The Peru Gazette

Chatting with Toni Krupka prior to a Mass for deceased members of the Catholic Daughters

Handing out candy in the 2022 Applefest Parade

By John T Ryan 

Peru – Only eight years ago, Leagon Carlin delivered a graduation speech as Peru High School’s 2014 Class President. After college and seminary studies, he has returned to Peru as Associate Pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville, and St. James Church in Cadyville. Today, his listeners refer to his talks as homilies or sermons, not speeches. 

Peru classmates probably aren’t surprised by Father Carlin’s career choice. Beneath his yearbook photo, he quoted English writer and philosopher G. K. Chesterton, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and not tried.” Today he recalls, “My classmates knew I was dedicated to this ‘Catholic thing.’ Of course, several of them asked why I thought of choosing this path, and many were supportive. Some were confused about someone wanting a celibate life. It led to some intense, beautiful conversations.”

Leagon Carlin’s attraction to the priesthood began early in grade school. He stated, “The journey was a bit twisty, but it was in my mind and kept coming back.” Growing up in Cliff Haven in Plattsburgh, his family attended St. Peter’s Church. He said,” Fr. John Yonkovig and Fr. Bryon Stitt were great models. I admired the way Fr. Stitt approached the priesthood and the Mass. There was never a big lightning strike. Just a certain kind of peace came with the idea of being a priest. Whenever I thought of another career path, I returned to this priesthood thing. There was a certain peace to it.”  

Father Carlin is enjoying his first assignment. “It’s beautiful to be in Peru because I feel at home. Of course, I love Morrisonville and Cadyville too, but it’s nice to see people I recognize.” He fondly recalls his days at Peru High School, saying,” The teachers were supportive and were very good at their jobs.” His most vivid memories include Model UN trips, building homecoming floats, and helping form a debate club. Teachers Peter McCormick, Mrs. Ann Mazzella, and Mrs. Debbie Daly quickly came to mind.  

What about marriage and children? Father Carlin responded, “As beautiful as married life is, and I considered it, there was something different God was asking of me. All the vocations in the Church are vocations of love. They are vocations to love in distinct ways. The Lord called me to love in a way that includes the whole Church. The priesthood is not a life alone. It’s lived in community with parishioners and the brotherhood of the priesthood.”  He added, “My sister Sarah and her husband Matt have three kids. Spending time with them brings me great joy.”

Today when things happen as planned, Father Carlin arrives at Planet Fitness at 5:10 a.m. for an hour’s workout. Then, he returns to the rectory in Morrisonville for breakfast, followed by a scheduled or private Mass. After Mass, there’s office work which these days includes redesigning the parish’s website. In the afternoon, he might visit with home or nursing homebound parishioners, meet with couples preparing for marriage, or with people who “just want to talk.” Evenings often include attending organization meetings. 

Several of Father Carlin’s parishioners have remarked that the 26-year-old priest seems mature beyond his years. He isn’t too surprised by those sentiments, recalling his family’s joke, “Leagon was born at 50 years old and has aged since then.” 

What surprised Father Carlin most after seven months in the priesthood? “The Lord does work through we imperfect ministers. It’s easy to get caught up in your failures and weaknesses. How could the Lord ever do anything through me? How could I ever do anything good? But once in a while, I get feedback, and it forces me face to face with the fact that God is doing good things in my life.”