marking milestone jubilees ranging from 25 to 65 years. Prayers were also offered for deceased priests of the archdiocese.
“Celebrating the sacraments has been such an honor,” said Monsignor Cook, 91, whose assignments included more than three decades as pastor of St. Joseph in Cockeysville and serving as secretary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Education that oversaw Catholic schools, religious education and campus ministry.
“All of my ministry was a great blessing,” he said.
Growing up in St. Bernardine parish in West Baltimore, Monsignor Cook was attracted to the priesthood because he admired his parish priests and was inspired to model their ministry.
“Being able to guide people through their spiritual needs was a great honor,” said Monsignor Feild, whose assignments included 20 years as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle in Oakland and 20 years as pastor of St. Joseph in Taneytown. “I also truly enjoyed outreach to each of the communities where I served.”
Monsignor Feild, 91, pursued his vocation after observing the example set by his parents, along with local priests and School Sisters of Notre Dame he knew growing up at St. Mark in Catonsville.
“I was in the fourth grade when I initially thought of joining the priesthood,” Monsignor Feild said.
Retirement now allows him to pursue his hobbies of pinochle, rummikub and his personal favorite, jigsaw puzzles.
Both priests concelebrate Mass with one another and with other retired priests who live at Mercy Ridge.
Throughout their ministries, Monsignors Cook and Feild worked to empower the laity and were known for encouraging parishioners to help in the leadership of their parishes.
65 Years of Service
Monsignor Martin E. Feild
Monsignor Paul G. Cook
60 Years of Service
Father George A. Limmer
Father Walter J. McGovern (deceased)
Father William C. Warman (deceased)
50 Years of Service
Father William P. Foley
Father Joseph Y. Kim
Father Lawrence F. Kolson (deceased)
Father Joseph L. Muth
Monsignor Jay F. O’Connor
Father Donald A. Sterling
40 Years of Service
Father Thomas R. Malia
Father Dale M. Picarella
Father Stephen R. Sutton
Father William L. Viola
Father Michael J. White
25 Years of Service
Father Erik J. Arnold
Father Giuliano Gargiulo
Father Douglas C. Kenney
Father Arkadiusz Ochalek
Father Edward S. Szymanski
Father Juan Vazquez Rubio
Father Jason C. Worley
Also see: Father Francis ‘Fritz’ Gollery welcomed back to priesthood after nearly 50 years
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