Dear Parishioners,

I am honored to have been named the new pastor of Parish of the Holy Eucharist and am looking forward to beginning my ministry with you. A quick review of my biographical information: I was ordained a priest in 1988 and have served from St. Francis to Sanford and from Rockland to Rumford.

I love being a priest and the variety of interactions that flow from ministry. I have served in five Catholic schools, three campus ministries, the Maine State Prison, two fire departments as a chaplain, as well as ten years as the State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. I love preaching and teaching, though I lack my predecessor’s technological gifts.

I am grateful to Fr. Dan and the parish staff for including me in a process of transition. There is a great amount of ministry being accomplished in the name of Jesus, and I hope to be a faithful steward to that repository of blessing. I am the eldest of five boys and grew up in South Portland. My parents are both alive, though dad suffers from dementia and is in a local nursing home. Three of my brothers still live in SoPo, while Joe is in Shanghai. I am fifty percent Irish and fifty percent Italian, and intensely proud of both heritages.

In my free time, I enjoy listening to all types of music and reading a wide genre of books, though I have given many away because they are increasingly heavy to move. I love playing golf, hitting enough good shots to keep me coming back and enough bad ones to keep my confessor in prayer. I am passionate in support of the sports teams of the University of Notre Dame and the Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox. The Celtics will have to re-earn my respect. I am anxious to learn more about each of our communities of faith and how they strengthen the entire parish. I used to be good at learning names, but that was before turning 57 and having a three week rotation between churches. Please be patient with me and I pledge to keep you in my daily prayers. --Fr. Phil

Click here to read Fr. Tracy's full bio.