I’m 54 years old, the middle child  of thirteen, born to John Rooney and Mary Catherine Higgins. My father died in November 1999 and my mother continues to live in our family home surrounded by most of her 55 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. I was born and raised in Belfast, Ireland. I grew up there in a time of awful turmoil, hate and violence. It’s a time I choose not to think too much about because it was a time of much suffering and sorrow a time when hate ran rampant and the lives of many people destroyed. Now I’m here with you and looking forward to spending many years in your company, being with you, getting to know you and your children, and you getting to know me. Let me remind you once, and I promise never to remind you again! I’m not Al Miller, or am I Stephen Vileo and I’m not Dan Nusbaum. I’m Stephen Rooney and I’m my own person. I realize that some of you will be glad I’m here, others disappointed and the majority of the parish neither here nor there! I’m here with my own history, expectations, my own strengths and my weaknesses. What I ask from you is to give me the opportunity to serve you in a way that may very well be different from the other pastors who have gone before me. I have been sent to Mount Carmel by Cardinal Maida and entrusted with your pastoral care. That pastoral care extends to the spiritual and material welfare of the parish. I will try my best to be faithful to the mandate given me by the Cardinal and to your needs.