Your generous support for priest retirement and the Priest Pension Plan are vital to supporting the Archdioceses' retired priests, who have dedicated their lives in service to God and the Church. Meet Fr. Don Plamondon, who is celebrating one of his jubilee years in the year of 2022.
Fr. Don Plamondon - 50 Year Jubilarian
Rev. Don Plamondon is celebrating his 50 year jubilee this year. He was ordained a priest on June 9, 1972, at the Church of Nativity in Dubuque after completing a bachelor's degree in history from Loras College and then his theological training at The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota.
During his active ministry, he served as associate pastor and pastor for many parishes across the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He also received his canon law degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and served as associate presiding judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese.
Fr. Plamondon retired from active ministry on July 11, 2016 and moved to Villa Raphael, a home for retired priests in Dubuque that was built utilizing funds generously given during the A Time to Remember campaign.
1. How do you feel celebrating your 50 year jubilee this year? What does this celebration entail?
I am grateful for the 50 years of priesthood that I have lived. With the highs and lows of ministry, God has somehow gotten me to this milestone.
On the date of my anniversary, I presided at the daily Villa Mass with Villa priest concelebrants. I was also pleased to receive greeting cards, messages and gifts from former parishioners and others.
2. What does daily life look like at the Villa?
Most of the Villa priests gather every morning for Mass at 7:45. Most of us then gather for breakfast in the dining room. After that, we are free to do whatever we wish. All of us then gather in the dining room for dinner about 5:30pm. There is plentiful time for prayers and recreation, as each priest chooses. Those of us who feel still able to do so help out with Masses, confessions, anointings, etc. at parishes or other institutions.
3. What aspects of active ministry do you miss most, and on the flip side, what do you enjoy doing in your retirement from active ministry?
What I miss the most is the association with staff and parishioners.
What I enjoy: being free of responsibilities to enjoy TV, reading, walking, playing bridge, bus trips, visiting with the priests and staff at the Villa.
4. What would you say to someone who has contributed to the Priest Pension Plan with a gift to ArchdioceseOne?
I am very grateful to anyone who has contributed to the welfare of our priests. Our monthly pension and outstanding health care provide considerable comfort to the priests who labored in the vineyard.
Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes - 70 years
Rev. Msgr. Martin Laughlin - 70 years
Very Rev. Ken Gehling - 60 years
Rev. Paul Peters - 60 years
Rev. Msgr. Ralph Simington - 60 years
Rev. James Chappell - 55 years
Rev. Mark McGovern - 55 years
Ch. David Remy (USN) - 55 years
Rev. Gary Krapfl - 50 years
Rev. Don Plamondon - 50 years
Rev. Dennis Cahill - 45 years