Source: The Manchester Union Leader

K of C honors priest, all men of the cloth

By JON CAMPISI

Union Leader Correspondent  - Monday, March 26, 2007

LONDONDERRY – It's a good thing the Rev. Bob Couto can take a joke, because there were plenty made at his expense Saturday evening.

The spiritual leader of St. Jude's Parish for the past eight years, Couto was recognized during a dinner celebration at the Londonderry Senior Center this weekend as a priest with a healthy sense of humor and a warm heart.

The event, attended by parishioners and other community members, was organized to both honor Couto and bring attention to the philanthropic deeds of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic men's organization celebrating its 125th anniversary this week.

But what it was really about was recognizing all men of the cloth, many of whom perform good deeds that go unnoticed, especially in a day and age when the Catholic Church's image has been tainted by child sexual abuse scandals.

"We're proud of the guys we have, we're proud of the service they give," said Bert Boucher, past grand knight of the local Knights of Columbus chapter. "They're working very hard against a very negative environment."

Joe Paradis, who acted as the master of ceremonies, said it is rare for priests to "stick it out in this environment," noting the dwindling numbers projected for years to come; he's heard it predicted that there will only be between 70 and 80 priests across New Hampshire by 2012.

"We have what we have, and they are people who work tirelessly," Paradis said.

In light of this rather grim outlook, the group decided to focus on the bright side. And that's when the friendly banter began.

"I do know that he can identify with the children because they're about the same height," Paradis said, cracking what was to become the first of many jokes throughout the evening surrounding Couto's small stature.

Others shared different stories about their experiences with Couto.

One woman recalling the time her family had Couto over to their new house for dinner. Asked how he would react if he was asked to perform an exorcism, Couto said "he'd be the first one out the door," recalled Gwen Lipari.

"I had to appreciate that because that was showing you're human," Lipari told Couto, someone she has grown close to through the years.

There were the emotional remarks, one woman sharing how Couto was there for her during trying times.

Couto took the jokes well, and the sensitive comments to heart.

"I think St. Jude's should be proud that it has a community that cares," he said, thanking everyone for their kindness. He also thanked the Knights of Columbus for honoring priests such as himself.

Couto was presented with a plaque from the Knights, as well as a few gag gifts, the result of inside jokes.

Flanking the guest of honor at the head table was Couto's 89-year-old mother, Gilda, and the Rev. Marcel Allard, a former St. Jude's pastor who, during his retirement, has taken over for a priest on sabbatical at St. Mark's Parish here in town.

Music was provided by Andrew Soucy, director of music at Londonderry High School.

In the end, it was Paradis who urged attendees to always show appreciation for the priests who do so much for so many.

"Never forget these guys," he said. "Never forget what they do for us."

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'When God calls, he calls collect'

By JON CAMPISI

Union Leader Correspondent – Monday, March 26, 2007

LONDONDERRY – While the Rev. Bob Couto may be like many Catholic priests, performing his work because he believes in it and not expecting special attention in return, the story of how he arrived at this point in his life is anything but ordinary.

Couto, who was honored by congregants and the Knights of Columbus on Saturday for leading St. Jude's Parish for the past eight years, has been a man of the cloth a surprisingly short time.

Referred to as a small man with a big heart, Couto Saturday found himself the center of attention, the victim of friendly jokes and messages of appreciation.

After all the friendly "roasting" was done, and the tables were being taken down, Couto spent some time one-on-one with the New Hampshire Union Leader, explaining how he left behind the life of a successful businessman in exchange for some long-desired spiritual fulfillment.

Couto was 49 years old when he was ordained a Catholic priest; he will be celebrating the 11-year anniversary of his ordination in June.

Before he became a man of God, Couto worked as a broadcast journalist in Massachusetts, and later spent 14 years as the vice president of a flourishing company specializing in magnetic fluid technology.

"I had a very unique background," he said.

He was also married for 11 years. The couple eventually divorced, but "not by choice. It was a very painful experience."

But following that period of turmoil was a period of growth, and so Couto set out on a new path. The priest, who today is loved by so many in his congregation, as was evident by Saturday's turnout, always felt a closeness to the divine, so a profession in faith was a perfect match.

"You hear the call, and it's something that doesn't go away," he said. "There was always something inside of me that felt a unique and insatiable passion for people who struggle."

Before he decided to enroll in seminary, Couto spent time traveling the world, seeing if there was something else he should be doing, but it always came back to his longing to help people.

Visiting the Middle East -- and Israel in particular -- just solidified for Couto the decision to do God's work on earth.

While it was never a top choice for a profession early on, Couto was somewhat religious as a youngster, although he never attended parochial school, and his family wasn't the type to go to church every day.

Still, he was always drawn to the spiritual, something, that decades later, most likely contributed to his decision to enter the priesthood.

"I see things from a different perspective, I hear things differently," he said. "There was never doubt in my mind that there was a God."

The Rev. Bob Couto, pastor of St. Jude's Parish in Londonderry, was honored during a dinner ceremony at the senior center on Saturday. Here, he addresses the crowd as Joe Paradis, master of ceremonies, looks on. (JON CAMPISI)