A HIGHER CALLING

70th
Father James J. Vaughan, a Syracuse native, calls Troy his hometown. He’s been at Sacred Heart Parish in Troy since 1973; he spent 27 years as pastor and stayed on as pastor emeritus when he retired in 2000. He served as pastor of Sacred Heart longer than any other priest. Among the many changes that have taken place under Father Vaughan have been the expansion of the laity’s role in the church and the establishment of Sacred Heart School in the Diocese. Father Vaughan still continues to serve the parish as pastor emeritus alongside Father John Yanas. At 94, he is still celebrating Mass every weekend. In his free time, Father Vaughan enjoys eating lamb and watching the Yankees. Before coming to Sacred Heart, he served as an associate pastor at St. Mary’s parish in Troy, a chaplain for the U.S. Navy Reserves, associate pastor at Sacred Heart and at St. Ambrose in Latham, pastor of St. Patrick’s parish in Athens, chaplain to Coxsackie Correctional and pastor of St. Mary’s parish in Hudson.

Father Vaughan currently has no plans for his jubilee.

50th
Father Francis J. DuBois, born in Albany, served as associate pastor at St. Bernard’s Church in Cohoes from 1970-81. From 1981-86, he served as pastor at St. Patrick’s Church in Ravena, and from 1986-2012, Father Dubois served at St. Ambrose Church in Latham.

“Each and every assignment was a unique, challenging and joyful experience. The greatest part of each of them was the wonderful people I had a chance to meet, work with and help. Each parish allowed me the opportunity to deepen my relationship with the Lord and to share what I received with the people I served. I was certainly blessed in those assignments and the blessings continue to be with me today as I serve the people of Our Lady of the Cape and St. Pius here on Cape Cod.

I think the greatest thing I could share with anyone aspiring to the priesthood would be this: My vocation has never been about me but always God. It has never been about me but always about others.”

Father DuBois currently does not have any plans to celebrate his jubilee.

Father William H. Pape, born in Ravena, and following his ordination he began his ministry with his first assignment as associate pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Greenville. In 1970, he was appointed to the faculty of the former Bishop Scully High School and as associate pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Amsterdam. In 1973, he was appointed associate pastor of The Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs. In 1979, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard appointed him as the first pastor of the combined parishes of St. Joseph, St. Michael, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Amsterdam. In 1986, he was appointed chaplain and director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. In July of 1994, Father Pape was appointed rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. In 2017, he retired from administrative responsibilities as required by Canon Law and diocesan policy.  In retirement, he has assisted in various parishes in the Diocese. Father Pape has also served as dean of Montgomery County and as secretary, vice president and president of the Priest Senate. He was also a member of the Presbyteral Council. In November of 1999, he was named an honorary canon of the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints in Albany.

“There were memorable moments too numerous to count, but the following stand out in my ministry: One Good Friday morning as I was rehearsing with altar servers in the church, someone who had been away from the church for decades, entered looking for a priest, and that very day, I was able to reconcile the individual with the church.  A teenager suffering from brain cancer allowed me to accompany him in his illness for the last two years of his life. After many days, weeks, even years of praying Evening Prayer, one night, for the first time, an elderly parishioner expressed the beauty and timeliness of the psalms. I said, ‘That may seem like a small thing, but it was uplifting to see one make a connection from Scripture to one’s personal life experiences, and that statement left a long-lasting impression on me.’

The prayer card I chose for my ordination contained the prayer of Cardinal Newman, which includes lines which I tried to live and embrace in my ministry: “I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught: I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.”

Father Pape’s anniversary observance has been postponed to a future, undetermined date.

Father Randall Patterson, born in Troy, began his ministry serving as associate pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and teaching at Bishop Scully High School in Amsterdam, from 1970-75. From 1975-77, Father Patterson served as chaplain at Albany Medical Center and St. Teresa of Avila in Albany. From 1977-80, he served as associate pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Albany and, from 1980-90, he served as chair on the Priests Personnel Board. From 1990-96, he served as chancellor within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Starting in 1996, Father Patterson began serving as pastor to Our Lady of Victory Parish in Troy and continues serving there today. Since 1997, he has served on the Architecture and Building Commission and since 2017, Father Patterson has served on the Presbyteral Council.

“One of my most memorable moments in the priesthood was waiting to be ordained in the sanctuary of our Cathedral on May 30, 1970. I vividly recall how excited I was, joyful and apprehensive as well. These past 50 years have flown by very quickly, it seems to me. I have appreciated and enjoyed the many assignments that I have been given. I believe they have been times of growth for me. The words of the late Father Kevin Sesoltz, a noted Benedictine sacramental theologian at The Catholic University of America, who directed our retreat in preparation for ordination, wisely told us that the people whom we serve will teach us how to be priests and they will ordain us again and again throughout our priestly lives. How true that is! As I look back over the years, I am deeply grateful for the encouragement, support, counsel and loving correction that people have given me as I ministered in my various assignments. The people with whom I have interacted have been the source of abiding joy and peace for me. If there were one dominant feeling that I have as I celebrate this anniversary, it would be gratitude. To anyone considering a vocation to priesthood, I would say quoting Pope St. John Paul II ‘Don’t be afraid to cast your net into the deep.’ God is never outdone in charity.”

Father Patterson currently has no plans to celebrate his jubilee.

 40th
Father Joseph G. Busch, born in Albany, was ordained at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Schenectady in 1980. From 1980-81, he served as an associate at St. Paul the Apostle in Schenectady and from 1981-91, he served as a chaplain and high school teacher at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School. From 1991-94, he served at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville as an associate and from 1994-2005, he served as pastor at St. Brigid’s in Watervliet. From 2005 to the present, he has served as pastor at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Queensbury. From 2016 to the present, he has served as pastor at Sacred Heart in Lake George and as secretary of the Presbyteral Council. Since 2017, he has served as Episcopal Vicar for the Adirondack Vicariate and is currently serving as pastoral supervisor for Pyramid Life Center. 

“I believe deeply in the power of prayer, the mercy of God bringing healing in the sacrament of Reconciliation, that God takes care of us always in our need, not necessarily in our want.”

Most memorable moment: “On a Thursday when I was at Immaculate Conception in Glenville, St Clare’s Hospital called for a priest. It was my day off and Father Connery was out. Reluctantly, I changed and drove to the hospital. Going up to the unit nurse I said, ‘I was called to see John’ — who was actively dying. The nurse said, ‘No, not really, and no one here called you … perhaps it was a family member.’ 

Going down to the room I was a bit frustrated. I introduced myself and then fumbled to find the right page in the Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying. I read the story of the paralytic. I then said to those gathered, we are going to pray for the ultimate healing for John … a peaceful death. I prayed over him and anointed him with oil. As I finished the prayers, a nurse came into the room ... felt for a pulse and said, ‘I’m so sorry … I’ll be right back.’ At that very moment John had died. 

His wife said to me, ‘Thank you for stopping by today … we really appreciated it. I’ll be calling the church in a couple of days.’  

There was such an uncanny peace in the room at that moment … I didn’t just happen to stop by … if the family hadn’t called, nor the hospital, who did? 

This is how I experience the mercy, love and presence of God in my life … at those moments when people most need the presence of God, he is there.

Called to the priesthood, I have experienced time and time again the 12th promise in the Big Book of AA: ‘And suddenly we realize God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.’ I pray constantly for that greater awareness of God’s presence in my life … for that to be the gift to others. I thank God for my priesthood and his every abiding presence in my life. Why would you not want that?” 

Father Busch plans on celebrating both his and the parish’s 50th anniversary with a parish picnic in July.

Father Thomas H. Chevalier, a Cohoes native, began his ministry serving as associate pastor at St. Clare’s Church in Colonie from 1980-82. From 1982-88, he served as associate pastor at the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga and from 1988-93, he served as pastor at St. James Church in Fort Plain. From 1993-2005, he served as pastor at St. Margaret Mary parish in Albany and from 2005-14, he served as pastor at St. Matthew’s Church in Voorheesville. Father Chevalier has served as pastor at the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs since 2014.

“I think that most priests would agree that it is the parishioners’ generosity and trust in sharing their lives, and their genuine care for yours that is the most meaningful and satisfying.”

Father Chevalier planned on celebrating his jubilee with a parish reception, but that has been canceled due to the current COVID-19 concerns.

Father Dominic P. Isopo, a Schenectady native, served as associate pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Albany from 1980-1982. From 1982-94, he served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Schenectady. He also served as chaplain with the United States Air Force from 1986-2009. Since 1994, Father Isopo has served as pastor at St. Luke’s Church in Schenectady and, since 2015, he has also served as pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Schenectady.

“There have been many remarkable moments and experiences that have helped to define and deepen my priesthood over the past 40 years, but the most significant happened four decades ago on May 31, 1980 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The moment I was ordained everything changed. Not immediately, but in the growing awareness that my relationship with Jesus Christ would empower me to live out my faith in ministry and in the service to God’s people, forever changed by the power of the Holy Spirit given at ordination.

Each of my parish experiences have also added to the joy and depth of my priesthood.  Walking with others in their most significant moments of life, births, baptisms, marriages and funerals has given me both the confidence and humility to recognize that it is God, first and foremost, that works through us, sharpening and honing our gifts and talents to make a difference in the lives of others. 

The vocation to priesthood is not for everyone, but for those who have responded to God’s invitation, it can be a life like no other; to live and love fully in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Father Isopo’s plans to celebrate his jubilee have been put on hold due to coronavirus concerns. 

30th

Father Thomas Konopka, born in Fort Edward, began his ministry at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany, serving as associate pastor from 1990-95. From 1995-97, he served as associate pastor at St Pius X Church in Loudonville and, from 1997-2002, he served as pastor at St. Joseph in Greenwich and as sacramental minister at St. Patrick’s in Cambridge. From 2002-05, he served as pastor at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Troy. From 2005-17, Father Konopka served as sacramental minister at St. Clare’s Church of Colonie. Presently, he serves as pastor to St. Mary’s Church in Clinton Heights and sacramental minister at the parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph. Since 2007, Father Konopka has worked as a therapist and executive director at the Consultation Center.

“If I could sum up the last 30 years, it would be a journey with God and I wrestling about the direction of my life and God always leading me in the way that I would serve him best. Priestly ministry is about how to serve the Lord’s people and do it well.  Pope Francis’ model of servant leadership has been a great wakeup call to the root of ministry. I definitely would recommend the priesthood to those who want to get their hands dirty and serve the People of God.”

Father Konopka plans on celebrating his jubilee with Sunday Mass with both parish communities he has “the privilege of serving.”

20th
Father Tony Childs, born in Albany, began his ministry serving as associate pastor at Our Lady of Victory in Troy from 2000-01. From 2000-09, he served at Catholic Central High School in Troy as chaplain, and, from 2001-04, he served as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Albany. From 2004-05, Father Childs served as pastor at St. John the Baptist in Greenville and, from 2005-09, he served as associate pastor at St. Ambrose in Latham. Since 2009, Father Childs has served as pastor to St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls.

“The past 20 years have been at the same time both joyous and sorrowful. Joyous, because of the privilege and fulfilling experience to be a part of the lives of so many faith-filled people week in and week out. Sorrowful, due to the tragedy and pain of the clergy sex-abuse crisis and the horrendous pain it has caused the victims and the Church.  As I always remark, it is everything I hoped for and nothing I expected.  This is especially so over the past five years. I hope that vocations continue to be nurtured and supported.

As for memorable moments, I would include: my ordination in the great Jubilee year of 2000, the response by the faithful in the wake of 9/11, attending the canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, witnessing the marriages of my siblings and the births of my nieces and nephews, and the memorable experiences of a pastor for over 10 years.

Father Childs currently has no plans to observe his jubilee due to COVID-19 concerns.

Father Anastacio “Jun” Segura, born in Iloilo City, Philippines, attended LaSalle University, Mary Hill School of Theology and the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) Seminary. From 2001-03, he was associate pastor at Nuestra Sra. de los Remedios (Dominican Republic), then administrator from 2003-07. From 2008-15, Father Segura was sacramental minister, Special Assignment and Hispanic Apostolate, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Schenectady. Since 2015, he has been pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Northville and St. Joseph’s Church in Broadalbin. Father Segura is also Episcopal Vicar for the Mohawk Valley Vicariate.

“It’s a joyful life of service in imitation of Jesus Christ who came to serve and not to be served.”

Father Segura currently has no plans to celebrate his jubilee.

10th
Father David J. Hammond, born in West Winfield, served as associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish from 2010-13. From 2013-16, he served as base chaplain at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan and, from 2016-18, Father Hammond served as ship chaplain on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in Sasebo, Japan. Since 2018, Father Hammond has served as battalion chaplain for 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment and Marine Corps Base in Hawaii.

“Being a priest of Jesus Christ has been the great adventure of living a life of daily offering what I do not possess, but what has been given to me. Offering Divine Love and Mercy to the world (whether it is received and returned or not) and at the same time discovering it new for myself in my utter need. It has been such a privilege to speak Christ’s words, to make His sacrifice to the Father present upon the Altar, and to bear Him and offer Him to His beloved Church and to the world. I could not do this without my father the bishop, without the faithful example and encouragement of my brother priests, without the love and prayerful support of my parents, and my family — both biological and spiritual. There is so much I have learned, and so many miracles I have seen. There is so much I have to learn and wish to see! To God be the praise and glory!”

Father Hammond plans on celebrating his jubilee by celebrating Mass with his Marines and Sailors somewhere in the Pacific, calling home and eating ice cream.

Father Rendell R. Torres, who was born in Montebello, Calif., began his ministry at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gloversville as associate pastor from 2010-13. Since  2013, he has served as pastor to the linked parishes of St. Ann’s Parish in Fort Ann and Our Lady of Hope Parish in Whitehall and served as pastor to the Mission Chapel of St. Mary of the Assumption in Huletts Landing.

“My experience is that the sacrament of the priesthood not only is a gift of the Father’s love to the Church but is also my own path of sanctification. Although God calls every Christian to holiness in various ways, the ministerial priesthood is the way that God is saving my soul. ‘Even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her … that she might be holy and without blemish.’ (Ephesians 5: 25-27) I often have experienced through the Mass, and especially Holy Communion, how Jesus brings peace by neutralizing difficulties or distractions that were burdening me before the Mass. ‘For nothing will be impossible for God.’ (Luke 1: 37) I also experience unique peace with the Lord Jesus in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

It is difficult to select the most memorable moment thus far, but what’s often on my mind is that my father is terminally sick with pulmonary fibrosis, causing gradual lung failure until death. He often calls and asks me to pray with him and to bless him over the phone. Moreover, he has thanked me for becoming a priest and said it was the best thing I had ever done for him and my mother. That renders me speechless because I never thought of priestly ordination as an ‘achievement’ to make my parents proud of me. Rather, it was my parents’ faith and devotion to God and Our Lady that provided fertile soil for my vocation, so in my view the priesthood, with its joys, sufferings and closeness with Christ, is an undeserved gift from Jesus through Mary.

I would recommend that a man discerns whether God is calling him to the priesthood if that man is humble, mentally and physically healthy, and obedient to legitimate authority; if he loves Jesus, Mary and the Church, if he thirsts for Truth and if he has a personality that can be a bridge to God’s mercy for all people. I think that a man who is discerning the priesthood should strive for a holy life that is sustained by the following: daily prayer from the heart, invoking help from the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary and the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph; frequent confession to make progress against sinful habits and to combat temptations; and nurturing a close relationship with Jesus via the three-fold font of the Most Holy Eucharist, i.e., Adoration, the Holy Mass, and Holy Communion (although if this suspension of Masses continues, Adoration and spiritual Communions will still provide Eucharistic grace). Such a foundation of a grace-infused spiritual life will support the works of mercy that every Christian needs to live out daily in order to be authentically happy, by loving God completely, and by loving and forgiving others as Jesus loves and forgives us, to the end.”

Father Torres plans on celebrating his jubilee with the Holy Mass to thank God for his vocation and for his family, brother priests and friends.

Father Quy N. Vo, born in Utica, began his ministry serving as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany from 2010-12. From July 2012 to November 2012, he served as associate pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Crescent and from 2012-14, he served as pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Dolgeville. From 2015-19, he served as pastor at the church of Sts. Anthony and Joseph in Herkimer and from 2012-19, Father Vo served as pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in Newport. Starting in 2019, Father Vo has served as pastor at the Church of the Holy Spirit in East Greenbush. 

“On June 12, I will be celebrating my 10th Anniversary of Priesthood Ordination.  I am thanking God for blessing me with many wonderful blessings as well as challenges that have helped me to grow in my life as a priest. Celebrating the Eucharist and the sacraments and ministering to the people of God have been a great joy and blessing in my life. I am grateful to God for choosing me to be his worker/servant and allowing me to work in His vineyard. The two saints who inspired me with their wise words are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Teresa of Calcutta. They also both shared one similar thing, and that is that they were both an instrument of God. It is also my prayer to God that He would make me an instrument of His grace and His peace as I continue in my vocation as a priest. It gives me great peace and joy that I have come to know and understand the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta: ‘I am called to be faithful (to the task that I was given), not to be successful.’ ”

Father Vo currently has no plans to celebrate his anniversary.

Father Matt Wetsel, a graduate of Siena College and St. Mary’s Seminary and University, served as an associate pastor at the Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs from 2010-12. From 2012-13, he served as pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish of West Winfield and Richfield Springs and, from 2013-14, he served as associate pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gloversville. From 2014-18, he served as pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of the Valley in Middleburgh and as sacramental minister of The Catholic Community of Our Lady of Fatima in Delanson. Since 2018, he has served as pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Gloversville.

“I feel blessed that our Lord Jesus has called me to have a share in his priesthood. During my formative years, I attended weekend Mass on a regular basis with my family at the former Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rotterdam (now Our Lady Queen of Peace). That helped me to develop a deep love for our Lord, particularly in regards to being nourished by the gospels as well as Holy Communion. 

My first Holy Thursday Mass as a priest in the spring of 2011 was an amazing experience because I was able to say the words that Jesus said at the Last Supper when he broke the bread and shared the cup with his disciples, instituting the priesthood and the Holy Eucharist. 

I was also especially moved when I had the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land in January of 2018 and celebrate Mass in so many incredible sites such as Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s pending destruction), The Holy Sepulchre (the tomb of Jesus), Nazareth (the annunciation to Mary), and Bethlehem (his nativity).

For men who feel that they are being called to the priesthood, I do recommend it because it is a unique life where you have the joy of sharing the sacraments of the Church with the faithful and to be present at so many meaningful moments for people that you would not otherwise be able to. As a veteran priest once told me, it is not a bed of roses, but it is a worthy path.”

Father Wetsel currently does not have any formal plans to celebrate his jubilee, but is “just grateful to be able to celebrate a decade as a priest and hope to be blessed with many more years of service, God-willing.”