A gain for heaven but a loss in the here and now for the Right to Life. Fr Irwin was great - we know people who were on the way to being aborted, living today because of his efforts. Below, from the Archdiocese Respect Life office. And below that, are the arrangements.
Father Joseph Irwin is a priest with a pro-life heart.
As a pastor, Fr. Irwin was a true shepherd, creating an atmosphere of welcome for any mother facing a crisis pregnancy and fostering love of neighbor among his parishioners. "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me." Mt. 25:40. Over the years, many turned to Fr. Irwin for help. Out of love for mothers and their children, Fr. Irwin risked his own liberty participating in Operation Rescue, and also had a tender heart for women who suffered the effects of abortion, assisting in post-abortion healing.
He had served as administrator at Most Holy Trinity, Mamaroneck, since 2010, after having served there as pastor starting in 1989. He was pastor at St. Mary’s, Mount Vernon, 1977-1989, after being temporary administrator there in 1977, and parochial vicar, 1966-1977. He also served as parochial vicar at St. Peter’s, Rosendale, and St. John the Evangelist, Clove. He was ordained in 1962.
"This is one of the great glories, this is one of the wonderful mysteries: That our Lord has put into the hands of priests this literally monumental power that a piece of bread becomes the Body of Christ, a cup of wine becomes His Blood. The hands of a priest can wash away sins accrued over a lifetime." John Cardinal O' Connor
FATHER JOSEPH IRWIN PASSED ON TO OUR LORD SATURDAY EVENING DECEMBER 30TH ON THE VIGIL OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY. ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
WAKE: WEDNESDAY JAN 3RD 2-4, 7-9
MCGRATH & SONS FUNERAL HOME 20 CEDAR STREET BRONXVILLE NY 10708
FUNERAL MASS THURSDAY JAN 4TH 10AM
SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH 18 CHERRY AVENUE LARCHMONT NY 10538
It was a blessing to know Father Irwin and work along side of him whenever I was able... It was during his time at Most Holy Trinity that my Faith began to grow in words that are sometimes hard to express...His teaching on the Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and of God's Love and Mercy is key to my entire life now... The time spent in front of Our Lord Present in the Monstrance every Friday was a saving grace in my life... His teaching on Our Lord, Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph became pivotal in my understanding of God... I can go on and on ... The babies helped in the womb to the countless lives he touched are all changed because of Father Irwin's sharing God's awesome and profound Love and Mercy !!!
Posted by: Peter Lepre | January 03, 2018 at 08:22 PM
He was a good and conscientious priest, the kind you read about in books. He was my jail buddy at Westchester Penitentiary. His rectory was always open to his parishioners for coffee and confession. He was quiet, very observant, and quick. He had authority because he was faith-filled! May he see the Lord RIP.
Posted by: Edmund P. Riely Jr. | January 05, 2018 at 08:08 AM
We buried him in a blizzard out of Saint Augustine's in Larchmont. The Cardinal and twenty fellow priests were at his Requiem Mass, even in "white out" conditions. He died of his Parkinson's cared for by men, women, and children he saved from abortion, and by his loving family. Father Tom Madden gave the homily. His brother gave the eulogy. Regina Riely reinforced the choir from the pews. We miss him, he was a powerful force for goodness.
Posted by: Edmund P. Riely Jr. | January 05, 2018 at 08:19 AM
May Fr. Irwin intercede for us to Defund Planned Parenthood. May his soul Rest In Peace. Amen
Posted by: Eileen Peterson | January 09, 2018 at 08:26 PM
He was very charismatic and opened to The Holy Spirit. He helped the youth by giving ICTHUS retreats at the church. He preached beautifully and taught his parishioners about love for the daily word. We were blessed to have a spirit filled choir at St. Mary's Parish and lively prayer meeting under Fr. Irwin's guidance. I was blessed to have him perform my wedding ceremony and mass.
Rosemary Hunt
Posted by: Rosemary Hunt | January 16, 2018 at 07:39 PM