Diocesan Priests' Retirement Collection

Intermountain Catholic

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Msgr. Matthew O. Wixted retired after serving 47 years, but is happy to help where he is needed.

SALT LAKE CITY — Priests provide pastoral care throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City well beyond the normal retirement age of 70. The Priest Retirement Collection will be held in the Diocese of Salt Lake City Sept. 12-13.

The Priest Retirement Collection provides partial funding for the Diocese of Salt Lake City to utilize in caring for and providing the necessary resources to our diocesan retired priests, as stipulated by Canon Law. In this Year of the Priest, keep all retired priests in your prayers.

"I think the Priest Retirement Fund is a blessing for retired priests," said Msgr. Matthew O. Wixted, now retired. "I think the whole idea was they always felt that those who had always labored and worked should be able to live in a dignified manner in their retirement. I believe the changes that started to be made when Bishop William K. Weigand was bishop (1980-1993) now Bishop Emeritus of Sacramento, and continued with Bishop Niederauer (1995-2005), now Archbishop of San Francisco, and now with the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, have all helped to contribute to make it reasonably possible for retired priests.

"There are different ways of looking at retirement," said Msgr. Wixted. "If you are retired, that does not mean you are not doing something if you are able. I always felt that in gratitude for all the years and support I received, I like to be of some service where I can on a limited basis. Usually that entails not taking long-term or permanent commitments.

"My primary desire is to be of support and assistance to the priests in the diocese where I have served for so many years," said Msgr. Wixted. "I am always glad to help where I am needed more on an intermittent basis rather than a regular assignment. I think it is important to still feel you are part of the ministry and can still be of some service to somebody if you are able.

"That is why I personally am very grateful to the priests who are friends of mine," said Msgr. Wixted. "I want to help them. I am very grateful to Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, pastor of Saint Ann Parish, and others to whom I am always glad to respond if there is a particular need.

"It is important to have a connectedness," he said. "That is why I like to concelebrate and join with Msgr. Bircumshaw, who has given me a place at Saint Ann Parish. Of course, it is nice to have quiet time and do some of the things I have always hoped to do as well.

"The diocese provides reasonable living conditions for the priests who are retired," said Msgr. Wixted. "Certainly the more recent bishops have looked a this and have made sure that the living conditions are adequate and decent for our retirees."