By Brian McLaughlin
Rowan formally announced his resignation to his followers during the Sunday masses on July 7.
"I could tell something was bothering Father Mark during the mass," said Eucharistic Minister Estelle Dempsy, who was present for Rowan's announcement. But Dempsy said she had no idea that Rowan was planning to resign.
According to Dempsy, Rowan seemed to hurry through the mass protocol. Once the ceremonies were over however, Rowan remained on the altar and gave a touching, heartfelt announcement to the parish in which he revealed his decision to resign.
The news came as a shock to all assembled, including many members of the church staff.
"I was very surprised," said church deacon Thomas Bast, "I really had no idea this was going to happen."
Rowan's resignation seems especially surprising considering he had just started his new position at OLP less than two weeks ago, on June 25.
Rowan's appointment actually marked a return to the church for him since he had already served as a priest for OLP until January of this year. After he left, Rowan began working at his new position at a hostel ministry at Nassau County Medical Center. A member of the U.S. Air Force reserves, Rowan was actually planning to sign on for active duty beginning in June. But when he learned of the shooting at his old church, Rowan returned to OLP to lead the memorial service for his former parishioner Eileen Tosner, and his fallen colleague and friend Father Larry.
OLP parishioners were happy to see Rowan again, and even began a petition requesting that he take over Penzes' position as the church's head pastor. The church agreed with the parishioners, and even though there were six other priests available for the job, the staff requested that Rowan return to OLP.
"My decision to come back was an immediate one," Rowan told parishioners during his resignation announcement, "and I soon realized it was not the right choice."
Rowan said that there was not much time for him to decide whether to take the job or not and he did not think it through. Ironically, the same factors that led to Rowan accepting the position at the church - his feelings for his deceased friend Father Larry and his compassion for the OLP parish - were what made him decide that he should resign.
"If I'm not happy with my decision, I won't be able to do my best work," said Rowan, who felt OLP would be better served by a priest who was more comfortable with the position.
Rowan added that being back in the church and rectory he once shared with Father Larry made it too painful to deal with the memories of his departed friend. Aside from serving at OLP together, Rowan and Penzes served as chaplains in the air force together and even shared an office at Macguire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
Owing to the strong friendship the two priests formed in their years together, Rowan's grief over his friend's death has been copious. He decided that working at OLP placed him too close to his memories of Penzes.
Rowan's resignation comes at a bad time for OLP since the church viewed his appointment as an important step towards moving on in the wake of the tragedy. Bast said he was concerned about the parish since, the resignation leaves the church once again without a full-time priest and pastor, but added, "I'm also concerned about Father Mark, and I think he needs to do what's best for himself."
Most parishioners echoed Bast's bittersweet feelings about Rowan's resignation.
"He'll be missed, but I wish him well," said Elenore Deneufvield. "If [the resignation] is the best thing for [Rowan's] health and spirituality, we have to respect that."
While OLP waits for a new pastor to be appointed by the diocese, Father Jim Peredes of the Diostyc Tribunal will take over administrative duties at the church, operating as an interim pastor much in the way that Father Bill Singleton of St. Raymond's did before Rowan's return.
Rowan has taken on a new position at St Catherine's Church of Sienna in Franklin Square.
