Remembering Father Timothy Fitzgerald

By Monsignor Mark Duchaine
June 12, 2008

Reflection

When Father Tim Fitzgerald died on March 11, the report came as a shock to family, friends and brother-priests alike. It wasn't as if we didn't know that his condition was grave. And it wasn't because he had died at such a relatively young age, only 44. It was because Father Tim had "cheated" death before and we had fully expected him to do so once again. But it wasn't to be.

Father Tim was afflicted with a neurological muscular disorder called myotonic dystrophy, which, from the time it was diagnosed, progressively decreased his physical strength, damaged his coordination and occasionally fumbled his speech. But this isn't to say that he either placidly or complacently accepted the condition as if it held some kind of ultimate power over him. Just the opposite. Anyone even remotely acquainted with Father Tim would know only too well how purposefully and consistently he struggled against any such limitations, making the very most of what he had. Talk about looking at life as a "glass half-full!" It puts me in mind of a song from the musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown: "Ain't Nothin' Goin' to Keep Me Down."

Following his ordination on June 2, 1990, Father Tim served a priestly apprenticeship as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in Fort Dodge and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sioux City. As he indicated at the conclusion of his second assignment, much had been learned at the hands of good pastors: Father Al Grendler, Father Don Ries, Father Larry Burns and Father Tom Geelan. In 1996, by which time he was already experiencing more serious effects of this condition, Father Tim wrote to the Bishop: "I feel that I am now ready to move on to a new assignment. Over the past six years I have developed the skills and talents needed to do the work of a pastor. And so I humbly ask that you consider this request." When, no doubt, many others in a similar situation would have willingly resigned themselves to a smaller role or requested a less demanding position, Father Tim readily and enthusiastically put himself forward for the office of pastor. And during the next eight years, first as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Gilmore City and St. Margaret Parish in Rolfe, and then at St. Louis Parish in Royal and St. Mary Parish in Everly, Father Tim more than ably fulfilled the responsibilities of this role.

And even in 2004, by which time Father Tim was pretty well confined to a wheelchair, his "retirement" as pastor did not mean the end of ministry. Instead, determined to continue doing what he could, he sought the position of Chaplain at the Marian Home in Fort Dodge. What a comfort and inspiration he was to the ill and infirm! How he lifted their spirits as they witnessed his own indefatigable determination to persevere and overcome!

Throughout his priesthood there were certain areas of ministry that Father Tim especially enjoyed: liturgy, for one, and young people, for another. Recognizing both of these talents, one admirer wrote to him: "Your Children's Mass was the very best one yet. Your message was inspiring and uplifting for the kids and the adults. You did a wonderful job of telling the kids how Christ is present in the people, the Word and the Eucharist. You have a very special gift for relating to children as well as adults and you have been blessed in a very special way." It was in celebrating the liturgy, especially in the presence of children, that Father Tim's warmth, genuineness, and love of God and neighbor shone through. That's one very big reason why he was always so involved in our Diocese's summer youth program, Camp CAYOCA, and why he made provision for needy children to attend this camp in the years to come.

During the last couple years of his life, following his first close encounter with death, Father Tim was officially "retired." But that didn't prevent him from occasionally celebrating Mass in the Marian Home Chapel. Nor did it keep him from visiting and encouraging other residents. Nor did it stop him from engaging in whatever activities could still be performed, such as calling the weekly Bingo games. And just before his final illness, that same determination and spirit was still exerting its influence as he looked forward to a limited return to official ministry and an end to his status as a "retired" priest.

No one wants to be described by their limitations, and that was surely the case with Father Tim. His tenure as a priest may have been brief, as years are counted, but his effectiveness was profound because his example was so powerful. Father Brian Danner, during the course of his remarks on the occasion of Father Tim's funeral Mass, aptly noted that his close friend had preached his own funeral homily during the course of his life and ministry. Quite so. But not as a dirge or a lament. Rather, as a song of praise, gratitude and blessing.

"O God, listen favorably to our prayers offered on behalf of your servant and priest, and grant that Timothy, who committed himself zealously to the service of your name, may rejoice for ever in the company of your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

(Monsignor Mark Duchaine is Vicar General/Vicar Judicial of the Diocese of Sioux City and Pastor of St. Mary Parishes in Mapleton and Oto, and the author of Living Stones: Priests in the Diocese of Sioux City: 1856-2004.)