Former Judge Begins Catholic Priesthood In Dunedin

Parishioners will see a new face behind the altar at  this week.

Tim Corcoran, a former federal judge for the Middle District of Florida, followed an unusual "late-in-life" calling to the priesthood when he retired at age 62, writes a faith blogger on TBO.com.

"What I had to do was forget that I was a judge, forget that I was in charge and just put the Lord in charge," he told WFLA News Channel 8.

Corcoran, 66, of South Tampa, begins his first placement in Dunedin in July, the blogger writes. He celebrates his first Mass on Saturday, July 14, a spokeswoman at Our Lady of Lourdes Church said.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church is somewhat of a patron for vocations to the religious life. It has a long-established weekly "Traveling Chalice" program to encourage more prayer for those considering a religious calling.

Diocese of St. Petersburg Bishop Robert Lynch recently ordained Corcoran into the Catholic preisthood. He graduated from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Boston.