May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.— Traditional Irish blessing
We may still be in the midst of Lent as spring gets underway, but the parish community of St. Jude in Redmond has reason tonight to celebrate the mystery of the Resurrection early: its founding pastor, Gerald F. Lovett, was lifted up to God this morning after a lifetime of cheerful and compassionate service.
Father Gerald F. Lovett: 1935–2015; photo courtesy of St. Jude Catholic Church
Neither the parish nor the Archdiocese of Seattle have made an official announcement yet, but St. Jude families have been sharing the news with each other all day, and a few parishioners have posted fond remembrances on Facebook.
Father Lovett was the pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church for some twenty-five years, beginning with the parish’s founding in 1978, before it had a permanent home at the corner of NE 104th and NE 166th in woody north Redmond.
Appointed by then-Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, Lovett brought energy, vitality, and a much-appreciated Irish wit to the young parish community.
St. Jude’s founding families celebrated their first liturgy on September 16th, 1978, at Redmond Middle School. Just three years and a month later, the parish moved into its new building, with Hunthausen joining Lovett for the dedication of its altar.
Over the next two decades, Lovett would continue to shepherd the growing parish as the City of Redmond experienced tremendous growth. He baptized quite a few of Redmond’s Catholic millennials during those years — including yours truly.
Lovett was born in Kilmoyley County, Kerry, Ireland on December 1st, 1935. One of twelve children, he hailed from a family that was very devoted to the Catholic Church. According to a story on his retirement published by the Archdiocese of Seattle, five of his nine sisters became women religious. And he was not alone among his peers in deciding to take holy orders: thirty of his one hundred member high school graduating class chose to enter the seminary.
The aforementioned story gives a good account of his service as a young priest:
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Seattle at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny on May 31, 1959, Father Lovett was an assistant at St. James Cathedral Parish and then at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Seattle.
After earning a master’s in social work from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., he returned to the archdiocese and served as assistant director of Catholic Charities (now Catholic Community Services) for eight years, while also serving several of those years as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Seattle.
St. Jude would be Lovett’s final posting. By the Archdiocese’s reckoning, he started out with a community of about four hundred families. By the time he retired in mid-2003, more than 2,300 families belonged to the parish.
To say that Father Lovett was beloved by the families he served would be an understatement. He had a great sense of empathy and connected with everybody. He was also an excellent homilist. I can still vividly remember him ending one of his sermons with these words: “We are an Easter people — Alleluia, Alleluia!”
He also liked to say, “God’s crazy about you!”
Father had a great sense of humor and loved to joke with parishioners. In 1997, after returning to St. Jude after a spiritual retreat in Ireland, he responded to a silly Internet rumor about Bill Gates buying the Catholic Church by quipping, “I wasn’t on sabbatical. I was on a committee negotiating with Microsoft over the takeover.”
Father remained in touch following his retirement from St. Jude.
On May 16th, 2005, he called and left me a voicemail expressing his sheer delight at having opened that morning’s edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer to find a guest column by me rebutting an obnoxious Tim Eyman op-ed that had run in the paper only a few days prior. (It was my first op-ed in print.)
I’ll never forget listening to that congratulatory message. Father was overjoyed that one of his flock was standing up to defend Washington against Tim Eyman’s destructive initiatives. I could tell the column had really resonated with him. He encouraged me to keep on building Permanent Defense and NPI — and I have.
I had the pleasure of visiting with Father on his seventy-eighth birthday back in 2013; that was the last time I saw him. When I greeted him, he remarked that I was very tall and asked me if my work with NPI was going well. (Having won a huge victory with the defeat of Eyman’s I‑517 just a month prior, I assured him it was.)
Later, while we were visiting, I asked him what he thought of Pope Francis. Father smiled broadly and declared, “He should have come fifty years ago!”
Father was one of those people who could say a lot without actually saying a lot. Even when he didn’t have a homily or sermon prepared, he would still speak with conviction. And whenever he had something to say, people listened.
A fellow St. Jude parishioner captured Father’s remarks on his seventy-fifth birthday back in 2010 on video. Watch, and you’ll get a measure of the man Father was.
It saddens me to think I’ll never get an opportunity to visit with Father Lovett again. The Church has lost a good and gracious man, a kind and devoted shepherd. But I am comforted in knowing he is with the Lord now. Easter came early for him this year. Father spent a lifetime preaching the Gospel and ministering to the people of the Pacific Northwest. Today, he got to share in Christ’s Resurrection himself.
51 Comments
He’s been a part of our life since the birth of St. Jude’s parish. We would like to know if there is a service or a place to send donations to?
JMJ
Roxine & family
Father Lovett married Jim and I at St. Paul’s Parish in 1976. He was a remarkable priest and a friend to all who knew him. Father Lovett always welcomed our family with a smile, a handshake and a hug. He will be missed and our family finds comfort in knowing he is now with our mom and dad.
Father’s death was announced this morning at Sacred Heart church in Palm Desert where Bill & I are vacationing. My fav thing Father would say to me & I hope I wasn’t the only one, “Susie, You are SO good.…but you could be so much better!” I love that his family is from the same county in Ireland as mine! I know he rests now in Jesus’ arms !
I was 17 the year I first met Fr. Lovett and was part of the inaugural mass at St. Judes. He officiated at my wedding in 1981 and baptized my three daughters. He also was present at my Moms service in 2011 and while he needed a little help he still had that same sense of humor and wit. I visited him several times in the past 6 months and will miss him dearly. Never have I met a finer human. Rest in peace Father and give Mom a hug for me.
So many times he told me I was SO good, but could be so much better. I forgot that. Thanks for reminding me Susan Morgan. Strangely, I thought of him yesterday. Had not seen him since 1999, so the thought came out of the blue. Guess I know why now.
My sweet Father Lovett… No words can ever express the love, and respect I had for this man these past 34 years. My phone call to him in 1981 regarding the baptism of my son Richie began a wonderful friendship between us that I will forever be grateful for. In these past 34 years we shared many memorable times together, whether it be lunch, dinner, cutting his hair, or just a phone conversation to say hello. These past 11 years while living in Arizona my husband Gary and I had the pleasure of Father visiting our home twice for a week at a time. What joy he brought to our home. And we would always make sure to see Father on our visits to Seattle each year. That time spent with him here in our home, and in Seattle will be cherished for the remainder of my life. I am blessed to have received a grandmother clock from Father two years ago as he knew how much I liked them, and wanted me to have his to remember him by. It is proudly displayed in our living room. His clock has always had great meaning to me, but now even more with his passing. The beautiful chimes I hear every 15 minutes will be a daily reminder to me of the beautiful man I knew as my priest and friend. I last visited with him in Seattle this past September with my husband. We had a wonderful visit with him but saw the declince in his health then. In this last month while speaking with him by phone I knew my time with him was sadly coming to an end. I have been preparing for this loss for sometime, but had no idea the sadness it would bring to me upon the news of this beautiful mans passing yesterday. I find comfort comfort in knowing that Father is in heaven now, resting with our dear Lord. What an incedible mark he left on this earth for all that had the opportunity to know him. I know he did for me. How blessed I am to have had him in my life for so many years… to call him my friend. This dear man I called “My sweet Father Lovett”. Forever you will live in my heart dear man… Rest in Peace. xo
Excellent tribute to a great man. Thank you.
Our family brought up the gifts at that first St. Jude’s mass in the Redmond Junior High cafeteria. My dad was a lector and in charge of the altar servers, my brother and I were both altar servers, and my mom was a CCD teacher. So many great memories of growing up in that parish, and of Fr. Lovett. The 75th birthday video is fantastic — listening to his voice and his loving and good-humored take on faith brings me right back to those rust-upholstered pews. He went out right: St. Patrick’s Day on earth, Easter in heaven. Rest in peace!
During the fall of my sophomore year at Redmond High I attended a SEARCH retreat at St. Jude’s. I knew nobody at the retreat and was in the parking lot trying to decide if I should go into the retreat. Father saw me and came up to talk about the same time as one of the Team approached. On the name badges we made for the retreat, we put our favorite song in one corner. The Team member had Baba O’Riley as her song and commented about my Who selection as well. When Father read “Don’t Get Fooled Again” he said something about the first time I was fooled.
With that breaking the ice for me, I went to the retreat and had a great time. That one simple interaction still sits with me all these years later.
Such a great man, always made time for everyone. I met FR. Lovett when I was probably 10, 31 years ago. I lived one street away from him and would use his trail to get to church. Thank you. Jennifer Vukonich Clark
My Mom was the secretary of St. Judes from the beginning. I was in first grade I believe when she worked from the rectory, and mass was held at Redmond Junior High. I would walk to the church many times from school, even through high school. I went to see Mom, Judy Evers, and Father Lovett on my way to my first dance, and I remember him dancing with me, my first dance lesson. He always called my his Jody Vahnna. Father Lovett was so great with those fierce hugs that could crack bones, the smiles that lit up rooms, and yes the great homilies as well. I also remember being told that we were so good, but could be so much better. What a great lesson. I also have always recalled that his greatest lesson to all of us was to be as Jesus. And smile. Seeing this video was a great reminder. Father will always be in my heart.
I have never met a more loving and caring soul that taught us daily how to live our lives. With Grace! He will be missed and remembered always in so many hearts.
May the angels come and greet Him when he enters the Kingdom.
An example for us all to aspire to.
We have known Fr. Lovett early on from St. Paul’s Parish. He was the favorite amongst so many people of the parish, but he was truly mine and my husband’s favorite Priest. He was always so inviting and always went out of his way to make you feel comfortable. He will be greatly missed. Rest Peacefully Father Lovett.
I have known Fr.Lovett since the Redmond JH cafeteria days. He was the most loving and caring priest I have ever met. He knew us all by name; he even came to watch my son pitch in a Little League game so many years ago! Who does that anymore? When my son’s wife died 5 years ago, he somehow found out and called to talk and comfort him. Two years later, when my son passed, he contacted me. He knew what to say and it meant so much to both of us. Fr. Lovett, you were the very best of the best! May you rest in peace.
Two years ago Father Lovett made the considerable effort to visit the Eastside Catholic campus and have lunch with a small group of staffers. I feel so privileged, personally,to have spent that time with him and I know our school was particularly blessed by his presence — a gift from God.
I could always count of Father Lovett. His words of encouragement and merry hellos always made me feel right with God and the world .
Hi
Thanks for the great tribute to my uncle Fádie (as our family called Fr Lovett in Ireland) — I sent the link to my mum — his sister and she has taken great solace from the kind words at this sad time. She and I got to visit him at St Jude’s in Redmond in 2001 and were really enamoured with his community. He was a great anchor for our family and we were all his favourite nieces and nephews of course.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dhílis (may his loyal soul sit at the right side of God).
Andrew, that was a lovely tribute. Hearing his voice on the video was a great gift. He was one of the first priests I really knew. I may have known him longer than any of you, as he helped our family in 1966 when he was at Guadalupe and my cousin Jim Fife was killed in Vietnam. I was only 10 years old. He may very well be one of the reasons I’ve stayed Catholic, as his love and compassion during that awful time left a mark on me. We stayed in touch over the years. He thought I should be a nurse, but I became a teacher. When I was a teenager, he would say, with his Irish wit, “Oh, Stephanie, if I were younger and you were older, I wouldn’t be a priest!” Later on, he’d greet me by saying, “How’s the best third grade teacher in Seattle?” He just had a way of making you feel like a million bucks. He always made us laugh. At the same time, he made you want to do better.
We last saw him up at Providence Mt. St. Vincent last December. His memory had faded, but I know he knew I was a flash from the past. Our goddaughter from Honduras was with us, and Father, ever the flatterer, talked more with her than he did to us! Some things never change. Rest in peace, dear friend. You’re the best.
Dear Fr. Lovett,
As “founding” parishioners of St. Jude’s, it is because of you I returned to the church and Rick became a catholic. You did act as Jesus would have, with great compassion and love. I’m sure you “had some explaining to do” when you arrived, as you said you would, but I know you were welcomed by Him with open arms. Well done, good and faithful servant! We love you!
Father Lovett inspired me as a teenager. He was a man of faith and integrity. He is the only man of the cloth that ever answered my questions to my satisfaction. I will never forget him. He gave me the nick name of Lil’ Hutch during my religious education years. (My older brother was Hutch) I will miss you Father Lovett, rest in peace dear friend.…
Father Lovett graced each and everyone of us who knew and loved him! What a privilege it is to send home to our God in Heaven such a man of joy whose entire life was one of thanksgiving in his praise of God. When Father Lovett would visit my classroom at Holy Names Academy and recognize, by calling out the names of students, his parishoners, their delightful faces told the story of how Christlike he was for and to them. May each of us share in his Eternal Peace by our loving prayers.
Sister Rosemary Perisich,snjm
Holy Names Academy
I first met Fr. Lovett as a CYO camper at Camp Don Bosco. He was dearly beloved by all the campers and staff. Time rolled on and I had the great joy of him officiating my marriage at St. Paul’s. He introduced my husband and I at the end of the ceremony as “Mr. and Mrs. KJR” as that was where I worked at the time. Loved his smile, voice, twinkling eyes, and crushing hugs. He will be missed and I so loved that I knew him.
Such a wonderful priest and man. Father Lovett touched all of us. He always called us the #1 team at church functions, he always made us feel special.I so enjoyed my time on the parish council with him.I still, to this day, miss his sermons. He had a way of touching your heart.
Heaven will be such an exciting place with Father their. We will miss you, but you have touched our lives forever.
When I was young I had terrible tourette syndrome ticks. I remember going to a healing mass where I recieved his blessing. Over night all of my worst ticks were gone. I was left with only a minor occasional eye tick that reminds me to never forget what the holy spirit did for me through him. God bless you Father Lovett and thank you for touching my life with so much wisdom and so many blessings!
Great human being. Best smile and loving grace always flowing. My Father and Mother were devoted to Father during his tenure at St.Paul’s and after. We enjoy family dinners at our house with father as our guest with fond memories of the fun times we shared loving and laughing with passion.
I met father Lovett at St. Paul’s parish along with Sister Ilene during my CCD years he was there for our classes as well as my first holy communion. you will be truley missed but never forgotten R.I.P. father
There will never be another like him. He is already in Heaven. Our deepest sympathy to his family in Ireland, particularly Declan & Nora.
I always hoped he would be with us forever. He made the world a better place. Paula was lucky to know Father Lovett growing up in West Seattle while he was at Our Lady of Guadalupe. He would come to Colmon Pool at Lincoln Park for a swim and perhaps a break, but kids would surround him to hear that warm laugh and I don’t think he got a moments peace. Every community he lived in benefitted from his genuine love and spark for life. He taught us how to BE a community.
When we moved to Redmond in the days of meeting at the School cafeteria, we were thrilled to know we would be in Father Lovett’s loving care again. Our kids received their Sacraments from him. We join with all of you to celebrate his loving Spirit that he shined on all of us. We were lucky to learn from him and can all ‘pass it on’ to honor him. The Yocum Family.
I was 10 in 1966 when Father Lovett was the assistant Pastor at Our Lade of Guadalupe in West Seattle. All of the kids loved him. He taught us how to play Irish football at recess (kind of a ball game where 2 teams keep a ball from the other team that we had such a blast playing). He also made the rounds to peoples homes on sunny days and all the kids in our neighborhood would ask him to kick the soccer ball straight up in the air.much to our glee. I saw him a few times in later years and was always amazed at how he could remember our names. He was so kind to everyone who knew him. Loved his smile a twinkle in his eyes. He was truly a man of God who lived his faith and he was an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace Father until we meet again.
It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of this great man, priest and family friend. My family and I were blessed to meet Fr. Lovett when I was transferred to Seattle in 1993 and we made our home in Woodinville. As active parishioners we had the true delight of knowing this beautiful man as he would attend our daughter Sarah’s basketball games at Redmond HS. He was a warm and loving man and giant among men. May God Bless your soul Father and thank you for blessing me and my family.
Heaven will be even more fun now…
For me Father Lovette was the face of God in our world.
He had a ” forever” supply of love and compassion for us all.
My girls ( now grown) remember his bone crushing hugs too.
His homilies were instructive and at the same time funny.I am remembering the day he attempted to explain how a Holy Names girl was different than a Forest Ridge girl… Many of us were rolling in the aisles by the time he got out of that corner. My condolences to his family in Ireland. Thank you for sharing him with us.
I went to see Fr Lovett before the church was built in Redmond. I had been divorced and was then remarried. I wanted to practice my Catholic faith even though I never received a annulment of my first marriage. I went to Holy Family and the priest said I must get an annulment. I then went to see Father Lovett. He said that whatever I felt in my heart is the right thing to do. We did a confession and it was really a beautiful moment. I thanked him and got up to leave. He threw a box of envelopes at me and said “Debbie, we are building a new church”.
This is only one of many stories I have with Father Lovett. We worked out at the same gym and had some pretty funny experiences with him there.
What a loving, wonderful man. Heaven has certainly gained a fabulous angel.
St Jude’s has never regained what it was when Father Lovett was at the helm.
I remember Father Lovett and his outstanding humor.He was a great friend of the Corrigan/Perri Clan
He always called my mom Auntie Bea. He had a great spirit. He will be greatly missed
I had known Father Lovett since camp Don Bosco days and also as our parish priest at St. Paul’s. He baptized my husband Jim, shortly before he married us in 1981 and also baptized one of our sons. He was my guiding light through the devastating loss of our infant daughter in 1992. He truly was an amazing person and priest. He will be missed.
Father Lovett was our childhood priest at St. Paul’s Parish. I was sad to hear the loss but truly appreciated the video and article. It brought back so many special memories of how he made our family smile with laughter on Sunday morning with his wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. God Bless.
Father Lovett, Thank You for your guidance & being a great individual. I remember when you were at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle & my mom was parish secretary. Those were very special times.
Gary DuPuy
My Dear Father Lovett,
When we first moved from New Jersey in 1968, we were so homesick for our extended family we left behind. Although “Catholic Tourists” as you so fondly referenced us, your love and support for our family lasted for 47 years. You married us, baptized our children, and stood by us with the passing of our father. You never left our side through the most difficult times of our lives. A true example of the teachings of Jesus Christ. I thought of you this morning, and cried as I began my day knowing this would be the first morning without you. As I got in my car, “You Have A Friend” was the first song playing on the radio. I know in my heart this was a message from you to wipe away my tears. I will be calling out your name, because I know you will be there.…because we truly have a friend and priest who is still listening. Love and God Bless! The Walker/Dilley/Mapp/Taylor/Berger/Wyman
Families.
Father Lovett will be missed dearly by the Tarte family and Roche Harbor community. Father Lovett often visited the family at Roche Harbor and we enjoyed his sermons at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel. He truly was a treasure. God Bless.
Listening to Father speak at his 75th brings back memories of his sermons, always kept you captivated.Memories of from Gerard Lovett will live on forever. GOD BLESS YOU FATHER, REST IN PEACE WHILE ALL YOUR LOVE SHINES DOWN ON YOUR CHILDREN
A great man who made a lasting impact on so many lives. He will forever be a blessing to those of us fortunate enough to have known him. Thank you Father and rest in peace.
Met Father Lovett as camper at Camp Don Bosco in 1960. Will always remember his statement in chaplains hour, “God first, your neighbor second and me ‘third’ ”.
A great man of who brought so many to God, who shared the faith with us all who got to know him, a true blessing in all our lives. God bless you Father, rest in peace.
Fr. Lovett is a true shepherd that tended his flock sharing Gods love and his love for all of us who knew him. He will forever live in our hearts. My aloha Fr. Lovett, thank you for taking care of us so well with love, compassion, conviction of faith and your charming humor…
Father Lovett was the only thing that kept me interested in the church. He transcended any one particular religion and in a time when Catholicism took its lumps he was a beacon of quality and virtue. I only wish that he could have performed my wedding in Hawaii but he said he was not up for that kind of travel. The earth has list a man that brought together people of all faiths and beliefs and was inclusive before that was acceptable. We are all richer in having him touch our lives. God bless.
You know that line in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where the angel Clarence tells George Bailey that a person never really realizes all the other people they have touched in their lives? I like to think Father Lovett knew that. Surely he does now.
He was the epitome of a person who “cast a wide net” and made Redmond a better place to live.…and not just for Catholics. In some ways he seemed an extension of the philosophy of Pope John XXIII.
On a personal note he made our family feel immediately welcomed at St. Jude. After moving to the area in 1986 he asked us what we were doing one beautiful Sunday after mass. Had we ever been to Hurricane Ridge, his favorite spot in the state? Later that day we made that trip. We return there every so often and think of him. Next time we’re up there on the mountain top (and often above the clouds), we will know that he is there with us…only higher.
I will never forget Father Lovett’s comment to me one day: “God’s House is built of many buildings”. That message helped me immensely at a time when I most needed it. Father Lovett will be in my heart forever!
Dearest Father Lovett:
“May the Wind Be Always At Your Back”
You will be greatly missed.
Loved having you, Fr. Walsh, Fr. Quinn and
Fr. Heffernan to our home for dinner.
God Bless,
Bette and Gene
Father Lovett was such a friend and mentor to so many! When our twin girls were born three months early, in 1979, Father rushed to the UW after Sunday mass and baptized them. He came to us with open arms and a tearful smile. And gave them their names. What peace he brought with him. He so kindly helped us through the passing of one of our precious babies.
We first met Fr. Lovett in 1979 at his home in Redmond (prior to the finish of construction of St Jude; when he so kindly Baptized our Daughter. It was then that he recommended the name of Megan as we had not chosen a name prior to her birth (she is now Megan).
Move ahead 6 years and Megan was making her first reconciliation Fr. Lovett was a visiting Priest to assist– we were able to get Megan to Fr Lovett who he had not seen since the Baptism — we introduced her to him with “we bring Megan back to you” his eyes lit up and he knew exactly who we were; and with a big loving hug he proceeded with Megan’s first reconciliation. We later had a gathering in the church; and whole time Fr. Lovett held Megan’s hand.
She will never forget this loving day.
Again move forward 15 years and we all were at St Jude’s for Megan’s marriage to Brett — the ceremony was wonderful and loving; and remembered by all; especially my Irish Mother by remembering Fr. Lovett’s joke that he had a 2’by 4′ in the back of the church for Megan to keep Brett in line.
What a wonderful man and the pure definition of love — he will be forever be in the loving support of Jesus Christ; where his faith has led him now.
Father Gerald Lovett,
“The more we love and receive, the greater the loss!”
Movie, 1965; ‘The Sound of Music’
you expressed as one of your favorites. “The Happiest Sound in All of the World!” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain!”
“May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon the fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
LOVE AND PRAYERS ALWAYS / Bob & Carol along with all of the Knievel Family
We met Father Lovett after we came here from Hawaii in 1984.
We loved him very much and enjoyed his friendly, loving, and teasing personality.
I never was able to know when he was teasing and when serious, sometimes he felt sorry after realizing that I was really worried. We will never forget him, and will pray that the Lord will receive him in the palm of his hand.
He definitely left a mark in this world and our lives, making them all better after he moved on. Blessings to you and a great big family hug for you.
Very sad to see this, but what an amazing man. He lived across the street from us, and would come over and watch cartoons with us. Very inspirational man, and kind. RIP.