Meet Father Kevin Cavanaugh, Pastor

Father Kevin Cavanaugh celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a priest with a Mass at on Sunday afternoon and a dinner at Maneeley’s Banquet Facility in South Windsor. In addition to his duties as Pastor of two churches in Manchester, St. James Church and , Father Cavanaugh is a Colonel and the senior chaplain in the Connecticut National Guard.

Timothy Becker: Father, when did you get the call to be a priest?

Father Cavanaugh: I’m the last of the “lifers,” having started as a freshman at St. Thomas Seminary High School and going all the way through the seminary and being ordained a priest. When I started at St. Thomas it was for a good education; at that young age I wasn’t yet sure that I wanted to be a priest. After graduating from the Universitry of Hartford with a degree in Psycology  in 1981, I was convinced of what God was asking me to do. I believed then that I was well suited to be a priest.

Timothy Becker: You went on to further studies?

Father Cavanaugh: I attended Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York, to study for the priesthood. I was ordained a Deacon in 1985 and a Priest in 1986.

Timothy Becker: What was your first assignment?

Father Cavanaugh: I was assigned as an Assistant Pastor, also called a Parochial Vicar, at Sacred Heart Church in Suffield. There I helped oversee the building of a new rectory. During that time I also served as Chaplain of the Suffield Fire Emergency Services Department.

Timothy Becker: How did you get involved as a military Chaplain?

Father Cavanaugh: I had asked if I could enter the Army recruiting program for seminarians. In 1991 due to the critical need for Chaplains, I received permission from Archbishop Whealon to enter the Officer Basic Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I was commissioned a First Lieutenant in 1990 and assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in New York. I was on active duty for nine years.

Timothy Becker: Where were you assigned as an Army Chaplain?

Father Cavanaugh: I was deployed to Somalia and Haiti, and I participated in the reconstruction after Hurricane Andrew. After nine years I transitioned to the National Guard as a Major. I am now Senior Chaplain for the Connecticut National Guard.

Timothy Becker: How has it been handling two parishes?

Father Cavanaugh: Handling two parishes has been an extraordinary challenge. People always hear me ask for prayers for vocations – and you can readily understand that I have a vested interest in the success of those prayers, for I am responsible for the spiritual welfare of more than 10,000 souls in Manchester alone. I alternate saying weekend Masses between St. James and Assumption. I am very grateful for the assistance of Father Burns and Father Joseph, for there is a great deal of work to be done.

Timothy Becker: Has it gotten easier after a year and a half?

Father Cavanaugh: Once I got to know the people, several have stepped up to help with individual projects. That’s been a blessing.

Timothy Becker: Has the property management of the two parishes been a challenge?

Father Cavanaugh: Yes, one church is over 50 years old and one is 125 years old. Both are in need of constant upgrades. We are looking at energy conservation measures right now. Assumption needs insulation and both churches need upgraded heating systems. In addition, there are other big projects that we are working on.

Timothy Becker: Father, after 25 years how do you view your job as a priest?

Father Cavanaugh: I’m an engineer building bridges between heaven and earth and between God and His people.

Timothy Becker: And what do you see for the future of the two parishes?

Father Cavanaugh: More than just the two parishes, I look to the future of the Church. I see a greater appreciation of the Faith among young people. I have the personal belief that after many of the nation’s military conflicts there has been a surge of veterans entering the seminary, and I see that happening again. It is my hope that some of them will become spiritual leaders for future generations.