Florida Catholic | Father Richard Altenbaugh

Retired priest: ‘Love everybody’

Father Richard Altenbaugh's priesthood continues to be very rewarding.

PATRICIA ANGEL BUTLER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.26.07

Father Richard Altenbaugh wears his signature straw hat.

Father Richard Altenbaugh with his signature straw hat.
PEGGY DEKEYSER | FC

PENSACOLA | The literature says World Priest Day is “a celebration and affirmation of the men who commit their lives to the Lord and the church in the sacrament of holy orders.” Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter since 2000, the day provides an opportunity for Catholics to thank, affirm and share their love and support for priests. This year’s observance is Oct. 28.

Father Richard Altenbaugh recently discussed with the Florida Catholic the stages of his life as a priest, tending to the faithful. Ordained in 1960, Father Altenbaugh is a seasoned cleric, having served the faithful for 45 years of active priesthood and two years retired, but even now is “comfortably busy.” He knew he was meant for the priesthood at a very early age. He thanks the women of the Burse Club for sponsoring his years at the seminary: He was one of the first seminarians to have benefited from the efforts of the club, an initiative of Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

He said his priesthood has been and continues to be a very rewarding and wonderful life, but it has its challenges. The biggest challenge is sacrificing your time, according to Father Altenbaugh. “It’s much like motherhood in that your time is never your own,” he said. “You have to put aside your own leisure and comfort in favor of the needs of the people.”

Father Altenbaugh pointed out that through challenges, a priest is tested and grows. The upside in rising to the challenges and working with the people is two-fold, he said: an increase in sanctity and secured salvation.

But how does a priest know whether he’s fulfilling his job requirements? That’s a question Father Altenbaugh posed to now-Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles at a retreat in the 1970s. Cardinal Mahony’s response was simple, “If the people love you, you’re doing your job.”

The key is not to please everybody, but to love everybody, Father Altenbaugh said. He shared his A-list of characteristics useful to the priesthood: being adaptable, able, amiable, amenable, affable, and having an adjustable agenda. He also noted that a good sense of humor is a big plus for priests.

The priesthood is a life contrary to the world’s philosophy of life, he continued. He cited Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, saying, “You can’t live for success. You have to live to be faithful.”

The rewards of being faithful are innumerable, Father Altenbaugh said. He finds particular joy in being invited to the anniversary celebrations of couples he married, having people he baptized request him to baptize their babies, and having people he’s spoken to tell him how much his words have helped them.

As for his current ministry, he finds retirement a welcome stage. In retirement, priests can concentrate on the faith element completely and not worry so much about the administrative element of being a parish priest. And Father Altenbaugh adds jokingly that the best thing about being a retired priest is, “Now I can say anything I want to people, because I can get in my car and leave.”

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Retired priest: ‘Love everybody’

Father Richard Altenbaugh's priesthood continues to be very rewarding.

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