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JMJ
JMJ
Fr. Dale Tuckerman began his tenure as our Pastor in June 2018.
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My name is Fr. Dale Tuckerman, and I am so thankful to be serving God here in the communities of St. Anne, St. Michael and Mary Queen of Heaven!
I am so happy to be a priest! My 7 years as a priest have been such a gift: first living, worshipping, teaching and serving with the communities at St Charles and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Spokane and then for the three years in Pasco at St Patrick parish. Since 2018 here in Medical Lake, Reardan, and Sprague I have been continually amazed and grateful to see how the Lord again and again reveals his faithful love for each of us as we live to be only and all for Him! I grew up in a small town of about 4,000 people, so I'm also thankful to be in a similarly cozy area here in the west plains area. I was ordained a priest in Spokane in 2014, but did not grow up Catholic, nor in eastern Washington! I grew up mostly in rural Connecticut, but left to go live in the mountains of Colorado when I was 23. After getting a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership (the most fun, but useless college degree available), I traveled around looking for adventure until I landed in Spokane in 2005 with a climbing buddy and, as any sane person would do, decided not to leave Eastern Washington. I actually grew up in various Christian denominations (mostly pretty anti-catholic ones), but thanks be the God, several faithful Catholic friends, several 'knock you off your horse' experiences, and a Buddhist (seriously! It's a long story) I started looking into Catholicism during my time in Colorado. After much study, discussion and many prayers offered by the Blessed Virgin Mary on my behalf, I ended up entering the Church into full communion and receiving my first Holy Communion and Confirmation at St Aloysius Church in Spokane in April 2007. That was the happiest day of my life up till then. By God's amazing Providence I was shocked to find myself in seminary in 2009. It was a time of great grace, though no small difficulties (all the best ones go hand in hand!). It is no pious exaggeration to say that Our Lady got me through. In October 2013 I was ordained a deacon in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome - the happiest day of my life up till then! Then I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ on June 27, 2014 at St Aloysius in Spokane. The next day at the Mass of Thanksgivig, I consecrated my priesthood to the Blessed Virgin, to whom I owe it all. Between that ordination and the Mass of Thanksgiving the next day, I did not know such joy was possible this side of Heaven. I am grateful everyday for the gift of the Holy Priesthood. I generally like to think I'm a normal guy, though I'm often told otherwise. I love the outdoors, rock climbing, biking and an occasional craft beer. But I especially love saying the Holy Mass and witnessing God’s love and mercy in Confession. These last two give me inexpressible joy. I also love large families! Outside celebrating the Sacraments, it is one of my greatest joys to spend time with families of the parish. So please, invite me over to spend time with your family! I eat ramen noodles and pizza as readily as duck l’orange and sushi and everything in between, so there's no need to worry that you need to make me something special (but I certainly won't complain if you do!). (Editor's note: Father does have some limits - he would rather not eat tahini, limburger cheese, nor durian fruit) I'm excited about getting to know each of you and sharing our love for Jesus with one another. I know his mother and our will help us! In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, +FrDT |
