By Roberto Aguirre - Florida Catholic
Father Franky Jean, pastor of San Pedro Parish in Tavernier, and Mary Ann Don, the children's choir director, pose with the choir members after the Mass offered in thanksgiving and in loving memory of Father John McGrath, who was pastor of San Pedro for nearly 21 years.
Parishioners at San Pedro Parish in Tavernier dedicated this statue of Jesus with children in memory of Father John McGrath, who served as pastor there for nearly 21 years.
Father Franky Jean, current pastor at San Pedro Church, blesses the statue dedicated to former pastor Father John McGrath, who led the Tavernier parish for nearly 21 years and died Sept. 26.
Father Franky Jean, pastor at San Pedro Parish in Tavernier, poses with Keith Douglass, a parishioner who is holding a picture of Father McGrath at a first Communion ceremony in 1992. Douglass was one of the first children to join the San Pedro Children's Choir which Father McGrath started during his nearly 21 years as pastor.
Plaque noting the dedication of a statue at San Pedro Parish in Tavernier for the church's late pastor, Father John McGrath.
Picture of the late Father John McGrath, with the main entrance to San Pedro Church and the Mass times showing in the background. Father McGrath served at San Pedro for nearly 21 years.
Photography: ROBERTO AGUIRRE | FC
TAVERNIER | Parishioners of San Pedro took time last month to honor the priest who shepherded them for nearly 21 years: Father John McGrath.
The priest, who retired in 2002 and died Sept. 26, is fondly remembered by parishioners for his homilies, his people-friendliness, his joy and his easy way with children, who tended to flock to him.
In his honor, then, they dedicated a statue Nov. 20 on the parish grounds depicting Jesus holding two children on his lap.
Taking part in the Mass that preceded the dedication were current and former members of San Pedro's children's choir, which Father McGrath started during his time at the church. It continues to this day under the direction of longtime parishioner Mary Ann Don.
The children served as lectors as well as singers during the Mass.
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