Jesuit Journeys
Fall 2005

The Jesuit Partnership
A family says thanks for a life lived generously

Fr. Dick McGarritty, SJ
President, The Jesuit Partnership

I had been a Jesuit for about 13 years and priest for three when a young novice from Omaha entered the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus. Today, Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, SJ is back at the Jesuit Novitiate in St. Paul as novice director – his latest assignment in his singular life as a Jesuit priest.

Over the years John has served in a variety of ways. He taught English at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee and, having completed his doctorate in English, was later a faculty member at Marquette University where our paths would cross in the 1980s. It was a time in which I got to know John, enjoy his companionship, and witness his gifts as a priest and teacher.

He later went on to direct the Jesuit Humanities Program at Campion House in Omaha, while teaching English at Creighton University. In 2001 he was asked to leave the campus he loved to share his gifts with novices, and he has served as novice director in St. Paul ever since.

“This is a most fitting tribute to John who is known for his clarity and precision in communicating with others. He has instilled this critically important quality in the many students of English he has taught over the years, and now to the novices in St. Paul.”

I mention John here because, as it turns out, some of his family members and friends chose a remarkable way to celebrate his 50th birthday and 20th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Coordinated by his sister in Ohio, Margaret Ward, 22 family members and friends established the John P. Fitzgibbons, SJ Education Fund to provide financial support to the Wisconsin Province for the education of Jesuits. Their intention is to complete a named fund by May 2010 through annual contributions of varying amounts. Additional donors to the fund are welcome to join the Fitzgibbons clan in this anniversary tribute.

“We wanted to express our love for John, and our deep appreciation for the many Jesuits who have touched our family in so many different ways and through many generations. We felt that these two landmark anniversaries provided a unique opportunity for our family and friends to celebrate John’s life in a way that supports future Jesuits who will follow John and the other Jesuits we admire and love.”

An individual or a group can establish a named fund in permanent tribute to a family member, close friend, or a respected Jesuit. It is initiated with a minimum commitment of $25,000 and an initial gift of at least $5,000. The fund can be fulfilled with a single gift or a pledged amount payable over a specified number of years, and/or through an estate plan. The Jesuit Partnership staff is available to discuss the options and prepare a customized plan for you or your family.

These funds support any one, or all, of the Wisconsin Province priorities: recruiting, training and educating Jesuit priests; caring for elderly and infirm Jesuits; promoting national and international ministries of faith, justice and education. Most people hesitate to publicize their charitable works, but we do so because they serve as an inspiration to us all, and we enjoy the opportunity to offer our own thanks and tribute. Under the banner of our new Donor Tribute Program (highlighted on the next page), we will offer unique tribute and thanks to all of our donors in an annual supplement to the winter edition of Jesuit Journeys.

On behalf of the Wisconsin Province, I wish to publicly extend my sincere thanks to the Fitzgibbons family and friends for their generous decision to establish the John P. Fitzgibbons, SJ Education Fund. This is a most fitting tribute to John who is known for his clarity and precision in communicating with others. He has instilled this critically important quality in the many students of English he has taught over the years, and now to the novices in St. Paul.

I ask all of you, our Jesuit Partners, to join me in wishing John continued health and happiness and in offering our prayers that the Holy Spirit will always bless him and animate his ministry.