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| Jubilarians Father Maury Smith, OFM, and Father Larry Brummer, OFM, view some of their gifts presented to them. Bishop Oscar Cantú presided at the Mass.
Katherine Jass Lopez | Today’s Catholic |
By Katherine Jass Lopez
For Today’s Catholic
SAN ANTONIO • More than 30 priests and religious, along with over 500 past and present parishioners and friends, joined Father Larry Brummer, OFM and Father Maury Smith, OFM in a Mass of celebration and thanksgiving at St. Leonard Church for their service to the priesthood over the past 50 years. The Mass on Sept. 5 was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú.
Currently serving as a semi- retired associate of Mission Espada and a parochial vicar of Mission San José, Father Larry was ordained on June 24, 1958. Father Maury is currently the deanery resource coordinator for the Southeast Deanery. He was ordained a priest on Jan. 9, 1966. This year he celebrates his 50 years as a Franciscan, as he entered the novitiate on June 21, 1958.
During his homily, long-time friend and fellow Franciscan, Father Blane O’Neill, OFM, from St Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ruston, La., congratulated the priests on their years in the priesthood and commented what a grand blessing it was to have so many people in attendance and used two words to reflect on their years of service: “How many.”
“How many have listened to their words, been given instruction for marriage and have been visited by them when they were sick or in the hospital? How many have received new life in Christ through baptism during the last 50 years?” Father Blane asked. He commented on how both men have fully lived their devotion to their Franciscan order by serving others first and sympathizing with their parishioners.
Several gifts were brought as symbols of their service: For Father Larry — a painting of all the missions in San Antonio representing all of the people he has served, a keyboard symbolizing the importance of media that Father Maury uses to reach the people of God, and a shroud symbolizing the life and death of Christ, as a remembrance of their dedication to the Franciscan order was also given.
Father Maury shared that he could not think of a better life than being a Franciscan. “I’ve been a friar for 50 years and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” he said. “I have more fun than most people; I’m involved in the lives of people.”
Father Larry also thanked his fellow priests and those who came out to celebrate. “I’m very happy that so many people come; it is such a blessing,” he said. “I hope that we have done our best as Franciscans and will continue to carry on. Thank you for being good teachers to me.”
Auxiliary Bishop Cantú, on behalf of Archbishop José H. Gomez and the archdiocese, congratulated the priests on 50 years of religious life and priesthood.
“In the coat of arms for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, there is a T — it’s not for Texas — it’s a cross, a Franciscan cross to remind us that the Franciscans began teaching the Gospel in this area and we are grateful to have it continued in this area,” he said.
“It’s a blessing to have the presence of Franciscans still part of our archdiocese. Think about how many lives they have touched in 50 years. They are witnesses to the Gospel and a tremendous testament to faith that is still alive here,” he continued.
Many in attendance at the Mass and the reception that followed shared fond memories of the two priests. “Father Larry gave my wife and I our marriage prep classes 44 years ago — he had only been a priest for six years but what he knew must have been good because it took,” said longtime friend Deacon Len Sanchez, a former parishioner from San Antonio who now serves as the director of Pastoral and Community Services for the Diocese of Fort Worth.
Connie Cantu, currently a parishioner at St. Padre Pio, knew Father Larry when he was at St. Joseph Parish South San. “He just has a way of talking to you that makes you feel special; he knew my parents and when my mother passed away he came back to offer the Mass and see how we were doing — that’s who he is,” she said.
“For the last seven years, he has taken excellent care of Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Brooks-City Base, after the base closed,” said Mary Anderson of Father Maury. “He has a tremendous sense of humor and is always there when called upon,” she continued.
John and Lupe Beckett, who work with Father Maury on the Southeast Deanery Unitas Marriage Preparation Program, commented on his ability to make all feel welcome. “He is a very approachable man, very spiritual. The way he talks to the couples is very down to earth and he listens to their concerns,” they said.
Both Father Larry and Father Maury expressed their thanks to Father David Gutierrez, TOR, and to the parishioners of St. Leonard for all the work that went into making their celebration special. “Coming together at the reception was wonderful and I give credit to Father David and people of St. Leonard for all the hard work that went into it,” said Father Brummer.
Katherine Jass Lopez is a parishioner of St. Leonard Church.