Editor’s Note: The following tribute to Monsignor Irvine Nugent were posted today on the St. Helen Catholic Church website. http://www.sthelenvero.org/
Monsignor Irvine Nugent, Pastor Emeritus, St. Helen Parish, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2014. Monsignor would have celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood on June 6th of this year.
We, the parish of St. Helen, are extremely thankful to Monsignor Nugent for his ministry to and with us. He holds a very special place in our hearts and memories.
Upon ordination, Father Nugent, requested to work in the “mission” fields of America. Yes, he gave up homeland and family to come to serve us. Think about it, he gave up the cold, damp, rainy days of Ireland for the warm, dry climate of the mission fields of America (Miami). Oh, well, Ireland’s loss and our gain.
Fr. Nugent’s original assignment was as a teacher at Notre Dame Academy for Girls in Miami. His good looks, high energy, empathy, and great sense of humor left strong impressions.
From 1955 – 57, Fr. Nugent studied philosophy and education, receiving his Master’s Degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Upon completion of his studies, our young priest returned to Florida and parish work. At least he thought so. He soon found himself in a new diocese, St. Augustine. From 1957-1969 he was assigned as pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Daytona Beach. He also inherited the position of President for the new Fr. Lopez High School (1959-1965). The only problem was that he had to oversee the construction of the complex. In addition, the bishop appointed him to Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Augustine, followed by Vicar General (1966-67), and Administrator (1967-1968). Not a bad track record for someone just ordained eight years. In 1963 he accompanied Archbishop Hurley to the Second Vatican Council. In 1965 Pope Paul VI bestowed the title of Monsignor on him.
Once again the winds of change came and in 1969, The Diocese of Orlando was created. Though deeply committed to the Diocese of St. Augustine, now Monsignor Nugent chose to serve the new diocese. Right off, he was appointed pastor of the Cathedral Parish of St. Charles in Orlando (1969-84) as well as Vicar General for the young diocese which he held until 1984.
Still serving as Vicar General in 1976 Monsignor felt he had enough of the big city and a desire to be on the seashore. He looked at the map, realized that St. Helen in Vero Beach would need a new pastor, and on May 1, 1976, the new pastor and his parish began a relationship of love and service that lasted for the next twenty-three years.
For his first six years in Vero Beach, Monsignor continued to travel back and forth, juggling his pastoral and diocesan responsibilities. 1984 brought yet another new diocese into being – Palm Beach. St. Helen Parish was assigned to the new territory. Now instead of driving to Orlando weekly, Monsignor drove to Palm Beach as its new Vicar General.
On March 31, 1999, Monsignor chose to officially retire, and took on the life of a resident parishioner of St. Helen Parish. Until recently, he assisted with Masses on weekends and other functions.
Ireland, “thank you” for sending this wonderful man to the “mission fields” of America.
If you would like to send a note of condolence or a tribute to the family of Monsignor Irvine Nugent please email the letter to the Parish Office at StHelenChurch@hotmail.com and the St. Helen Parish will forward these letters to Monsignor’s family.
If you have a photo of Monsignor Irvine Nugent that you would like to submit for a slideshow honoring Monsignor please email them to sthelen_jmb@bellsouth.net (jpeg images only please).
Indian River Guardian 
Monsignor Irvine Nugent will be remembered as a “man of interfaith in action”. Over 35 years ago he helped the Block and Kanarek families start Temple Beth Shalom, Vero’s first Synagogue. The original “Ark” still is used on special occasions, but its history began in the basement of St. Helens Church thanks to Fr. Nugent. Two years ago he was honored with the Legion of Honor Medal, the highest award of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, Phila. Pa. The award was presented by Sam Block and Carole Kanarek at the dedication of the Four Chaplains Monument in Sebastian. I was fortunate to have known the Monsignor for almost 14 years, his kindness and good deeds was certainly a catalyst for the start and completion of the Chaplains Monument.
We were fortunate to have his love and wisdom for many decades, now it is Heaven’s turn to benefit from his caring and kindness!
Anyone who has spent a decade or two in this area has either met or heard of Monsignor Nugent. How he managed everything will always remain a mystery to me. He was one of those unforgettable characters in the Book of Life. We all benefited from his presence.
I first met Monsignor over 40 years ago in Orlando and was priiviledged to be asked to be on his School Board at St Charles in the early ’70’s. He remained a guiding light to me and my family over the years and he, with his temperal guidance will be sorely missed. Really a saintly person whose influence had no boundaries. RIP