We invite readers to send short stories about the ways in which their lives have been personally blessed by the life and work of priests and religious in our diocese.

By Karina Fabian

Father Michael Drury had been a priest in California since 1984, but the welcome he felt while visiting in Montana and the opportunity to do God’s work in a new way – with his hands as well as his mind and heart – brought him to join the Diocese of Helena in 2005.

Father Drury was born the third of six children in San Francisco, Calif. His family comes from Italy and Scotland and almost all are “from the Old Country.” His relatives include priests and woodcarvers, and both have had their influence on him.

He entered seminary in high school, attending St. Joseph High School, then St. Patrick College. There he also became involved in the charismatic movement, which he said helped him on his journey toward the priesthood.

“It has been a tremendous source of inspiration and formation for me both as a person and as a priest,” he said. “Among other things, it helps me to see the presence of God working in the Church and also to have a deeper faith and a deeper prayer life.”

His involvement in the movement also helped him come “out of his shell,” so that most parishioners would never know he used to be shy and is still a naturally quiet person.

Father Drury joined the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Monterey, Calif., a congregation of Roman Catholic priests and lay brothers who live together in community bound by no formal vows – only by the bond of charity. “Father Doleman, the founder of the Monterey Oratory, was a great source of inspiration to me and helped form many of my ideas as a priest. Above all to be a man of prayer, to endeavor to continue my formation throughout life, to travel and see different cultures, and to be understanding of human nature. Life in the oratory taught me a joyful, human approach after the pattern of St. Philip Neri,” Father Drury explained.

During his time in the Oratory, he was ordained a priest and served in the Cathedral in Monterey, with the religious education program at St. Francis Xavier in Seaside, Calif., and with the parishes at the Presidio and Fort Ord, Calif.

In 2003, he felt a pull to move into a different field of ministry. While considering his options, he came to Bozeman to visit his sister and her family, and found himself inspired by the people of Resurrection Parish. While there, he carved a corpus of Christ which is on display outside the church.

This led to other requests for carvings.

While waiting for the superiors at his Oratory and Bishop George Leo Thomas to work out his transfer, he made a crucifix for the church in Darby, statues of Jesuit missionary Father de Smet and Chief Victor in Stevensville, and even scraped down and prepared for painting the walls and bell tower of the old mission there.

In July 2005, he became associate pastor of the Anaconda Catholic Community and feels very happy and welcome in his new home. “The bishop told me I’d find great support here, and his words have surely proven true,” he said. “From the time I arrived in Montana, the clergy and people have made me feel so welcome. I am inspired by their friendliness and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist.”

Father Drury plans to take carving lessons this summer to improve his skill. No doubt, he will continue to add to the beauty as well as the spirituality of the diocese he now calls home.


Published in the Montana Catholic, Vol. 22, No. 6, June 16, 2006.