Pastor’s Welcome

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish,

Fr. Richard Supple, O.Carm.

My name is Fr. Richard Supple. I am a Carmelite priest and I am excited and I feel honored to serve you as the pastor of OLMC Parish in Tenafly, N.J. I have been ordained for 19 years. Most of my years of service have been spent in New Jersey. Prior to my ordination, I spent two years at St. Therese Parish in Cresskill, N.J., where I was known as Brother Richard. After my ordination on February 9, 2002, I was assigned as associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bogota, N.J. Then, on July 1, 2005, I became pastor of St. Joseph’s in Bogota. I served as pastor for the next nine years. The Carmelites withdrew from St. Joseph Parish on June 30, 2013. Since that time, I have been serving as associate pastor at OLMC in Osprey, Fla. I have to say that I have always been happy wherever I have served, and I know that I will be very happy at OLMC in Tenafly.

I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised in Chicago, Ill. I am the eleventh of 13 children. My history with the Carmelites actually began in 1975 when I transferred to the Carmelite High School Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario. During my first year at the high school in Niagara Falls, Fr. Ashley Harrington was also the principal as well as one of my teachers.

I spent five years in the U.S. Navy. I served on the USS Midway aircraft carrier that was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. My next assignment was on the USS Cape Cod, a destroyer tender stationed in San Diego, Calif. While in the navy, I served as a supply petty officer. After the navy I used the money I earned to finish college. I graduated from Rosary College, now Dominican University, in River Forest, Ill. with a bachelor degree in accounting. I worked for several years after graduation and then decided to join the Carmelite formation program for priesthood.

As I said, I have been happy wherever I have served. I look forward to serving with Fr. Emmett who was in charge of formation while I was in the seminary in Washington, D.C., as well as with Fr. Anthony. I also feel blessed to have the support of Fr. Ashley and Fr. Dan O’Neill. Fr. Dan has also been a friend for many years.

I am excited that OLMC has such a wonderful school. When I served at St. Joseph in Bogota I loved our school and, together with the principal, the school board, and the finance council, we worked hard to make it a success. During that time, I formed many long-lasting relationships and made many friends. While serving at my parish here in Osprey, Fla., I have also served on the local school board for Epiphany Cathedral School in Venice, Fla.

I look forward to meeting new friends while serving the people at OLMC in Tenafly. I promise to continue to serve with the same spirit and dedication that I have throughout my life. I know I will be happy! May God continue to bless you.

Sincerely,

Fr. Richard Supple, O.Carm.

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