A Word of Introduction: Aidan Troy, C.P.

My name is Aidan Troy born 1945 in Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, into the family of Elizabeth and Daniel Troy. My brother is older and my sister is younger. My mother died in 1964 and my father in 2001. May they rest in peace.

Following attending schools in Greystones and Bray, I entered the Passionist Novitiate at Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh in September 1963 and professed first vows in September 1964. After three years at University College, Dublin and four years at Clonliffe College Seminary, Dublin, I was ordained on 19 th December 1970.

My first assignment was in London for the summer of 1971 followed by three years back in Ireland as vocations director stationed at Crossgar, Co. Down. These years marked the beginning of years of violence and serious unrest in Northern Ireland that are only now coming to a conclusion. From 1974 – 1980 I served as a member of the Provincial Council in Dublin and became involved in preaching parish missions and schools retreats. From 1980-1986 I served as Provincial of the Passionists of St Patrick’s Province.

Following this service I returned to study and updating by going to the University of San Francisco while living at Star of the Sea Parish on Geary Boulevard. This was a wonderful experience and I saw a lot of the State of California.

Newly refreshed I returned to Ireland in 1998 and was once again elected to the Provincial Council where I served until 1994. During that time I resumed the preaching ministry in parishes, for diocesan clergy, religious communities and schools. This has always been a beloved ministry of mine.

In 1994 I was elected to the General Council of the Passionists in Rome and served there until 2000. Once again I returned to studies and updating this time at the Angelicum University, Rome. To live for seven years in the Eternal City was a real privilege.

Returning from Rome I was assigned as parish priest and local superior of the Passionist Parish and community at Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast. I assumed those responsibilities in August 2001 and continued until September this year.

Now I have been assigned by my superiors to serve at St Joseph’s Church, Paris. It is always a daunting task to assume such a responsibility. What gives me confidence and hope is to know that this is God’s work and not mine. The building of the Kingdom of God is the task that binds us together as a believing people.

Along with Father Francis and each of you we will continue building of the Kingdom that has been started by our ancestors in the faith at St Joseph’s. Parishioners and priests come and go but the mission of Jesus will continue here in this great city. It is a real privilege for me to be part of the journey that makes up the life-line of St Joseph’s Church, Ave Hoche.