Monsignor Robert Getz

The Lone Ranger Rides Away

After retiring from active ministry, Monsignor Robert L. Getz often compared himself to the Lone Ranger. He was on-call to fill in at Mass for all of his brother priests in the Diocese of Las Cruces.

Often covering more than one parish in a weekend, Fr. Bob, as he preferred to be called, said parishioners asked of him – much like the Lone Ranger television show – “who is that masked man?”

On Saturday, 9 April 2022, the Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes, Rector, Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, officiated at the inurnment service for Monsignor Robert L. Getz.

Photos can be found in the associated album.

Surrounded by family and friends who loved him, Father Bob was laid to rest in the Columbarium at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr. Bob was an associate pastor at the Cathedral in 1974 and pastor from 1975-to 1978.

His family noted that Fr. Bob weighed eight pounds when he was born, and his ashes weighed the same.

The event was beautifully planned by Monsignor’s dear friend Manny Morales. During the service, a bevy of white doves was released into a cloudless New Mexico sky. Additionally, taps honored Fr. Bob’s chaplaincy at New Mexico Military Institute, where Monsignor Getz was recognized as a Corps Colonel for his fourteen years of military chaplaincy at the Institute.

Olivia McDonald spoke lovingly of how Fr. Bob made a difference as the spiritual advisor for the Magnificat, Our Lady of the Cross chapter in Las Cruces.

Ronald McDonald spoke of Monsignor Getz’s idea and spiritual support for the Basilica of San Albino’s application to the Vatican. The Knights of Columbus presented the family with a commemorative chalice.

Fr. Alejandro spoke of Fr. Bob’s care for his brother priests, a concern dear to his heart. Fr. Bob served as ombudsman for the priests in the Diocese of Las Cruces and as President of the Priests Council in the Diocese of El Paso. His concern for diocesan priests’ continuing education and the need for sabbaticals led him to establish Monsignor Robert L. Getz, Endowment for Diocesan Priests.

Monsignor had a master’s degree in Education and Counseling, and a master’s in Spirituality. He completed graduate studies at Notre Dame University, supporting Catholic Extension’s mission of enhancing pastoral and social ministry. At Notre Dame, he contributed to an in-depth study of a poor farming community, social conditions, and possible revisions for the future of small border farming communities.

Although he was presented a medal by President Johnson in recognition for his work on the Chamizal Border Settlement with Mexico, he was most pleased that he was assigned to chauffer Dorothy Day, an American social activist and devout Catholic convert. Added to that was his blessing to host Caesar Chavez, labor leader and civil rights activist, co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association.

His vocation included fifty years of serving as an active pastor in 14 parishes that ranged from the most prominent, wealthiest parish of El Paso to the poorest in Smeltertown. In addition, he served nearly forty years on the administrative staff of four area Bishops, as Vicar General, Chancellor, Vicar of Personnel, and Finance Board.

Monsignor established two parishes-(New) Cristo Rey Parish and Christ the Savior Parish in El Paso. He also established Saint Raphael’s School in El Paso and All Saints School in Roswell, New Mexico.

Fr. Bob received two levels of the title of Vatican Monsignor. Recognizing his sacrifice and leadership over thirty years, Pope Benedict XVI named him Protonotary Apostolic. The designation is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of prelates in the Roman Curia.

Monsignor Getz was an avid photographer who has a beautiful claim to fame in his work with Thomas Merton in his book “Sign of Jonas.” (Copyright 1953, Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani)

Monsignor Getz had an extraordinary approach to his walk with God. From the moment you met him, you instinctively knew that he walked in holiness and wanted him to be part of your faith journey. Monsignor loved the Church and was always reverent and respectful. He called Our Lord, the God of Surprise. Each morning, he prayed, “Surprise me today, Lord, but please do it gently.”

All photos in the associated album are courtesy of Dr. J. David McNamara, Event and Ceremonial Photography

Monsignor Robert Getz updated their website address.

CHANGE IN TIME FOR FUNERAL MASS:
Funeral Mass Tuesday, Dec. 21st, has been changed to 3:30PM
Presided by Bishop Baldacchino

Services for Msgr. Robert Getz will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral

Monday, Dec. 20th
Viewing starts at 4PM
Vigil Liturgy Presided by Bishop Peter Baldacchino starts at 5PM
Rosary starts at 5:30PM

Funeral Mass Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 4:00PM
Presided by Bishop Baldacchino
Interment Cremains at Columbarium, Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral January 2022

The following was compiled by Olivia Lerma McDonald at the written request of Msgr. Robert Getz

Monsignor Robert L. Getz, P.A. 1933-2021

Monsignor Robert L. Getz, (known to many as Fr. Bob)
passed to eternal life on December 5, 2021. He was born
on June 26, 1933, to Louis and Rose (Lavery) Getz. He
and his two sisters were reared in a suburb of Philadelphia, Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He is survived by sister Bonnie DAulerio and by twelve cousins and nine nieces and nephews. His parents and sister Mary Lou Pauls preceded him in death.

His was an inspirational life, of faith, dedication, adventure, challenges, and remarkable achievement and success in the experience of one man who was called to the priesthood. The points below serve to synopsize how God’s grace and his own character brought this priest success, joy, and peace in a much-fulfilled life.

The contrast of the rigors of his early monastic training to the demands on a parish priest demonstrates the versatility and adaptability in his dedication to the priesthood. Somehow, while maintaining a remarkable Photo David McNamara pace in his duties, he managed to participate in numerous activities, expand his education, live a devoted prayer life, gain friends in many walks of life, and travel throughout the world. His priestly duties have taken him. In the listing of his achievements, one marvels at his God-given management of time and talents, making the most of each location, and giving encouragement to others to participate in the mission of God and Church.

Early Years
His early years were spent enveloped by a great and loving extended Irish family. His mother laid the strong foundation of his faith by teaching the family devotion in prayer. He stated that
his time in Catholic school with good friends was inspiring, especially in West Lake High school with LaSalle Christian Brothers. The overall education he received included sports, great
friends, scholastic and leadership recognition—all of which were to be essential in his life’s work. He graduated as valedictorian of his class at age 17. He was a local newspaper boy, a bank mail boy, and a camp counselor.

After much prayer and soul searching, he decided to leave his warm and loving family, as well as three university scholarships, to put the Lord first in the contemplative cloistered Trappist Order.

Gethsemani Abbey is a monastery in the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO) It was a community of peaceful monks—“over 200 living in absolute silence, no recreation, no mail, radio, phone, magazines, working half of each day in the fields, no meat, fish, or eggs, just chanted prayer, contemplative prayer, and family visits 3 days each year.”

A dormitory mattress of straw was the place to rest, although the monks arose at 2:00 a.m. to begin their day of prayer. He said, “ I was in heaven, but after three years, I went into the hospital
afflicted with Rheumatic Fever.” The illness, no doubt enabled by the austerity and rigors of the monastic life he enjoyed, resulted in his return home to bed at age 21 for a full year and a half in
recovery.

After recovering from his illness, he began looking at less strict and demanding religious orders.

Determined to continue his vocation, after study and prayer, God led him to write to three bishops as an applicant and Bishop Sydney Metzger of El Paso, TX, accepted him quickly
sending him to a seminary in Denver, CO, for the next six years.
Parish Life

Texas Diocese of El Paso
1961 Ordination
1961-1966 Associate Pastor, St. Patrick’s El Paso.
1966-1971 Pastor, Fabens which included mission churches,
Tornillo, Fort Hancock, Sierra Blanca. 30,000 miles per year
covering the expanse of assignment.
1971 Pastor, temporary, San Elizario, in Clint, TX
Smeltertown as the last pastor before San Jose de Cristo Rey was
torn down by the government due to the lead poisoning from the
processes.
1972 New Cristo Rey Church
1972-73 Chaplain, El Paso County Jail and St. Joseph’s
Hospital
1974 Pastor, Associate Pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary
1978 Pastor, St. Raphael’s in East El Paso. a parish of 4,000 families,
1980 Pastor, Sagrada Familia (Holy Family Parish) El Paso
1982 Founding Pastor, Christ the Savior parish in northeast El Paso
New Mexico Diocese of Las Cruces (Established 1982)
1982 Pastor, St. Francis, Silver City, New Mexico
1984-1990 Rector, Immaculate Heart Cathedral, Las Cruces.
1991 Assumption Catholic Community, Roswell,
1991 Catholic Chaplain, NM Military Institute, Roswell
2004 Pastor/Rector San Albino Church,. Mesilla, NM “The Heavenly Father laid it on my heart to have this parish named as a Spiritual Center by the Vatican for our Southern New Mexico area as one of the 70 basilicas in the United States.” He called on Ronald and Olivia McDonald, “of much faith and computer and graphics background,” who began the great writing and historical research of over a year and a half to present to the Vatican. They responded to 119 questions necessary for the petition documentation which encompassed the history, architecture, liturgical, and pastoral activities, but emphasized the treasure of the church was in its culture, heritage and faith of the people. At its dedication, he named the McDonalds the “padrinos” (Godparents) of the Basilica of San Albino. It may well be the smallest basilica in the world, but
through much prayer and daily Mass, this petition succeeded. Fr. Bob also served as Spiritual Advisor for the Diocesan Chapter of the Magnificat Ministry for Catholic Women from its beginning.

2008 At age 75 named rector of newly named Basilica of San Albino and retirement, also appointed priest ombudsman,
Retirement (in name only) Priests must submit pastoring resignation at age 75which he did stepping into retirement on August 14, 2008.

Word came from the Vatican on the petition for San Albino. The approval of the Basilica of San Albino’s naming was announced on his birthday on June 26, 2008, with a fax from the Vatican to the Bishop’s office. With its dedication, November 1, All Saints Day, and
two archbishops with us, he said, “I was awed and humbled by the blaze of glory at my departure.”

He requested permission to substitute when needed and act as an ombudsman for visiting diocese priests yearly; He moved into his personal retirement at the Good Samaritan Village which was an enjoyable Christian setting for retirees. He held regular Saturday Masses there.

Travel & Hiking Activities
His recreational activities are entwined with numerous religious duties. Vacations during his first 10 years were mostly visiting family in the East with an occasional trip to Mexico and skiing with priest friends from El Paso.

In 1982 he led a pilgrimage group to Rome, Greece, and the Holy Land.

Then for their 25th, four of them skied Austria and Switzerland.
Another time they traveled to Scandinavian countries.

He went with three priests to China. Another trip to Nicaragua.
He took his older sister, who liked to travel, to Germany, Ireland, and England, to Hawaii, to a cruise to Canada, to the boats of European Rivers, and another to Egypt.

He traveled alone to the rivers of Russia, to Paris, and to Madrid. He led a pilgrimage group to Marian spots and 18 days in Europe, then a military tour to Normandy and a hiking-train trip through Scotland and England. In 2009 a cruise to Chile and Argentina around South America’s Horn.

Travel was always an adventure and a blessing to Fr. Bob.


Vehicles
Fr. Bob still enjoyed swimming, hiking, camping, and skiing. At that time, he still had a camper shell on his 15-year-old truck and still treasured his vehicles. They all served him and the Lord for thousands of miles. He never bought a new vehicle and the nine he owned were given to him used and had all been with him—three for over 200,000 miles and the old van he had for 30 years, he gave it to a Juarez priest as it reached 300,000 miles. He said, “I have many stories and have been blessed in these Prayer-mobiles.

He camped and hiked all of the west and six 14,000 peaks of California and Colorado and camped up and back to Alaska and 20 times to the Grand Canyon and two river trips—always with priests friends or groups, but many times alone, always with the Lord.
Writing and contemplative prayer were always deep in his life. Assisted by writer/editor Donna Curtiss, his first book Vatican Wealth and a Pope’s Pipe Dreams was a result of 22 years in the
making. His other books The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality, and Matthew, Merton, and Me (Recollections of a Life of Grace) are significant examples of his tenacity to complete his work and his willingness to share his experiences, knowledge and creativity.

Awards and Honors
1963 Medal presented by President Lyndon Johnson for his work on the Chamizal Border Settlement with Mexico

1994 Title of Monsignor bestowed by Pope John Paul II as a Papal Chamberlain

2009 Elevated to Protonotary Apostolic by Pope Benedict XVI

2004 New Mexico Military Institute recognized Msgr. Getz as Corps Colonel for his fourteen years of military chaplaincy

2008 Vatican Elevated Status of San Albino to Minor Basilica. Msgr. Getz initiated the application and wrote the liturgical portion of the petition to the Vatican.

2013 Lumen Christi Award Finalist

Services for Msgr. Robert Getz will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral
Monday, Dec. 20th
Viewing starts at 4PM
Vigil Liturgy Presided by Bishop Peter Baldacchino starts at 5PM
Rosary starts at 5:30PM
Funeral Mass Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 4:00PM
Presided by Bishop Baldacchino
Interment Cremains at Columbarium, Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral January 2022

Monsignor Robert L. Getz, "Fr. Bob," as he preferred to be called, left an indelible mark on everyone he met. A bright and shining light of Christ has gone from our lives with Fr. Bob's passing. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and his imaginative, forward-thinking writing. Fr. Bob was definitely a man ahead of his time.

From our first meeting until now - when we've completed writing and editing our third book together - my husband Dave and I felt blessed to be in the presence of such a Christ-like man.

Fr. Bob began his vocation as a Trappist Monk. When he had to leave the monastery due to a serious illness, he, next, devoted himself to the diocesan priesthood. He served in two dioceses. First in the diocese of El Paso and later in the Diocese of Las Cruces. He founded two parishes and two Catholic schools. He worked with Olivia and Ron McDonald and other parishioners to raise the status of his 161-year old parish, San Albino, to that of a Minor Basilica by the Vatican. He was instrumental in sending numerous men and women to Religious life. While he believed the highlights of his vocation were chauffeuring Dorothy Day and Cesar Chavez, he was the recipient of a Presidential medal, recognized by the New Mexico Military Institute as a Corps Colonel for his fourteen years of military chaplaincy, and a runner up for Catholic Extension's Lumen Christi award. He was named a Domestic Prelate, Monsignor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II and a Protonotary Apostolic Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.

His family and friends were important to Fr. Bob. He brought joy and smiles to everyone who knew him. His daily prayer: "Surprise me Lord, but do it gently, please."

The photo below is one of my favorites because of Fr. Bob's homemade sign - he wrote it out himself for his first book signing for his book Vatican Wealth and a Pope's Pipe Dreams. He felt that
he didn't need fancy posters when his homemade sign said it all. And, we did sell out that day.

While my heart aches with the loss of Fr. Bob - I keep wondering what he said when he came face-to-face with Jesus. I know there was a hug involved and I imagine Jesus said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Donna Curtiss

Branigan Library - first book signing for Monsignor Getz

Monsignor Robert Getz added a Shop on Website button to their Page.

My latest book, Matthew, Merton, and Me, makes a meaningful gift in the beautiful coffee table format for $21.99. Available for purchase on October 15, 2021 - "Matthew, Merton, And Me - Recollections of a Life of Grace" is also available in an eBook format for $9.99.

The book is available for purchase online to print on demand at BookBaby's Storefront. It is also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Baker & Taylor, Copia, Vearsa, and other global booksellers.

Matthew, Merton, and Me is an inspiring story of God's genuine healing championed by faith. The story calls out God's grace-filled moments in the author's life through a recollection of time spent at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The book focuses on the connection with Brother Matthew McGunigle, O.C.S.O., formerly known as Doc McGonigle of Broadway and Hollywood fame, and to a lesser extent, the most famous monk ever to live at the Abbey - Father Louis Merton, O.C.S.O, Thomas Merton.

My third book will soon be published and available through the BookBaby storefront, where you may purchase one book or as many as you like. It will also be available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other global distributors.

God's first vocational call to me was the monastery, my heart's desire. Without hesitation, I followed the Lord's direction to the Abbey of Gethsemani in the rolling hills of Kentucky. At the monastery, Brother Matthew McGunigle, O.C.S.O. (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance) and I worked together in the photo lab where Father Louis Merton, O.C.S.O., was a frequent visitor.

Matthew, Merton, and Me gives readers a front-row seat as a monastic life in the 1950s comes alive. The book is caustic, quick-witted, enlightening, and above all, spiritual. Topics in this book include prophetic wisdom about T.V., politics, political debates, and the first Catholic in the White House. Many issues could easily be pulled from today's headlines--marches in the streets in the early days of the civil rights movement, college admissions problems, and ideas to develop a prototype remote control for television sets.

The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality is the result of nine years of prayerful, reflective writing; 57 years of priestly pastoral shepherding. The book is a metaphysical, cosmological, evangelical insight of Jesus and the Church journeying together to a deep discovering of the roots, the foundation of priestly serving.

Monsignor Getz steps out of the earthly realm to take a fresh, appealing look at cosmological spirituality together with the theological underpinnings of the diocesan priesthood.

Biblically connected to the sacredness of places and spaces, the author skillfully links the Father's creational design to diocesan priests who closely follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Much like Saint Peter, who established the local diocesan priesthood in Rome, and Saint Paul, who lived a charismatic priesthood, diocesan priests work, walk, stand, kneel, and die in spaces ultimately determined by God.

One day, decades ago, I entertained the thought about what might happen if the Pope used all of the Vatican resources along with assets around the world belonging to the Church in pursuit of world peace. The idea of purchasing world peace made me smile. But how would such an enormous event take place? How would the Pope go about making it happen?

Vatican Wealth and a Pope's Pipe Dreams is a result of 22 years of developing a workable plan. The book's powerful message comes at a time in human history when I hope that the inspiration generated has a chance to make a real difference.

A gentle-spirited man of God, Monsignor Getz, was born in Philadelphia. He served and currently lives in New Mexico. Getz has made a real difference in the countless lives he touched during his active ministry. Currently, his positive spiritual influence reaches a wider audience through his books.

Getz authored the novel Vatican Wealth and a Pope's Pipe Dreams and the non-fiction work, The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality. Both books are self-published by BookBaby and available through the BookBaby storefront, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other global booksellers.

He recently completed his third book, which is reflective of his time at the Abbey of Gethsemani. As a young novice, he worked in the monastery's photo lab with Thomas Merton (Fr. Louis) and Mathew McGunigle (Brother Matthew), formerly Broadway and Hollywood fame. The book is titled Matthew, Merton, and Me, Reflections of a Life of Grace and will be available for purchase on this page when published.

Monsignor Robert Getz updated their business hours.

Monsignor Robert Getz updated their info in the about section.