TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Senior Flock Gets Youthful Shepherd

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

The Rev. Joel Kovanis is the new pastor at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

SUN CITY CENTER - The Rev. Joel M. Kovanis has served a number of Catholic parishes since becoming a priest in 1994, but none were quite like Prince of Peace, the one he serves now.

His 4,500 members range in age from 50 to 100.

Kovanis, 40, became pastor July 1, when he replaced Monsignor Harold Bumpus, 77, who retired the same day.

"I was very surprised when the bishop Robert N. Lynch asked me to come here," Kovanis said. "But I was excited to have this new challenge, a new chapter in my life."

Although some in the parish were surprised at their new pastor's youthfulness, many thought nothing of it.

"Goodness, no," said Mary Jane Tovey, 77, a parishioner for more than 20 years. "We do remember there are young people in the world," she said with a laugh. "I know just about every person in this church. We're very happy to have him."

Tovey said Kovanis has already made some changes.

"He began rotating priests at Masses as soon as he came here. I think he'll bring a fresh, new approach and be wonderful for this congregation."

Shepherding a new flock is not Kovanis' only challenge. In April, he underwent surgery for colon cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy through October.

"He was very honest and open about it," said Dot Jette, 73. "That really impressed me."

"We have high hopes for his success," said Hugh Burns, 81. "And we wish him the best of health, as well."

Kovanis came from Blessed Sacrament Church in Clair-Mel City, where he was pastor for three years. Before that, he served as parochial vicar at both St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg and St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Kovanis entered seminary as a sophomore in college and earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn. He said his decision to enter the priesthood came from a gradual awareness of a need to be closer to Christ.

"I also think it's part of the maturation process, of wanting to have a meaningful life, with purpose," he said.

After graduating from St. Mary's, Kovanis moved on to St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, where he earned master's degrees in arts and divinity.

He was ordained at the Cathedral of St. Jude in St. Petersburg, and then served at Holy Cross Catholic Church and at St. Jude's. He also taught religion to ninth-graders at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

In 2001, Kovanis went to Rome, where he spent two years earning a Sacred Theology License from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

There, he was invited to concelebrate a private Mass with Pope John Paul II in the chapel of the papal apartment. Afterward, we met with the Pope, who gave rosaries to the 30 or so visitors.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Kovanis said.

Although Sun City Center is relatively small, with about 15,000 residents, the area surrounding it is not.

"Geographically, the parish serves a huge area from I-75 east to the Polk County border down to the Manatee line and up to Big Bend Road," Kovanis said. "A lot of growth is anticipated. I look forward to evangelizing the community and helping the church to grow.

"What I enjoy most about being a priest is celebrating the Sacraments and working with people during the important times in their lives."

Kovanis comes from a large brood. The 11th of 12 children, he said most of his siblings live in the Tampa Bay area. His father died in 1990 and his mother resides in Safety Harbor.

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Joel Kovanis

AGE: 40

JOB: Pastor of Price of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn.; and master's degrees in arts and divinity from St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT