September 23, 2020

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

WATERTOWN – Even though they’re retired, they continue in ministry.

Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore, 91, and Father Leo A. Wiley, 89, say they’ve slowed down in retirement, but both continue to celebrate Mass regularly and participate in ministry.

“Mainly, I celebrate the Mass every day with the Sisters of the Precious Blood,” said Msgr. Whitmore, who retired in 1977. “That’s every day at 8 a.m. I move slower now, so I have to get up a lot earlier to get there.”

Father Wiley, who retired in 2006, celebrates Mass with the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“I do one Mass daily with the Sisters of St. Joseph,” Father Wiley said. “I’ve been doing that for probably around 10 years.”

Both say they enjoy ministering to the religious sisters.

“It keeps me in touch with Scripture,” said Father Wiley. “Also, there’s something in common with the religious and being a parish priest. It’s been an opportunity to develop relationships with the sisters.”

“That sense of being useful is very important to priests,” Msgr. Whitmore added. “We both feel useful. If we didn’t celebrate those Masses, the other priests here would have to do it. We try to relieve the pastoral responsibilities of the other priests here.”

Msgr. Whitmore noted, though, that he couldn’t continue in that ministry he loves if not for the support he receives from others.

“Deacon (Lawrence) ‘Larry’ Ambeau usually helps with the Mass, but he’s out for a few weeks,” he said. “Right now, I have Deacon (Donald) ‘Don’ Wilder helping. The deacons who assist, as well as the sisters, are very upbeat about their Mass.”

In addition to celebrating Mass with the religious sisters in Watertown, both Msgr. Whitmore and Father Wiley serve as spiritual advisors to Legion of Mary associations. They also hear confessions and provide the anointing of the sick when needed.

Msgr. Whitmore also continues to write a column for the North Country Catholic.

“It all started when (former editor) Mary Lou Kilian attended a Priest Council meeting,” he said. “I was on the council. She begged for someone to do a column for the four Sundays of Advent. I was gradually drawn into the whole thing. I enjoy it. For one thing, I consider it a good ministry. I love doing it. I hope and pray I can keep doing it.”

While both Father Wiley and Msgr. Whitmore say there are aspects of parish ministry they miss, they note that they are also glad to not manage several parishes.

“I liked every aspect of parish life, but especially the preaching and instructing,” Father Wiley said. “But as I’ve seen the development of parishes being joined together and things like that, I realize I’m glad to be retired.”

“I miss the people,” added Msgr. Whitmore. “I loved every parish I was ever in. But seeing the great shortage of priests and the fact that our priests in Watertown are constantly on the go with the merry-go-round of Masses here and there, I’m very relieved not to be a pastor with all the responsibilities of three parishes.”

With the additional time they have in retirement, both retired priests say they continue to focus on their personal spiritual development.

“I find spiritual reading very important,” said Msgr. Whitmore. “I try to keep up on some of the new spiritual works. I’m very fond of Ronald Rolheiser and Joyce Rupp. And I so enjoy the Divine Office and the rosary, of course. And I still spend time counseling different people via email or telephone. Through counseling people, I find I’m nourished myself.”

“I pray daily, and I have a spiritual director,” added Father Wiley. “I used to go on annual retreats, but I don’t do that anymore. I also do a little bit of reading and a little spiritual direction.”

Both priests noted they chose to retire in Watertown because of connections to the area, and they hope to continue serving there as long as they are able to do so.

“It’s my hometown,” Msgr. Whitmore said. “I grew up here. I went to school with the Sisters of St. Joseph from first grade through high school and into seminary. I feel truly blessed to be able to continue ministering to the Sisters of the Precious Blood here. I want to hang in there. I told them, ‘I want to stay there until the Lord takes my last breath.’”

“My hometown is Cape Vincent, but I’ve always been in some way connected to Watertown,” added Father Wiley. “My maternal grandparents lived here in the city. My uncle offered his first Mass in 1940 here at Holy Family Church. Coming back here was returning to my roots. While I’m looking forward to going to heaven, I plan to continue saying Masses here as long as I’m able.”

Father Wiley also asked the North Country faithful to “pray for vocations,” since he attributes such prayers to fostering God’s call in his life.

“I had an uncle who was a priest,” he explained. “I have a first cousin who was a priest. My family had a Sister of Mercy and two Sisters of St. Joseph, and I guess I can claim a Sister of the Poor. My grandfather told me that my grandmother O’Neil prayed every day that there would be religious vocations in the family. I know my grandmother Wiley also prayed for vocations in the family. It seems their prayers were answered.”