You might say I am a "native son" of this Parish. I say that because at one time, Lake Jackson was a Mission out of St. Mary’s, in Freeport. As a teenager living in Freeport, I used to drive the Priests here to offer Mass…from here we went to Brazoria (St. Joseph’s).

When Dow started operations in 1940, we moved here because my father was offered a job at the "Mag cells". For the most part all my schooling was in Freeport, and I graduated from Brazosport High School in 1957.

Because of my Church involvement…C.Y.O., church choir, Legion of Mary, C.C.D., Altar Boy, etc. I wanted to pursue a vocation to Priesthood. Church involvement brought much joy and peace in my life. So without much encouragement from anyone, except Fr. McCormick, I entered the Seminary in 1957. That year 26 students entered St. Mary’s in Houston.

After eight years of discernment eight of us were ordained in 1965….. My how things have changed! It now takes about four years to ordain eight Priests. We average about two ordinations a year.

My assignments have been interesting because of the different situations and personalities I’ve encountered. My first assignment was at St. Mary’s, in Port Arthur, Texas, from 1965 until 1966. Msgr. Drouilhet was the Pastor there.

My second assignment came when the Beaumont Diocese was split off. My friend, Fr. Bill Robertson, called and asked me what I was going to do. I didn’t know I had a choice. So after letting Bishop Morkovsky know I wanted to be stationed in the Galveston-Houston Diocese, I was transferred to St. Patrick’s in Galveston.

Msgr. John Ruddy was the Pastor. I stayed there for three years with Msgr. Ruddy and two years with Fr. Tom Donovan. St. Patrick’s was an excellent Parish. I have a special place in my heart for the "Island" because of its wonderful people. They have a real sense of history and an appreciation of the Church and its role in society. It’s a unique place!

After five years at St. Patrick’s, I was moved to St. Joseph’s in Baytown. Msgr. O’Sullivan was the Pastor. It was there that I was introduced to the Serra Club, a wonderful organization whose sole purpose is to encourage vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious life. I have a lot of fond memories of St. Joe’s people. If you ask me, I’ll tell you a lot of stories; for this writing, I’ll share just one with you. One afternoon, Msgr. Joe and I were having coffee in the kitchen; the doorbell rang, so Msgr., being the nearest to the door got up to answer. I couldn’t see who it was, but I recognized the voice. It was one of the neighborhood children. When she spoke I had to chuckle. "Msgr., can Fr. Leo come out and play?" And guess what? I did; we played basketball in the parking lot. After three years there, I was transferred to Palestine, Texas, Sacred Heart Parish.

Where is Palestine?….my first Parish. I packed everything and headed North. Palestine is almost 200 miles from Baytown. After a four-hour drive, I arrived and asked someone where the Catholic Church was. The man said that there was not one in Palestine. Later, I found out the Parish was established in 1875! The church was downtown and built by Nicholas Clayton, many years ago. The people were wonderful and supportive.

The only bad thing was going to workshops and clergy meetings in Houston…..180 miles one way….a two-hour meeting and 180 miles back home and mostly after midnight. When you’re young, that’s no big deal….the CB radio and coffee kept me awake. My "handle" was the Peddling Padre, destination being the Holy City. I was the only Catholic Priest in Anderson County. My other assignment was to be the Chaplain at the newly built prison in Tennessee Colony (Coffield Unit). The whole experience was wonderful. I cried when I left.

Notre Dame Parish in Alief (Southwest Houston) was my next Pastorate. At the tender age of 40, I arrived only to find out I was almost the oldest man in the Parish! What a change to be in such a young Parish. I often described our typical family…they were between "22 and 32 with 3 children and no sense". My first year there we had 160 Confirmations, 200 First Communions, 350 Baptisms, registered 600 families and had 600 move out, no funerals. We had the largest C.C.D. program in the Diocese. The Parish was big into sports…we had a church softball field and team, a Parish volleyball league (mixed). Hence I came here fit because of all that activity.

I thought I was going to St. Peter’s in Galveston, because it was vacant and I know most of the people there because it was created when St. Patrick’s was split. I always wanted to go back to Galveston because, as the B.O.I.’s (Born on the Island) say, "once you get the sand between your toes, you’ll always come back". I wrote a letter requesting a transfer to St. Peter’s…I received a call from our personnel board….."Leo, Fr. Welsch has also asked to go to St. Peter’s in Galveston, and he has seniority over you. It would simplify matters if you would go to St. Michael’s in Lake Jackson". I thought, "that’s even better". So that’s how I got here.

When I came there was a lot to be done. We started many ministries, trying to bring Christ into the lives of our people. We have been able to do some wonderful things. We’ve come a long way…but still we have a long way to go.

I’ve been blest to be able to serve as a Priest for 36 years…I love where I’ve been…I love the now…and look to the future. Thirty-six years has not dimmed my vision and hope for this Church…I hope you share the vision for our future.

"Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!" Pray for vocations.