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Making a difference for church, community
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Hank Albrecht, the man known to so many by the affectionate sobriquet
“Father Hank,” retired as pastor of Our Lady of the Valley church last
month. It’s cheering to know he’ll have more time to devote to hobbies
and interests. It’s also cheering to know he plans to stay in the
community he has served so well. Albrecht, after all, has been an important spiritual guide in La Grande for 20 years. He has offered prayers and given people hope not only in church on Sunday but also at weddings, funerals, military ceremonies, at every sort of event that calls for the reassuring presence of a religious man. In a positive, loving way, he has touched hundreds of lives. It’s remarkable that he came to the priesthood not as a wide-eyed innocent but as a middle-aged man who had experienced much, even the trials of war. After high school in The Dalles, Albrecht attended Eastern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology. Then he joined the military, serving in Vietnam. Following military service, he operated a cherry orchard and a Piper aircraft dealership. Then he heeded the spiritual call, enrolling in the Mount Angel Seminary. He was in his early 40s. Ordained as a priest in 1986, he served two years as an associate pastor at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles before coming to La Grande. His activities here have included service as chaplain in the Oregon National Guard’s Third Battalion, 116th Cavalry. Though he no longer is the unit chaplain, many soldiers still remember the relaxed, informal and enjoyable services he conducted during numerous training exercises. Think of Father Hank, and a couple of other things having little to do with church spring to mind. One is his commitment to making La Grande a place where piercing train whistles no longer wake people out of sound sleep. He has appeared at city council meetings, met often with local government officials and representatives of the Union Pacific Railroad. He has rallied citizens to the cause. He hasn’t silenced the whistles yet, but one gets the feeling he will someday. Think of Father Hank, and you also come up with a picture of a man working after hours to refurbish a long-closed Texaco station on Adams Avenue. His dream is to have a station like those of the old days, when the Texaco man wore a star and rendered prompt, courteous and complete service. Who knows? Maybe by rekindling an old standard, he will set a new one for downtown. Albrecht is a compassionate, caring man who has given much to his community over the years. Finally, he’s taking the time to relax a little. God knows he deserves it. |
