Bishop William Murphy assigned Father John V. O'Farrell pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Floral Park, effective June 28. Father O'Farrell, formerly associate pastor at St. Anthony of Padua in East Northport, said he was surprised to hear of the appointment. "I was not expecting it," he said. "I'm delighted. The people here are absolutely wonderful."

The Brooklyn native's first positions included guidance counselor and social studies teacher at Most Holy Trinity High School in Williamsburg, NY, director of pupil personnel services at the Diocese of Brooklyn and assistant principal at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, NY. He was principal of Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station for more than 21 years.

_After retiring from the South Huntington School District, Father O'Farrell entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington and graduated in 2002. He completed his pastoral and deaconate experience at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport.

Father O'Farrell holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and psychology from St. John's University, a master's degree in counseling psychology from Fordham University and a professional degree in school administration and leadership from St. John's University. He also completed graduate work at New York University, Boston University and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Father O'Farrell said he already feels the difference between associate pastor and pastor. "The buck stops at the pastor's desk." What's most important to him, however, is "being a leader of God's people."