Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 13, 2001
`Whatever happened to Father X ?'
Father Leo Blach, native of St. John's parish in Yuma, Colorado
By Father Leo M. Blach
To follow up Father Robert Nevans on the new series of articles on the whereabouts of retired priests is not very easy, especially when I am still smarting over recollections of being elbowed by him many times playing basketball on the outdoor court at the former St. Thomas Seminary in the 1940's.
Despite the many bruises from Father Nevans, I was able to be ordained by the late Archbishop Urban J. Vehr on May 29, 1953.
Being a native of St. John's parish in Yuma, Colo., my parents, George and Mayme Blach, sacrificed to provide three years of Catholic education at Regis High School in Denver. Those delightful Jesuits really did their job on me in preparation for the priesthood.
I served as assistant pastor at Presentation parish in Denver, followed by several years as chaplain at St. Anthony Hospital (Denver), then was sent out to Rangely, Colo., to establish St. Ignatius parish with Holy Family in Meeker as a mission. The oil fields and many deer provided an interesting six-year experience.
The next assignment was a 12-year stay at Christ the King Church in Evergreen where a developing area demanded the building of a new church in 1971. Then I was appointed pastor of St. Mary's parish in Brush and was close to my home and parents in Yuma. Twelve years in Brush and the wonderful small mission of St. John's in Stoneham were most rewarding. Then I had a three-year appointment at St. Anthony's parish in Sterling and my final assignment at Immaculate Conception parish in Lafayette.
Deteriorating health problems forced me to seek retirement in June 1996.
Since my retirement I have been living in Brighton where I enjoy a beautiful small chapel for daily Mass. Retirement was a sudden change that took a while to adjust to, but the companionship of my fellow retired priests has been a real joy and comfort. Missing the people in those wonderful parishes was the most difficult challenge of retirement.
Where I live we enjoy watching numerous cottontails, foxes, hundreds of birds, eagles, and stray dogs and cats. I also enjoy daily walks at Barr Lake State Park (doctor's orders).
My mailing address is P.O. Box 371, Brighton, CO 80601. Would enjoy hearing from you all and ask you to kindly remember our retired priests and all our active priests in your prayers.
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