January 28, 2009

Priest, drama teacher to thousands, dies

By John Gleason

Father Dennis Dwyer, a resident of the Archdiocese of Denver and founder of two parishes in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, died on Jan. 15 following a long illness.  He was 67.

A native of Denver, Father Dwyer was born on Aug. 31, 1941, the son of Joseph and Margaret (McLaughlin) Dwyer.  He attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and Mullen High School.  After graduating from St. Thomas Seminary in 1961 he went to Rome where he attended Pontifical Gregorian University, graduating with a degree in sacred theology.  He was ordained there on Dec. 17, 1966.

Following his ordination, Father Dwyer was assigned to St. Philomena Parish where he served as associate pastor. In 1968 he was appointed chaplain of Cathedral High School, a post he held for three years before taking over as principal of St. Joseph High School. While serving at the high school, he was also assigned to Presentation of Our Lady Parish.  Beginning in 1973 Father Dwyer began a four-year stint as a teacher at both Bishop Machebeuf High School and Central Catholic High School.  In 1974, he became pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in Windsor and served as associate pastor at Cathedral Parish from 1977-1979.  When the Diocese of Colorado Springs was formed in 1983, Father Dwyer was put in charge of building the new parish of Ave Maria in Parker.  He served as pastor until 2001, when he took over at Our Lady of the Visitation in Elizabeth where he served as pastor for six years. In 2007 he moved to Francis Heights where he was chaplain.

Over a two-decade span, Father Dwyer operated the Original Scene, a theater company that gave children the opportunity to perform in shows. In the 20 years of its existence, he directed or produced almost 100 shows.

One of the co-founders of the Original Scene, Ann Pugh, said Father Dwyer did more for children’s theater in Denver than anyone else.

“He could be a taskmaster, that’s for sure, but he loved the kids and wanted them to do the best job they could,” she said.

Family and friends, which included a great many former students, gathered Jan 21 at Ave Maria Church in Parker to celebrate the life of this beloved priest.  The Mass was celebrated by Colorado Springs Bishop Michael J. Sheridan.  It was concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Richard Hanifen of Colorado Springs and Father Edward Poehlmann, pastor of Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver, who served as homilist.  Also in attendance were more than 30 priests representing the Denver and Colorado Springs dioceses.

In addressing the assembled to speak of his friend and brother priest, Father Poehlmann remembered when the two first met as students at Our Lady of Lourdes School.  A friendship formed that would last for years. 

“In high school, the Christian Brothers encouraged us to study Latin,” Father Poehlmann said, drawing laughter from the congregation.  “He spent his time wisely in grace and used the community of theater to bring out people’s faith.  He was one who gave his all to accomplish his priestly functions.”

Bishop Sheridan reflected that Jesus told the disciples to take up their cross and follow him.

“Father Dwyer carried that cross with such joy,” the bishop said.  “He always had that smile, even in his last hours.  In fact, he always had a smile unless you were trying to get him to do something that he didn’t want to do.”

Following Mass, Father Dwyer was buried at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Elizabeth.