For those of you wondering, “Who is the senior priest saying Mass at St. Gabriel’s these days?”, I am Monsignor Joseph Simon.  As a matter of fact, I am newly-retired and very excited to be in-residence at the rectory.  I grew up a few miles north of St. Louis Hills in the City of Pagedale.  I attended St. Catherine of Siena Grade School and Mercy High School but both schools closed some time ago.  I graduated from the School of Commerce & Finance (now B & A) at St. Louis University in 1965, worked 14 months at McDonnell Aircraft in Dept. 14 (F-4 contracts), and entered Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in 1966.  I was ordained to the priesthood in 1971 by then-archbishop Cardinal John Carberry and have since been assigned to nine parishes but never to St. Gabriel the Archangel.  I did spend four years at St. Joan of Arc and two at St. George’s.  I was pastor of four parishes:  St. Bridget in Pacific MO, Holy Redeemer in Webster Groves, Queen of All Saints in Oakville and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.  Happily I finally made it to St. Gabriel’s.  My last parish assignment that ended June 25 was Rector of the Cathedral Basilica.  Having reached the magic age of 75 last August, I approached Msgr. Shamleffer in December to discuss the possibility of living at St. Gabriel’s and assisting in the celebration of the sacraments.  I am truly grateful for his welcome to me.  Now you have two priests living in the rectory that have a dual connection: the priesthood and Boeing Aircraft, formerly McDonnell Aircraft.  

Thank you for your hospitable welcome a few weeks ago.  May St. Gabriel the Archangel watch over you.
Monsignor Joseph Simon