Fr. Hope retires from active ministry, leaves behind love

Friday, Aug. 07, 2015

PRICE — Father Donald E. Hope, pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price, who has served the Diocese of Salt Lake City for all 39 years of his priesthood, will retire from active ministry effective Aug. 15. Parishioners and community members who have been blessed by his presence in the East Carbon and Emory county area for the past 18 years say he will be greatly missed. 

“[Fr. Hope’s leaving] makes me emotional. It’ll be a big loss, because Father’s done so much,” said longtime parishioner Mark Carillo. “He always went out of his way when anyone needed something, and he is such a giving man.”

Parishioner Alayne Carillo said that while “we are happy for him, we’re sad for us. We’re going to miss him a lot.” 

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Fr. Hope was involved in the Catholic community during his youth, attending Bishop Hartley High School and acting as an altar server at a local parish. Because he had an uncle who was a priest, becoming ordained “had always been in the back of my mind,” he said, but he didn’t consider seminary until after high school. 

When Fr. Hope entered the seminary at 19, it was “not with the express purpose of becoming a priest” because he was also attracted to the idea of family, he said. However, he “let the Lord guide him,” and on April 24, 1976, Fr. Hope was ordained in Columbus by the Most Rev. Joseph Lennox Federal, sixth Bishop of Salt Lake, who flew to Ohio to perform the sacrament. 

The newly ordained priest had fallen in love with Utah during a trip in college, and was excited to be assigned to the diocese, he said. 

Fr. Hope initially served at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and worked alongside those whom he considers “some of the heroes of the faith,” including Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, who attended seminary with Fr. Hope and is now the diocesan administrator. 

Throughout his ministry, he often worked with young people. 

“In all of his assignments, [Fr. Hope] has excelled at outreach to youth and the needy,” Msgr. Bircumshaw said. 

After serving at various other parishes in Ogden and Salt Lake City, Fr. Hope’s first assignment as pastor was at Good Shepard Parish in East Carbon County; he has spent the last 13 years as pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes. 

“I’ve loved every parish I’ve been in,” he said. 

As he entered Carbon County for his assignment, Fr. Hope said that he “got the first whiff of smoke, and it was like I was 6 years old again, on my way to my grandma’s house;” because his grandfathers were both coal miners, “the thought hit me that nothing can ever hurt me here.”

Much has changed since Fr. Hope first arrived in Price, but he noted that the region’s economic hardships and mining disasters have not diminished the spirit of the people. 

“When there is a problem, everyone pulls together,” he said. “We’ve got some of the most loving people God ever created and that has made life here just wonderful for me.”

His parishioners feel that he has helped make life wonderful for the community.

During the 2007 Crandall Canyon Mine disaster, Fr. Hope “worked non-stop to help the families of the miners,” Wayne Clausing said. “He had a huge impact in easing the minds of the miners’ families and providing support, not only with physical things but also through prayer.”

Over the years, Fr. Hope contributed many things, Carillo said. “He spearheaded the building of the Hope Center,” Notre Dame’s new social hall and building for students. 

He has other skills as well.

“In addition to his wonderful ministerial talents as a beloved pastor, Fr. Hope is a handyman and craftsman without parallel to any priest I have ever known,” said Msgr. Bircumshaw. 

For Fr. Hope, “the most rewarding part of my priesthood is the celebration of the sacraments: the Eucharist, baptisms, and bringing new people into the Church,” he said, adding  that “the love and support that I’ve received from other priests and the bishops and the diocese has kept me going” during difficult times. 

“Father Hope has always lived a simple and humble life as a priest,” said Msgr. Bircumshaw. “And in the spirit of Pope Francis, we kid him about how he doesn’t trust a restaurant that doesn’t have a drive-through window. It will be a true blessing for the people of Carbon County that he will be available for priestly ministry as he is able during his retirement years.”

Fr. Hope plans to continue to live in East Carbon County, and intends to assist Price’s new pastor, Father Rafael A. Murillo Ventura, to whom he has already given some advice.

“I told him just two things to remember down here: If you will love these people and let them love you, you’re going to have a wonderful experience,” Fr. Hope said.