Tributes have been paid to the late Monsignor Patrick Joseph Caverly, originally from Church Cross, Skibbereen, after his life of service to the church which saw him bestowed with the highest honour possible by the Pope.
TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Monsignor Patrick Joseph Caverly, originally from Church Cross, Skibbereen, after his life of service to the church which saw him bestowed with the highest honour possible by the Pope.
Born to James and Agnes Caverly, he was ordained in 1961, and served in a variety of roles in Florida.
During his distinguished career there, his many achievements included overseeing the construction of a church in St Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs.
In 1981 he embarked on his ‘longest assignment,’ when Annunciation Parish in Altamonte Springs was established. He served as Pastor there until his retirement in 2011.
In 1991, Monsignor Caverly was named Vicar General of the Diocese of Orlando. In 2005, he was given the title of Monsignor, Prelate of Honor and in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI named Monsignor Caverly a Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary, the highest honor the Pope confers on priests.
He was awarded the Catholic Charities of Central Florida Hope and Opportunity Award in 2010 for his leadership in raising funds in support of people in need.
Under his guidance, Annunciation Parish also gave m to the San Jose Mission in Pierson, which serves a mostly migrant community, to expand its worship space and build a multipurpose building for the Catholic community.
Monsignor Caverly led or served on a number of diocesan boards but in a 2011 interview with the Florida Catholic, Monsignor Caverly shared that his greatest joy had been, ‘introducing Christ to others’ and that his greatest hope was to, ‘one day see God face to face.’
He had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother and encouraged all to pray the rosary.
Monsignor Caverly continued in residence at Annunciation Parish as Pastor Emeritus until his death last month.
He is survived by his two brothers, Monsignor Bernard Caverly of the Diocese of St Petersburg and Vincent Caverly of Rochester, NY. He was buried in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Coronea, Skibbereen.
