It was a triple celebration for the Rev. Alfred Thomas Kurt Zadig Sunday. It was the 30th anniversary of his ordination as an Episcopal priest, his 90th birthday and his retirement.

It was only natural that such a trifecta should be celebrated in a church and the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Nicholas Knisely should be a celebrant, or for that matter, that Father Zadig’s son, Alfred Jr., who is likewise a priest, should deliver the sermon. He spoke of legacy, leading the congregation to believe he was talking about his father, until to everyone’s amusement he said he was talking about Tom Brady. When the chuckles subsided, he talked of the legacy Jesus Christ has left us.

Father Al served alongside the Rev. George Warren as co-pastor of All Saints Church in Pontiac. He was named to the post in 2017.

As told in a Beacon story published on Feb. 2, 2018, Father Al, once an aspiring rabbi, converted from Judaism and became a schoolteacher. He attended the diocesan seminary in Garden City, Long Island, New York, and became an ordained priest. He began in Newton, Massachusetts, which created the first hospice in Massachusetts – Hospice of the Good Shepherd – in the 1970s. Prior to arriving in Warwick, he served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. He holds a master’s degree in pastoral care and psychology and a Ph.D. in psychology.

For 30 of his 60 years in the priesthood, Father Al combined serving as pastor of parishes with being the executive director of an ecumenical mental health center devoted to the care of members of the clergy and religious orders.

What Father Al told a Beacon reporter in 2017 surely applies today.

“People are sort of isolated today. I think one of the things that churches offer, if it's done right, is a community. Church is a place where people let you know that they care,” he said.

Deeper in the interview, Father Al said, “In the Episcopal church they find the faith that they know without a stance on those issues. No matter what your problem is, you’re welcome. It isn’t even necessarily a problem.”

As an example, he told the story of a woman who approached him during coffee hour after the service. She expressed her disappointment that she couldn’t join the church because she was divorced. She asked if the Episcopal Church would accept her, to which Father Al replied, “are you right or left handed?”

The woman was confused. “Why does that matter?” she asked. “Exactly,” replied Father Al.

The story could well be applied to Father Al’s age.

He held animated conversations waiting for the service that was held at St. Barnabas Church in Apponaug to start, and there was a spring to his step as he joined the procession to the altar.

What might he do in retirement?

He’s going to take several weeks to unwind and then he expects to volunteer at a nonprofit in his home community of Westerly.

Why should 90 matter?