Deacon Silvio Mayo retires after 37 years as chancellor

Intermountain Catholic

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Deacon Silvio Mayo (left) was honored at a retirement luncheon at the Pastoral Center Jan. 25. At right is Bishop John C. Wester. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — When Deacon Silvio Mayo first was appointed chancellor of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the Venerable Paul VI’s pontificate was nearing its end, Apple computers were still handmade, and Paul McCartney & Wings were singing "Silly Love Songs."

At that time, 37 years ago, those who held the chancellor position in most dioceses across the United States were priests.

"Deacon Mayo was, we believe, the first in our country to be a non-priest chancellor," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, during the Jan. 25 Mass celebrating Deacon Silvio’s retirement.

The chancellor’s primary duties are to serve as the diocese’s official notary; he is responsible for all of the diocese’s records and archives. He also is responsible for the maintenance of the Pastoral Center and the Chancery building, among many other duties.

Deacon Mayo also was a ground-breaker in that he was a member of the first class of men who underwent the permanent diaconate training when the office was restored in the local Church. He was ordained a permanent deacon in 1976, three years after the priestly ordination of his son, Monsignor Joseph M. Mayo, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

The Jan. 25 Mass was the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, and during his homily Bishop Wester spoke of Saul of Tarsus, who "had to say ‘yes’ to Jesus," the bishop said. "Paul took on a whole new attitude because of his decision to follow Christ.... Today, we celebrate a man who has done just that, Deacon Silvio Mayo. Deacon Mayo said ‘yes’ to Christ long ago. It’s clear that, for Deacon Mayo, Christ is at the center of his life, particularly as it’s expressed in Deacon Mayo’s service and devotion to the Church. There is nothing that Deacon Mayo would not do for the Church."

Concelebrating the Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine were Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Monsignor M. Francis Mannion, pastor emeritus of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish; Msgr. Mayo; Monsignor Robert R. Servatius, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish; Father Eleazar Silva, the Cathedral’s parochial vicar; Father Langes Silva, judicial vicar; and Father Andrzej Skrzypiec, pastor of Saint Ambrose Parish.

Deacon Mayo served as Deacon of the Mass during the Jan. 25 liturgy.

In his remarks, Bishop Wester told Deacon Mayo, "You have been an instrument of conversion for us. Your example has encouraged us to stay the course, to follow Christ, to humbly serve our sisters and brothers as you have with such distinction and dedication."

The Mass was followed by a luncheon at the Pastoral Center, after which Msgr. Fitzgerald lauded Deacon Mayo for his many years of service.

Msgr. Fitzgerald has known the Mayo family for many years, but "I especially got to know Deacon in that first formation class that was held in St. Patrick’s Parish, where I was pastor" in the 1970s, he said. "Deacon was the first deacon in our parish, and it has been a wonderful relationship ever since."

Deacon Mayo has many gifts, the most important of which is his diaconate, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "He has been a role model for other deacons.... I can’t tell you how many times in years gone by when we’ve not had a priest in some area, and Deacon has volunteered to travel to the ends of this state to have a communion service."

As chancellor, Deacon Mayo responded to the needs of the Church as they changed, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "He sent in statistical reports to the Vatican for years, and organized the parish and mission collections for other dioceses and religious communities throughout the country and the world. Those are not easy things to do."

Publishing the diocesan directory, sending information to publications such as the National Catholic Directory, "these are very tedious jobs, but Deacon has done them with great generosity and with great aplomb," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "Deacon has been able to respond to the needs of parishes because he understands them and the priests, I know, have really appreciated that. Deacon has never said, ‘We can’t do it.’ He always says, ‘Let’s see what we can do, and be as responsive as we can."

Msgr. Bircumshaw agreed. In an interview, he said that Deacon Mayo "always did all he could to assist the priests of the diocese in whatever way he was able. And of course, he was most faithful and untiring in all he did and the many responsibilities that he had in this very important office. He unfailingly got everything done in both a timely and very professional manner."

The priests of the diocese have been "like a family to me," said Deacon Mayo at the luncheon. "My primary goal when I came here was to serve the priests and parishes of the diocese to the best of my ability."

In addition to his service to the pastors, he said, among his proudest achievements are the improvements that have occurred over the years in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, including the addition of the mausoleum, the new entranceway and the installation of a well for irrigation.

Although Deacon Mayo is stepping away from his administrative position, he will continue to serve as deacon.

"I’ll see you Sunday," he said.