Rev. Lawrence M.
Willenborg
Pastor from 1961—1972
Now deceased.
Father Willenborg was on the chancery staff as
an assistant to Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly (retired) when he was
appointed pastor of the new parish in south King County, St. Vincent de
Paul. That was on November 15, 1961. The parish was established nine
days later, on November 24th. Remarkably, these dates coincide with our
“Week to Remember:’ Father built the parish from scratch, and gave it
its initial direction as a community of faith. But it was his own faith
that guided his efforts. As he said at the time of the dedication of the
new parish plant in 1965. “All this has taken place in just over three
years, and certainly such speedy advance must be a sign of God’s
blessing and the guidance of our holy patron, St. Vincent de Paul:’
More than being a builder, however, was
Father’s thrill at being a pastor. His years in the chancery were over,
and he could be about the ministry for which he was ordained. Bringing
the gifts of a good organizer, he got St. Vincent’s off to a strong
start. Yet, he directed attention to the parishioners themselves when he
said on dedication day, “My heartfelt thanks goes to all who have made
possible what has been done:’
Being an athletic person, he loved the
out-of-doors. While hiking and skiing were important forms of recreation
for him, he had a genuine sense of devotion for the Boy Scouts of
America. His troop was one of the finest in the Archdiocese. He was more
than supportive of their activities; he was part of them. Seeing him on
the St. George Treks was as common as seeing hot dogs cooking over an
open fire.
Father Willenborg paid a price for his great
dedication and untiring efforts in our parish. His health suffered, and
it became more and more difficult for him to keep on top of everything
in his growing community. Father Pat McDermott was assigned to assist
him in his ministry to the people he dearly loved, the people who had
become his life. All were deeply saddened at the news of his death on
May 2, 1972.
Those priests who were to come after him had
his broad shoulders to stand on. Father Willenborg had laid a firm
foundation upon which they could continue to build. That foundation was
to withstand the ebb and flow of parish life in a changing church, and
do more than survive. St. Vincent’s was to flourish.
THANK YOU FATHER LARRY, REST IN PEACE.
