Return to Church began with tossing priest from house

Despite all appearances, the Holy Spirit was at work 14 years ago, when Warren Dorsch threw Father Gaffigan out of his house. 

"You're wasting your time," the non-practicing Catholic informed the priest when he came up the driveway, trying to make a census visit to the parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Philmont.

The future deacon had been educated in Catholic schools but became frustrated with the Church's emphasis on accepting its teachings, feeling that the role of conscience wasn't being adequately explained.

In addition, he admits now, "I was too much into myself. It was selfishness combined with looking for an excuse to walk away" that led to his leaving the Church.

Return to Church

When he confronted Father Gaffigan, the priest just said, "Don't worry; you'll be back," and promised that both he and the Carmelite nuns at the monastery of St. Teresa of Jesus in Schenectady would pray for him.

Around the same time, Mr. Dorsch's father became terminally ill. A devout Catholic, the father asked that his son and daughter-in-law return to the Church. At his father's wake, Mr. Dorsch went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and it became "a wonderful conversion experience."

Today, he describes the series of events as "a whole bunch of forces converging" with "this burning thirst in my heart to return to something I really loved."

Ordination

From being a non-practicing Catholic, he progressed to not only being active in his parish, but also participating in the Formation for Ministry Program and eventually being ordained a permanent deacon.

Part of Deacon Dorsch's ministry is inviting inactive Catholics back into the fold. 

"People feel like there's no way back," he said, "but God is love. If God is love, how can He not forgive you?"

Besides, he added, "Most of the forgiveness people need is from themselves."

Why reach out to fallen-away Catholics, when many don't return? "It's like the sower and the seed," said Father Gaffigan. "Not everything comes up; but if you don't sow it, nothing comes up."

(6/17/04)