Father Daly Leaving St. Joseph; St. Mary's Churches

Parishioners of and Churches were suprised and many saddened Sunday when Father Shawn Daly announced at the end of services that after nearly 10 years as pastor of both parishes he would be leaving Meriden.

"There were people in tears today – I was in tears and I knew it was coming," said Lisa Suzio, who was at the 11 a.m. mass at St. Joseph Sunday. Suzio found the news out Saturday while cleaning the church with a group of volunteers.

Daly learned Friday that the Hartford Archdiocese had assigned him to a new post in Wethersfield to take over for a retiring priest, during a meeting with Archbishop Henry Mansell.

Daly's last day at both parishes, St. Mary's on Sherman Avenue and St. Joseph on West Main Street, which is associated with St. Joseph School, will be Sun. Jan. 22nd, 2012.

"It’s really mixed emotions – there's great sadness that I’m leaving a place I’ve grown to love over the past nine-and-a-half years," Daly said in an interview Sunday afternoon. "But also excitement, to encounter new people and share the word of the Lord." 

A new priest has not been appointed to the two churches yet, Daly said, but he has been told that someone will be named very soon. Daly's Assistant pastor, Father Augustin Okoroafor, will remain at the Meriden churches.

Daly will become the pastor at Corpus Christi and Sacred Heart Churches in Wethersfield, taking over for the Rev. Thomas B. Campion, an 84-year-old priest who is retiring. Both parishes are larger than those in Meriden, and Corpus Christi, like St. Joseph in Meriden, has a pre-K - 8th grade parish school with about 380 students, compared to the 160 at St. Joseph.

Daly has been assigned to churches with parish schools in each of his previous postings. Prior to Meriden he was in Branford for about 3 years and Waterbury for almost 5 years.

The pastor was raised in Enfield, Conn., and his new post will bring him closer to that town, where his mother still lives. "It's part of what makes the leaving less difficult," Daly said.

The best part of his years in Meriden, he said, has been the people – sharing in the lives of his congregation by marking their weddings, baptisms and funerals.

"The announcement about Father Daly leaving St. Joseph Church caught both my wife and I by surprise," said Al Pronovost, who was at one of the Sunday masses at the church. "We will be saddened to see him leave – we wish him the best of luck in his new posting."

Suzio, who has attended St. Joseph Church for just over 10 years, and whose children attend the adjoining school, said Daly will be difficult to replace.

"He’s just very down to earth – you feel very comfortable with him," Suzio said. "With the kids (at St. Joseph), he knows every one of them by name. I appreciate that as a parent, and I know the kids appreciate it."

Daly also teaches 8th grade religion classes at the school. "I know a lot of 7th graders that are disappointed right now," Suzio said.

From now until the 22 nd, Daly will be busy with Christmas services as well as packing and tying up loose ends to get ready for the new pastor.

A going away party is planned for Daly on Jan. 22 at St. Joseph Church, following 11 a.m. Mass.

Update: We were originally given Jan. 21 as the date Fr. Daly was leaving, and of his party, but were told that the date is Jan. 22.