Source: Times Record News
April 1, 2016
Sarah Johnson/Times Record News Father Peter Kavanaugh greeted twins Kevin and Eva just a week before he arrived in Wichita Falls to serve as priest at St. Benedict Orthodox Church. After settling in last October, he quickly expanded the church's activities, adding a weekly dinner and Wednesday religious education classes. The church will share its fellowship May 7 when it hosts a community barbecue.
Peter Kavanaugh, the new priest at St. Benedict Orthodox Church, is in the midst of a preaching series called "What Does It Mean to Be Human: Encountering God in the Sacraments." In his weekly teachings, Kavanaugh will spotlight a time before denominations and divisions and before the church lost answers to life's most difficult decisions — a time when there was the faith, the apostles and the undivided church.
"It's important to us Orthodox Christians to preserve intact the traditions passed down by the Apostles and preserved throughout the history of Christianity," Kavanaugh said. "The Orthodox Church was around before the Bible was established or any denominations, and has since maintained its faith unbroken. It is through these apostolic traditions that we feel we can best share a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and accomplish his work."
Kavanaugh was ordained into the priesthood in January and arrived at St. Benedict's in October — one week after his wife, Zoe, gave birth to twins.
"I came into ministry to serve God and his people," Kavanaugh said. "And that's what we're all supposed to do — serve God."
The beautiful white stucco church that Kavanaugh serves was built in 1997 at 3808 Old Seymour Road. St. Benedict Orthodox Church is a Western Rite parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
"This is such a beautiful church and wonderful community who love God," Kavanaugh said.
Kavanaugh, 29, grew up in Virginia with a missionary father and started writing sermons when he was 8 years old.
"I still fought it, however," he said. "I've never had to trust God so much."
But this verse kept him going: "Pursue the kingdom of God and all else will follow."
"That verse means a lot to me," he said. "It's a vision for me."
And if Kavanaugh had a mascot, he said it would be — of all things — a donkey.
"If God can speak through a donkey, then he can speak through me," he said. "And I couldn't do any of it without my wife. She's my partner and companion in all of this."
Kavanaugh's father was a missionary. His parents were classical musicians and so music become a passion for him as well.
"My passions are music, art, nature and God," he said. "Although we never are as passionate about God as we should."
He studied psychology at Harvard, went to seminary in Boston and worked in geriatrics as a chaplain at an assisted living center.
Kavanaugh is excited about starting life with his young family in Wichita Falls and at St. Benedict Church.
"There is a real sense of family and desire to make their faith their life," he said. "This is not just a Sunday religion."
Kavanaugh explained that it is important for Orthodox Christians to preserve intact the traditions passed down by the Apostles and preserved throughout the history of Christianity. A verse from II Thessalonians 2:15 says "Brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which were taught, whether by word-of-mouth or by letter from us."
Kavanaugh said it is through these apostolic traditions that they feel they can best share a relationship with Jesus Christ.
"In the Book of Acts we read, 'in Antioch they were first called Christians' (11:26)," he said. "The Orthodox Church has maintained an unbroken communion with these Christians of the first century, preserving the liturgies and doctrines handed down to us. Our mission is to draw close to the Holy Trinity in worship and love, to 'put on Christ' (Galatians 2:27), and in him to be 'the light of the world' (Matthew 5:14)."
At St. Benedict, Kavanaugh said, worship is done with the entire soul and body.
"We use holy images and incense and it is very palpable," Kavanaugh said. "We are transformed into his image while worshipping."
In just a few short months as head of the church, Kavanaugh has implemented several new programs for its members. A family night meal will be served every Wednesday with religious education for adults and youth. As a way to reach out to the community, the church will host a barbecue meal May 7.
"We believe whenever two or more are gathered, there should be scripture, prayer and food," he said. "Acts 2:42-47 says 'And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers ... And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts ...' "
"It takes a whole crew to steer a boat, and there are lots of people who volunteer and are involved with the choir, food ministry and committees," Kavanaugh said.
