Saturday, September 7, 2024
The Rev. Father Brandon LeClair is the newly appointed pastoral administrator of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and St. Rosa Lima Catholic Church. He was ordained in May 2023 and brings a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to his new roles in the community.
LeClair described himself as “a bit of a newbie,” referring to his recent ordination. He explained that priests are not given the title of pastor until they have gained some experience, and he hopes to be named pastor next May.
Before his assignment to St. Frances Cabrini, LeClair served as the parochial vicar at St. John the Apostle in North Richland Hills for a year, where he was essentially the assistant to the pastor.
Along with shepherding the flock at Granbury’s St. Frances Cabrini, LeClair conducts mass at St. Rosa Lima in Glen Rose Thursdays and Sundays. The congregation is small, and there are currently no office hours. He noted these are the only times he is present there.
LeClair’s journey to the priesthood began in Sioux City, Iowa, where he was born. His family moved to Mansfield, when he was 2-and-a-half years old. He grew up in Mansfield, attending public schools and actively participating in church activities.
“I went to seminary about three years after high school,” LeClair said. “Since I was very young, I had a list of careers that I might want to do, and on that list, the first was to be a teacher, the second was to be a police officer, the third was to be a chef, and the fourth was a priest.”
LeClair’s varied interests led him to study at Tarrant County College, where he explored teaching, criminal justice and culinary arts. Despite excelling in these areas, he felt unfulfilled and eventually pursued his true vocation.
In 2015, he entered St. Joseph’s Abbey and Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana, a Benedictine monastery. His studies in philosophy and theology solidified his calling.
“My parents were fully supportive,” he recalled. “I am an only child, but they said, ‘Whatever makes you happy and whatever works for you, we’ll be okay with.’”
LeClair credits several mentors for guiding his path to the priesthood. One key figure was the Rev. George Foley, the parish pastor where LeClair grew up. “Father Foley was fantastic with people. He loved them, and it showed through his ministry,” LeClair said.
Another major influence was Dr. Jan Norton, the wife of deacon Vic Norton, who ran the religious education program at the parish where LeClair taught. “They were also very big supporters of mine,” he noted. Although the Nortons have since moved to Denton and are now part of St. Mark’s in Argyle, Dr. Norton remains an important part of LeClair’s life, offering ongoing guidance and friendship.
During a retreat session, LeClair recounted his vocational journey to a class of middle and high school students. Reflecting on his earlier aspirations, he mentioned the list of careers he had considered before entering seminary.
To his surprise, a keen student noticed a curious pattern among the initial choices: they all seemed to converge toward the path he ultimately embraced as a priest. LeClair listened as the teen connected the dots, pointing out how the first three careers on LeClair’s list led into his fourth choice—his true calling.
LeClair shared, “He said, ‘So, teacher, you teach the faith, right? Police officer, you guard the flock — you shepherd the flock. Culinary —three, you bring everybody to the table of the Lord, the Eucharist.’ He pointed out that it led to the priesthood.”
In addition to his pastoral duties, LeClair enjoys cooking, particularly baking. “My specialty is baking cookies, cakes and pastries,” he said. “But my favorite is bread.”
Growing up, LeClair was always involved in choir, which cultivated his love for singing. His interest continued into his seminary years, where he spent a semester with the Scola Cantorum, the seminary’s version of a choir, performing occasionally in Latin. “I do like to sing during Mass here and there,” he said, highlighting how music remains a cherished aspect of his religious practice.
LeClair looks forward to uniting the diverse communities at St. Frances Cabrini and St. Rosa Lima. There may be challenges, but LeClair remains optimistic. “It takes time, intentionality and earning the people’s trust,” he said. “I’m here to serve all of them, love them and bring them all to Christ. That’s my ultimate goal.”
With the foundation of religious faith and education beginning at home with the parents, LeClair notes a decline in effective catechesis over the past century, where families may attend church services but do not actively engage with their faith outside of Sunday mass.
LeClair believes that while youth programs are important, there should be a stronger focus on encouraging parents and those preparing for marriage or baptizing their children. Parents should actively teach and practice their faith at home. He reflects on his upbringing, crediting his consistent attendance at church and religious education throughout his school years to his parents’ influence.
LeClair’s journey to the pulpit reflects his dedication to serving the community and his faith. His varied experiences and commitment to bringing people together will undoubtedly enrich the congregations of St. Frances Cabrini and St. Rosa Lima.
For more information, please visit the church’s website at https://stfrances.net.
