Tribute to Fr. David Lafferty
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- Last Updated on Friday, 10 February 2012 22:21
Reverend David Michael Lafferty, 60, died on February 1, 2011 at the rectory of Holy Trinity Church, Okarche. Father Lafferty was born on August 26, 1950, one of six children born to John V. and Nora A. Mullins Lafferty. Father Lafferty attended Immaculate Conception School and Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. After high school he attended Christian Brothers College, Memphis, Tennessee, followed by the University of Dallas and the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Following seminary, Father Lafferty was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on August 2, 1985 by the Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka. Father Lafferty's first assignment was as Associate Pastor at Saint Peter Church, Guymon. Between 1986 and 1995, he served Saint Peter Church, Woodward, first as Associate, then as Pastor. Between 1995 - 1997 Father Lafferty continued studies in the area of clergy spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, where he received a Doctorate of Ministry. In 1997, Father Lafferty was assigned to be the Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Chandler, and its mission Saint Louis Church, Stroud, where he served for six years. In 2003 he was assigned to the pastorate of Corpus Christi Church, Oklahoma City, and mission of Saint Robert Bellarmine Church, Jones. In 2009 Father Lafferty was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Okarche, and its mission parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Calumet. During his twenty-six years of service to the Archdiocese and its people, he also served on the Council of Priests, the Theological Commission, the Priests' Spiritual Direction Team, the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee, the Committee for Continuing Education of Clergy and as a Regional Vicar. In addition to his parents, Father Lafferty is predeceased by a brother, John V. Lafferty, Jr. He is survived by brothers: Paul S. Lafferty, Henderson, NV; Vincent J. Lafferty, Logan, UT; Dennis Lafferty, Tulsa; sister, Joan M. Lafferty, St. Louis, Missouri; best friend, Rose Braun, OKC; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at Holy Trinity Church, 211 West Missouri, Okarche, at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 6, 2011. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 N. Lake Avenue, Oklahoma City, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2011, with interment following at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City. Family and friends are contributing to Catholic Charities or Center for Family Love in Okarche.