Monsignor Hartnett at his peak while connecting with parishioners through sacraments

ESSEX – As Monsignor Robert “Bob” Hartnett reaches the closing days of his tenure as a pastor, it is the simple aspects of his 44-year ministry that he calls the “peak” moments.

“The most rewarding piece has always been the sacraments,” says Monsignor Hartnett, who grew up in Overlea and is retiring after 27 years as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Essex.  “It’s always the sacramental things where I think you have the biggest impact.

“You connect with people in the peak moments – at baptisms, first holy Communion ceremonies, even funerals,” he said. “That’s where you meet people and can really make an impression. The other area is at social functions – bull roasts, dances and suppers. Those are great times to meet people when you aren’t expecting much from them and they aren’t expecting much from you.”

In those moments, Monsignor Hartnett, 70, said he has always tried to be welcoming and inclusive.

“I like to think I haven’t been judgmental,” he said. “Now I’m no saint; I’m sure I’ve alienated some people along the way, but I like to think I’ve been open and welcoming to all kinds of people. I’ve tried to engage people and bring them closer to the Lord and each other. We are all members of the Body of Christ and we need to trust in each other and him. It’s important to support one another and connect with each other.”

Monsignor Hartnett, who attended St. Michael elementary school in Overlea, plans to connect with his roots in retirement, assisting at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Middle River, spending time at his family’s home in Bethany Beach, Del., and studying Scripture.

He said he has always had a fondness for Scripture study since he entered the high school seminary program and subsequently attended St. Mary’s Seminary College and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg.  

He holds a degree in behavioral sciences and a master’s degree in sacred Scriptures.

He said he was grateful for his early stint as the director of the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House, which gave him the skills to handle being a pastor at St. Mary in Pylesville and then St. William of York in West Baltimore before being assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1996.

Alex Bryslke, 32, the athletic director and alumni relations director at Mount Carmel, said Monsignor Hartnett has been a part of his life since he started kindergarten at the parish school. He said other than baptism, Monsignor Hartnett administered all of the sacraments to him.

“He’s always been such a force and presence,” Brylske said, recalling that his pastor not only ate lunch with the school children but also prowled the sidelines at sports events.

Brylske even recalled Monsignor Hartnett dying his hair blond to match the look and whimsical fashion of a championship-winning school soccer team.

“He’s larger than life at Mount Carmel,” Brylske said. “He’s a good administrator and all that, but at his heart and core, he’s deeply invested in connecting with his parishioners on a spiritual level.”

Deacon Paul Mann said in addition to being a great administrator, Monsignor Hartnett has a gift for giving homilies.

“I have a degree in public speaking, so I know what I’m talking about on the matter, and he always blows me away,” Deacon Mann said. “Usually, when you’re sitting at the altar and listening to someone else give a homily, you think, ‘how would I have said that differently.’ Not with Monsignor Bob. He always hits the nail on the head. He has a real talent, and he knows his Scripture.”

Kathy Sipes has been a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel since 1985 and served in the school’s administration as principal and then president for 30 years. She said she was always impressed with Monsignor Hartnett’s hands-on, but unobtrusive leadership.

“We always called it his ‘Leadership by Walking Around,’” said Sipes, who is now working part-time as a grants facilitator at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. “He was a hands-on leader who liked to surround himself with people who worked hard and could do their job without a lot of assistance.

“People really trusted him,” she said. “He had his finger on the pulse of everything, but didn’t micromanage. He is a great ideas person, and he always valued the link between the school and parish.”

Sipes called Monsignor Hartnett “dedicated” in his ministry to his parishioners.

“He really worked hard to get the message across,” she said. “Whether it was the 8 a.m. Mass with a few people or a crowded holiday Mass, you could tell he put in the time with his sermon. He was very kind and supportive sacramentally. As a priest, he was very dedicated to providing for his people.”

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

Also see

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

Approaching retirement, Monsignor Barker reflects on shepherding one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

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Brother to teacher to pastor: Father Franken’s long and varied vocation

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