In Remembrance of Deacon Joe Crowley
It is with great sadness that I write this letter at the loss of Deacon Joe Crowley who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 8 surrounded by his family. Joe was a devoted, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
The ministry of service through ordination is most profoundly revealed through the call to be an Ordained Deacon. Deacon Joe was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Paterson in 1999. He served as Deacon in Our Lady of Consolation parish for many years and then with Annunciation Parish up until his passing. As a Permanent Deacon, he was a true Steward of the Lord and an example to others. He not only proclaimed the Gospel, but he lived the Gospel message and brought it to others through how he lived his own life with his wife, Joan, who was always by his side. Both he and Joan shared so much of their faith together. Joe was truly a servant of the Church he loved and a man of great faith.
Deacon Joe and Joan were members of Our Lady of Consolation for many years. Joe attended Mass daily and his help as Deacon was invaluable to me as Pastor. He assisted me at funerals and did many of our Baptisms. His homilies were always thoughtful and very well received as well as an insightful commentary on scripture as it related to the hearts and minds of us all. Joe’s role as Deacon expanded into the community as well and he reached out into roles at the diocesan level as his time permitted. He was involved with Hospice and worked to a great extent with developmentally disabled individuals.
Joe has excelled in all the roles he has lived and through his relationships he has served our Lord with a dignity and a true love of his faith. Deacon Joe Crowley touched the lives of many and he will be sincerely missed by those who knew and loved him. May you rest in peace great and faithful servant and may God provide comfort to Joan and the family in this most difficult loss. God Bless you, Deacon Joe, from all us… Fr. Michael and the people of Our Lady of Consolation Parish