Usually, Father Dennis Crowley, 77, spends his day as he pleases — by himself in quiet prayer and meditation. But occasionally, this retired priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey appreciates some company — from animals as well as humans.
Sometimes, Father Crowley takes breaks from prayer, watching a variety of creatures, including deer, birds, and squirrels, outside the window of his condominium at Nazareth Village, the diocesan priests’ retirement residence in Chester, N.J. He also enjoys fellowship with his nine fellow resident priests, who gather for a home-cooked meal at noon each day, and listening to their spiritual insights, largely about saints.
“I love to see the animals out here in Chester — in the woods. It’s quiet and peaceful. It’s also wonderful to have interaction with a community of other retired priests,” said Father Crowley, who moved to Nazareth Village a year and a half ago. “I love it here. My condo has a beautiful layout. The rent is reasonable, because the diocese subsidizes it.”
These ten diocesan priests who have spent a lifetime serving others live at Nazareth Village thanks to the generosity of the faithful through the Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA). The appeal also helps fund Catholic Charities, seminarian education, priests’ healthcare needs, including retired priests, and inner-city Catholic elementary education.
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“To my knowledge, having a place like Nazareth, where retired priests can live independently, that isn’t a church rectory or a convent, if they need it, isn’t common in other dioceses. We are proud of that at Nazareth,” said Father Brian P. Quinn, director of Nazareth Village and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Randolph, N.J.
Each priest-resident at Nazareth has a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. In addition, common rooms include a recreation room, library, refectory, TV room, parlors, laundry, physical therapy room, and exercise room. The staff provides the noon meal, laundry service, and housekeeping. The priests are charged a portion of their monthly pension as rent. Nazareth Village is under the direction of the diocesan Office of Clergy Personnel.
Father Crowley appreciates the spiritual heart of Nazareth: the Our Lady, Mother of Priests Chapel, which allows resident priests to celebrate Mass there. Nazareth’s location also makes it easy for priests to reach any part of the diocese where they may still serve in retirement. However, Father Crowley usually doesn’t travel outside the facility, because of his physical limitations.
In 2016, Father Crowley retired from active ministry. Incardinated into the diocese in the early 1990s, he previously was a Benedictine monk in Latrobe, Penn. Before coming to Nazareth, he lived in an apartment in Morristown.
Father Crowley said he prays for the entire diocese, including in gratitude to the DMA donors.
“We priests have lovingly and willingly given ourselves for the faithful of the diocese. Now we need them. Because of their generosity to the DMA, we can live with dignity in a safe, comfortable place. I thank the people of the diocese,” Father Crowley said.
The Diocesan Ministries Appeal supports Nazareth Village, the diocesan priests’ retirement residence in Chester, N.J. Please consider participating in the DMA. To donate or pledge online, scan the QR code or visit dopappeal.org. For more information, call 973-777-8818, ext. 215.
