Father Peter Rogers transferring to Los Angeles

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Father Peter Rogers

SALT LAKE CITY - Dominican Father Peter Rogers, currently pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena/Catholic Newman Center in Salt Lake City, has been elected prior of the Priory of St. Dominic Church and Community in Eagle Rock, Calif. He has been in Utah for five years; his last day at the Newman Center will be June 13.

"Fr. Peter has been an exemplary pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and Newman Center," said Msgr. Terrence Fitzgerald, the diocese's vicar general. "Father has consistently participated in diocesan gatherings and has been of great assistance with the inauguration of Catholic radio. His warm hospitality for clergy of the diocese, and their response, reflects the love he has for this local church and the respect we have for him. He will be truly missed as he departs Utah for a new assignment."

A surprise awaited Fr. Rogers when he first took up his duties in Salt Lake. "What was really unexpected was that I had no idea I would be involved in interfaith work here at the university," he said. "I assumed that I would be working very hard to provide a place for Catholic students to come for them to socialize with friends who shared their faith, with activities that were faith-based and a place for students to grow in their faith. But I did not expect to go across the street and be involved so much with other faith ministries."

Shortly after he arrived, University of Utah President Michael K. Young invited him to his box in Rice-Eccles Stadium for the homecoming game, to which he also had the president of the LDS Institute. Young also introduced Fr. Rogers to the university's director of campus ministry. As a result of these meetings, the university's Interfaith Advisory Council was born, with Fr. Rogers as director.

The council's mission is to work with administration to provide a safe campus environment "for all students of any faith to practice their faith without the need to hide their faith or for fear of ridicule, prejudice or perhaps even physical harm for practicing their faith," Fr. Rogers said. "We strive to engender greater understanding among students of different faiths so they can gain knowledge of what different faith beliefs are and thereby break down fears, break down prejudices and build respect. "

The group also sponsors the student interfaith council, which officers faith-based programs on campus throughout the school year.

"The University has been extraordinarily fortunate to have a great man of faith like Father Peter at the helm of the Newman Center," Young said. "We will miss his thoughtful presence and involvement in the U's Interfaith Council, and wish him all the best in his new role."

Although the Newman Center is the primary mission of the parish, Fr. Rogers also serves a pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna's "permanent parishioners," who outnumber the students.

"It's just been a great joy to work with the parishioners here; to interact with them; to know them," he said. "To see the infant I baptized five years ago starting kindergarten and joining with the parents to watch their development. To see so many of our children to grow from where they were five years ago to blossoming into wonderful young adults, from elementary school and now into high school."

He also loved being involved with the Diocese of Salt Lake, he said. " I have been so welcomed by the bishops and priests of this diocese. Because this diocese is relatively small in number even large in geographic area, I have been able to come know the priests here on a personal basis."

As pastor, one of accomplishments as to pay off the $1 million debt occasioned by the building of the new chapel and the renovation of the Newman Center. He also has served as a mentor to Father Peter Do, the associate pastor. "He taught me a lot about making connections with the community and the U, trying to really reach out to the community," Fr. Do said.

The community feeling at St. Catherine of Siena/Catholic Newman Center "is something that I've never seen anywhere else and something I'm going to try to build in St. Dominic's Church in Los Angeles," Fr. Rogers said, adding that he's had young adults graduate from the university, move away and return to tell him how much they miss it.

"I've been very aware that my role as pastor is to continue to build it and build it and build it" because it could easily fall away, he added. "We have such a wonderful unique community feeling here that it is very important to keep it going."

A going-away party for Father Rogers is scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Newman Center, 170 S. University in Salt Lake City.