Enabling the laity to take a more active role in ministry has been one of the highlights of the priesthood for Monsignor James O. McGovern, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City.
As Monsignor McGovern celebrates the 40th anniversary of his ordination, the pastor said he takes great joy in serving people and working with them.
“I’ve enjoyed traveling the journey of faith with people and enabling the many different ministries in the parishes,” said Monsignor McGovern, whose home parish was St. Agnes in Catonsville.
After attending what was then Loyola High School in Baltimore, Monsignor McGovern went to Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore. It was after attending two spiritual retreats at Loyola College that he discerned the call to the priesthood and entered minor seminary at St. Charles College Seminary in Catonsville and then Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg. Cardinal Lawrence Shehan ordained him to the priesthood at his home parish.
Monsignor McGovern served as an associate pastor of St. Rita in Dundalk, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville and St. Luke in Edgmere. He was then named pastor of St. Patrick in Cumberland before becoming pastor of Church of the Resurrection in 1991. In recent years, the priest has also served as vicar forane for Howard and Carroll counties – working with the parishes of those regions.
For those considering religious life, Monsignor McGovern said it is important to “listen to the Holy Sprit that calls us forth and the events that touch our lives.”
Monsignor McGovern celebrated his anniversary with a special May liturgy at Church of the Resurrection.