Growing up in Ohio, the thought of seminary “was not on my radar in college.”
And yet, Father Timothy Horan’s geographic and vocational paths led him to priesthood in the Diocese of Rochester — a ministry he has carried out since 1979.
“I could not have lived these 44 years as a priest without two things happening,” said Father Horan, pastor of Webster’s Holy Trinity Parish, who will assume senior status in late June. “One is the grace of God, and the second is the people of God who have shown me the love of Christ and have strengthened me.”
Basilians encouraged Father Horan’s priestly vocation
Father Horan, an Akron native, attended the University of Toronto, where he majored in history. During that time, he noted, he made some good friends from Rochester. He eventually moved to the area, teaching at Our Lady of Mercy High School, and began priestly studies after receiving encouragement from “several wonderful friends in the Basilians,” he said.
Father Horan attended St. Bernard’s Seminary and was ordained a diocesan priest on May 11, 1979, by Bishop Joseph L. Hogan at Chili’s St. Pius Tenth Church. He assisted at Fairport’s Church of the Assumption (1979-82), Rochester’s Holy Rosary (1982-87) and St. Michael in Newark (1987-93).
He began his first pastorate in 1993 at St. Andrew Church in Rochester, where he remained for eight years and also oversaw St. Philip Neri Church for part of that time.
In 2001, Father Horan became pastor of Irondequoit’s St. Margaret Mary Church. Two years later, he became diocesan director of priestly vocations awareness. He remained in that role — which he held concurrently with his parish assignments — until 2015.
“I love being a priest, and I like to share that happiness with young men who are trying to decide where God’s calling them in their lives,” he said of his vocations-awareness duties.
Father Horan began as pastor of Holy Trinity in 2011. As his 12-year tenure there wraps up, he expressed satisfaction at having served in parishes every year of his priesthood.
“I think being a parish priest gives you access to people in their everyday lives, which is where the Gospel needs to happen,” he said.
Holy Trinity is planning a celebration for Father Horan in June
A parish send-off for Father Horan will be June 24, as well as a public reception after 10:30 Mass June 25. He is relocating to Irondequoit’s St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, where he will reside at Christ the King Church.
“I have some personal things that have been waiting for this time in my life,” said Father Horan, 75, noting that he plans to visit family in Ohio more often. He also is looking forward to day trips and “possibly some continuing-education classes” while assisting as needed at St. Kateri Tekakwitha and elsewhere in the diocese.
Tags: Holy Orders, Monroe County East
