April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Jubilarians share highlights of being priests
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Noting his golden jubilee, Rev. Thomas Flanigan told The Evangelist, "Perhaps the highlight of my priesthood would be found in the people with whom I have lived, worked and associated in the scope of priestly life. Priesthood has been a most rewarding life, a vocation that has truly left nothing to be desired in this world and, hopefully, prepared me for the future life. If one wants a full and interesting life, and is capable of total commitment to the Lord, the priesthood is where you will find it."A native of Troy, Father Flanigan was ordained in 1950 and served as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's, Watervliet; St. Teresa of Avila, Albany; and St. Bernard's, Cohoes, while on the faculty of Keveny Academy.
In 1966, he was appointed pastor of St. Ann's Church in Fort Ann and chaplain of Great Meadows Correctional Facility in Comstock. He has been pastor of St. Peter's parish in Troy since 1970.
Father Flanigan will celebrate his golden jubilee with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Peter's on June 4. A reception follows.
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Another golden jubilarian is Rev. Joseph Keyrouze, a native of Troy who explains that he "always wanted to be a priest." He has been especially delighted when working with children but has found "great joy" in serving people of all ages.He has been an administrator of St. Ann's (Maronite) Church in Troy, Sacred Heart in Gloversville, and Blessed Sacrament in Hague; associate pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Stillwater, Sacred Heart in Albany, St. Vincent de Paul's in Albany, and St. Mary's in Amsterdam; and a religion instructor for student nurses at St. Joseph's Infant Home.
In 1967, he was named pastor of Nativity parish in Stuyvesant. In 1969, he was appointed pastor of St. William's in Troy.
Father Keyrouze will celebrate a noon Mass on June 11 at St. William's. A parish reception will follow.
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Rev. James Vaughan, marking 50 years since his ordination, states that he has "truly enjoyed every assignment I've ever had as a priest. Each has had its ups and downs, its challenges and victories. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve God and His Church in the ministry of priesthood. I thank God for choosing me to serve Him in this way."A Syracuse native, Father Vaughan has been stationed at St. Mary's in Troy, as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserves, and as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Troy and St. Ambrose in Latham.
While pastor of St. Patrick's parish in Athens, Father Vaughan was also chaplain at Coxsackie Correctional Facility. After four years as pastor of St. Mary's Church in Hudson, he was named pastor of Sacred Heart in Troy, where he has been for 27 years.
"There have been so many memorable moments in these 50 years," Father Vaughan said. "These past 27 years as pastor of Sacred Heart have given me a great sense of fulfillment in my priesthood. Being here for that length of time, I have watched so many children grow in the Lord, baptizing them, giving them First Communion, witnessing their Confirmation and marriage, and then baptizing their children. I feel like a 'spiritual grandfather' with hundreds of grandchildren. It has been a great journey of love, and I shall always cherish my call to serve as a priest for God's people."
Father Vaughan will mark his jubilee at Sacred Heart Church in Troy on June 18 with a noon Mass, followed by a parish reception and buffet lunch. Those who plan on attending should call 274-1363 by June 1.
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40TH ANNIVERSARY
The jubilee class of 2000 includes a bishop: Archbishop Harry Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis, who is marking 40 years in the priesthood."If I had a hundred lives to live," he noted, "I would live every one as a parish priest. The priesthood is a magnificent way of living and being invited into the lives of others in the deepest way at moments of joy and at moments of sorrow."
A native of Schenectady who was ordained in 1960, Archbishop Flynn has been dean, vice rector and rector of Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He returned to the Albany Diocese as director of Continuing Education for Clergy and then pastor of St. Ambrose parish in Latham.
In 1986, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Lafeyette, La., and ordained a bishop. In 1989, he succeeded as the fourth bishop of Lafayette. In 1994, he was named coadjutor bishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, becoming archbishop a year later.
Asked how he plans to mark his 40th anniversary, Archbishop Flynn replied: "Very quietly."
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Rev. Santino Titta, a native of New York City, says, "I love my priesthood and being a priest because of the satisfaction of helping people."In his 40 years as a priest, he has been an associate pastor at St. Mary's, Albany; St. Mary's, Frankfort; St. Anthony's, Schenectady; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, Schenectady; St. Patrick's, Ravena; and St. Patrick's, Catskill. In 1988, he was named to his current assignment: pastor of St. Thomas in Cherry Valley.
Due to health circumstances, Father Titta has no current plans to mark his anniversary publicly. He will celebrate a private Mass with his family on May 28.
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25TH ANNIVERSARY
The class of silver jubilarians includes Rev. Joseph Cebula, a native of Troy who was ordained in 1975.Father Cebula has been an associate at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine of Siena, both in Albany. In 1986, he was named pastor of Sacred Heart/St. Philip Neri parish in Stamford, adding in 1999 responsibility for Most Precious Blood in S. Kortright.
Father Cebula will mark his anniversary on June 4 with an 11 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart in Stamford. A reception follows.
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"I decided on priesthood after spending several years in the Air Force," says Rev. Louis Deimeke, a native of Kansas. "It was the best decision I ever made in my life. I was looking for fulfillment and the priesthood has offered it in ways that I could never have imagined. I would, and do, recommend it to others every opportunity I have."After a brief stint at St. Jude's parish in Wynantskill, Father Deimeke re-entered the Air Force, this time as a chaplain, serving for nearly 20 years at various bases in the U.S. and overseas. From 1990-94, he was stationed in the Office of the Air Force Chief of Chaplains.
Since January, he has been administrative advocate of the Albany Diocese.
Father Deimeke will preside at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on May 28 at Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady. A reception will follow.
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Rev. James Donlon, another priest marking his silver anniversary, has been a chaplain at Memorial Hospital in Albany and assistant at St. Mary's in Oneonta.After graduate studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he joined the staff of the diocesan Tribunal where he is currently Judicial Vicar.
Father Donlon has not disclosed plans for his jubilee observance.
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Rev. John Lysogorski, a native of Troy, has been assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament, Albany; St. Edward's, Clifton Park; and St. Clare's, Colonie. He was also active in the Spanish Apostolate as well as administrator of St. John's parish in Rensselaer and of Holy Cross in Schenectady before being named pastor of St. George's Church in Pittstown.Since 1993, he has been stationed at St. Francis de Sales Church in Troy.
Father Lysogorski has not disclosed plans for marking his silver anniversary.
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Rev. Dennis Murphy, another silver jubilarian, says of his time in the priesthood: "There have been times of joy, especially at successful parish celebrations when families enjoyed fun together, such as the annual picnic. There have been times of pain, when people left parishes or conflicts have divided people. These are both human and therefore priestly experiences. It is the loving support of caring friends, other priests and family members, as well as prayer, which is very important in my ministry. The greatest joy for me currently is the gathering at daily and weekend liturgies. I am grateful to God, who has sustained me these 25 years."The Troy native has been a teacher at Vincentian Institute and Bishop Maginn High in Albany, and associate pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Latham.
In 1984, Father Murphy was appointed pastor of St. Cecilia's in Warrensburg. In 1992, he became pastor of St. Peter's in Saratoga Springs. Most recently, he has been a chaplain at Albany Memorial Hospital and administrator of St. Margaret of Cortona parish in Rotterdam Junction.
Father Murphy will mark his anniversary "with an informal gathering with family and friends."
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Rev. John Peter Rosson calls his 25 years in the priesthood "a life of great challenges, immense opportunities but unimaginable blessings. I feel ordained anew each day, whether as a campus priest, priest-teacher or parish priest of a vibrant community."Father Rosson has served at St. Mary's parish in Little Falls, taught at St. Patrick's High in Catskill, and served in campus ministry at SUNY-Oneonta and Hartwick College, where he was also an adjunct professor of world religion.
Since 1995, he has been pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Schenectady.
Father Rosson will offer a Silver Jubilee Mass on June 11, 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist, Schenectady. A dinner reception will be held at 3 p.m. at the Edgewood restaurant.
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"Serving as a presbyter for 25 years has been a gift of God," notes Rev. Richard Fragomeni. "It is a matter of great gratitude to know God's mercy in my failures and sins, and to know God's power in all the good that has been done through me."A native of Schenectady, Father Fragomeni has been a chaplain at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, associate pastor at Corpus Christi parish in Ushers and diocesan coordinator of the Liturgy Center.
After doctoral studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he became a professor of liturgy and preaching at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He has also been assisting as a spiritual director at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii there.
"For anyone considering ordination," he said, "I say, 'Do it -- willingly, enthusiastically and with abandonment.' It has been a profound journey of knowing what life is really all about. It is about the presence of a promise that is given to us in Christ."
Father Fragomeni will mark his silver anniversary on August 15 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Schenectady and in September in Chicago.
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