My Dearest Parishioners,

I pray that you all are well and that you feel God's deep love for you. It has been three weeks since I have written to you and today I convey the sad news that Fr. Phil Tighe died late last night (August 31st) after a most courageous witness to the dignity of life and the power of intercessory prayer. During this octave before the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lady on September 8th, please remember Fr. Tighe by praying a rosary for the repose of his soul.

Fr. Tighe spent his pastoral year as a seminarian here at Our Lady of Lourdes and he closed out his 20 year priesthood as our diocesan Vocation Director. Our Lord Jesus Christ had a rather short public ministry but He is the eternal High Priest. It would have been wonderful to have had Fr. Tighe with us Ad Multos Annos but his Priesthood will go on in Heaven until the end of time. Let us assist him in his journey home by praying for him each day. 

Fr. Tighe's last request to me was to pray for the purification of the Church. Everything that he suffered, he offered up for that intention. This prayer implies reforming our lives and conforming ourselves more and more to Jesus. Let us give a good example to our youth as to the importance of the faith and the need for holy priests. We give thanks to God for the life, ministry and example of Fr. Philip Marian Tighe. We are all the better for it. 

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen. 

May you have fair winds and calm seas my brother as Our Lady takes you home.

Our Lady of Lourdes,

Pray for him.

Fr. Pat