Father Carney points the way

MIAMI SPRINGS | It was a symbolic recognition of the “dedication and legacy of a selfless man,” said Maria Teresa Perez, principal of Blessed Trinity School, during the April 27 street renaming ceremony in honor of the parish’s longtime pastor, Father Joseph Carney.

Father Carney had been a priest for 44 years and pastor of Blessed Trinity for the last 30 when he died Jan. 2, 2013.

“It's a well deserved recognition to a priest who gave three decades of his life to this community and who, through his ministry, was able to touch so many souls,” said Father Jose Alfaro, parish administrator. “Father Carney was a man of integrity, a dedicated priest who loved this community. I feel that I am now reaping the fruits of his many years of service.”

On Sept. 6, 2013, the parish honored Father Carney by naming its new building the Father Joseph T. Carney Enrichment Center. The center houses the school’s Pre-K2 and Pre-K3 classrooms as well as ministry meeting rooms. Although technically the parish is located within the borders of the Village of Virginia Gardens, the Miami Springs City Council wanted to honor Father Carney’s memory as well.

“The measure was passed incredibly quickly, with very little discussion and by a unanimous vote, to co-designate a portion of 59th Avenue as Father Carney Way,” said Miami Springs Mayor Zavier Garcia.

Over 100 parishioners and city council members attended the ceremony, including Father Carney’s brother, who traveled with his wife from Cleveland, Ohio, to attend the event.  

“This is such an honor for our family, the street renaming along with the enrichment center are blessings,” said Tim Carney. “It is unbelievable the impact he had on this community. Being his brother you don’t see him in the same light so this is wonderful and especially touching to see how tight this community is and how much they cared for him.”

The new street sign reading “Father Carney Way” will, in a sense, point the community in the direction of faith and service, following the example of their beloved pastor.

“We hope to keep strengthening our ministries and fostering the work of evangelization in our community,” said Father Alfaro. “We hope to flame the fire of the Holy Spirit through conferences, retreats, eucharistic adoration, new ministries, etc.”

The sign also will serve as a daily reminder to the children who pass it on their way to school, of the dedication and love the late priest held for them. Father Carney facilitated his students’ success by providing them with the tools they needed for their education.

“For our school, our plans for growth are to continue to enhance our academics through the use of technological tools and services,” said Perez. “We look forward to creating programs that will address the needs of individual students and helping each one achieve success.”