Essential to the sacramental life of any parish is the role of the parish priest. In addition to the administrative role he plays, the Pastor is the spiritual leader of the parish community. However, his task would be impossible without the presence of other priests to assist in administering the sacraments, particularly in a parish has large as St. Agatha’s. At the end of this history is a list of all of the Parochial Vicars (once called “Curates”) who have been assigned to the parish since its inception. As the number of active priests has declined and the number of “retired” priests has increased the role of the Senior Priest in Residence has emerged as a critical one in the life of the parish. These priests are not considered “assigned” to the parish, but live in the Rectory and participate, as they are able, in assisting the parish. Over the years we have been blessed to have in our midst a group of such men who by their presence and ministry have enriched parish life, such as Fr. Patrick McLaughlin and Fr. Thomas Powers who are currently in residence. Looking back over the years, it would be difficult to imagine what parish life would have been like without Msgr. Charles Anadore and Fr. William Kenneally! We owe a debt of gratitude to these priests who serve us in their retirement.

Priests who served at St. Agatha Parish
Milton, Massachusetts
1922 - 2023

Rev. Francis N. Flaherty
1924-1926
Ordained May 23, 1924
R.I.P. on February 17, 1969

Rev. Albert J. Higgins
1926-1929
Ordained 1926
R.I.P. on April 5, 1946

Rev. John J. McCarthy
1929-1933
Ordained May 26, 1921
R.I.P. on October 11, 1969

Rev. William J. Foley
1931-1933
Ordained May 20, 1910
R.I.P. on September 5, 1950

Rev. Msgr. Ralph J. Gallagher
1933-1947
Ordained April 5, 1929
R.I.P. on April 19, 1981

Rev. Joseph D. Meredith
 1933-1938
Ordained May 20, 1927
R.I.P. on July 8, 1969

Rev. Msgr. Timothy E. Sullivan
 1938-1954
Ordained May 21, 1937
R.I.P. on December 12, 2000

Rev. Francis J. McDonnell
 1947-1955
Ordained May 22, 1935
R.I.P. on June 22, 1975

Rev. Joseph P. Reilly
 1948-1970
Ordained October 28, 1943
R.I.P. on June 4, 1991

Rev. George J. Williams
 1953-1967
Ordained May 3, 1939
R.I.P. on May 1, 2002

Rev. John J. Saunders
 1954-1967
Ordained May 3, 1940
R.I.P. on June 5, 2001

Rev. Henry M. Cunney
 1967-1969
Ordained February 2, 1959
R.I.P. on April 3, 2020

Rev. Martin T. Cogavin
 1967-1973
Ordained May 1, 1947
Left the priesthood
 R.I.P. on January 3, 1988

Rev. Charles J. Murphy
 1969-1972
Ordained June 2, 1960
R.I.P. on June 11, 2011

Rev. William J. O’Connor
 1970-1982
Ordained February 3, 1958
R.I.P. on February 11, 2019

Rev. Richard L. Casey
 1973-1975
Ordained February 10, 1965
Senior priest, Boston

Rev. Edward R. O’Brien
 1973-1978
Ordained May 19, 1973
R.I.P.

Rev. James F. Darcy
 1976-1981
Ordained May 26, 1966
R.I.P. on August 30, 2022

Rev. John Won J.C.D.
 1976-1980; in-residence
Ordained

Rev. Alfred E. Finn
 1981-2000; in-residence
Ordained February 2, 1955
R.I.P. on November 29, 2001

Rev. William R. Carroll
 1982-1983
Ordained May 23, 1970
Senior priest, Boston

Rev. Mark S. Sheehan
 1983-1986
Ordained February 2, 1963
R.I.P. on April 13, 2019

Rev. Nicholas C. Ciccone
 1985-1994
Ordained June 9, 1984
Left the priesthood

Rev. Msgr. Orville D. Griese
 1985-1987; in-residence
Ordained May 31, 1941
R.I.P. on March 8, 1989

Rev. Timothy C. McCarthy
 1986-1989
Ordained June 8, 1985
R.I.P. on March 7, 1990

Rev. Richard L. Ahern
 1989-1990
Ordained June 8, 1985
Left the priesthood

Rev. James G. Montague
 1990-1995
Ordained June 16, 1990
Left the priesthood

Rev. Msgr. Charles E. Anadore
 1989-2001; in-residence
Ordained May 3, 1950
R.I.P. on March 12, 2008

Rev. Francis H. Delaney
Administrator, 1993 to 1996
Ordained January 10, 1952
R.I.P. on April 18, 2005

Rev. Richard W. Fitzgerald
 1994-1996
Ordained June 20, 1987
Pastor, St. Columbkille, Brighton

Rev. Robert J. Bowers
 1996-2001
Ordained June 20, 1987
Leave-of-absence

Rev. Charles E. Salamone
 1996-2001
Ordained December 7, 1975
R.I.P. on April 24, 2024

Rev. William F. Kenneally
 1996-2005; in-residence
Ordained February 2, 1953
R.I.P. on October 14, 2010

Rev. Joseph V. Keil
 2001-2006
Ordained May 26, 2001
Resigned from the priesthood

Rev. Joseph F. Mozer
 2001-2003; in-residence
Ordained May 17, 1997
Pastor, Plainville and Wrentham

Rev. Robert J. Deehan
 2005-2010; in-residence
Ordained June 11, 1983
Pastor, Holy Family, Duxbury

Rev. Robert A. Poitras
 2006-2010
Ordained May 21, 2005
Pastor, St. Mary, Franklin

Rev. Robert J. Butler
 2006-2010; in-residence 
Ordained February 2, 1962
R.I.P. on October 21, 2024

Rev. Paul F. Coughlin
 2010-2011
Ordained June 22, 1991
Pastor, St. Raphael, West Medford

Rev. Mark W. Murphy
 2011-2014
Ordained May 26, 2011
Left the priesthood

Rev. Patrick J. McLaughlin
 2012-2023
Ordained February 2, 1961
R.I.P. on April 4, 2023

Rev. Stephen P. Zukas
 2014-2015
Ordained June 13, 1992
Pastor, Norfolk and Medfield

Rev. Jason M. Makos
 2015-2021
Ordained May 21, 2005
Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish
and St. Margaret of Antioch Parish, Saugus

Rev. Msgr. William P. Fay
 2015-2017; in-residence 
Ordained June 13, 1974
Faculty, Pope John XXIII Seminary, Weston

Rev. Duy Y. Nguyen
 2015-2016; in-residence
St. Michael, Bedford, in-residence
         
Rev. Thomas F. Powers
 2017-2023; in-residence
Ordained May 26, 1966
Regina Cleri, Boston

Rev. Thomas J. Stanton
 2021-2023
Ordained June 22, 1991
Parochial Vicar, St. Veronica, Burlington