Father Larry Rice has recently been informed by his order, the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle (Paulist Fathers), that he will be reassigned this coming summer due to a severe clergy shortage. A beloved member of the campus and Troy communities, Father Larry has served as chaplain at RPI and Christ Sun of Justice Parish since 2020. We are grateful for his guidance over those years, and we will miss having him here.

Prior to joining us, Father Larry was director of the University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Among his many other placements and accomplishments, he served as director of vocations, first consultant, and member of the Presidential Board of the Paulists. Earlier in his priesthood, he worked in Catholic media, producing and marketing award-winning radio, television, and multimedia projects. 

Father Larry is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. His professional associations have included Unda-USA (the national association for Catholic media professionals), the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, the National Catholic Development Conference, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and the National Religious Vocations Conference.

The six-month notice the Paulist Fathers have given him allows us to appreciate what remains of his time on campus. It will also provide us with the opportunity to work closely with Father Larry, the Rensselaer Newman Foundation, and the parish in order to find a new chaplain who can meet the needs of the community and build on the foundation of his ministry.

Lyn and I will particularly miss Father Larry, as he was the chaplain who welcomed us to Rensselaer. Please join me in expressing my heartfelt appreciation to Father Larry for his exemplary service to RPI, and best wishes on his next assignment.