April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

New book chronicles priest


By PAT PASTERNAK- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

The history of the Diocese of Albany is filled with stories about outstanding men and women who have served its people. According to two priests, the stories about just one of those outstanding figures -- Msgr. Edward R. Glavin -- could fill a book.

So they wrote one.

According to Rev. James Gulley, pastor of St. Mary's parish in Amsterdam, the people there lovingly remember Msgr. Glavin as a pastor who dedicated his life to them. Although he died four years ago, his indelible imprint is still evident. Recently, Father Gulley and his brother, Rev. Anthony Gulley, an associate at the parish, collaborated to write a book about Msgr. Glavin's life.

Life of service

The soft-covered biography, "Service to the People," captures the essence of Msgr. Glavin's life in both prose and pictures, the authors told The Evangelist. It details the dedicated service that, according to Father James, "personified a lifetime of love and devotion to God's people."

Father James spent more than 20 years serving at St. Mary's with Msgr. Glavin. In the years following the latter's death, Father James increasingly felt the need to publish a work dedicated to the Monsignor's exemplary life, which was filled, he said, with "a deep love for life and for people."

"I was assigned to St. Mary's in 1981 when I was still a deacon," recalled Father James. "I remember the Bishop telling me that it was going to be an assignment that he thought would be very important for me. Although I didn't realize it at the time, now I know he was absolutely right."

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's decision marked the beginning of Father James' longtime friendship with Msgr. Glavin, a friendship defined by encouragement, loyalty and a very practical way of life for him as a new priest.

Remarkable man

"Msgr. Glavin was a remarkable man, and that's why my brother and I decided to write this book about him," said Father Anthony. Acting as full-time associate at St. Mary's, he is also a part-time instructor at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

"Many who knew Msgr. Glavin knew of his very special abilities," he explained. "In Amsterdam, we all loved him. My brother Jim and I wanted the people of the Diocese who didn't know him to realize what a kind and loving man Msgr. Glavin was."

The two brothers set about the task of reviewing the personal mementos and myriad photos of the Monsignor's long life. Together, they recreated his 37 years of service to St. Mary's as well as his 62 years of ministry to the people of the Diocese of Albany, which included time as a chaplain during World War II.

Biography

Edward R. Glavin was born in 1912. His uncle was Msgr. John Glavin, who was pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish in Rensselaer for more than 60 years. Father Edward Glavin was ordained in 1935 in Rome. His first assignment was to St. Francis de Sales parish in Troy; while there, he taught at Catholic Central High School.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving as chaplain in the China/Burma/India theatre, making a 750-mile march through mountains and jungle on foot with the 475th Infantry, a group known as "Merrill's Marauders." He was the only survivor out of eight chaplains sent there. He received a commendation and emblem to signify "outstanding and meritorious service and attention to duty."

After the war, he served in the diocesan Marriage Tribunal, as chaplain at Saint Rose and as Vicar for Religious. In 1960, Father Glavin was appointed administrator of St. Mary's parish in Amsterdam and remained there as pastor until his death in 1997.

Putting it together

"Writing the book was easy," recalled Father Anthony. "We had all kinds of information, including letters to and from his mother in the 1920s, and even correspondence when he was studying in Rome."

While Father Anthony was gathering all the information and putting it into prose, Father James undertook the task of organizing and retelling the Monsignor's life in pictures.

"I laid them out myself," he told The Evangelist. "We had lots of photos. They tell their own, unique story."

(Proceeds from the sale of "Service to the People" will be applied to the fund-raising efforts for St. Mary's Institute. The suggested offering is $25. The book can be purchased by calling the school at 842-4100 or Father James or Father Anthony at 842-4500.)

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