Fr. Michael V. Hoyer
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Born May 27, 1942 in Suffern, N.Y., Father Hoyer has four brothers and two sisters. His father is 95 years old; his mother died three years ago at 88. His family operates an ice cream store in upstate New York that has remained in business at the same location for 53 years. He attended Catholic elementary school and public high school, and earned degrees from the Catholic University of America and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 24, 1980 and served at St. Helen, Fort Lauderdale and St. Rose of Lima, Miami Shores before becoming pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in 1989.
What he did before becoming a priest:
He was a disc jockey on a college radio station and during afternoon drive time on a “real” station, WETZ-AM in upstate New York. “That’s where the name ‘Happy Hoyer’ comes from. Someone said I was the happiest person they had ever met and the name stuck.”
Vocation moment:
Father Hoyer was taught by the Marist brothers in elementary school. “We had lots of interaction with priests of the parish and school.The nuns, priests and brothers looked for and prayed for vocations. Vocations were positively presented, and they were looked upon favorably in the home. Being a priest is never dull, always challenging and never boring. Where else could I have more fun?”
What he does on his days off:
“I try to catch up with work.” He also enjoys traveling, and has visited Europe and Greece, as well as Fatima and Lourdes.
Favorite type of music:
Disco
Favorite TV show:
“The Amazing Race.” “It’s nice to see places you’ve been to and you want to go to.”
Favorite movie:
“The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” starring Clint Eastwood. Although he enjoys movies, he reads the reviews before deciding which ones to see. “The bad language and the violence (of today’s movies) are real turn-offs.”
What the seminary did not prepare him for:
The financial rules, regulations and legal aspects of running a parish. He remembers taking a management course in the seminary and having a good comprehension of what was being taught because of his exposure to the “business world” - his family’s ice cream store, where he learned about payroll taxes, accounting and sales taxes. His father read The Wall Street Journal every day.
Favorite aspect of ministry:
Celebrating Mass with the children. “They are eager to listen and learn. The kids are good here.”
Most difficult aspect of being a priest:
Trying to be all things to all people and trying to satisfy everyone. “It’s very hard, you just have to prioritize. Pray and hope you make the best decisions.”
Father Hoyer got his nickname “Happy” when he worked as a disc jockey at a radio station in New York. He still pulls DJ duty at his parish when the occasion requires it.
Harshest critic:
“Myself. I like things that are well-planned and executed perfectly.”
Greatest accomplishment:
Building up strong communities of faith: “That’s what I’m working towards.”
Last book read:
“Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” both by Mitch Albom; and “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren.
Priestly stereotype that should be discarded:
“The priest is aloof and lives in an ivory tower, disconnected from people.”
Persons he most admires:
Nancy Grace of CNN and Court TV. “She was a prosecutor. She does her research and takes a stand. She’s a very good victim’s advocate.”
Thing he most fears:
Having enough money to keep Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School viable.
‘Happy Hoyer’ Street:
In November 1997, the city of Fort Lauderdale named S.W. 11 Court, in front of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, “Happy Hoyer Street.” Parishioners had lobbied officials for months to rename the street after their beloved pastor. He knew nothing of their efforts. “They told me they usually named streets after dead people. I was very happy to have it named after me when I’m alive. Sometimes I fear what they (parishioners) do behind my back!”
