Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Fr. Curtin 'appreciated the fact that God made him a priest'
Fr. Curtin 'appreciated the fact that God made him a priest'
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 14, 2008
Detroit — Fr. James Curtin, the last living member of the ordination class of 1952, was remembered by friends last week as a simple man who was sincere, saintly and holy. He died Thursday, March 6, at age 83.
Msgr. Gerald Flanigan, a member of the ordination class one year ahead of Fr. Curtin, explained that since there where only three priests in the class of 1952, the class above kind of adopted their younger seminarians. They were also the first two groups to graduate from St. John's Provincial Seminary, which made them even more tight-knit.
He remembered Fr. Curtin as a "fabulous athlete," and remembers that he was very good at handball. He also remembers that Fr. Curtin taught Msgr. William Lynch, a professor, to water ski. "We've never gotten over that," he laughed.
Msgr. Flanigan remembered that Fr. Curtin had a strong connection to his roots; one time coming home from a priest gathering, Fr. Curtin wanted to stop and visit the mid-Michigan farm on which he'd grown up. Fr. Edward Ritter, a member of the ordination class of 1953, remembered that Fr. Curtin had a strong connection with his mother, and the two of them visited the Holy Land together.
Fr. Ritter said that although Fr. Curtin was down-to-earth and sincere, he was also very determined. "He accomplished the best he could with whatever talents God gave him," Fr. Ritter said. "He appreciated the fact that God made him a priest. Whatever he did, he did with the utmost sincerity and determination."
Fr. Ritter also remembered the full attention Fr. Curtin gave to others. "When you said hello to him, it was like you were the only one in the world speaking to him," he said. That made him popular with his parishioners, Msgr. Flanigan agreed. "His parishioners reverenced him tremendously," he said. "He was very sincere and devout, and well-respected by his parishioners."
Fr. Ritter also remembered Fr. Curtin's devoted spiritual life, and how he stuck to his principles and remained honest. "He was determined to try to better himself," he said. "He accomplished God's will in very difficult times."
Msgr. Flanigan remembered his friend's sincerity, and how he was "a giving and caring person," he said. "He was very, very saintly and holy," he said. "Everyone who (knew) him loved him."
Fr. Curtin was born July 8, 1924, in Okmulgee, Okla. to James E. Curtin and Nellie Margaret (Brady) Curtin. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati, and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township.
He was ordained June 7, 1952, in Detroit and celebrated his first Mass at St. Philip Neri Parish, Coleman, west of Midland, and his second at his home parish of St. James Parish, Ferndale.
Among his assignments, Fr. Curtin served as associate pastor at St. Mary Parish, Monroe (1952); St. Pius X Parish, Southgate (1952-57); St. Ambrose Parish, Grosse Pointe Park (1957); St. Mary Parish, St. Clair (1957-63); St. Angela Parish, Roseville (1961-1965); and St. Hilary Parish, Redford Township (1965-68). He served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ray Township (1968-80); and St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Melvindale (1980-99) before attaining senior priest status in 1999. He lived at Senior Clergy Village before moving to Marywood Manor for his final years.
Fr. Curtin was also a 1984 winner of the Fr. John Farrell Award.
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