Lauds for 25th anniversary

Friday, Jun. 24, 2016

During the annual gathering of diocesan priests in April, the silver anniversary of Father Ken Vialpando’s priestly ordination was recognized.

He was ordained Aug. 24, 1991.

“In 25 years he’s done so much; he’s been such a wonderful, faithful priest,” said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, at the gathering. “He’s been a wonderful pastor, he builds bridges, he reaches out, he is inclusive. I think he is a wonderful role model to us in terms of a brother who welcomes us and extends a hand in friendship.” 

Msgr. Fitzgerald has known Fr. Vialpando since the younger priest returned to Utah after a hitch in the U.S. Marine Corps and began discerning his vocation. At the time Msgr. Fitzgerald was pastor of St. Marguerite Parish in Tooele, Fr. Vialpando’s hometown. The two men would often go running in the nearby canyon in the afternoon, and Msgr. Fitzgerald encouraged Fr. Vialpando to enter the seminary.

The Tooele parish had a strong tradition of prayer for priestly vocations: Five priests have come from there, Msgr. Fitzgerald pointed out, adding, “I think it certainly had an influence on the faith life of those families.”