Good and faithful servant
I have known Fr John F. Harvey OSFS all of my life. I am 67 years old.
Margaret (née Harkins) Harvey, mother of Fr. John Harvey.
Fr John and my Mother, Barbara Harkins Lilly were first cousins. Father's Mother, Margaret Harkins Harvey, and my Grandfather, John Harkins, were brother and sister and both born in Ireland, along with their sister, Mary. All three of them came to the U.S. in their youth. My Grandfather became a citizen after serving in WW I for the U.S.
FatherJohn was a newly ordained priest when he married my parents in November 1949. Barbara Harkins was married to James Lilly on Thanksgiving Day. My Dad was still in St Joseph's College in Philadelphia PA, and being married on Thanksgiving Day meant that they had a Wedding and then a three-day honeymoon. I am the oldest of their six daughters, I was born in January of 1951--followed by my five sisters--five of us were born a year after one another, with my youngest sister following in 1961.
Father John baptized all of us. I was baptized by him within a month of my birth at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Philadelphia. So, I can surely say that I knew Fr John all of my life. One interesting thing about my own Baptism was that first Father John baptized me in Latin, and then, so everybody would understand what he was saying, he re-spoke the entire Baptism in English. My Godmother/Aunt was aghast at having to hold me for so long! She was a young woman who was not used to infants. But he only poured the water once! I used to tell him that in 1951 at my Baptism, he was way ahead of the Vatican II changes that would come later, and we would laugh.
Father John especially loved my Grandmother, Mary McGlynn Harkins, who was the wife of my Grandfather, John. Due to family distances and circumstances, Father John first met my Grandparents right before he left for the Seminary for the very first time. But bonds were made easily and from that day on, he spent many thousands of hours, a lifetime of regular visits, with them and their families.
He was dedicated to visiting his Aunt Mary Harkins & his Uncle John Harkins, regularly and he truly loved both of them. He visited her up until the time of her death when she was in her late nineties. He brought her the Eucharist weekly as she aged. And that loving ministry to her lasted beyond her death to her funeral, where he was the Presider and homilist. On the day of my Grandmother's funeral, I saw Fr John with a broken heart. And when my Grandfather Harkins pre-deceased her, when I was about 17 years-old, Father John spent time ministering to him and his wife and family, too. Both before and after his death.
Father Harvey married all except one of my married sisters, and one remains single. He was the Celebrant of my Nuptial Mass and marriage to my husband, Steve. And much to our chagrin, as young people, he also made trips before our marriages to Philadelphia, to give us pre-Marriage counseling. There was no Pre-Cana at that time. And then we had conscientious Parish priests who also met with us and had us answer tons of questions, plus the private counseling sessions with Father John--Oy-vay... all we wanted to do was get married! Now, I appreciate Father John and all of the fine Parish Priests who spent so much of their time with us.
Father John also baptized many of my sisters' children, and years later officiated at some of their marriages, too.
No matter how busy his schedule, somehow Father John always made time to be wherever we asked him to be. We spent many wonderful times together in my home, where he would steal a few days and come and visit, especially in the summer. I recall him saying the Divine Office frequently during the day and taking pleasure in the beauty of our gardens as he walked back and forth while saying the Divine Office in our backyard. At that time, we also had a Jacuzzi and he would don his swim wear and enjoy relaxing as the bubbles and jets soothed his tired muscles. During one of his Summer visits, he told me he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but was sure that all would be fine. He lived many years beyond that visit. Of course, the day began with the celebration of Mass in our home. That was a privilege and a blessing for us and other family members who were able to join us. He blessed our home shortly after we moved in, a beautiful ritual. He presided at the funeral of one of my beloved Sisters, after a young sudden death, and was of great consolation during and after that time. He was the homilist at my Mother's funeral and concelebrated with another cousin who is a priest, Daniel McGlynn of the Diocese of Wilmington.
Over my lifetime, we had many deeply personal and spiritual conversations over hours and hours of time regarding personal and philosophical subjects, as well as those pertaining to faith and the Catholic Church, current events, etc. He was super smart, but could always talk and relate to me on any subject that we discussed over my lifetime.
Father John graciously celebrated his "retirement" in Springfield with my sisters and I one Sunday afternoon in a private setting, and publicly at DeSales University, right before he went to Childs, MD. He had gifts of patience and humility. And he explained to me how he had learned lessons in both, when he was a young teacher in the Seminary.
I remember that his suits were always shiny from wear. He was not gifted in the driving of a car--nor was he a ballroom dancer--though he loved doing both...as I joyfully laugh in recalling those memories.
The Courage apostolate was not an easy one, but he embraced the need and the ministry, and especially the people, with his whole being. He was a man for others. That is how he lived. That is how he prayed. That is why he had such a marvellous impact upon my life and the life of my husband, sisters, in-laws and anybody who knew him.
He lived a simple personal life--no frills and a very demanding and complicated public life with grace and happiness, only concerned for others and doing whatever God willed for him.
He told me how Our Blessed Mother had become his mother. His own Mother had died when he was around four years old. He loved his own Father and his two sisters and brother deeply.
He knew he wanted to be a Priest from a very young age. And he loved me, as I, in turn, loved him - a good man, a dedicated holy priest, who had shared his own deeply held personal struggles with me privately. On the outside, when things seem easy that's not always how it is--we all learn this in a lifetime.
Of course, there are a million stories, but I think mine is special--because Fr John makes it feel that way.
I miss him, I pray for him, and I pray to him. I believe that he was a good and faithful servant, a holy priest who now rests with our loving God in heaven.
May God grant John F. Harvey OSFS infinite mercy and eternal rest.