Bristol parishioner’s US Outlook

02 September 2008

Roving Bristol parishioner Judy Gunthorpe writes for cliftondiocese.com from the United States.

If the Sunday parish Mass is a celebration, then the Mass we attended last Sunday was a mega celebration.

We were attending the 80th birthday of Monsignor Tom Dentici, ‘priest in residence’ and known by all as Father Tom, and the golden wedding anniversary of Deacon John and Diane Franklin, in the Rocky Mountain town of Steamboat Springs where I had spent the summer.

We have a daughter who married a Colorado mountain man (here in Bristol) and, I stay each summer to assist with the grandchildren during their long summer vacation. Over the years I had heard of Father Tom’s reputation but had not really met him until this year. Described as a ‘retired’ priest, when I invited him for coffee, his only ‘window’ was 8.30 one morning. Over a muffin and several mug refills he told me his story.

His Polish father and Italian mother lived in the Bronx (New York) and Father Tom retains the accent and quirky sense of humour. He was ordained 55 years ago into the New Jersey Diocese and initially ministered to servicemen returning from the Korean War. After further studies, he worked for a number of years with students; young people are still a focus for him. Then, with no previous parish experience, he was sent to establish a parish in a developing suburb. Reflecting on this period, his face changed as he spoke of working alongside young, struggling families, facing the challenges of creating their new, shared community, and the sense of achievement as, together, they built their Church without any financial loan from the diocese. His satisfaction was tangible!

It was hardly a surprise when Father Tom admitted he then suffered a breakdown - the result of burnout. He withdrew to the Trappist Monastery near Aspen, and fell in love with the mountains. After three years silence, he requested a transfer to the Archdiocese of Denver and thus came to the Steamboat valley. During his tenure at Holy Name, with an eye to the future, the parish bought the four buildings on the block and added a pre-school centre and library. His stewardship of the community established many of the attributes and practices that attracted my attention five years ago when I used this parish as my model to write my theology dissertation.

Steamboat is renowned for its welcome to visitors and Sunday’s celebration Mass was the epitome of inclusion. The road had been closed for the party and the little wooden church was heaving with locals, invited guests and those who ‘happened by’.  Father Ernest, the parish priest, a priest friend from New Jersey and Father Tom concelebrated Mass assisted by Deacon John and his deacon friend from the next town.  In his homily Father Ernest referred to the example of commitment by “these saints in our midst”.

It was Father Tom’s influence that led John (an ex US airforce Colonel) into the diaconate. To the great amusement of the congregation, Deacon John said a blessing over Father Tom, and presented him with a San Damiano cross that the young people of the parish brought home from their recent trip to Rome and Assisi.  Father Ernest then produced a Papal Blessing for the golden couple. After our Eucharist meal we retired to the tables and chairs covering the grass outside to share the lunch prepared by the deacon’s wife.

Beyond the enjoyment of such a ‘family’ occasion, this was a true example of ‘serving’ and ‘celebration’.

Judy Gunthorpe