James Haddad had been working toward a career in pharmacology, but over time in order to follow God’s Plan, he pursued a vocation to the priesthood. As a priest he would imitate the Good Shepherd who is Jesus Christ. What does a priest do in imitation of the Shepherd? He leads through his pastoral care for God’s People as was so evident by Father Haddad’s distinguished service in Roxbury following his ordination in 1958. He would later bring the same pastoral zeal and enthusiasm for the Lord’s work to each assignment including Winchester and Needham. He gave forty-nine years of loving service to the Church. In addition to this pastoral care a priest teaches. What is taught is not his message, but the Lord’s message. Christ gives each priest-teacher unique ways to explain the plentiful redemption which is ours in Christ. Father Haddad was blessed with remarkable gifts as a teacher. Returning from Maynooth Pontifical University in Ireland where he pursued graduate studies in theology, he worked closely with priests at the newly formed Pastoral Institute, and also served as an adjunct professor at the seminary. As one of his former students, I can attest that his classes were always exciting and stimulating. Reporting to him a year later about how we were studying Form Criticism in scripture class and how helpful his instruction was on the topic, he lit up. Both of us enjoyed a good laugh together. Lighter moments are needed when confronted with Form Criticism! Years later he would bring that same enthusiasm for the faith to the classrooms of his parishes. There, delineation and precision were demonstrated as the faith was passed on. This is imitation of the Good Shepherd!

Monsignor Haddad’s greatest class may well have been reserved for the last. There in his bed of suffering was found acceptance and patience. When he might well have appealed to exhaustion, he was always gracious to welcome you for a visit. He taught many lessons in life, but his greatest classroom was when he showed amidst terrible suffering the love and mercy of the Good Shepherd. This is how God works. Through his deprivation we were inspired to live each day as a gift and blessing.

In the seminary halls where there could be found austerity at times, you would discover how transformed they became when Father Haddad passed through. You knew joy and laughter would follow. There was the twinkling in his eye accompanied by the snapping of his fingers, followed by a bounce in his gait, as he would sing: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” Along the way he spoke to everyone. Encouragement was given and inspiration gained. This is imitation of the Good Shepherd!

As much as Monsignor Haddad might transform a situation and always for the better, he knew that his life was not about himself, rather it was about the Lord. Reflect upon the many Masses celebrated, sacraments joyfully given, and confessions heard over his lifetime. That is real transformation, which far eclipses the unique personal gifts of the priest. It is real transformation because the priest is only an instrument of God’s grace. Monsignor Haddad in his humility would be the first to admit this. Think of how we are transformed by the sacred mysteries of the Mass, which allows the Lord to re-create us so that we can carry more closely His Image. Just as it takes a Michelangelo much time to create an image, so too, does it take us much time and effort through self-discipline to be chiseled by the Divine Artist so that, one by one, our sins fall away. It is with grateful hearts that we remember the sacred ministry of a good priest who brought Christ to us, and allowed us to be transformed by divine love and mercy. This is imitation of the Good Shepherd!

In a world of frequent crisis and tragedy, we have a life of an exemplary priest who modeled the Good Shepherd. Monsignor Haddad well knew, like any priest, that his labors might not always find growth in the present, but would bear fruit in time according to the Plan of God. Yet, God allowed him to see some fruit from his labor with the expansion of our parish school culminating in the building of a new Middle School. We have become recipients of these blessings in our day and more will follow. The priestly life of James J. Haddad distinguished by his faith, goodness, kindness, and enthusiasm gave glory to God in our day and will remain a fabric of our lives tomorrow.

Reverend Michael Lawlor
Pastor