Mt 25.23
‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’
I met Fr. Howard Vogan in March 2020, just before the COVID pandemic started. I was invited by Him to St. Genevieve- St. Maurice parish to know the staff, to hear more about the parish, as he already knew I was supposed to be assigned to that parish on July 1, 2020. Fr. Vogan’s condition wasn’t good. But my first impression was that he is a priest according to Jesus’ heart. His love for God and his people, his conservative approach, his compassion and kindness really touched my heart. The way he talked about his parish, his people really inspired me. And I thought, “these shoes are big for me to fill, but with God’s help everything is possible.”
Father Vogan was born on May 9, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 7, 1969. He served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Rita Parish, Detroit and Saint Regis Parish, Bloomfield Hills. He served as pastor at Saint Joseph Parish, South Lyon; Saint Genevieve Parish, Livonia and Saint Maurice, Livonia until the two parishes merged in 2012. Father Vogan served as pastor of the combined Saint Genevieve Saint Maurice Parish until he was granted Senior Status July 1, 2020. Fr. Vogan also served for the Metropolitan Tribunal. After a long illness, he died peacefully on Wednesday October 29th. Each of us has a different experience with Fr. Vogan. Perhaps he baptized you or your children, perhaps he blessed your marriage, or with such a compassionate way, celebrated the sacrament of the sick, perhaps he was your spiritual director or your confessor, or celebrated the Holy Eucharist with you and for you regularly, perhaps he was just your friend or a family member. These days God is calling us to be grateful for the gift of his life, his ministry, and his dedication. These days God is calling us to pray for His Mercy upon his soul and let him enjoy his heavenly reward.
Eternal Rest Grant onto him o Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he Rest in Peace.