SALT LAKE CITY – Fifty years ago a recently ordained priest arrived to Utah from Ireland. "Back then there was a huge need, as nowadays, of priests in Utah, so I decided to come," said Father James Semple, who was ordained June 3, 1961 in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, Ireland. The invitation to Utah came from Monsignor Patrick Kennedy, who also was from Ireland. At the time, Msgr. Kennedy was pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Ogden, and vicar general for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. At the request of Bishop Duane G. Hunt, Msgr. Kennedy would travel to his Irish homeland each year, visit the national Irish seminary, and invite students to consider studying for the priesthood in Utah. Various other dioceses also sent Irish natives to recruit students from Ireland. On Sept. 3, 1961, while the major political powers were embroiled in the Berlin Crisis, Fr. Semple arrived in Utah. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Saint Joseph Parish in Ogden, where he stayed for two years. "There’s when I learned to live like a priest instead of a layman," said Fr. Semple. That marked the start of a long journey of care, love, guidance and service for this priest, who 50 years later keeps on helping and guiding Catholics in Utah. He faced many challenges over the years, among them, one of the great events in the Catholic Church: the Second Vatican Council. "Before, the priests didn’t say Mass facing the people and after that (Vatican II) they did. That was considered one of my biggest challenges during my service as a priest," said Fr. Sample. Among his biggest satisfactions during his 50 years of service is the fact that the community of Catholic people in Utah has grown and keeps on growing. "I’ve got a theory that every young man or woman has the hunch of becoming a priest or a nun; thinks at some time in their lives they hear the call, but they just forget about it. Some follow the call," said Fr. Semple. He has continued to follow his call even in retirement. Twice or three times a week he celebrates a daily Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, where he also celebrates one weekend Mass. In addition, he helps Fr. Patrick Carley, the pastor, in whatever is needed. "Even today he keeps on helping people," said Anne Kurek, parish secretary of St. Joseph the Worker. "To mention just one of the many examples I remember was last week, when Fr. Carley was not feeling very good and we had a phone call from a woman whose mother just died. Fr. Semple was just walking in, so he immediately went and visited the family. In fact, he did it very happily." By coincidence, Fr. Semple was born in Thurles County Tipperary, the same town as Fr. Carley. "In fact, Fr. Carley was the altar boy at Father Semple’s ordination," said Kurek. "A big reason that Fr. Carley came to Salt Lake City was because he knew Fr. Semple." Last week Father Semple was presented with the Jubilee Award by Monsignor Terence M. Moore, president of the Presbyteral Council and by the Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. "We thank you for your service," Bishop Wester said. "You have been a great servant to the people. God bless you, Father Semple."
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