Fr. John M. Tourangeau, O. Praem.

A YEAR OF JUBILEE!

I am a Norbertine by God's good grace and because of the invitation and prayers of my Uncle, +Br. Clement G. Tourangeau, O. Praem., a humble, saintly man of God. "Uncle Clem" was an example to me and literally prayed me back into the Norbertine Order, saying "Welcome home, Johnny. I've prayed a rosary for you every day. You're home now; my work is done here. God can take me Home." Some months later, Br. Clem went Home to God....

June 6, 2011 marks 25 years of ministry and service as a priest! It is amazing how quickly the years have passed. I find myself awestruck these days as I ponder the presence of God at work in my life and ministry throughout the years. Having survived a near death experience (major heart attack) at age 35 in 1993, I have always considered the time since then "frosting-on-the-cake." Life (including health) and ministry are very good; I treasure the gift of life and share it as fully as possible with others.

A key ingredient, I believe, for healthy and holy living is my commitment to Norbertine life, a commitment made twice along the journey of life! After some 12 years in the community, when I was living at Santa María de la Vid Priory (Albuquerque), I made the decision to incardinate into the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I served for many years, primarily in Spanish speaking parishes and communities who had experienced significant challenges. My role as pastor in these instances was to bring healing and hope to the broken body of Christ. This very challenging and often painful ministry was, without a doubt, the capstone of my service in New Mexico.

Though I have been successful in life, I have learned the most from experiences of failure, the most significant of which happened to me in high school: I flunked French class!! Several years later I would study Spanish at St. Norbert College, encouraged and challenged each day by Br. Terrence Lauerman, O. Praem. I aced every class and doing so changed the course of my life and ministry! I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Br. Terrence for seeing potential in me and calling it forth. If not, I would have taken a less challenging academic path!

A thumbnail sketch of my life as a Norbertine and priest includes service as a transitional deacon and newly ordained priest at Providence of God Parish (Chicago, IL), followed by a move to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM. There I served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community (Albuquerque, NM), followed by pastorates at St. Gertrude Parish (Mora, NM), Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Clovis, NM), San Francisco de Asís Parish (Ranchos de Taos, NM), and St. Anne Parish (Albuquerque, NM). During these years I also served as Vicar Forane (Dean) and later as a member of the Presbyteral Council. Thereafter, I returned to St. Norbert Abbey and was appointed Vocation Coordinator on August 1, 2009, a position in which I continue to serve.

After completing my M. Div. with Mission Specialization from Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago (1986), I continued my studies while in NM completing the following degrees:

--Master of Social Work (MSW) – 1997 – New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM. I currently hold a WI license to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

--Master of Business Administration (MBA) – 2003 – University of Phoenix at Albuquerque, NM.

With the approval and encouragement of Abbot Gary Neville and the Canonry Personnel Committee, I soon will be making application to begin a Ph.D. program in Organization Development. I have a particular interest in the development of a plan of action for creating and sustaining a "culture of vocations" within religious life, primarily in the Canonry of St. Norbert Abbey.

Finally, let us be united in prayer for Norbertine vocations......

Back to Profiles