Diocese celebrates retirement of a 'faithful servant'

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Shirley Mares (center) makes a light-hearted comment during her retirement luncheon Nov. 30. She is shown with Bishop John C. Wester (left) and her husband, Roger Mares (right.) IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — After 25 years of service in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Shirley Mares retired from her executive administrative position at the Pastoral Center.

Mares was honored at a luncheon at the Pastoral Center on Nov. 30. "This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to thank Shirley, to thank God for her service," said the Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, at the luncheon.

Monsignor Colin Bircumshaw, the diocese’s vicar general, also congratulated Mares as he presented her with a gift "to keep us close to Shirley’s heart" – the Madeleine Award for Faithful Service.

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, also said some kind words about Mares.

"Shirley and I worked many, many years together and during the two years that I was an administrator Shirley was tremendously helpful and supportive to me. It’s a great opportunity to honor and thank her for her service, for her loyalty and dedication and hard work," said Msgr. Fitzgerald.

The Pastoral Center staff compiled a list of words that best described Mares, among them: humility, gracious, engaging, sweet, helpful, laugh, smiles, friendly, warm-hearted, a great love for family, inspirational, dignity, professional, a person who can keep secrets, juggler, kindness, trusted friend.

"Thank you for being there for all of us," said Veola Burchett, director of the diocesan Family Life Office. "You always did such a great job. You had a difficult position but you were able to discern the real emergencies, and you always did it with grace and dignity."

Mares served as executive assistant to three bishops, but actually started in the diocese when the Most Rev. Joseph Lennox Federal was bishop.

"You always remember our birthdays; we all always received a card, for some maybe the only one that they received," Burchett told Mares. "We wish you well in your retirement."

At the luncheon, Bishop Wester said Mares was, for many, the face of the bishop’s office because sometimes she was the only one with whom they spoke.

The title ‘executive assistant’ "doesn’t capture how you are and what you did in this local church," he said, adding that for 25 years Mares lived her ministry to the church.

Bishop Wester underscored some of the many qualities that Mares shared during her ministry in the local church:

"… your fidelity to the church, you always saw your work as a call from Christ, you always said ‘God bless’ … I saw you and continue to see you as a woman of prayer, faithful to the Eucharist; wherever you served you simply wanted to do God’s will and ... you did it well."

Mares’ kindness was an ever-present gift, Bishop Wester said. "You were always kind; you were always gentle. You are very devoted to your family as mother, as wife, as daughter, and because we are the recipients of that devotion I think that you saw us as an extension of your family and I hope and pray that that will continue."

Although Mares is leaving her job and beginning another chapter in her life, "at the same time you are just continuing what started when you were baptized in this local church; you continue to be a vibrant, valued and much-loved member of this local church. We thank you for that. God bless you," remarked Bishop Wester.