Rev. Lawrence Peter Christensen, CM
Deceased: 2018-01-01
Diocese: VINCENTIAN FATHERS
ICTE Fall: 2001
Rev. Lawrence P. Christensen C. M., entered into eternal life on January 1, 2018 at Apostle of Charity Residence, Perryville, MO. Father Larry was 82 years old.
Father Larry was born in Chicago on June 11, 1935 to Helen (Kiebel) and Christian Christensen. Upon completion of elementary school, Father Larry attended DePaul Academy, Chicago, were he graduated in 1954. In July, 1954, he entered the internal seminary at the Barrens, and professed Vows in the Congregation of the Mission July 31, 1956. Father Larry lived and served as a Brother in the Province until he was ordained a Deacon on June 4, 1976. His life and ministry as a Permanent Deacon ended when he received permission to be ordained a Priest on January 7, 1984.
Father Larry served the Province and the Church with energy and joy. In his early years, Father Larry faithfully served in Provincial Administration. After his ordination to the Priesthood, he began parish ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Perryville. He later served for three years as Vocation Director before joining the staff at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver in the fall of 1992. In June, 1994, Father Larry turned his ministerial eye toward parish ministry in Denver. For the next 22 years, Father Larry served in several different parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver. Most notably, he served at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Fort Collins for 10 years and at Church of the Risen Christ, Denver for 8 years.
In July, 2017, Father Larry was transferred to Apostle of Charity Residence, Perryville, with serious health issues. These issues proved to be ALS (Lou Gerhig’s Disease). While his illness progressed rapidly, Father Larry maintained a joy of life and complete openness to the will of God. His trust and dependence on Divine Providence never faltered.
Father Larry died peacefully the evening of January 1, 2018. He is survived by his confreres, a niece and several dear friends. May he rest in peace.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3 from 5:00 pm until time of Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at Mary Mother of God Chapel at St. Marys of the Barrens Catholic Church in Perryville. Visitation will continue on Thursday, January 4 from 9:00 am until time of funeral Mass at 10:00 am officiated by the Provincial Western Province Rev. Ray Van Dorpe C. M. Burial in the Vincentian Community Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to Congregation of the Mission.
