Long serving parish priest Fr. Peter Golden has been chosen as Trepassey’s Citizen of the Year.
Approximately 35 years ago Father Peter Golden came to our community to serve as parish priest from St. Shotts to Portugal Cove South. Father Peter is not just our parish priest, he is a community member who is always ready and willing to go above and beyond his clerical duties to help individuals, or to help at any community function or celebration.
Since his move to the parish, he has never failed to send out his praise, support, and commitment to us all. He immediately became one of us and called this place his home, a home which he dearly loves, along with all the people in it.
During his time here and while under pay, he never once hired a housekeeper, and he always used his own money to buy his gas, meals, and so on. His reasoning for this was he did not want to have the parish to go into debt because of him. Father Peter’s heart represents his family name – “Golden.”
When he was offered the Presentation Sisters convent as his new home, he refused to accept it. “This would cost my parishioners way too much money and I’m not about to put extra expenses on them,” he said. How thoughtful indeed! Many times, Father has donated much of his own money to help keep our heads above water, so to speak. Father Peter Golden is the salt of the earth, a very humble and honest individual. There’s no holding back, he tells it like it is!
When one is feeling down over the loss of a loved one, financial hurt, illness, or any other ailment, he is always there to give his encouraging words and support. This man will help you think of others who are less fortunate and will lift your spirits at any given time. It has been said in the past by many that it was Father Peter who helped them through their trying days, weeks and months during their down times. He has suffered bouts of illness himself, but his positive attitude brought him through it all. Nothing is ever too stressful or difficult for him to handle.
Father has been a wonderful sport all these years, by taking part in our concerts, attending special functions, and more. He is such a great influence for so many, by always encouraging us to get out, enjoy our lives, take one day at a time and stop worrying about frivolous things that are not important. He has welcomed each and every new family or individual who ever came to our town to set up residency.
Since our parish bank account was drained to almost zero dollars, he has never accepted a penny for his service and the work he does here. This speaks volumes of the honest, down to earth man whom we all love and respect. (Editor’s Note: the money in the parish’s coffers was taken by the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation to pay debts related to child abuse cases committed by clergy and Christian Brothers in St. John’s and other communities).
I feel I can attest that there is probably not one house in our four communities of Holy Redeemer Parish that he has not visited during his time here. Father Peter will be 87 years of age on September 22 and please God we can keep him here for another few years. He epitomizes the gift of kindness and wears his heart on his sleeve for old and young alike. After approximately 35 years of being a true friend and inspiration to us all, and on behalf of the Parish, I congratulate him on being awarded the well-deserved title “Citizen of the Year” for Trepassey.
Judy Brazil
Parish Secretary to Father Peter Golden
Trepassey
