Monsignor Terence Mathius Moore

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Monsignor Terence Mathius Moore

February 24, 1943 ~ December 19, 2023

Monsignor Terence Mathius Moore, 80, died December 19, 2023 at the Spring Gardens Senior Living Center in Draper.

Msgr. Moore was born February 24, 1943 in Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland to Peter and Julia Moore. He studied at St. Patrick College, Thurles, Ireland and was ordained a Catholic priest on June 10, 1967. He came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City as a missionary priest in 1967 and assumed numerous assignments over the years.

Msgr. Moore received a master’s degree in social work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and in 1981 a doctorate in social work from the University of Utah. In 1978 he was named director of refugee resettlement for Catholic Charities of Utah and administered a variety of social service programs to promote the self-sufficiency of refugees from southeast Asia, eastern Europe and Cuba. For three years he served as the coordinator of refugee resettlement for the Utah State Department of Social Services.

Msgr. Moore was pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish in Sandy for 14 years and oversaw the building of the new church and rectory. At the same time, he served as the executive director of Catholic Community Services of Utah. In 1999 he became the founding pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, where he oversaw the construction of the church and developed the pastoral outreach on the grounds of the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper.

Msgr. Moore was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on November 5, 2008, with the title of Monsignor. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his community outreach and social action initiatives. The past few years he battled chronic leukemia and heart disease. He retired August 1, 2013, but continued to assist in local parishes.

He is survived by his brother John (Maggie), his sisters Dympna and Veronica (Michael), as well as by several nieces and nephews.  

The vigil for Msgr. Moore will be Monday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m. at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by the vigil Mass at 7 p.m. with Father Stephen Tilley presiding. The funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside. Committal will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City.   

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Priests Mutual Benefit Society, 27 C St., Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 or Catholic Community Services, 224 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. Funeral services are under the care of Starks Funeral Parlor.