Goodbye, Monsignor Fitz

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — Priests, deacons, religious, the faithful and friends gathered for the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the retirement of Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, at Saint Ann Parish May 22.

In his homily, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, lauded Msgr. Fitzgerald as a hard worker who has done many things, received the highest ecclesial honors and is hospitable to everyone, whether they’re from the governor’s office or down on their luck. He unites people in love and his ministry reflects the people’s mission from Christ to be faithful, the bishop said.

"He has always been there for us in his many roles, and he’s always been faithful to Christ and to us. Msgr. Fitzgerald is truly a reflection of Christ’s abiding presence," Bishop Wester said. "We will always rejoice to call you friend."

In an interview, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said, "Msgr. Fitzgerald has been a great community leader, not only in the spiritual sense but also leading and working with all the people in the county.

Holy Cross Sister Mary Ellen Vaughan traveled from Notre Dame, Ind., to pay tribute to Monsignor. In the 1970s she served with him as part of the team developing the local permanent diaconate. "He is a great human being, a great priest and a legend in this diocese," she said.

Maxine Kaiser, the former diocesan director of liturgy, was supervised by Msgr. Fitzgerald. "I found him marvelous to work with and I learned a lot from him," she said. "He expects hard work from you, but he works harder than anybody else."

"I think that every one of us who have worked for Monsignor have thought he makes the impossible possible," said Rick Bartman, Judge Memorial principal.

"I will always appreciate how he came in when Judge was down, picked us up and put us on the right track," said John Colosimo, then a Judge Memorial teacher and coach, now Juan Diego Catholic High School vice principal and football coach.

Retired Dean of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Father Rick Lawson worked with Monsignor at St. Joseph Villa in 1990. "He is one of the most delightful, splendid, men I’ve ever met, but he’s also a faithful and great priest," Fr. Lawson said. "What he offers to this community, the diocese and to friends throughout the church and the world is something that is beyond compare."

During a short program at the reception, Julie Boerio-Goates, president of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, said Msgr. Fitzgerald is a walking encyclopedia of Catholic Utah. His presentations have helped give a sense of where the diocese has come from, how it got to where it is, and a vision for where it’s going, she said. As a result, generations to come will be the long-term recipients of his wisdom.

‘Churchman’ denotes Msgr. Fitzgerald’s person, life and ministry, said the Most Rev. William Weigand, retired Bishop of Sacramento.

Bishop Weigand said Monsignor has been promoting the Church for 49 years as a priest, but started when they were in college together at Mount Angel Seminary.

"I was, at that time, from the Diocese of Boise, and we had a rivalry going. Little did I know I would be coming to Salt Lake City as the seventh bishop," he said adding that his first act as bishop was to appoint Msgr. Fitzgerald as vicar general.

"I chose him because of his skills as an administrator, his big picture of the world and events of the church plus his common sense, insight, how bright he was and is as a human being and his faith," he said. "Many of the challenges he met, but didn’t choose, were things that needed all his skills. He never once said no, in faith by the grace of his holy orders."

In summing up his 49 years as a priest and 19 years as vicar general, Msgr. Fitzgerald said it has been a time of tremendous change, referring to the Second Vatican Council in 1962, when he was ordained. "Yet our Church is able to adjust and move on to better meet the needs of the people," he said. "And in those years there has been tremendous joy in seeing all the growth and development within our diocese.

"Secondly, my faith has been a tremendous blessing for me," he said. "That was God’s gift to me that enabled me to give my life in the service of the priesthood, which has been a joy and a privilege in living out my faith as God called me to do.

"And finally, I have been blessed with so many friends, so many collaborators and co-workers from all over the diocese and various places."