But this I will call to mind; therefore I will hope: The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are

renewed each morning – great is your faithfulness! LAMENTATIONS 3: 21-23

I was first attracted to the priesthood in grade school, probably fifth or sixth grade. The priests would return to my homeland of Ireland from mission countries and talk about being a priest there. Growing up in a poor farming community, my family couldn’t afford the boarding institutions in Ireland, so I went to a less expensive high school. During high school, I discovered other things in life – sports, girls, things that took my mind away from the priesthood.

After college, I started teaching, but the thought of a vocation continued to persist in my mind and in my heart. I prayed for the guidance of God’s spirit and began to realize the call to priesthood. It was a retreat I attended which brought me to decide my vocation wasn’t going to be teaching alone. I went into the seminary, completed my four years of theology and was ordained in my Irish diocese. My parents were delighted.

A pastor in Seattle requested a young Irish priest as a favor from the archbishop who ordained me. I was sent “on loan” for what was going to be a couple of years. I fell in love with Seattle and asked for a permanent transfer and now I’ve been in this archdiocese for 43 years as a priest.

I saw myself going into the priesthood to be a person of service. You learn you’re here to serve and to give. I was happy to respond to the call. I’ve always looked on the priesthood as a way of serving. I continue to be amazed at the way people can experience the presence of God through me.

When we all started serving the Church, our pay was very small. In those early years, you pretty much lived on what you had. There was nothing left over, so there was not much you could set aside. We went a good many years without making a real adequate provision for our retirement years. I ask people who hear us making this appeal to simply and prayerfully consider what we can all do to make a difference for one another and for the Church at large in our archdiocese.

Favorite scripture passage

SENIOR PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLEORDAINED: JUNE 9, 1974

"Called to Serve as

Christ will hold before us the faithfulness of God, the source of our hope and the reason

to be renewed in hope every day."

FATHER JOHN MADIGAN

on the importance of the campaign

C A L L E D T O S E R V E

Father John Madigan