40 YEARS OF MINISTRY
Celebration Sunday for Msgr. Hunt

Photo illustration by Nick Stamenkovich/Gulf Breeze News Msgr. Luke Hunt will celebrate his 40th year in the priesthood on Sunday, June 3 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze. His tenure has included service under six bishops, filling almost every position in the diocese.

St. Ann Catholic Parish and Our Lady of Assumption Mission will celebrate Msgr. Luke Hunt's 40 years of ministry on June 3 with an open house following Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Ann.

"Msgr. Hunt has served the people of God well. It has been said that the Church of Pensacola-Tallahassee would not be where it is today if it weren't for the Irish clergy and Msgr. Hunt is tops as an Irishman and priest, "Carlisle Semmes, archivist for the Diocese of Pensacola Tallahassee, said.

Semmes said Msgr. Hunt has ministered

under six bishops

1967-68 Archbishop Toolen (Mobile),

1968-75 Bishop Tanner (Saint Augustine,

1975-83 Bishop Gracida (founding bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee),

1983-90 Bishop Symons, 1991-96 Bishop Smith,

Monsignor Luke Hunt

1997- present Bishop Ricard;

in almost every position in the Diocese such as Master of Ceremonies, Member or Chairperson of many Commissions, Consultor, Vicar for Parish Renewal/Evangelization, Administrative Council, Chancellor, Finance Committee, Vicar for Planning/Development, Priests Personnel, Vicar General and Core Team Planning Process;

in residence at one parish and as parochial vicar, rector and pastor of other parishes.

"Msgr. Hunt has an amazing ability to empower other persons: clergy, reli- gious or laity," Semms said. "He believes the church is reflected in the pews and one has only to look at the growth and activities in St. Ann, Gulf Breeze and Our Lady of Assumption, Pensacola Beach as visible signs of this."

Richard and Carlisle Semmes are happy to have Msgr. Hunt as a friend and we wish him "ad multos annos," she said.

The Rev. John Licari, Parochial Vicar at Nativity of Our Lord in Pensacola, has known Mgr. Hunt for over 20years, and loves his sense of humor. Licari met Msgr. Hunt in 1985 when Licari was in the choir and traveled on the mission to Chimbote, Peru. Msgr. Hunt was important in Licari's discernment process to become a priest, he said.

"Msgr. Hunt has been a great example of a pastor who understands the importance and value of mission work in other countries," Licari said. "He is very observant. It was always very enlightening when he would come back and share with the congregation what he saw. He'll see stuff and understand stuff that I had not. He has a great perception and understanding of what is around him, even when he doesn't seem to be engaged. He does bring a wisdom that enlightens us."

When Msgr. Hunt arrived in the United States in 1967, he began his ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach. After six years there, he went on to Our Lady of Victory in Crestview for three years. From there, he went to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pensacola, and from there became pastor of St. Ann Gulf Breeze.

St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, and Our Lady of the Assumption Mission, Pensacola Beach, together are a parish of over 2,700 persons serving the community in body, mind and spirit. Information, bulletins and newsletters are available on the web at StAnnGulfBreeze.Org.