"Seeing these men, seeing their dreams coming to fruition -- and that the faculty was part of the discernment process -- it was always wonderful," he said.

Seeking to return to parish ministry, in 1990 Father Farrell was named pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption in Lynnfield, the parish he would shepherd until his retirement this year.

"That was an awesome experience for me," he said. "Sharing lives with people and doing it with the basis of faith was wonderful."

In 1996, he was appointed Vicar Forane for the Gloucester Vicariate, where he met monthly with the 19 priests of the area, many of whom were former students of his from St. John's Seminary.

"Getting to work with the priests who were students of mine always brings a smile to my face," he said.

Father Farrell is currently living in Dracut. Although he is unsure what his future will hold, he is looking forward to helping out wherever he is needed.

"I have a passion for justice, which means I always strive to be compassionate to others," he said. "If the Lord is risen, the glory of God is in our hearts, and we do our best to keep the shadows at bay."