Father Al Brungardt served the Saint Frances Xavier Parish for 16 years..

He died Sunday, September 20.

A capacity audience attended a memorial service for him Monday evening at the Saint Xavier Catholic Church.

Father Kerry Ninemire told them, “Our memories are special. He gave us the gift of his priesthood.”

Father Ninemire shared memories that made people laugh and applaud. For example, he commented on one occasion that Father Brungardt had explained to him, “Whenever they tell you what to do, just say yes…and then do what you want. ”

Ninemire pointed to the easy going nature of Father Brungardt, by noting he was “comfortable just gathering with the folks.” He also referred to the easy accessibility of the late priest when he would take telephone calls at 1, 2, or 3 o’clock in the morning, tell the caller to come on down, put on a pot of coffee, and he would “listen, listen, listen.”

Father Al Brungardt retired in June of 2013, but it’s clear his impact at Saint Xavier will be felt for a long, long time.