Faces of Philanthropy: Meet Fr. Richard Walsh

Fr. Richard Walsh

St. Margaret Mary

Catholic DAF Fundholder

CFOCF Member

Fr. Walsh was born in Collinstown, County Westmeath, Ireland to Richard and Christina Bardy Walsh.

Education:

• Glenidan National School, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
• St. Joseph’s Christian Brothers School, Portarlington Co., Laois, Ireland
• St. Mary’s College, Mullingar, Ireland
• All Hallows Seminary College, Dublin, Ireland
• Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana (Masters in Theology)
• Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana (Masters in Religious Education)

Ordination to the Priesthood: June 16, 1968 – All Hallows Seminary, Dublin, Ireland

First Mass: Mary’s Church, County Westmeath, Ireland on July 17, 1968

Assignments/Roles:

• August 1968 – March 1972: Associate pastor, Church of Our Saviour, Cocoa Beach and served as a Religion Teacher at Melbourne Central Catholic HS
• March 1972 – 1974: Associate pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Winter Park
• June 1972 – February 1974: Appointed Director of Religious Education for the Diocese
• February 1974 – June 1975: Associate pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Daytona Beach
• June 1975 – June 1985: Pastor, Church of Our Saviour, Cocoa Beach
  • Appointed Priests’ Continuing Education Director
• June 1985 – Present: Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Winter Park
• February 2005: Appointed Director of Priest Personnel for Orlando Diocese
• June 2010: Elected by the Diocesan College of Consultors as Diocesan Administrator to serve until a new Bishop for the Diocese was appointed by Rome. Bishop John Noonan was appointed in October 2010.
• 2011: Appointed Vicar General for the Diocese of Orlando

Faces of Philanthropy Q & A with Fr. Walsh:

Q: Why is charitable giving important to you?

A: I am eternally grateful to those individuals and groups who really assisted me in my upbringing and those who guided me as I attempted to live out my priestly vocation. I take seriously the words of St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully.”

Q: Who or what shaped your values around giving?


A: I grew up in a family I would consider financially poor. However, my parents believed in the importance of sharing what we had and attempted to do so on a regular basis. Later, in 1974-75, I assisted a pastor for 18 months in Daytona Beach. For me, that individual was a tremendous witness of God’s mercy and love. It wasn’t what he said but what he did for the poor on a daily basis that really impacted me.


Q: What is a Scripture verse or saint that inspires your generosity?


A: I have always been inspired by Chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel, which tells the story of the multiplication of loaves, as well as by Chapter 25 Verse 31 of St. Matthew’s Gospel, which describes the final judgment scene and emphasizes the importance of caring for those in need.

Q: What are some of the charities or ministries you like to support through your fund?
 
A: Magnify (Bishop Grady Villas), Morning Star Catholic School, Family Promise and the Hope Community Center are close to my heart because they care for those who are physically or mentally dependent, as well as families who have fallen on hard times and are attempting to get back on their feet.

Q: What excites you most about the Foundation’s work?

A: There are several area foundations available to us. The Catholic Foundation understands the workings of the Catholic church. They ensure that our money is not being used for immoral purposes and give good advice as to where our money should be spent.

Click here to learn more about the Catholic Foundation Fundholders.