Father Carney served in various capacities at Nativity Parish in Hollywood, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St. John the Baptist in Fort Lauderdale, Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, and Our Lady of the Lakes in Miami Lakes before Blessed Trinity became his home when he was appointed as pastor on June 9, 1982. 

“Father Carney never told you what you wanted to hear, he always told you what you needed to hear,” said Miami Springs resident Irandis Diaz.

Diaz has worked as the “go-to” man at Blessed Trinity since 2000. Diaz was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with Father Carney during his last few days.

“I was with him in the hospital when they gave him the news of how sick he was getting. He said to me “Well, I have no regrets. If I had my life to live all over again, I’d do the same thing, I’d be a priest. That meant everything to me,’ ” shared Diaz. “He gave First Holy Communion to my wife when she was a little girl. He gave First Communion to my three sons, and as adult Father Carney gave me all of the sacraments and First Communion, too. He was a very, very special man.”

Perhaps the abundance of people who gathered at his funeral service is a testimony to the effectiveness of Father Carney’s ministry as a priest and is a true indication of just how special this man really was. 

“Father Joe lived a life that was not for himself, but he lived a life for Him who died and rose,” said Deacon Dan Blaha. “Father Carney and his ministry were truly a gift to this local church and community. His life was a true epiphany, a manifestation of God’s love, God’s closeness and of God’s gentleness to every person who knew him.”