Louisiana chaplain had a ‘kindergarten vocation’

One of Fr. Jeffrey Starkovich’s earliest memories is his desire to be a priest, leading him to joke that he had a “kindergarten vocation.” Raised in a devout Catholic family where he was the only boy of four children, Fr. Starkovich was ordained in 2011 for the Diocese of Lake Charles in Southwest Louisiana. The 30-year-old priest is the senior parochial vicar for Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and the chaplain of St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles. He is also the founding chaplain of Legatus’ Lake Charles Chapter, which chartered on Jan. 19. He spoke to Legatus magazine staff writer Brian Fraga.

Fr. Jeffrey Starkovich

How did you come to be acquainted with Legatus?

My first interaction with Legatus came from my time in seminary at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. A Legatus pilgrimage group came to join us for lunch one day. I remember meeting some Legatus members. Since then, I had known of Legatus through the members’ various works. When the bishop called and asked me to become the chaplain for our local chapter, I was excited to get started.

What value does Legatus have for its members and the Church?

Legatus members offer a powerful witness to living the Catholic faith in public. I’m reminded of Pope Paul VI’s words that modern man prefers to listen to a witness rather than listening to a teacher — and if he listens to a teacher, it’s because he or she is a great witness. That’s one of Legatus members’ great roles is that they’re able to witness to the culture as successful men and women in the marketplace — as great witnesses to the beauty, power and joy of the gospel of Christ. The value of being great role models and witnesses to the joy of the Gospel can’t be underestimated.

How did you discern your vocation?

I wanted to be a priest since my earliest days. I call myself a kindergarten vocation. I looked up to priests my entire life. Coming from a faithful family, I wanted to do everything I could do to help people in this life and the next. Through the great role models of priests in my parishes and in my Catholic schools, I just wanted to follow in their footsteps.

What are your duties as a high school chaplain?

My primary role is to bring students closer to Christ. We do that through the sacraments, through catechesis, and through other social activities. As chaplain I help organize retreats and activities that help the students encounter Christ. I also spend time in the classrooms and common areas with the students, praying with them, getting to know them, visiting them, going to sporting events, extra curricular activities, leading the sacraments and celebrating Mass.

What is your approach to social media?

I use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I had a blog, but because of parish and other duties, I haven’t blogged in quite some time. I really enjoy social media and technology. I enjoy restoring classic cars. That’s a little hobby I have on the side. I also enjoy fishing, hunting, reading and snow skiing.

BRIAN FRAGA is a Legatus magazine staff writer.