It’s been less than a year since Father Patrick Brosamer was ordained a priest last June at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Anchorage. But like many young priests of his generation, he is already taking on major responsibilities, filling in for Father Tom Lilly at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, one of the largest parishes in the Anchorage Archdiocese.
Father Brosamer has accepted additional duties while parish pastor Father Tom Lilly takes a six-month sabbatical. Father Lilly will return as pastor of St. Elizabeth’s on Nov. 8 after his journey to Spain and South America.
In the mean time, Father Brosamer is leaning heavily on parishioners for support, as he focuses on providing the sacraments and teaching the faith.
“My biggest challenge has been time management,” he told the Catholic Anchor. “A priest’s schedule is usually very irregular, as people need a priest at all hours of the day and night.”
In the year since his ordination, Father Brosamer has been on a “steep learning curve,” he said, adding that he has also gained “valuable experience for when I will eventually serve as pastor at my own parish.”
Father Brosamer said his duties prior to Father Lilly’s May 9 departure were mainly liturgical: celebrating Masses and other sacraments, including anointing of the sick and hearing confessions.
Since Father Lilly left, he has “had to take up a lot of the administrative end,” he said.
That said, Father Brosamer expressed gratitude for the experienced parish staff who is able to “free me up to focus on the sacraments, which should always be a priest’s highest priority.”
Bonnie Bezousek serves as parish faith formation director and works closely with the priest.
“He’s a new priest, so he’s got great ideas and he’s young at heart,” she said. “It will be great to work with him.”
She said Father Brosamer “listens well and takes to heart what he’s doing.” He “really wants to do well while Father Tom is away,” she noted.
So far, Father Brosamer has taught several adult formation classes.
“He’s done extremely well. The adults have enjoyed his teaching,” Bezousek said. “He brings a flair of humor and a real deep knowledge.”
She noted that Father Brosamer “has the historical background” to help make the faith “much more alive, as you can see where we’ve come from.”
But amid all the added tasks of shepherding a parish, Father Brosamer is also hoping for a little time to enjoy what is turning out to be a sunny, warm summer.
“With Easter and the school season finishing, the busy season is over,” he said. “The summer should be fairly quiet and I should be able to get out and enjoy the Alaskan summer like the rest of my parishioners.”
'Newest priest takes the reins at one of the largest parishes'
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