Msgr. Fitzgerald: Reflections on a Mission Diocese

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — Very few people are left in the Diocese of Salt Lake City who do not know the name "Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald" or the many titles that have been associated with that name over the years.

SALT LAKE CITY — Very few people are left in the Diocese of Salt Lake City who do not know the name "Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald" or the many titles that have been associated with that name over the years.

Since his ordination in 1953, Msgr. Fitzgerald has been pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Salt Lake City; St. Marguerite Parish, Tooele; and St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Park City among others. He served two terms as president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore., has been president-principal of Judge Memorial Catholic High School, and has lead numerous other boards and organizations of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. He has held the position of vicar general of the diocese of Salt Lake City – twice – and has led the diocese in the absence of a bishop as diocesan administrator – also twice.

"I have been around a long time and have a lot of experience," said Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald in a tone capturing a little exhaustion and a lot of enthusiasm. "This is one of the most blessed gifts. There are a lot of issues that aren’t new."

In his current tenure as administrator of the diocese, Msgr. Fitzgerald recalled several moments that have been special to him in an interview with the Intermountain Catholic. Showing the many years he has spent leading schools, he can name them immediately in a numbered list.

He first mentioned the support he has received from the clergy of the diocese and the staff of the pastoral center and the cathedral. "I can’t do it without them," he said. "It’s been a heartwarming experience."

Following in the same step, he thanks all the people for their public work in supporting the diocese, volunteering their effort on many levels. "There are so many people willing to roll up their sleeves," he said. "It is truly a great blessing."

The dedications of the new St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Logan and St. James Church in Ogden were particularly important points for Msgr. Fitzgerald. "In these parishes I have known all the pastors! To see the people working so hard to finally be able to share in these magnificent new churches and to be able to dedicate them was important.

"To build these churches was a long journey," he said. "And also Mission Santa Ana (in Tremonton). One of the goals I’ve had all these years has been to develop our missions and help all the people, expanding our presence."

As a graduate of Judge Memorial Catholic High School and later the president-principal, the new stadium at Judge Memorial Catholic High School "was significant," he said. So too has been the establishment and planning for the new St. Andrew Parish in Riverton.

Fourth on his list were the confirmations he celebrated in the absence of a bishop, followed by public gatherings, especially those of the Knights of Columbus, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and the Catholic Woman’s League.

The jubilee Mass for religious women was also an especially poignant moment for Msgr. Fitzgerald. "That too was an important opportunity to recognize not only old friends, but also dedicated religious women who have made efforts for the people of Utah," he said.

He ended the list with the preparations for the farewell of then-Bishop George Niederauer and the welcoming of Bishop John Wester. "Hopefully," he said, "this will be over soon."

Asked about the state of the diocese now, Msgr. Fitzgerald responded, "The Diocese is very healthy." With his signature smile, he added, "There are no impending crises."

"The Diocese does not have any significant debt, and any debts are by the parishes for new construction. The Catholic Foundation of Utah endowments are growing slowly. The Diocesan Development Drive continues to be a vital source of support for the work of the diocese. We also rely a great deal on grants we receive from the Catholic Church Extension Society, the Catholic Home Missions, and the Black and Indian Missions. I have written grant proposals to those mission societies since 1995.

"In terms of priests, four were ordained last year, two are to be ordained this May, and we will have a number of new seminarians this year. Of course, we always are in need of additional clergy. There is a permanent diaconate class two years away, 21 candidates to be ordained," he said.

"We are a church that is growing. We’re not closing and consolidating parishes – our facilities are too small for everything and everyone. We always need to raise more funds for future construction.

"We still consider ourselves a mission diocese. Also, the people are supportive, upbeat, and anxiously awaiting the new bishop. Bishop Wester will be welcomed by an energetic, enthusiastic lay people.

"The booming Hispanic community is another special need that we recognize.

"If we look at the whole, it describes a healthy diocese," he said.

"Money is always short," he lamented. "The funds we receive from the mission societies help us support the Catholic communities throughout the state. Few of the parishes outside of the area from Orem to Ogden are self-sufficient; these communities all around the state depend on the support of the Diocesan Development Drive.

"Bishop Wester is coming from an archdiocese of an area of 2,000 square miles to one that covers 85,000 square miles. Those distances are costly. While the grants help us with upkeep, salaries, and stipends for the deacons and priests who serve around the state, there is never any money for building," Msgr. Fitzgerald said.

"This is our ongoing challenge: to meet the growing needs of a growing people."