Father Paul Harte, 74, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Linwood, died Feb. 18.
Assigned to Linwood in 2013, Father Harte was the first diocesan priest to be appointed at Our Lady of Sorrows, previously under the care of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Born in Camden, Father Harte studied at Siena College in Albany, N.Y.; Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, N.J.; and LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle on May 19, 1976; his first assignment was at Queen of the Apostles, Pennsville, from 1976 to 1980.
He was pastor of Nativity Parish, Franklinville, 2001-05; and both Corpus Christi, Carneys Point, and Saint James, Penns Grove, 2005-10.
When several parishes, including Corpus Christi and Saint James, were merged to form Saint Gabriel the Archangel in 2010, Father Harte was named pastor of the new parish, a position he held until his Linwood appointment.
He was administrator of Holy Maternity Parish, Audubon, 2000-01.
Active in Catholic education, Father Harte taught at both Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, and Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City.
In 1995, he was appointed executive secretary for RENEW, a parish-based faith renewal program, in the Camden Diocese; two years later, he was named director of priest personnel for the Diocese.
Father Harte also worked with Engaged Encounter, as coordinator of marriage preparation, and as Scout chaplain. He served on the Continuing Education and Spiritual Formation of Priests Committee, the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council.
Father John O’Leary, a retired priest of the Diocese of Camden, has known Father Harte since 1968, when the two were first discerning the call to the priesthood. Calling Father Harte his best friend, Father O’Leary recalled a man who was “always full of joy, with his eyes kept focused on the Lord.”
While Father Harte was an avid reader, photographer and traveler, Father O’Leary said the priest’s ultimate hobby was loving his flock. “He always rejoiced that he could serve the Lord.”
Joseph Brennan agreed. “He was a real man of God, with a rock-solid faith,” said Brennan, chairman for the Diocese’s Catholic Committee on Scouting, who has known Father Harte since the priest began his chaplaincy in 2005.
Whether celebrating Mass for the young Scouts and their leaders, accompanying them on their excursions, or interacting with the scouting community, Father Harte “always brought God,” Brennan continued, and urged the young Church to be “men and women for others.”
This was evident especially when the priest guided youth to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“He helped them realize that confession wasn’t something to be afraid of, but a gift we have to become better Catholics,” Brennan said.
Father Harte’s flock in Linwood remembered his faithful ministry for the past twelve years at Our Lady of Sorrows.
MaryAnn Eger, secretary at Our Lady of Sorrows, called him a “very holy (and) dedicated priest” who “truly represented Christ.”
“Our parish was blessed to have Father Harte with us,” said Sally Pietrofitta, the parish’s Lector Coordinator.
“He worked with each of us to instill community,” she continued, particularly noting his “warm, upbeat personality and his patience and love. He always had time for everyone.”
Father John R. Perdue, M.SS.CC., said that “the Missionaries are deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Father Paul Harte. From his early days at Our Lady of Sorrows, he included the Missionaries in assisting him cover the parish as needed.”
A viewing will be held 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Wimberg Funeral Home, 1707 New Road, Linwood. There will be no Reception of the Body.
The next day, Feb. 26, there will be a viewing from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 724 Maple Ave., Linwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., celebrated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan. Father O’Leary will be the homilist.
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