Date of death: 2/1/2011
Saint Meinrad Class: SS 1979
Fr. Lafferty, 60, died at the rectory of Holy Trinity Church, Okarche,OK. Fr. Lafferty was born on August 26, 1950, one of six children born to John V. and Nora A. Mullins Lafferty.Fr. Lafferty attended Immaculate Conception School and Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa, OK. After high school he attended Christian Brothers College, Memphis, TN, followed by the University of Dallas and the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Following seminary, Fr. Lafferty was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on August 2, 1985 by the Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka. Fr. Lafferty’s first assignment was as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Church, Guymon. Between 1986 and 1995, he served St. Peter Church, Woodward, first as Associate, then as Pastor. Between 1995 – 1997 Fr. Lafferty continued studies in the area of clergy spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, where he received a Doctorate of Ministry. In 1997, Fr. Lafferty was assigned to be the Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Chandler, and its mission St. Louis Church, Stroud, where he served for six years. In 2003 he was assigned to the pastorate of Corpus Christi Church, Oklahoma City, and mission of St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Jones. In 2009 Fr. Lafferty was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Okarche, and its mission parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Calumet.During his twenty-six years of service to the Archdiocese and its people, he also served on the Council of Priests, the Theological Commission, the Priests’ Spiritual Direction Team, the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee, the Committee for Continuing Education of Clergy and as a Regional Vicar.In addition to his parents, Fr. Lafferty is predeceased by a brother, John V. Lafferty, Jr.He is survived by brothers: Paul S. Lafferty, Henderson, NV; Vincent J. Lafferty, Logan, UT; Dennis Lafferty, Tulsa; sister, Joan M. Lafferty, St. Louis, MO; best friend, Rose Braun, OKC; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces.Family and friends are contributing to Catholic Charities or Center for Family Love in Okarche.Information obtained from The Oklahoman online, www.newsok.com