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Why I became a Paulist; An Interview with Joseph Gallagher, C.S.P. |
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 Father Joe recently celebrated his 81st birthday as well as the 43rd anniversary of his ordination as a Paulist Priest. His life has had more twists and turns than any novel, yet his path has always led him to God. Born in New York City, Joe was one of eight kids. The family’s apartment quickly became too small and so they migrated to suburban Long Island where he was raised. He attended Notre Dame University when the first major twist occurred. It was called World War II. He enlisted in Officers Candidate School and upon graduation in 1943, entered the Navy as an ensign aboard an LST in the Pacific Theater, specifically in the Philippines and Okinawa forward areas. His ship transported goods, from ammo to toothbrushes to other ships or to the soldiers and marines ashore. He told me he saw action once when an enemy plane came nearby, and they shot it down. "It was already smoking so it might have fallen down by itself." In 1946, he left the Navy and entered Fordham University Law School. He life was not unlike all the other guys. He socialized, dated and almost got engaged, but it didn’t work out. He started as an attorney specializing in admiralty law (which he really enjoyed), but the two partners who owned the firm retired, and so it closed down. Joe got an offer from his uncle (also an attorney) and he worked there for a while. It didn’t take long before Father Joe decided that he didn’t want to be a lawyer for the rest of his life. He discovered his calling was elsewhere. Joe remembered all the retreats his dad took him on and the special meaning they had for him. In 1955, he applied to and joined the Paulists. When asked, "Why the Paulists?" his response was quick. The Jesuits wanted 13 years of study to transpire before ordination. The Paulists only required three to eight years preparatory study prior to ordination, depending on the applicant’s educational background. The Paulists ordained him in 1961. Now he was doing something useful! Father Joe Gallagher became the president of the Paulists, and served from 1986 to 1994. During his tenure, the Paulists grew and expanded into publishing books, magazines and producing radio programs to help spread their mission of Evangelization, Reconciliation and Ecumenism. Father Joe Gallagher has served all over the United States, and is well known for his wisdom, humor and dedication. Of all the places he could have lived, he chose Grand Rapids when he retired. According to Fr. Joe, “The Paulist Fathers are the fulfillment of a lifetime search. I didn’t know what to expect, but discovered a missionary service to all of North America.” The Paulists can be found in Catholic Information Centers and non-Catholic Universities across the United States.
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"The Paulist Fathers
are the fulfillment of
a lifetime search."
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