Playing a new tune in Southern California

The chaplain of Legatus’ Orange Canyons Chapter has an impressive musical pedigree . . .

Fr. Reynold Furrell

Fr. Reynold Furrell
Orange Canyons Chapter

Musician and musicologist Fr. Reynold Furrell, 50, played in Hollywood orchestras for movies and sitcoms before divine inspiration struck a different chord. Today he is founding pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch, Calif., and the founding chaplain of the Orange Canyons Chapter, which chartered last November. The Kansas City native moved to Southern California with his family when he was in high school. A convert to the Church, he enjoins Legates to “just live life” while leading lives of continual conversion.

Tell us about your call to the priesthood.

First I had to become a Catholic. I was raised Southern Baptist, but became Catholic as an adult. That happened about 1988. I had my life going on, then had a little bit of personal tragedy that made me grow up and realize that life is not just practice but the real deal: a friend committed suicide. That put me on a spiritual path.

So I started looking around for my “church home” as most Protestants do. As I was walking my girlfriend’s dog, I saw a Catholic Church and walked in. Afterwards I’d walk in, day after day. I started reading pamphlets in the back of church. Then I moved from pamphlets to big books about the faith. Finally I wanted to see about becoming a Catholic because it made a whole lot of sense.

I took instruction from Monsignor George Parnassus, now pastor emeritus at St. Victor’s in West Hollywood. He was the one who brought me into the Church. “Show up on Saturday and we’ll make you a Catholic,” he eventually told me. I said, “Cool.”

Later he asked me about my vocation in life. Immediately upon hearing that word, I knew I wanted nothing to do with it because I associated the word “vocation” with the priesthood. But he knew what he was doing. He had planted a seed. I struggled for the next couple of years, but God was working on me. When I was visiting nuns in France, a friend met me in Poitiers. We took a little train trip around Europe. At Lourdes I told God I was done with my fight and cried “uncle.”

How did you become acquainted with Legatus?

I first became acquainted with Legatus when I was parochial vicar at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, where some of the members of the original Orange County Chapter were parishioners. They invited me to their meetings. I was impressed.

When some of my current parishioners wanted to form a new chapter, they were nice enough to ask me to be their chaplain. I’m always happy to help out my parishioners in any way I can. A pastor should foster any group engaged in spiritual activity. Legatus’ mandate is to form her members in Christ — all the more reason to say yes.

How would you like to see the chapter progress?

I want to see progress in members’ fellowship and maturation as Christians. Maturing as a Catholic is what Legatus is all about. That spiritual aspect of Legatus really excites me. I think it will make a big impact in this part of Orange County as we build up the Body of Christ in each other and in general. And you know what? Legatus helps her members have a good time — to enjoy life as it should be enjoyed. This aspect of Legatus can’t be downplayed.

You have a vocation, of course. Any avocations?

Since I’m the founding pastor of a parish, my first avocation is sleep. I also read, try not to keep up with the Kardashians, and just live life. I still play music now and again, and occasionally get together with some early music people at USC and play the recorder or the shawm [an early form of the oboe]. I also enjoy photography. I try to bring my camera with me wherever I go.

Any lessons you’ve learned as a priest that are apt for business leaders?

The big lesson I’ve learned has to do with the call to continual conversion: that we should always be converted by the way we see Christ acting in the world around us. I’m constantly learning how to run my parish, deal with people — constant learning that’s changing me for the better. Sometimes these lessons have been hard-earned. But if they’re learned in the right way, they draw you closer to grace, mercy and love.