Fr. Paul Kellogg Raftery, OP

The Dominicans Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

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Saints and Blesseds

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Our elderly and infirm friars receive the best care we have available to us, as in any family. We rely heavily on the donations of others for our own existence and thus when one of our own becomes incapable of further ministry due to age or infirmity, those same donations help us support the sometimes necessary special care required by such members of our communities.

We prefer to care for our elderly and infirm in our own houses so that the life of a religious community can be a part of a friars life as long as possible. This is also the most economical in many ways. We strive to use donations wisely. But sometimes a care facility is essential. As we, as a Province, do not benefit from the national collection for retired religious, we ask that you assist us in caring for these friars who have prayed, taught, served and ministered for so many years amomg the people of the Western United States and beyond.

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Catholicism

It's just the right thing

Born and raised in the small Northern California town of Dixon, just outside of the state's capital, Sacramento, the young Paul Raftery attended public schools through the twelfth grade. During those years, the Faith was always foremost in his heart and mind. After attending the University of California at Davis for a couple of years, he began to consider a vocation to the priesthood and religious life. He investigated a number of orders, but in talking with and receiving encouragement from his uncle, a Dominican priest, he decided to enter the Order of Preachers.

Fr. Paul earned a Masters of Divinity degree at St. Albert's College, commonly known as the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, in Oakland, California, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1984. Having had his first two assignments at Newman Centers on the campuses of the University of Arizona in Tucson and the University of Oregon in Eugene, Fr. Paul is no stranger to campus ministry. Following on these, he began an extended period of parish work in Portland, Oregon, and in Northern California. In 1998, he earned a licentiate degree in the history of liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Most recently, he served as an associate at St. Dominic's parish in Eagle Rock, California.

Early in his priesthood, Fr. Paul heard about Thomas Aquinas College. "When I was a student at St. Albert's," he explained, "I read about the College in Christopher Derrick's book, Escape from Scepticism; I also read the Blue Book, [the College's founding document]." In 2004, while assigned to a parish somewhat near the campus, Fr. Paul was asked to serve as chaplain for the College's Chapter of Third Order Dominicans. His association with faculty members in that Chapter occurred at just the time the College was seeking a new chaplain.

"Now that I'm here," he says, "I find it a wonderful environment for coming to know God at the level of His natural revelation through the great books curriculum. The program is all so wonderfully ordered to and in harmony with the study of the Faith."

Fr. Paul is now busy offering daily Mass, administering the sacraments, and providing spiritual direction to the students. Having a keen interest in Gregorian chant, he is delighted with the College's Chant Schola that enhances the liturgical life on campus. An avid hiker, he is also enjoying the trails and the natural beauty of the Los Padres National Forest above the campus. "I like to get together with some students," Fr. Paul explains, "and walk down a trail so I can just be in their presence and share in their lives."

citation: biography from Thomas Aquinas College, November 11, 2007, reprinted with permission

Photos 2003tn | 2007tn | preaching

Theology for the Laity

Our Indebtedness to the Apostles, Jul-Aug 2000

Aiming For The Summit In The Spiritual Life, Sep-Oct 2000

Universal Salvation in Christ and in the Church, Nov-Dec 2000

Defending Our Lady's Privileges, Jan-Feb 2001

The Perpetual Virginity of the Mother of God, Mar-Apr 2001

The Exultation of the Mother of God, May-Jun 2001

Discovering The Greatness of St. Joseph Part I: The Growth of His Devotion, Jul-Aug 2001

Discovering The Greatness of St. Joseph Part II: His Unique Vocation and Exceptional Virtue,
Sep-Oct 2001

Christian Patriotism In Today's World, Nov-Dec 2001