Lenten Lunch 3/4: Father Richard Perkins

Lenten Lunches are a weekly mid-day gathering during the season of Lent, offering time for fellowship, worship, and reflection. Lunch is served beginning at 11:30 a.m. and remains available throughout the event, allowing guests to arrive as their schedules allow.

Each Wednesday features a guest pastor from the Wiregrass area who will share a brief message rooted in Scripture and the Lenten journey, along with worship time and musical guests. Designed to be lunch-hour friendly, the program begins just after 12:00 p.m. and typically wraps up by 12:50 p.m., making it easy to attend during a workday lunch break.

Lenten Lunches are held weekly throughout Lent at First United Methodist Church Dothan. There is no cost to attend, though donations are welcome to help offset meal expenses.

Father Richard Perkins, Parochial Vicar at St. Columba Catholic Church

Father Perkins was ordained into the priesthood on May 31st, 2025, at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Perkins began his path toward priesthood later in life. He didn’t enter the Catholic Church until his mid-30s and was a seminarian in his 50s before being ordained at the age of 56. He began his assignment as parochial vicar of St. Columba Parish in Dothan in June. Now that he is a priest, Fr. Perkins said the aspect of the priesthood he most looks forward to is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He went to confession for the first time at age 35 and described it as “life-altering” and added “this sacrament is the most personal, the most intimate interaction between God and man. To participate in that, to be a conduit of God’s mercy for others? I cannot imagine a more meaningful ministry.”

Menu

Meatloaf, Collards, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Baked Beans, Stewed Squash, Chocolate Delight
Catered By: CB's Restaurant