Father Simmons retiring as the oldest active priest in the archdiocese

Note: Five priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be retiring July 1. The Review profiles the five as their parishes bid them farewell. Click here to read more retirement profiles. 

After 61 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Joseph Simmons knows how to keep a low profile.

He jokes that his low profile is what kept him as pastor at Holy Spirit in Joppa for the past 39 years.

“I like to fly under the radar,” joked Father Simmons, who grew up in Canton at St. Brigid Parish.

He plans to keep that approach in retirement, too, when he transitions to Mercy Ridge in Timonium. At 86, he retires as the oldest active priest in the archdiocese.

“I have no plans, other than to take it easy,” he said. “I’ve been a happy camper for 39 years, and I’d like to keep that way.”

Father Simmons credits the School Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Brigid School for nudging him toward the priesthood. He was ordained May 27, 1961, after spending five years in formation at St. Brieuc Seminary in France following two years of minor seminary at St. Charles College in Catonsville. He then worked as an associate pastor at the parishes of St. Matthew in Northwood, St. Patrick in Cumberland and St. Francis Assisi in Baltimore as well as a chaplain at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore before taking over at Holy Spirit in 1982.

The graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington pointed out that he is only the second pastor in the history of Holy Spirit, following Father Charles Dausch, who served for the first 19 years of the Harford County church that will soon join a pastorate with St. Stephen in Bradshaw.

During his time at Holy Spirit, Father Simmons oversaw the building of a new church (dedicated in 1988) and the construction of a $1.9 million parish center after a fire destroyed the original one Dec. 16, 2009.  

He counts building relationships with parishioners as his biggest accomplishment, however.

“It’s been all about helping people with life issues and helping them connect with spiritual life,” he said. “I think my time as a chaplain at a hospital taught me to be a calming influence. The best part of being a priest is working with people and helping them through any difficulties.”

He said he’s always been a bit of a loner, and didn’t mind serving as pastor without an assisting priest.

“I never was a big golfer, fisherman or sports fanatic; so I’ve spent most of my free time with my family,” he said.

Father Simmons said he has enjoyed the opportunities he has had to travel to Europe and visit historical sites and shrines.

After a lifetime of fulfillment in the priesthood, he has some words of wisdom to pass on to the newly ordained.

“Stick close to the liturgy and Scripture, and help the people do the same,” he said.

Father Simmons said it is more important than ever for priests to connect with their parishioners.

“The parish used to be the center of youth activities,” he remembered. “We had sports, dances, all kinds of activities at church. A lot of that has vanished. Young people are getting a lot of their ideas from the computer and TV, and some are learning to be violent. Young priests have to befriend our young people and show them the proper way.”

Norm Pelissier, a Holy Spirit parishioner for 57 years, said Father Simmons’ low-key-but-engaging style is welcomed by parishioners.

“He’s just been a great pastor,” said Pelissier, who is a parish corporator and leads the Holy Spirit ushers. “He’s very well-liked for his sermons, which are not long or heavy on philosophy or politics.”

Pelissier noted that Father Simmons loves interacting with parishioners and enjoys spending time with them at breakfast. He also said Father Simmons has been a frugal steward of the parish and particularly helpful with him personally with some challenges with his son.

“He will be missed,” said Pelissier, 84, who also has served as the parish historian.

Father William Foley, director of senior and retired priests, said Father Simmons is noted for his dedication to his parishioners.

“He never takes a vacation,” Father Foley said. “He’s very, very dedicated to taking care of the people of his parish. He wants to be there for them all the time.”

Father Foley also noted that Father Simmons also has been dedicated to the Knights of Columbus as a nearly 60-year member and a former state chaplain.

“That’s sort of his claim to fame,” Father Foley said of Simmons’ dedication to the Knights of Columbus. “He’s a very kind and very gentle priest.”

Father Foley said that Father Simmons always looks forward to fraternal gatherings of priests, for which he will have more opportunity now.

“I really enjoy socializing and I don’t have any great hobbies other than photography,” Father Simmons said. “So I’m just looking forward to reconnecting with some of the old guys.”

Father Simmons plans to sort through his collection of photographs in the coming weeks to see which ones he wants to retain for his move to Mercy Ridge.

“I wasn’t expecting to retire, but you can’t fight it; so I’m just going to relax,” he said.

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

Also see

Cardinal O’Malley devotes decades to making ‘present the merciful face of God’

Father William Au, pastor of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, is set to retire

Father Demek retires after nearly 50 years as a priest

Father Gills retires after a ministry that took him around the world and around the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Father Foley, pastor to retired priests, set to retire himself

‘Unflappable’ pastor who shepherded major parish projects ready to retire

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