May 19, 2010

Msgr. Chamberlain dies at 70

By Denver Catholic Register

Msgr. Michael Chamberlain, longtime priest of the Archdiocese of Denver and most recently pastor of Our Lady of the Plains Parish in Byers, died May 8 following a long illness.  He was 70.

The son of Eleanor and Joseph Chamberlain, he attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, graduating in 1957.  He briefly attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins before entering St. Thomas Seminary in 1958.  Following his ordination in Denver on May 28, 1966, Father Cham-berlain served at several Denver parishes, including St. Francis de Sales, All Saints, St. Catherine of Siena, Notre Dame, St. James and Blessed Sacrament. He also served at St. Joan of Arc in Arvada and Columbine Catholic (now St. Frances Cabrini) in Littleton.  In addition, he ministered as chaplain at Holy Family High School. 

Other assignments included vicar general for the Archdiocese of Denver as well as judge and Defender of the Bond for the Metropolitan Tribunal and Provincial Court of Appeals.  Later, Msgr. Chamberlain served as pastor of Mother of God Parish in Denver before taking over similar duties at St. Anthony Parish in Julesburg and St. Peter in Crook.  His last assignment was as pastor of Our Lady of the Plains Parish in 2005.

He was named a monsignor in 1988. In 2006 he celebrated his 40th anniversary in the priesthood. 

He retired two months ago.

Father John Hilton, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Westminster, was a close friend of Msgr. Cham-berlain for 25 years.

“He was a man of great integrity and honesty,” Father Hilton said.  “If someone was in need, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.  He was such an inspiration among his parishioners—they always had a deep sense of loyalty to him. 

“At the same time, he was a quiet and reserved man who could be generous to a fault,” he added. “He was a good priest who’ll be missed by many.”

The funeral Mass for Msgr. Chamberlain was held at the Ca-thedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver on May 14.  Burial took place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge.