Young pastor reflects on his challenges

"My youth was an attraction at first. Parishioners were looking for energy and possibly growth in the parish. Looking back, I think that has happened."

So says Rev. Michael Flannery, who has been pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Walton (and its mission, Holy Family in Downsville) for four years. Now 36, he is one of the youngest pastors in the Albany Diocese.

After serving as pastor in Walton for just one year, Father Flannery was asked by Bishop Hubbard to add another parish: St. Peter's in Delhi.

Faith and hope

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard "had faith in me, and I was ready," Father Flannery said. "That gave me great hope for success.

"Of course, I was scared. But, looking back, I must give the people of these parishes credit for being very accepting and supportive of me right from the beginning. All through the process, they have been loving and very supportive."

He used the word "courage" to describe his early days as pastor -- not his own, but that of the people he was sent to serve.

"They immediately made themselves known to me," he recalled. "They came forward, almost from the first day I set foot in Walton."

Staying in touch

Being the pastor of rural parishes means working to stay connected with events and situations in the far-flung Albany Diocese, the priest said.

"We're isolated here," he said, "but that just means that people have learned to be self-sufficient. We all receive The Evangelist in our homes, and I always keep extra copies in the churches for visitors or anyone that wants to read it. It really helps the people feel connected to the rest of the Diocese."

Called to be Church

Asked if his parishes are ready to tackle the challenges of Called to be Church, Father Flannery responded that his parishioners don't have many changes to make.

"We're already doing so much of what has been requested. The parishes here already share the RCIA program, priest personnel and most of our activities.

"Traditionally, parishioners here have always been willing to do all they can to be the Church in Delaware County. They're a great model for the suburbs. They make my ministry joyful, not burdensome at all. It truly is a joyful ministry for me."

(As a new pastor, Father Flannery relied on the mentoring of two priests, Rev. James Daley and Rev. J. Thomas Connery, whom he had formerly served with. "I've learned a lot from both of them, and I'm very grateful to them both," he noted.)

(11/02/06)