By David Karas|Correspondent
Many of the usual faces might have come out for the noon Mass June 30 in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, but it wasn’t an ordinary service.

The occasion marked the parish’s commemoration of their pastor, Father Damian McElroy, and the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Click here to see Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish's video tribute to Father McElroy.

But more than just their pastor, many parishioners expressed just how much Father McElroy feels like family.

“(He brings) this energy, this enthusiasm for the faith,” said parishioner Greg Gallo. “He is a great friend to all of us. He is not just your pastor; he is your friend.”

Gallo’s sentiments perhaps explain why the pews were packed in the small church for the Sunday Mass, which at times more closely resembled a family gathering – the same essence that Father McElroy said led him to the priesthood.

“I was raised in a family of faith. It was like second nature for us,” he said, adding that his family spent nearly as much time gathered around the altar in church as they did around the dinner table in their home. “We were equally at home in both places.”

Father McElroy celebrated the noon Mass, sharing a homily filled with reflections on the priesthood and musings on the future of the Church.

“I cannot believe I am a priest,” he recalled thinking on the day of his ordination, then adding a realization he came to soon after. “It takes more than ordination to be a priest. The priest is never done – our formation is never complete.”

Born in 1963 in Newry, Northern Ireland, Father McElroy studied educational theory and philosophy in Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and dogmatic theology at the Gregorian College in Rome. He was ordained a deacon in the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 1988 by Bishop Francis Gerard Brooks in Newry Cathedral of Sts. Patrick and Colman in the Diocese of Dromore, Northern Ireland – his native diocese, where he later served as vicar for education. He spent eight years in his home diocese prior to coming to the United States for what was originally planned to last a single summer.

“I came here one summer in the United States to assist in one of the parishes,” he said, “and I was invited by Bishop (John C.) Reiss to continue assisting in the diocese.”

Nine years ago, Father McElroy was incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton. Since his arrival, he has served as parochial vicar in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, and St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, prior to transferring to his present assignment as pastor in Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Speaking on the global Church community, Father McElroy said that the faithful are being led down a path that will have change.

“Our Church is being led down a humble path, a simple path,” he said, adding the affirmation that it is the individual faithful who help to lead it. “We are the Church, we the people are the Church.”

The weekend celebration included the presentation of an anniversary plaque from the parish to Father McElroy, which was presented by Father Matthew Pfleger, parochial vicar in the parish.

Father Pfleger, who had just recently celebrated the first anniversary of his ordination, shared his feelings on the wisdom and guidance that more senior clergy can offer to their younger counterparts, and to the Church as a whole.

“They are shepherds,” he said.

The service, complete with a Knights of Columbus escort, also included honors bestowed upon Father McElroy from those outside of the immediate parish community.

Moorestown Councilman Dan Roccato, also a former mayor of the municipality and a longtime parishioner, presented a special recognition to the community’s beloved pastor.

In addition, a blessing from Pope Francis was passed along to Father McElroy.

Dr. Linda Dix, parish director of religious education, said that the celebration reflected the talent and dedication that Father McElroy has brought to the parish community.

“He is an exemplary pastor,” she said, reflecting on the close bonds he has formed with members of the congregation. “They feel like they are part of his family.”

Even further, Dix said that Father McElroy leads the parish by example, and serves as a strong model of faith.

“He has courage of conviction,” she said. “I think he is a living example of the Church in the modern world.”

Dix helped to organize a reception for Father McElroy after the Mass, consisting of a healthy offering of lunch treats and a school cafeteria with a touch of Irish in the details – honoring the pastor’s heritage. Whether it was cookies with green chocolate chips or green and white balloons, nearly every detail paid homage to his presence in the parish community.

For parishioner Betsy Hughes, the occasion was definitely one for the record books.

“Twenty-five years as a priest – that is definitely something to celebrate,” she said. A similar thought was shared by Norma Minnick, a parishioner of the parish since 1973. Her decision to attend the Mass and reception was a no-brainer.

“I didn’t want to miss it,” she said with a smile.

Speaking on the role of the parish priest, Father McElroy told The Monitor during a recent conversation that the most rewarding part for him is “telling people that they are loved by God, and that their lives are saturated by God.”

“He is right there, involved in their lives – loving them, caring for them, holding them in the palm of his hand,” he said. “If they just pause for a moment, they can become aware of this presence.”