Reflections on the Ministry of the late Rev. Paul H. Desrosiers by parishioners of Transfiguration of the Lord
January 2023
These reflections were written down and submitted by parishioners. Names are not included for privacy. At times, the stories were shortened a bit!
I cherished Fr. Paul’s fondness for animals and his interactions with his dog Buddy.
I cherished his blessing of the animals’ service when I had my canine companion Belle.
Fr. Paul was such a humble man. The way he kissed our feet after washing them on Holy Thursday always brought me to tears.
Whenever I’d come over to the rectory for some reason, he’d call me into his office, not to ask me to do anything, but to hear about my family and my work.
I offered to leave the Parish Council to give others a turn, but he told me he “needed to hear my voice.” That made me feel valued.
When one of my homilies went on a long time, I asked Fr. Paul about it and he said “I got lost!”
One year, Fr. Paul offered to bless the wine for everyone’s Thanksgiving meal. I told him we didn’t drink wine, so he told me to bring salt. I did and that was the most peaceful meal together my family had had in years.
Now I always cook with blessed salt.
I enjoyed his dry humor during his homilies.
While quiet and reserved, he was a very generous person.
My late husband heard a homily Fr. Paul gave for a First Communion years ago where he likened the Eucharist to being invited to the “Big Table.” It was a lasting memory for my husband.
I am in the choir, and Fr. Paul’s favorite Hymn was “Soon and Very Soon.” We were honored to sing it for him.
I used to go to the Carmelite Retreat facility in Lacombe. We would go down the road to Sacred Heart Church where Fr. Paul had been pastor. I was blown away by the glass wall behind the altar that looked out into the woods. It was gorgeous and inspiring. I found out that that was Fr. Paul’s request/idea. If you ever wanted to give him a gift, he loved getting flowering plants best that he could put on his office windowsill.
I remember Fr. Paul saying he shouldn’t eat sugar. But in the next breath he said “but I still eat butter pecan ice cream.” He said he kept it in the back of the freezer.
I do miss you. I know you are in a better place. I felt a sense of comfort knowing you were at the back of church after each Mass; I enjoyed your sermons, short and to the point.
I never knew that confession was so less stressful…going to confession with Fr. Paul was just like having a normal conversation and I truly liked his sense of humor.
If you needed a priest to visit someone sick, Fr. Paul was always available.
He said, “The Lord gave you a mouth. Use it.”
My favorite thing about Fr. Paul was how much he loved his dogs. The day he fell and hit his head while serving Communion and was taken away in the ambulance, we took his dog Buddy home. That afternoon, he called and asked how I was doing. I said, “How are YOU doing?” Then he asked if we had his dog. We took Buddy right back to him.
Fr. Paul had always shown a passion for helping those who were considered less fortunate than others, the poor, underserved, the incarcerated, the sick, etc. He did what he could to show us (me) that we are ALL created by God.
I was away from the Church for almost 50 years as a divorced and remarried Catholic… [With his help], I was welcomed at Transfiguration as a full member with access to all sacraments.
Two years ago, Fr. Paul presided over our wedding…the way he helped us prepare was truly a holy experience. His kindness and humility in ministry taught us a great lesson in true love of God for each other.
Fr. Paul’s last public outing was to a Thanksgiving Lunch at Lazarus House. Despite being the founder, he was never invited until this year. Everyone asked him what he was most thankful for and he said, “starting this ministry.” It was fitting that God brought him full circle back to Lazarus House the day before he passed.
Where do you begin when it comes to memories of Fr. Paul? Humble, a fighter, caring servant of God that brought others to God. Very giving of himself. Did not like a lot of fanfare but did like to celebrate with class and dignity. (No bells, no smells!)
Fr. Paul is the reason I was assigned to Transfiguration. I am forever grateful and humble because of this.
I would always enjoy his sermons. He left a special message that we could take home. He would then give us his “signature pause” after each sermon.
[I have cherished memories] of Fr. Paul walking his dog Buddy and of him performing the wedding ceremony for my daughter.
He allowed Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to be taught here and gave us the space for the atrium.
If he knew your name, he would say it before he said, “The Body of Christ.”
[About his sense of humor:] I was always concerned about Fr. Paul eating by himself on holidays. When I would ask, he would always tell me, “Don’t worry; my wife and I are going to have a very nice lunch.”
Whenever I went to confession with Fr. Paul, he always asked me if I prayed and I would answer, “Yes, Fr. Paul, I pray and I always pray for you,” and he would say, Thank you.”
I was at Walgreens one day and was checking out the candy and I hear this voice saying, “I want some.” I turned around and saw Fr. Paul and I said, “Oh, come and choose what you want,” and Fr. Paul replied, “Oh, I can’t have candy. I’m diabetic.”
This happened the Sunday following the Kentucky Derby 2021: I was wearing a hat to Church as I sometimes do. Father Paul says to me: "Geraldine, did you go to the Kentucky Derby?" I replied' "Yes, Father, I just hopped off the airplane and hurried here so I could get to your Church." Father grinned and continued ambling to the sacristy. (Was he trying to tell me in a subtle way that I was wearing an outlandish hat?)