Rev. Henry F. H. Sims

Fr. Henry Sims had been pastor of St. Patrick Church, a small but active parish in Newcastle, for 19 years before he retired in June, 1986. At that time, he was invited by his long-time friend, Father Michael McGarrigle, pastor of St. Mary's parish, to be "in residence" at St. Mary's. In an interview published shortly after his arrival in Bath, Fr. Sims noted that the adjustment from full-time pastoral responsibilities to a slower-paced life took a little getting used to but was a great joy -- having someone else worry about administrative matters allowed him to be free to pray, teach, or use his pastoral skills. "And, of course to have fun," he added. "I have time to do things now . . . One day recently it was such a lovely morning that I went walkingg at Reid State park. In Newcastle, I could nver have done that."

Fr. Sims had a study, a bedroom, and a private bathroom on the second floor of the St. Mary's Recotry. He assisted with the pastoring and the administration of the sacraments -- "Those are the things that we're ordained to do a priests," he said. The two priests took turns celebrating daily Mass, and on weekends they alternated as celbrant and homilist. They both heard confessions and officated at weddings and funerals, as well as visiting the sick. Fr. Sims also ahred in the instruction of converts, prepared parents for the baptismof their children, and taught adult education classes in the parish on Scripture and the spiritual life.