The Very Reverend David Hudgins, judicial vicar of the Diocese of Lansing and pastor of St. Joseph Shrine in Brooklyn, entered eternal life following a car accident on Jan. 3. He was 53 years old. Father David received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan and worked as a substance abuse counselor and child and family therapist before entering Sacred Heart Seminary in 1997. Ordained at St. Mary Cathedral in 2001, Father David served the diocese as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing and as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Adrian and St. Joseph Shrine in Brooklyn. After studying canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, he served as the adjunct judicial vicar while also in residence at St. Martha Parish in Okemos. Father David was named judicial vicar of the Diocese of Lansing in 2018, a position he currently held. A memorial Mass was celebrated for Father Hudgins on Jan. 8 at St. Mary Cathedral. The rite of committal followed at St. Joseph Shrine Cemetery in Brooklyn.

From Bishop Boyea:

“We all miss our brother, Father David Hudgins. I keep reflecting on Job 1:21: ‘The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ How mysterious are his ways. All is wrapped in mystery, especially death. However, with Christ’s victory over death, this is not a frightful mystery, but one surrounded with glory. We can only be grateful for the time God has given us with this good priest. And now, please make sure you are praying for the repose of his soul and for consolation for his family.”

From Deborah Ambrose, Tribunal ecclesiastical notary

“I have been truly blessed to have had Father David Hudgins, judicial vicar, as my boss and mentor in all things Tribunal. As brilliant of a canonist as he was, first and foremost, he was a priest: humble, caring, kind and generous of heart in all things. He was amazing in that no matter how busy he was, and he had a full schedule, he always took a phone call or met with people if they needed him.

“A truly humble servant of God doing all in the name of Jesus. Our Lord took him home, Jan. 3, 2022, the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. A fitting day for such a loving, joy-filled and happy priest.

“He is and will be greatly missed.”