From Monahan’s Pub to Monaghan’s club

Legatus’ Palm Springs chaplain shares story of God’s providence and grace . . .

Fr. Howard Lincoln

Fr. Howard Lincoln
Palm Springs Chapter

Father Howard Lincoln’s mother would have cried had she lived to see him become a Catholic, let alone a priest: “Cry like she did when it was announced JFK was elected because she thought the Pope would really be president.” But Fr. Lincoln, 66, is sure she now knows the truth of the faith she regarded with prejudice born of ignorance. Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert, Calif., and former diocesan spokesman, the priest says he now has the “greatest job in the world” after some atypical pre-seminary training.

Tell us about your call to the priesthood.

I grew up in a very anti-Catholic family, so the last thing in the world I ever dreamed I’d become is a Catholic priest. I was a late vocation, too.

After being a banker for five years, I interned at NBC in Burbank and worked on the biggest show in LA: The Sunday Show. Finally I managed an infamous bar/restaurant in Pasadena called Monahan’s Irish Pub, a wild pickup place for yuppies. I learned what people are like, often at their worst.

I was also married for three years, over 40 years ago, to a really wonderful lady, but we got divorced. The experiences of a checkered past helped me become a better priest.

Did you have a “come to Jesus” moment?

I was really trying to believe more deeply in Jesus Christ. I prayed for a sign. Then one day I crossed the street in Pasadena and experienced Christ. I had an unbelievable sense of peace — that nothing could happen to me because Christ was right beside me. I couldn’t literally see him, but knew he was there without a shadow of a doubt. I needed a jolt like that to get me on the path Christ wanted.

I wanted to serve God, and seminary seemed the right course. Eventually I was a year away from ordination as an Episcopal priest and being sent to South Korea. But the Lord kept pulling me to the Catholic Church. It became clear to me that the Catholic Church is the most biblical. For example, the real presence in the Eucharist is totally clear in the Bible. I converted in 1985 and was ordained in 1991.

How did you become acquainted with Legatus?

After Tim Busch started the Palm Springs Chapter, I was invited to attend meetings. I’m their second chaplain and became chaplain about eight years ago.

I like Legatus because members are called to manifest Christ and to present clearly our Catholic faith, not only in the business environment but everywhere. It’s one thing to go to Mass on Sunday, another to bring Christ to others.

How would you like to see the chapter progress?

To grow even more Christ-centered. Our forums are very helpful toward this end. These are groups of Legates — one for men and another for women — who gather outside regular meetings for fellowship, study and spiritual direction — and an annual retreat.

How do you approach your role as chaplain?

Certainly to say Mass and hear confessions. During the summer we have meetings at private homes because so many people are on vacation. There’s been an intimacy fostered in these gatherings you just don’t get having Mass in my parish church, which seats 4,100.

You have a vocation, of course. Any avocations?

Golf is a sacred biblical game. There’s been a tragic mistranslation of Isaiah 2:4. It’s not “they shall beat their swords into ploughshares.” It really says “they shall beat them into five irons.” So, golf and also cooking. Ravioli with black truffle sauce and shrimp pesto pizza are two of my favorite dishes to make.

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