New Sisters priest a "local boy"

Father Jim Logan

Although new to Sisters and St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church, Father Jim Logan is a native of Central Oregon.

Most recently from Prineville, Logan grew up in Bend and is descended from Central Oregon ranchers on both sides of the family.

"Both of my parents are from big Catholic families and grew up on ranches in the area," said Logan in explaining his roots. "My dad was one of seven kids and my mom one of nine." Logan himself is the fourth of eight children, all of whom still live in Oregon and most in Central Oregon. He has 14 nieces and nephews and more than 50 first cousins.

He's not the only one in his family who was attracted to religious vocations. One of his mother's cousins is a priest at Mt. Angel, and a sister of his father is a nun.

Logan attended St. Francis School in Bend and first thought of becoming a priest during a school field trip to Mt. Angel seminary when he was in the eighth grade. It was an idea that stayed with him. The next year, he entered Mt. Angel as a high school freshman.

That was 28 years ago.

The tall and lanky priest, who is on the plus side of 6-foot-4, is often asked if he played basketball. Although he hasn't used the response himself, he says he is always reminded of the rejoinder he saw printed on a hat, "No. Did you play miniature golf?"

After making some disparaging remarks about his own athletic skills, he added, "I lasted for half a season on the freshman (basketball) team, and after that they invited me to keep score."

As to his athletic inclinations, however, Sisters resident Rick Slavkovsky has more to add. "I was his cross country coach at Mt. Angel," said Slavkovsky. "He worked hard and always performed his best. He never skipped practice, and his great sense of humor contributed greatly to the team."

After graduation from college at Mt. Angel, Logan completed his theological studies in Rome and just this month celebrated the 16th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Although he describes himself as "boring," his resume contradicts that modest self-assessment.

Following his ordination, his first assignment as a priest was as an assistant in Klamath Falls; and, only four years later, he became pastor of the Baker City Cathedral, flagship of the Diocese of Baker. The impressive cathedral was built in 1907 when Baker City, once a key post along the historic Oregon Trail, was still a principal population center in Eastern Oregon.

One of Logan's primary interests is travel, and he has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. "I love to travel, and I've taken every chance to do it as much as I can." He has visited the Holy Land and, last November, took advantage of a Caribbean cruise opportunity in the role of ship's chaplain.

After completing an eight-year assignment at the cathedral, he attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. to obtain a degree in Canon Law. During the summers of the same period, he attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebr., and also earned a degree in Spirituality.

In addition to acting as parish priest in Sisters, Logan serves in Bend as the Chancellor and Canon Lawyer for the Diocese of Baker.

One of Logan's favorite pastimes is reading and he has quite a book collection, including both novels and theological works. He enjoys hiking and bicycling and cycled part way up the McKenzie Highway on the day that Black Butte Ranch was evacuated for the Cache Mountain Fire. He passed beneath the smoke plume as he rode and witnessed the stream of fleeing cars as he returned.

Another of his interests is cooking, although he admits he doesn't do it as often as he'd like.

"I enjoy cooking, but in Prineville I was so busy that I didn't even have time to cook for myself. I'm enjoying having a gas grill here, which I haven't had before." He says he likes all kinds of foods and considers most everything to be "fair game."

"I'm really pleased with my move to Sisters," he said. "There are a lot of positive and interesting people here. I'm still in awe of the (St. Winefride's) Garden and the statues. This is a wonderful facility.

"My main goal here is to facilitate as I can, so this can be a place to come for prayer and reflection...so this can be a place of peace for people."