Msgr. Dennis Luterbach ushered in a new era at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond when he oversaw the completion of their brand-new 900-seat church last year.
Now, as the priest reflects on 50 years of priesthood and looks forward to retirement this August, he says the most important thing in a parish is not the building, but the community.
“We don’t realize exactly what is happening and how growth is going until people come forward and say ‘Father, things are really doing well, faith is growing,’” he said during a homily May 17. “Buildings only provide a place for faith to grow.”
Msgr. Luterbach was ordained at St. Michael’s in Burnaby on May 16, 1970. His first assignment was at Holy Rosary Cathedral, along with two other newly ordained priests.
“We often referred to it as the golden days of the cathedral,” he quipped.
He said he and the other two young priests – Fathers James Comey and Anthony Boniface – would find creative ways to avoid Archbishop James Carney when they knew he would be looking for someone to preach at the cathedral.
Msgr. Luterbach also shared many other memories from 50 years of priesthood, including the time his chalice was stolen and the police action that followed when it was returned on the feast of the Holy Rosary.
To celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination, St. Paul’s parishioners hosted a drive-by parade May 16 and delivered handwritten letters expressing their appreciation for his ministry.
Msgr. Luterbach thanked them for their wishes and said he hopes the COVID-19 pandemic will not prevent him from having a more personal celebration with the community.
“Now that I am up for retirement in the middle of August (I’ll be here until then, I think) one thing I miss and hope it can happen, is when a priest retires there is usually advertised a gathering, a celebration of some kind, and you get to meet people you have served and haven’t met for many years. I hope that would happen. I would hate to miss it.”
