- Feb 5, 2002
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(OSV News) — He was a priest whose wide smile could just light up a room and whose energetic self-giving to the people he served seemed limitless.
Those who knew Father Norman Fischer said the priest’s easy ability to model the love of Christ and build bridges — sometimes through a beaming selfie or a fist bump — was legendary. So was his skill at mediating conflict, or inspiring a deep appreciation of cultural diversity. He was even known to break into a rap in the midst of a homily.
On Sunday, July 14 — at the age of just 50 — Father Fischer’s earthly journey came to an end.
Father Fischer had shepherded souls both as pastor of one of Kentucky’s oldest Black Catholic parishes, St. Peter Claver in Lexington, and as chaplain at Lexington Catholic High School.
“He used his voice — not only serving the people of the Diocese of Lexington, but serving the church in the United States, and specifically, serving the Black Catholic community,” said Father Kareem Smith, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in New York’s Bronx borough. “This is a tremendous loss.”
Father Smith served with Father Fischer on the board of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, and less than a year ago, Father Fischer was elected NBCCC president. With Father Fischer’s passing, Father Smith — previously vice president — assumes the role of acting president until an election can be held.
“As the church at large struggles with vocations,” said Father Smith, “the same is true of course in the Black Catholic community — and to lose a priest of his age, only 50 years old, in an important ministry in his own diocese and of course nationally, is a tragedy.”
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Those who knew Father Norman Fischer said the priest’s easy ability to model the love of Christ and build bridges — sometimes through a beaming selfie or a fist bump — was legendary. So was his skill at mediating conflict, or inspiring a deep appreciation of cultural diversity. He was even known to break into a rap in the midst of a homily.
Remembering Father Norman Fischer
And now he’s gone from this life.On Sunday, July 14 — at the age of just 50 — Father Fischer’s earthly journey came to an end.
Father Fischer had shepherded souls both as pastor of one of Kentucky’s oldest Black Catholic parishes, St. Peter Claver in Lexington, and as chaplain at Lexington Catholic High School.
“He used his voice — not only serving the people of the Diocese of Lexington, but serving the church in the United States, and specifically, serving the Black Catholic community,” said Father Kareem Smith, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in New York’s Bronx borough. “This is a tremendous loss.”
Father Smith served with Father Fischer on the board of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, and less than a year ago, Father Fischer was elected NBCCC president. With Father Fischer’s passing, Father Smith — previously vice president — assumes the role of acting president until an election can be held.
“As the church at large struggles with vocations,” said Father Smith, “the same is true of course in the Black Catholic community — and to lose a priest of his age, only 50 years old, in an important ministry in his own diocese and of course nationally, is a tragedy.”
Black Catholics
Continued below.
Joyful Black Catholic priest mourned after unexpected passing
Those who knew Father Norman Fischer said the priest's easy ability to model the love of Christ and build bridges -- sometimes through a beaming selfie or a fist bump -- was legendary. So was his skill at mediating conflict, or inspiring a deep appreciation of cultural diversity. He was even...
www.oursundayvisitor.com
