Scott
McCarthyScott
McCarthyBorn in London, England, Scott McCarthy moved with his family to Toronto, Canada and then to southern California where he graduated from high school. In 1970 he graduated from St. Patrick's Seminary College in Mountain View with a B.A. in humanities and philosophy. He received a Master of Divinity (1973) and a Master of Arts (Liturgy, 1977) from St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. He was ordained a priest at St. Patrick's Church, Watsonville, California, in 1974 and in 1979, received a Doctorate of Ministry from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
A pastor since 1974, he is presently serving at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Carmel Valley, California. He is Director of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission and serves on the Priestly Life Committee. The diocesan Native American Ministry also comes under his leadership. He spent a 1990-1991 sabbatical on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.
In 1978, he compiled That All May Be One: A Handbook for Worship (updated in 1996) to help parish leaders and clergy plan ecumenical and interfaith services. He also authored Celebrating the Earth: An Earth-Centered Theology of Worship with Blessings, Prayers and Rituals, (1991) which explores rich interfaith traditions using the common elements of the Creation in worship.
Prior to ordination, he chose a motto which has held meaning for him throughout his years of priesthood. It comes from Dag Hammerskold, former Secretary of the United Nations: "For all that has been, thanks--to all that will be, yes."