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. 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.