Waterford?  Where’s that?  That’s the first thought that came across my mind when I heard that Cardinal Dearden had assigned me to Our Lady of the Lakes parish in Waterford, MI shortly after my ordination on June 6, 1964. At that time, too, St. Daniel’s, Clarkston, was a mission of Our Lady of the Lakes.

I recall a long, long drive up Telegraph highway from Dearborn, in the family car. We passed Pontiac and kept going. It was a grand reception in the gym of Our Lady of the Lakes High school, as the parish turned out to bid Fr. Leo Phalen farewell, after five years with them, and bid me, the new associate pastor, a warm welcome. Fr. Fred Delaney, the pastor, accepted me as part of his family.

I learned so much in those first five years in priestly ministry. It was a particularly blessed time of bringing the fruits of the II Vatican Council into parish life. There was an excitement in the air, and a movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and souls of the people of God. Liturgies were participative and joyous in ways beyond expectations. Parishioners stepped forward to offer their talents and time in every area of parish life. I was warmly embraced by so many families as we worked together to build up the community of faith. Homes became centers where people met to study scripture, to prepare for marriage, to prepare the church bulletin, to become aware of social injustices as racial discrimination and take action, to come to know Jesus in  religious formation of the young, and high school youth gatherings, to study and speak-up on how the parish could better reflect the vision of the II Vatican Council and to celebrate Mass in a small group setting.

There were also highly charged experiences of God’s Spirit at work changing hearts and minds, such as Cursillo and Marriage Encounter. I was actively involved in both of these movements then and thereafter for many decades. I also recall fondly my involvement in the pastors’ association of Waterford/Drayton Plains/Clarkston. It was the first time a Catholic priest was active with the local pastors. How warmly I was accepted into their circle, and their families as well.

It was during those years, too, that I attended graduate school part-time at the University of Detroit. In May of 1969, U. of D. conferred upon me a Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling, Secondary Education.

The people of Our Lady of the Lakes parish have left an indelible mark in my heart and soul, and set me on the road of priestly ministry standing tall and walking confidently in the love and joy of God’s embrace. Such a blessing!

I was assigned to St. Angela’s parish in Roseville July 1, 1969. There comes a time of testing in everyone’s life, and my two years at St. Angela’s was such a test for me. I met and worked with many good people, but there was an underlying tension that exploded near the end of my two years there. I left St. Angela’s not sure whether I’d continue in priestly ministry. It was a “dark night of the soul” for me.

My priest friends recommended that I be a part of a seven week House of Prayer for Priests in Lake Orion, MI. Although, I wondered how this would be helpful in coming to a decision about my future, they said that I’d at least get a rest. Prayer and the Lord seemed far from me in that time of darkness.

It was on the evening of July 20, 1971 that I experienced what St. Paul went through on the road to Damascus. A group of priests and I were together, after an evening of song at Meadowbrook. Returning to the house of prayer, a group of us opened our hearts to God and one another seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. Tears rolled down our cheeks and bonds of friendship formed. I spent some weeks afterwards in a circle of new friends, but especially with a Franciscan priest from Brazil. We shared our stories and friends, our prayer and faith, along with much play.

My darkness within gave way to the light of faith and the brightness of joy. In Scripture, I heard the Lord personally speaking to my heart right here, right now. God’s presence was everywhere: in nature, in people, in my own heart.

I made a 30 day Ignatian retreat during October in Guelph, Ontario. There, the Lord confirmed my priestly vocation and strengthened me to go forth as a new man/priest, on fire with the Holy Spirit. I returned to active ministry as an associate pastor in early November with the people of St. Mary’s of Redford parish.

During those 20 months, the fruits of my conversion, poured out in my preaching, my celebration of Eucharist, and all those holy moments of sharing God’s love, the Sacraments. Without my knowing, God was setting the groundwork for a few years later, when I would help to bring the Faith & Sharing Retreat from Windsor to Detroit. Joy filled my soul during my short stay at St. Mary’s of Redford.

Next: Fr. Larry as Co-Pastor/Pastor