Denver Catholic

11 DENVER CATHOLIC | JUNE 25-JULY 8, 2016 FATHER SEAN MCGRATH F a t h e r S e a n McGrath said it was the exam- ple of older priests that helped him when he was a parochial vicar. Now he hopes to turn the tables. "I was blessed in my early years of my priest- hood to have incredible pastors that taught me so much of being a priest that serves allowing me to grow as a servant of the Lord," he said. "My hope is that newly ordained priests will learn from their pastors and pas- tors listen to the newly ordained because their insight can be fresh as well as exciting. We can learn so much from each other." In his 25 years of priest- hood, Father McGrath said he has learned the importance of humility. "When you come out of the seminary, one thinks they have all the answers, but I learned early on that many times I didn't even know the questions," he said. While he said he misses his family on the East Coast, he is excited to continue growing as a priest the only way he knows how: By doing it. "Priesthood is some- thing you can't learn in the classroom. It has to be lived," he said. FATHER EDWARD BROCK W hen Father Brock was ordained in 1991, he said he had no idea how much he was about to grow. "I've learned what it means to be a Catholic and a Christian. It wasn't just book knowledge that brought me to this, but a burst of real spiritual intercession from God and from the people," he said. He said that one aspect of the priesthood that surprised him the most was the amount of time he spent with people in dire situations. "I've experienced how important it is for them to have the confidence in their faith to come to their priest for help, and for the priest to help them with what they need. It's also important for the priest to realize when he should go to them," he said. He said that he also learned about his need for God's love. "Definitely a part of priesthood is that you must understand as much as you are called to help others, you must also continue to grow in realizing God's love for you. He and the Church have called you to be a priest," he said. FATHER CHRISTOPHER RENNER F ather Christopher Renner was born on Aug. 24, 1961 in Norton, Kansas. He attended CU-Boulder, then entered seminary at Conception Abbey in Missouri and St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver. He was ordained on June 8, 1991 in Denver. He served as assistant pastor at Good Shepherd Parish in Denver and St. Mary Parish in Little- ton. He has pastored St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Julesburg; St. Peter Mission Parish in Crook and two terms at Christ the King Parish in Ever- green. He most recently served as the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder and St. Rita in Nederland. He began his new assignment as pastor of Spirit of Christ in Arvada on June 15. Father Renner has also served as dean of the West Denver Dean- ery, as a representative to the Presbyteral Council and as a member of the College of Consultors, both of the Archdiocese of Denver. Father Renner was unavailable for comment as of press time. FATHER DAVID STAHL F ather David Stahl was born on May 30, 1942 in Akron, Ohio. His studies led him from the University of Wyoming to the North American College in Rome. He was ordained on June 8, 1991. Father Stahl served as parochial vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Denver, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Con- ception in Denver, Holy Ghost Parish in Denver, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Denver and Christ the King Parish in Denver. He was the pastor of Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver, St. Mary Parish in Brush, St. John Mis- sion Parish in Stoneham and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wheldon. He was also the chaplain to the Knights of Columbus Council 539 in Denver and the Assistant Ecu- menical and Interfaith O©cer of the Archdio- cese of Denver. Father Stahl retired Sept. 7, 2010. He was unavailable for comment as of press time. FATHER DONALD ROMERO F ather Romero was ordained June 8, 1991. He served as parochial vicar at St. Ber- nadette Parish in Lake- wood, St. Jude Parish in Lakewood, Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora and St. Louis Parish in Louisville. He then served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Akron, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Yuma and St. Bernadette Parish in Lakewood. He is now a chaplain with the Air Force, under which he has served in Germany, Oklahoma and Colorado Springs. Father Romero said that he has enjoyed work- ing with the cadets, but is excited about his recent promotion from captain to major. He will move to Japan shortly. "I can't believe that 25 years have passed already," he said. "I've been very fortunate." MORE PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARIES Congratulations to all the priests of the Archdiocese of Denver for another year service to Christ and the Church in northern Colorado. In particular, we would like to congratulate those priests who are celebrating the following anniversaries this year. • Grzegorz Wojcik • Brady Wagner • Gregg Pedersen • John Nepil • Brian Larkin • Geronimo Gonzalez • Dennis Garrou • Michael Bodzioch • Tomasz Wikarski • James Thermos • Lorenzo Ricci • Peter Mussett • Matthew Hartley • Francisco Garcia • Michael Freihofer • Luis Escandon • Hector Chiapa-Villarreal • Faustinus Anyamele • Vincent Leo Phung • Marcus Medrano • Gregory Ames • Henri Tshibambe • James Moreno 25 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS 30 YEARS 35 YEARS 40 YEARS

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