In Memory of Msgr. James Joseph Pierse

 April 3, 1918 - February 22, 2011

Obituary

Monsignor James Pierce passed away this past Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. surrounded
by members of his family. He died in the room which he has occupied for the past 33 and a half years. Over
half his priesthood was spent here at Holy Family Church.

He came to the parish in 1977 and for the next 10 years served as pastor. Many ministries were initiated
during his tenure. He started a Parish Council, and introduced Holy Communion for the homebound, also
he formed the Christian Service Program.

He retired in 1987 but still helped out with weekend masses until 2 years ago and thereafter
co celebrated the noon mass. He celebrated a private mass until a few days before his death.
We had a wonderful celebration for his 90th birthday and many of his good friends from
throughout the southland joined with the members of the parish in a Mass of Thanksgiving.
Msgr. Pierce was an avid sportsman. While still a seminarian, he won an All-Ireland medal
as a football player for his native county Kerry. Here in the southland, he excelled as a golfer
winning numerous trophies. When the famous Scottish professional golfer, Willie Hunter retired
from the Riviera Country Club, Msgr. Pierce gave the invocation. It is entitled a "Golfer's Prayer".
I will end with the last verse of that prayer.

"When my last stroke is recorded on the final green of life
May I be judged worthy to receive the reward Promised to
all true sports who compete according to the rules
Your perpetual Trophy - a niche in the
Heavenly Hall of Fame". Amen.
May he rest in peace. 

Although we did not have a blog at the time of his death, many of us were at STS during his time.