Fr. Pires returns to St. Thomas Aquinas

Intermountain Catholic

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Fr. Pires

RIVERTON - In less than two months, Father Francisco Pires will return to Logan as pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish and Saint Jerome Chapel and Newman Center.

He first served in Logan from 1995 to 1999, leaving for an assignment in Tremonton.

"Going back to Logan is like reconnecting with a long-time friend, and I say that because it was one of my first places to minister in Utah," said Father Pires, who was born in 1957 in Brazil to Ayres Pires and Enedina Florencio Pires. From a family of nine children, two girls and seven boys, he is the third oldest.

He has had a call to the priesthood since he was very young; he went to the seminary when he was in the 8th grade.

"My family, for the past 45 years, has lived just a mile away from the seminary," said Fr. Pires, who speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish. "When we were kids the seminary’s soccer fields were our favorite playground on weekends."

He was ordained Dec. 8 1984, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Morrotes, Tubarão, Brazil by Bishop Osorio Bebber, and spent almost seven years working as a priest in Brazil.

"In 1991 I came to the U.S.A. on a tourist visa, planning to stay for a year studying English and then return to Brazil, but God had other plans for me," he said. "I ended up serving the Diocese of Phoenix for four years."

In the summer of 1994 Father Pires attended a Conference of Hispanic Priests in Texas and met Father Hernando Diaz (now pastor of Saint Bridget Parish and Saint John Bosco and Holy Family missions), who invited him to visit Utah.

During his visit, Fr. Pires talked with Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, then vicar general and vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

"He told of the need of priests to serve the growing Hispanic population," Fr. Pires said. "That was a call to come to Utah. Letters were exchanged with my bishop in Brazil and I’ve been here since, now incardinated to this diocese."

For the past 16 years Fr. Pires has served in Brigham City, Logan, Tremonton, Richfield, Torrey, Gunnison, Orem, Ephraim, Midvale and, most recently, in Riverton, where he was the founding pastor of Saint Andrew Parish.

His new assignment has been received with a lot of joy and honor, although he will miss St. Andrew Parish.

"Saint Andrew will always be a part of my life," he said. "I was so blessed to be an instrument of the beginning of a new parish community. Talents, dedication, hard work came from all over. I will never forget the work of (Holy Cross) Sr. Karla McKinnie, not just with the school that has been her main task, but also her commitment with the parish."

Sr. McKinnie is principal of Saint Andrew School.

Fr. Pires said he is confident that the new priest who has been assigned to St. Andrew Parish, Father John Evans, "will lead the parish to the next level; that will be to build the church. Leaving Saint Andrew Parish, I ask God’s guidance and pray that I can be an instrument in his hands in the new assignment."

"He is a fine priest from Brazil who has served in several parishes with great distinction. Father previously served the northern Utah area, including Logan," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "He loves the area and was loved by the people. Father is a very kind and caring pastor who collaborates well with the laity."

"The day of my ordination I told my parents, brothers and sisters that from now on all these people you see in front of you are part of my family, too. That’s the way I’ve felt for these past 27 years. My family keeps growing larger and larger," said Fr. Pires. "I am always open to learn from those whom I serve, continue the work that the preceding pastor has started, and be mindful to their needs and aspirations."