St. Augustine Church and the chapel at Villanova University will soon swap priests.
The Rev. Joe Narog, a former counterterrorism expert who cut his teeth as a priest in Andover's largest Catholic parish, is leaving to become pastor of a parish in Rosemount, Pa. that includes the chapel on the campus of Villanova University. Both churches are part of the Augustinian order.
"Ironic," the man known as "Fr. Joe" said of the new assignments. "I graduated from St. Joseph College, the arch rival of Villanova, and my best friend from college is director of admissions at Villanova."
Narog will put any "go St. Joe's" cheering aside as he takes the lead role at St. Thomas of Villanova Church. The current pastor in Rosemount, the Rev. Richard O'Leary, will come to St. Augustine Church to replace Narog.
Narog said he is looking forward to his new assignment although saying goodbye to Andover is bittersweet.
His formative years as a priest were served in Andover and he will never forget that.
"I celebrated lots of firsts here - my first wedding, first funeral, first Christmas Eve Mass...," he said.
Narog, 51, chose priesthood a bit later in life. He was a 40-something counterterrorism analyst who was training new analysts in Washington, D.C. when he said his call from God beckoned. He was ordained in 2005 and arrived in Andover in February 2006, where he said the parish has such "a positive energy" that it was wonderful to join.
Proud accomplishments of his at St. Augustine are getting involved with the church's vocation committee which caught the eye of Archbishop Sean O'Malley. The leader of the Boston Archdiocese came to st. Augustine last April and talked with people about his own calling.
"We had supper with him, then he talked with our parishoners," said Narog. "It is an experience I will never forget."
His regular meetings for those grieving is another well-received accomplishment. All are invited to attend and grieving for the loss of a loved one is encouraged. Narog said the meetings helped him with his own grieving as both of his beloved parents are deceased. He wears his mother's wedding ring as a tribute to them.
He was also popular at St. Augustine School, where his riddles and jokes will be remembered. He usually shared a joke at Sunday's 9:30 a.m. children's Mass, although he said comedy is not his forte.
"I tried to have my jokes connect with the (gospel) topic so kids could follow," he said. "And, it worked. Jokes helped. They stayed with me."
Students at the school presented him with a book of homemade jokes as a goodbye gift. The cover of the two-volume joke book features two students, a boy and a girl each dressed in First Communion finery.
"I'll treasure it, always," he said of the gift.
"Leaving is very, very bittersweet and sad as I have met so many wonderful people," he said.
Masses celebrated at Phillips Academy are also memorable for him as are his numerous visits to nursing homes and private homes in Andover.
Fr. Joe's last day in Andover is Aug. 9, then he'll have some vacation time before taking over at St. Thomas at the end of August.
His new assignment, which he did not request, was not totally unexpected as priests are usually reassigned after serving for about five years at a parish.
His new assignment is also closer to his boyhood home. He grew up in Pottsville, Pa., and family members are thrilled that he will be closer to them.
"I haven't been able to be around at holidays," he said.
This year, the Narog family will be setting a place for him.
