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Five area priests to mark silver jubilees
By Jean Torkelson
Profiles of five local priests marking 25 years of priesthood ordination are below.
FATHER MICHAEL PAVLAKOVICH, V.F.
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Currently: Pastor Light of the World, Littleton; Dean, Southwest Denver Deanery.
Born: Denver
Ordained: June 6, 1987
Among previous assignments: Pastor: St. Mary, Brush. Assistant pastor: St. Michael the Archangel, Aurora; St. Thomas More, Centennial; St. Mary, Littleton; St. Francis Cabrini, Littleton
Reflection: “To be a servant to the Lord and to the people of God, to bring them the Catholic faith and sacraments on a daily basis, is such a humbling blessing.
“Over the past 25 years, through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, I have been more convicted to speak the truth and strive to live the Gospel; I certainly have grown in the ability to meet people where they are.
“My biggest thing is to help people to know, love and serve the Lord so they can succeed in their day-to-day living. If we start with that posture—to see the good in people first—that is so much more life-giving than finding faults and failings.
“To be with people in their good times and most difficult times; in the sacredness and joy that both provide, is an amazing experience.”
FATHER TIMOTHY GAINES
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Currently: Pastor, St. Louis, Louisville.
Born: Denver
Ordained: June 6, 1987
Among previous assignments: Dean, Greeley Deanery; Pastor: St. Catherine of Siena, Iliff; Sacred Heart, Peetz; St. Theresa, Frederick; St. Scholastica, Erie; Guardian Angels, Mead; St. Joan of Arc, Arvada. Assistant pastor: Our Lady of Fatima, Lakewood; St. Francis Cabrini, Littleton.
Reflection: “Every assignment I have is a favorite assignment, because each is different, with different challenges and gifts. Where I am, at any given moment, is where I should be!
“It’s exciting to be part of the lives of people as they celebrate baptisms and first communions and funerals, and an honor to be with them during all the recurring events of their lives—the graduations, birthdays and anniversaries.
“Certainly, being pastor of a parish is not an 8 to 5 job; it’s a journey we are all on together as we share life together—our faith, hopes and dreams.
“You try to meet people where they’re at. Now that I’m 25 years older, my perspective has changed, as it should; I relate to people not only where they are now on their faith journey, but where I am on my faith journey as well.
FATHER DAVID SONGY, O.F.M. Cap.
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Currently: Director of Formation for the Capuchin Province of Mid America; Adjunct spiritual director at Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary.
Born: New Orleans
Ordained: May 8,1987
Among previous assignments: Instructor, Holy Spirit Seminary, Papua, New Guinea (1992-93); Associate professor and staff psychologist, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (1999-2007); Director of counseling services, Pontifical North American College, Rome (2007-2010).
Reflection: “I first thought I would be a missionary for life because my first assignment was to New Guinea. I had no idea that I’d be called to do formation, which is what I’ve been doing for years now. I have really been blessed along the way. I was able to study both psychology and theology and have two doctorates.
“What has amazed me is how the role of being a ‘spiritual father’ has grown in my life. In my studies, I have basically been looking at the identity of the priest from a theological perspective … how a priest is called to love as a father, and a spouse, of the Church.
“What has amazed me in the past five years is to begin to see, in the people I’ve guided, how their spiritual lives have been touched and matured in the faith.”
FATHER TIMOTHY McMAHON, S.J.
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Currently: President, Arrupe Jesuit High School, Denver.
Born: St. Louis
Ordained: June 12, 1987
Among previous assignments: Rector, Bellarmine House of Studies, St. Louis University; Provincial, Jesuits of the Missouri Province; Pastor, Kansas City, Mo.; Pastoral work with refugees, Santa Tecla parish, El Salvador.
Reflection: “I love being a Jesuit and I love being a priest. I was formed to be a high school teacher, but I’ve had many different jobs—mission work in Central America, parish work, administration—many things I never expected or sought out, but I have loved every minute.
“For example, I became a Jesuit because I wanted to do education and missionary work and move around—and then I get sent for seven years to be in a parish! And I absolutely fell in love with it.
“And becoming provincial was a surprise—I spent years avoiding provincials, then I end up being one. What I discovered is, God keeps inviting you to ways of serving, but you don’t get the grace for a particular mission unless you say yes. If you do, worlds open up, you experience things you might never have chosen for yourself, and you are repaid with great happiness.”
FATHER JEFFREY HARRISON, S.J.
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Currently: Superior of the Regis Jesuit community; Social studies teacher at Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora.
Born: St. Louis
Ordained: June 12, 1987
Among previous assignments: Chaplain, Loyola University, Chicago
Reflection: Father Harrison was unavailable for comment.
Jean Torkelson: 303-715-3122; www.twitter.com/DCRegister
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