Monsignor Fitzgerald nominated for award from Catholic Extension; votes sought

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Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald

SALT LAKE CITY — Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, has been nominated for Catholic Extension’s 2013 Lumen Christi Award. He is one of 41 nominees from across the United States, The Virgin Islands and American Samoa, including the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

The award "honors an individual or group working in one of America’s mission dioceses who demonstrates how the power of faith can transform lives and communities," according to catholicextension.org.

Catholic Extension is a national fundraising organization that supports poor mission dioceses across the United States.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City has had two Lumen Christi Award nominations in the past two years. Retired Monsignor Michael Winterer, former pastor of Christ the King Parish in Cedar City, was nominated in 2011 for his dedication to the missions of southern Utah for almost 50 years. In 2012, Maria Cruz Gray, director of the diocese’s Office of Hispanic Ministries, was nominated for her dedication of bringing the Gospel to the Hispanic rural mission communities.

"Msgr. Fitzgerald is a marvelous candidate for the Lumen Christi award," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City. "His dedication to the missions in the Diocese of Salt Lake City is legendary and extraordinary. As vicar general and as administrator of the diocese, he has labored indefatigably in order to serve the Catholic faithful in rural Utah. His administrative acumen has resulted in the purchase of property in almost every county in the state, which will enable us to build churches and missions for many generations to come.

"He himself lives simply, giving witness to the values that enable us to use our gifts wisely so that we can provide pastoral services to God’s people in all parts of our far-flung diocese," the bishop continued. "Indeed, he parallels the generosity of the Extension Society as he gives away so much of what he owns to the poor and needy throughout our diocese. No one will ever know the many, many people whose rent he has paid, tuitions he has subsidized and medical bills he has covered. I can think of no better recipient of this prestigious award than Msgr. Terrence Fitzgerald."

Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general, agreed there has not been any one priest in the Diocese of Salt Lake City on a diocesan leadership level "who has been more concerned about the missions of our diocese, or done more to seek funding and grants for the missions, looked for land and resources to establish new missions, and helped in the day-to-day emergency needs of the pastors ministering in the mission than Msgr. Fitzgerald.

"During his 19 years as vicar general and vicar for the clergy, the missions have always been his priority," Msgr. Bircumshaw continued. "From the late Dominican Father Joe Valine [who received the Lumen Christi award in 1988] to the still living legend of Monsignor Michael Winterer, who both labored so generously in the missions, all the mission priests, who have known Msgr. Fitzgerald would attest that he was their greatest advocate and support."

Msgr. Bircumshaw recalled when Msgr. Fitzgerald was the pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Salt Lake City, he provided a car and arranged for a trailer for Holy Cross Sisters Patricia Riley and Eileen Dewsnup to use while they ministered to the parishes and missions of southern Utah.

Michael Lee, director of pastoral operations said without the dedication, hard work, and inspiration of Msgr. Fitzgerald, many if not most of the Catholics in rural mission areas would not have any reasonable access to the Catholic Church, the sacraments, catechesis and community.

"His work in and for the mission areas of the diocese have produced a solid foundation of established missions, property for future expansion and locations, dedicated clergy, religious, deacons, laity, and diocesan staff, and processes and procedures to administer these areas," said Lee. "Although Msgr. Fitzgerald is retired, he provides invaluable guidance to diocesan staff in the inner workings of the missions and continues to serve on various boards to bolster the programs which benefit the mission areas."

The recipient of the Lumen Christi Award and the nominating diocese each receive a $25,000 grant for a total of $50,000 to fund their ministries.

The public may vote online for the Lumen Christi nominees. To vote for Msgr. Fitzgerald, go to http://www.catholicextension.org/2013lca#DioceseP. For information on the award, go to www.catholicextension.org/about-us/lumen-christi-award.