Staff Profile: Father James F. Garneau, Pastor

I was born July, 1956, in Rockville Centre, NY (Long Island), where I was mostly raised. I came to NC in 1974 in order to begin university studies at UNC-CH. I completed studies (B.A.) at Loyola College in Baltimore, where I had gone in order to join the Society of Mary (Marianists), brothers and priests.  After my novitiate, and profession of temporary vows, I was sent to Puerto Rico, where I taught at Colegio San Jose for three years.

At the end of that time, I applied to the Diocese of Raleigh as a candidate for the seminary. Upon acceptance, I was sent to The Catholic University of America, where I received a M.A. in Theology and was ordained a priest for the diocese on December 14, 1984. I was immediately assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes, where I served a year and a half as the parochial vicar to Fr. Ray Donoghue.  Prior to my departure, I was appointed the Episcopal Vicar for Hispanics for the diocese.  After four short months in Chapel Hill, at St. Thomas More parish, I was assigned pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Newton Grove, while still serving as Vicar for Hispanics who were beginning to live in larger numbers in the diocese.

After ten years in Newton Grove, I was assigned to studies, and I returned to Washington, where I completed my Ph.D. in Church History at CUA (2000). I then served several years in teaching and in administration at the Pontifical College Josephinum, a national seminary in Columbus, Ohio.  In 2005, I was appointed pastor at St. Mary of the Angels in Mount Olive.  I also came to be appointed the Director of the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate, a post I still serve.  My responsibilities in this work include the formation of men for ordination and service as deacons, and for the life and ministry of deacons serving throughout the diocese.  
Finally, I arrived at Our Lady of Lourdes on June 26 of this year, having been appointed its pastor.  

I have recently completed several years of work as the Episcopal Delegate for the Cause of the Servant of God Fr. Thomas F. Price.  This work involved the assembling of testimony of Fr. Price's life and writings, all of which was recently sent to the Holy See (Vatican) for their consideration. I have found this work to be humbling, enabling me to learn from the faithful example of Fr. Price, and a privilege.

I pray that I might serve the people of the parish in a way so as to assist in the formation of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.