'I give thanks to God every day,'
says parish priest
Fr. Brian K. Cokonougher
Special to The Michigan Catholic
Published February 17, 2006
Fr. Brian Cokonougher stands in front of St. Joseph Church in Port Huron, where he is parish administrator. He is also pastor of St. Stephen Parish and administrator of Our Lady of Guadelupe, also in Port Huron. | Currently I serve the Archdiocese of Detroit in the capacity of pastor of St. Stephen Parish, administrator of St. Joseph Parish, and administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, all in Port Huron.
I was appointed to this assignment three months ago by Cardinal Adam Maida after serving for two years as pastor of St. Jude Parish in Detroit. I miss my friends in Detroit, but because my hometown is Yale, northwest of Port Huron, this new assignment gives me the opportunity to "give back" to the community I grew up in.
My inspiration for the priesthood was Fr. Larry Dunn, who was our pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Yale between 1984 and 1998. Fr. Larry was very humble and deeply spiritual, yet approachable and friendly.
Throughout my high school years Fr. Larry encouraged me to consider becoming a priest. At the time I wasn't really excited about the idea, but eventually I visited Sacred Heart Major Seminary for a discernment weekend.
It was a great experience, and with the support of my parents I decided to apply to the seminary.
I first entered Sacred Heart in fall 1989, where I attended the college seminary.
Fr. Brian Cokonougher checks the lectionary readings for Mass in the sacristy before going in to St. Joseph Church. | In 1995, about halfway through the graduate program, I left the seminary to discern if God might be calling me to the married life. But I wasn't happy away from parish ministry and the community life I had experienced in the seminary.
Through the encouragement of Bishop Allen Vigneron (who was the rector of the seminary at the time), I returned to formation for the priesthood in January 1997. I was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1999, with seven classmates at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit.
My first six years of priesthood have not been easy, but they have been extremely rewarding. With each new challenge I have grown closer to Christ in the presence of the sacraments as well as in his Body, the Church.
Above all else, I look forward to celebrating the Holy Eucharist with my parishioners. Beginning the day with Christ's grace and the fellowship of my community helps me to be more patient with my own shortcomings as well as handling the problems I encounter in my ministry.
I give thanks to God every day that I have been called to the priesthood!
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