Priests, at 75, reflect on their histories

The Evangelist asked three of the priests born in the same year as the newspaper how they think their lives have been affected by their decision to become priests and how that priesthood has been affected by world events of the past 75 years.

Semper Fi

From 1960 to 1984, he served with ground forces in places like Vietnam and the Philippines. He has completed "the Mediterranean cruise," a routine journey taken by Navy personnel and Marines on reconnaissance throughout the Mediterranean, stopping at major ports along the way. He has also visited Spain and Turkey.

Although that sounds like an ideal assignment, Father Ahern said that it was often difficult, such as the year he spent in Vietnam. "That was not the best place to be in the late '60s," he noted, "but it was where we were assigned and we had to do it."

He feels his presence was encouraging to those in combat and that, as a priest, he was an advocate in strengthening the morale and spirituality of the men and women.

His next assignment in 1985 was to St. Joseph's parish in Fort Edward as pastor. He remained there until his retirement in 1991. Father Ahern recalled the many changes that occurred in parish life as a result of the Second Vatican Council 20 years before.

"The Church of today is nowhere near the Church I was ordained in," he said, "but I look at these changes as the work of the Holy Spirit. This is what God wants us to do and so we adapt."

Life in parishes

Graduating from high school in Fort Edward in 1944, Father Doyle went right into the seminary and was ordained in 1953. His first assignment was to Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany. From there, he went to St. Joseph's parish in Troy as an associate pastor and stayed there for 12 years. He was then assigned to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany and then to Sacred Heart in Albany. He was assigned to St. Theresa's in 1973.

For Father Doyle, changes in the Catholic Church "haven't bothered me at all." He added that he gladly went along with the edicts of Vatican II and is very satisfied with the way things have worked out.

"I enjoy celebrating Mass facing the people. I like to make eye contact with the congregation, so, for me, the changes are a good thing," he explained. "People are more involved in celebration of the Eucharist and seem to understand their faith a lot more than they used to."

Time filled

"My job here is very time consuming," he said. "I perform all funerals, weddings and sacraments -- and it's a lot. But I have lots of help from our great parishioners. I don't know what I would do without them.

"I love being a priest! I don't want to retire. I thank God that I am still healthy and active. I am very happy with this way of life."

Influence

Father Halloran credits the late Archbishop Joseph Ryan as the greatest influence in his decision to become a priest.

"He taught me at Catholic Central, attended my ordination and preached at the very first Mass I ever celebrated," Father Halloran said. "He was a wonderful priest and a great inspiration to me!"

One of the highlights of his priesthood was working part-time as the Catholic chaplain to boys at the Berkshire Farms facility in Columbia County. "Working with those troubled kids always gave me a sense of accomplishment," he noted. "Some of those young men attempted suicide; some accomplished it. They had lots of problems, but we were usually able to work with them."

In recent years however, Father Halloran said that many boys came to the farm who were victims of drug abuse. "That really just destroys the mind," he recalled. "It's very sad to see."

To the heart

"When you talk to people that are dying, they tell you what is really on their mind," he said. "You get to know what people are really like, what they are made of, deep down inside of themselves. Ministering to those people gave me a lot to think about.

"My priesthood has been very rewarding for me. I have been able to help lots of people over the years by giving spiritual assistance. Of course, I have made some mistakes, but I've accomplished some things as well."

(03-15-01) [[In-content Ad]]