Father Hugh J. Flynn, (1923 – 1975) Father Flynn was born July 31, 1923 in Philadelphia and attended elementary and secondary schools there. During World War II he served with the Navy in the Seabees. He attended St. John’s Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas and was ordained May 27, 1956 by Archbishop Joseph Hurley for the Diocese of St. Augustine. He served in parishes in the Miami, Hollywood and Vero Beach areas. While in Miami he pioneered the work of the Spanish speaking apostolate. He became pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Daytona Beach in 1969 serving there until his death in 1975. Father Flynn was well known for his hard work and his commitment to the poor, the sick, and the lonely. He was also a leader in advocating for marginalized people actively working for racial justice for African Americans during the civil rights movement. He was a supporter of Father Lopez High School, giving of his time and energy to support the school whenever he was needed.
Father William Holmes, (1902 - 1982) Father Holmes was born April 20, 1903 in Ireland. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Ireland and St. Patrick’s College Seminary in Carlow, Ireland. He was ordained into the Society of Priests of the Sacred Heart on April 3, 1932 in Wisconsin. He did missionary work with the Sioux Nation in South Dakota and later taught in Indiana. He arrived in Florida in 1942 and was incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine in 1952. He worked in a variety of parishes in South Florida, and locally at St. James and Holy Redeemer. His last assignment before retiring was as Pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Mission in St. Cloud, from 1964 – 1968.
Father Mark Wegg, (1948 – 2015) Father Wegg was born August 25, 1948 in New Jersey. Before entering seminary, he served as a religion teacher, youth minister, and campus minister. He participated with the Charismatic Renewal movement in South America as a missioner. He attended Immaculate Conception Seminary was ordained in 1987 in New Jersey; he served in parishes there before coming to the Diocese of Orlando where he was incardinated in 2003. He served in several parishes in the diocese including St. Peter, Our Lady of the Springs, St. Joseph in Winter Haven, and Blessed Sacrament in Clermont.
Father Joseph John Buzek, (1915 -1999) Father Buzek was born February 16, 1915 in Bellaire, Ohio. He attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and was ordained (year unknown) for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. Father Buzek served in the US Navy and after 24 years of duty as a chaplain, he returned to the Diocese of Columbus and was pastor of a church there for nine years. In 1976 he retired and moved to Winter Park. He served as chaplain of Knights Council 2112, assisted in various parishes in the area, and at the Naval Training Center Chapel in Orlando.
Father Michael Anthony Flynn, (1930 – 1988) Father Flynn was born December 31, 1930 in Enfield, County Meath, Ireland and was one of eight children. He loved rugby and was remembered as an excellent player as a young man in Ireland. He was also known for his smooth golf swing. He was ordained in 1959 Dublin as a priest of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers). He served as a missionary in war torn Nigeria (at that time called Biafra) for 7 years before coming to central Florida in 1967. He was incardinated into the Diocese in 1971. In the Diocese of Orlando, he served as assistant pastor at Blessed Trinity, as pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Ocala, and St. Brendan from 1975 until his death. Bishop Grady said, "He died, quietly after a painful struggle of several years with cancer. He bore his illness courageously and without complaint, trying to the very end to maintain his ministry to his people.”
Father Michael Martin Reynolds (1905 – 1972) Father Reynolds was born in November 6, 1905 in Drumgowla, Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland. He attended St. Patrick’s seminary in Carlow and was ordained June 15, 1930 for the Diocese of St. Augustine. He served in numerous parishes including as pastor of St. Mary, Holy Redeemer, and St. Mary of the Lakes. He died while preparing to celebrate Mass for the Sisters at the convent at St. Mary of the Lakes.
Father James Francis Edwards (1926 – 2007) Father Edwards was born April 1, 1926 in Corofin, County Clare, Ireland. After graduation from University College, Dublin, in November 1950, with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, he worked in that profession in various parts of Ireland, until he left the Irish Civil Service to attend seminary. He attended St. John’s Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas and was ordained February 26, 1961 for the Diocese of St. Augustine. He served in praishes until he entered the Chaplancy Corps to serve in the US Army from 1966-1968. He returned to serve at St. Ann in Debary from 1968 until his retirement in 1994.
Father Peter Quinn 2016 Father Quinn was born in Quignashee, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, and was one of ten children. As a young man he was known for his athelticism playing Gaelic football. He was ordained a priest with the Columban Missionaries Dec. 21, 1950. That same year, Father Quinn won his first all-Ireland medal and his second in 1951 as a member of the national championship team. That was the last time he played the sport full time. He served in the Philippines for 13 years followed by working in various parishes in several states in the U.S. He arrived in central Florida in 1973 and was incardinated in 1976. He served at St. Thomas in Saint Cloud, Holy Redeemer, Divine Mercy, Epiphany, St. Brendan, and St. Anthony (as the founding pastor). He was pastor of St. Anthony from 1982 until his retirement in 1996.