Memphis Commercial Appeal - April 23, 2006

Gantert remembered for his compassion
By Sherri Drake

Father Rick Gantert's accessibility to his parishioners, encouraging words during good times and bad and his love for the game of golf are qualities those near to him will remember.

As he battled leukemia, went in and out of remission, had a bone-marrow transplant, a T-cell infusion and traveled to Maryland for treatment, the Memphis priest's faith only increased, friends and family said.

He'd send e-mails updating his parishioners about his condition as he underwent treatment at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. He often reminded them: "Trust in the Lord and be of good courage," said Cathy Weirich, Father Gantert's administrative assistant.

"He said at one point he thought he had faith," Weirich said. "And that he found out what faith was during this sickness."

Father Gantert, the pastor of St. Paul Church in Memphis, died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins. He would have turned 57 years old Friday.

"He taught us how to live, and he taught us how to die," Weirich said. 

Father Gantert was born and raised in Memphis and graduated from Catholic High, St. Ambrose College in Iowa, and attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He was ordained a priest in 1975.

In his early years as a priest, Father Gantert focused on a prison ministry. He later served as secretary of the local Catholic schools. He was an associate pastor at area churches before serving as pastor of St. Mary's Church in Camden, Tenn., from 1981 to 1987, and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Memphis from 1987 to 2000. He'd been pastor of St. Paul since July 2000.

Msgr. Peter Buchignani, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Cordova, said he and Father Gantert shared a love of sports. They and another priest had often played golf together.

They'd usually find time to play while attending seminars.

"He'd say, 'Pete, are you bringing your golf clubs?' And I'd say, 'Is the pope Catholic?'" Buchignani recalled.

Buchignani said Father Gantert will be remembered as a kind man of many talents.

"He was just down to earth. He could relate to the people in the pew," Buchignani said. "I just think he loved people and had a real desire to serve people wherever he was."

Father Gantert leaves six sisters and a brother.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Church, with burial in Calvary. Canale Funeral Directors has charge.