modern church With Love in Hearts

Fr. David Gaffny, Pastor

Father David Gaffny, a native of Winthrop, Massachusetts, began his priestly life as a Maryknoll Missionary being ordained June 8, 1957. Upon his ordination he began his ministry in Chile after training in Spanish in Cochabamba, Boliva

Besides being Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Father David is also Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Dover.

When you hear Father David preach, do not be surprised to hear him speak of his wife (now deceased) or children and grandchildren. Father received permission from Pope Paul VI to leave active ministry and get married. After the death of his wife, Father David received permission from Pope John Paul II to return to active priestly ministry. This background gives Father David a unique perspective in his preaching and pastoral duties.

Father David is available during the week by appointment in the Parish Office to all parishioners and others.

Fr. Theophilus Ebulueme – Associate Pastor

Father Theophilus (Theo) Ebulueme, a priest of Nnewi Diocese in Nigeria was ordained in 1995. Father Theo served under the Onitsha Archdiocese before Nnewi diocese was created in 2002. He volunteered to go to Cameroon as a Fidei Donum priest in the Diocese of Buea. After three years he returned to his home diocese and was made the pastor of St. Mary Parish, Oraifite from 2000-2003. In 2003 he came to the United States to study Theology at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

Upon completion of his studies and in agreement with his Bishop, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, he wrote to the Diocese of Nashville asking Most Rev. Kmiec for a pastoral experience. He took up an assignment as hospital Chaplain in July, 2004. Later, Bishop Kmiec and Bishop Okeke made a contract that Father Theo work in the diocese. The contract was renewed with Most Rev. David Choby. After five years as a hospital chaplain, he was given the opportunity to see another side of pastoral ministry when Bishop Choby assigned him to Immaculate Conception in Clarksville as an associate pastor on August 1, 2009.

Father Theo says he is enjoying his ministry. He continues to minister to the people of God with the hope that he can be of service to all people here at Immaculate Conception. He says his priestly ministry has been a wonderful journey through the help of family and friends. For them, he gives praise and thanksgiving to God. He is thankful to the staff of the Catholic Center for their support during his stay in Nashville and to the staff of Immaculate Conception. Father Theo says, “To all men and women of good will, may the light of Christ shine on you as I wish you the peace and love of our Lord. Peace!”

Father Theo is available during the week by appointment in the Parish Office to all parishioners and others.

Fr. Charles Mathew OFM Associate Pastor

Fr. Charles Mathew is a Franciscan friar from the province of St .Thomas the Apostle, India. He was ordained a priest on March 23, 1974. Most of his time in India was spent guiding and directing the local Franciscan communities as their guardian (superior) and as the seminarians and transitional deacons’ theologian during their religious and priestly formation. Before he came to the diocese of Nashville in May 2009, he was the director of the theology students for his province in India.

Fr. Charles, his parent’s third son, was born on November 1, 1947. He had four brothers: Paul, Jose, Emmanuel and Victor. He now has two surviving brothers and their families in India. He wished that he had a sister but it was not to be, however, he feels that he is being blessed with so many sisters all over the world. His mother, age 92, is living with his youngest brothers’ family. According to their tradition it is the youngest son and his family that take care of the aged parents. He considers it one of the great blessings God has showered upon his family that their parents lived to be in their 90’s.

Fr. Charles says that he is happy and blessed to be here at Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksville as associate to Fr. David to love and serve God and the people here and thus glorify God.

Father Charles is available during the week by appointment in the Parish Office to all parishioners and others.

Deacons

Deacon Dominick Azzara - Pastoral Assistant and Director of Pastoral Ministry

Deacon Azzara, a native of Brooklyn, came to Clarksville as an Army officer in 1967. After the military, he earned a B.S. degree at Austin Peay State University. He worked in management and administration at social service agencies in Clarksville prior to joining the Immaculate Conception staff in 1988. He was commissioned a Lay Pastoral Minister in 1988. He has served the parish in Religious Education, Parish Council, and Liturgical Ministries. He was ordained to the deaconate in May 1999 and assigned to the parish by Bishop Kmiec. In 2002, Bishop Kmiec assigned additional duties as Co-Chaplain for Catholic Scouting. He and his wife, Regina, have three sons.

Deacon Dominick is available during the week by appointment in the Parish Office to all parishioners and others.

Deacon Timothy Winters

Deacon Winters was born and raised in Arizona. A Greek and Latin scholar, he studied at the University of Arizona and at Ohio State University where he earned a Ph.D. He has taught high school and at universities in Utah and Pennsylvania. In 1994, he moved to Nashville where he taught at Vanderbilt before coming to the parish and his present work at Austin Peay State University (APSU). He was ordained to the deaconate in 1999. Deacon Tim is the Catholic Campus Ministry Advisor for the Newman Club at APSU. He and his wife, Mary, have four daughters.

Deacon Robert (Bob) Berberich

Deacon Berberich was raised and educated in Milwaukee, WI. After ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corp) he was assigned to Ft. Campbell and in 1970 became a member of Immaculate Conception parish. He served as a clinician at the Mental Health Center and earned a Masters in Psychology from APSU in 1972. Relocating to Nashville, he earned a Doctorate in Psychology from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. He and his wife, Pat, returned to Clarksville in 1980 and were active in Cursillo and Ecumenical Family Enrichment Programs until her death in 1986.

Deacon Bob has served as Co-Chairman of the Parish Council and in Religious Education Programs. He was ordained to the deaconate and assigned to the parish in 1999. Deacon Bob is a clinical psychologist in private practice. His son, daughter-in-law, two grandsons and one granddaughter live with him here in Clarksville.