Local
Father Serena named senior priest

By Father Robert M. O’Grady
Posted: 10/6/2006

BRIGHTON --An alumnus of Blessed John XXIII Seminary and a priest of the archdiocese since his ordination at Holy Cross Cathedral in June 1981 by Cardinal Medeiros, Father Edward Serena will be retiring as pastor of St. Ann by the Sea Parish in Marshfield effective Nov. 1, 2006.

A native of Latrobe, Pa. Father Serena has been assigned at several archdiocesan parishes. Following ordination he was named associate at St. Joseph, Medway. In March 1983 he was named parochial vicar at St. Augustine, South Boston and in 1985 as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, Stoughton. Between 1986 and 1993 he served as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas in Bridgewater.

Before his assignment to Bridgewater, Father Serena had received permission of Cardinal Law to discern a possible vocation to the Franciscans. He entered the process and after six months he returned to the archdiocese and parish ministry.

When he was leaving Bridgewater for Marshfield he expressed excitement at the challenges that he would meet at Marshfield, but also that he would miss the parish and people in Bridgewater where he had made numbers of good friends.

Serving for twice as long at Marshfield as he had at Bridgewater, Father Serena leaves his Marshfield parish with similar sentiments.

When his retirement becomes effective on Nov. 1 he will have been pastor at the seaside parish for one day short of 13 years. He began his service on All Souls Day and ends it on All Saints Day! A good metaphor for his priestly ministry leading souls from sin to grace by his faithful celebration of the sacraments and availability for his people.