REVEREND FATHER Phillip A Widmann

1941 - 2021

THE REVEREND FATHER PHILLIP A. WIDMANN, 79, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Father Wid mann, the only son of Fred J. Widmann and Florence Desch Widmann was born in Fort Wayne on Sept. 3, 1941. He graduated from both St. Peter's Catholic Grade School and Central Catholic High School. He was employed for some 13 years in the offices at the Fort Wayne Works of International Harvester Company, where he was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 305, served as a Departmental Union Steward and was active in Democratic Party politics. During those years, he was a member of both the Fort Wayne and the Diocesan Catholic Young Adult Programs, serving as President of both the Fort Wayne Senior CYO and the Diocesan CYA Organizations and later, as a priest, he would serve both these organizations as their Chaplain. In 1969, he was named the Outstanding Catholic Young Adult of the Diocese and was presented with the "Eagle of the Cross" Award. In the years immediately following the Second Vatican Council, he served as the first President of the St. Peter's Parish Pastoral Council and was a member of the Cathedral Pontifical Choir. During these years he took night classes at the University of St. Francis. In January of 1972, he entered the Seminary of St. Pius X, Covington, Ky., and concluded his theological studies at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., in December of 1976 with a Master's Degree in Systematic / Dogmatic Theology. Father Widmann was ordained to the holy priesthood by the Most Reverend William E. McManus on Jan. 15, 1977 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne. His assignments as a priest of the Diocese of Fort Wayne include serving as a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, South Bend; St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Jude Parish, Fort Wayne; and St. Patrick Parish, Fort Wayne. He also served as pastor of the following parishes: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Avilla; Sacred Heart Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Joseph Parish, Roanoke; St. Catharine of Alexandria Parish, Nix Settlement; St. Andrew Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Peter Parish, Fort Wayne and St. Mary Mother of God Parish, Fort Wayne. He retired from being a pastor on June 23, 2020. While pastor at St. Peter's, he served on the Board of the neighborhood renewal entity known as SP/ZP. For a time, he also served as temporary pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Hessen Cassel and Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Fort Wayne. From 1977 to 1985, he served as an Instructor of Church History and Church Doctrine at Bishop Dwenger High School and from 1988 to 1992 he taught there as an Instructor of Moral Theology and served as Chaplain to the football team during the Football State Championship Seasons of 1990 and 1991. From 1977 to 1986, he served as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies to both Bishops William McManus and John D'Arcy. In 1978, he founded and served until his death as Director of the DIOCESAN (CATHEDRAL) MUSEUM. For some 13 years, Father Widmann served as the Diocesan Director for the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese. Father Widmann was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 451 and the Anthony Wayne Fourth Degree where he served as Chaplain from 1983 to 2004. At various times during his priesthood, Father Widmann also served on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, the Parish-In-Need Committee, the Priest's Retirement Committee and the St. Mary Mother of God Parish Heritage Fund. For a number of years, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Religious History Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Center, Fort Wayne. He was also active in numerous human and animal rights organizations. Father Widmann had a special interest in history and politics. He is survived by numerous cousins and his beloved Persian cats, Fiona and Bonnie Bleu. Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2021, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 518 East DeWald St., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. The Mass will be livestreamed on St. Peter's Catholic Church Facebook page. Visitation is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 2021, at the church, with the Rosary recited at 5:45 p.m. Face Masks are required and social distancing will be followed. Entombment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to either Masses; the St. Peter Preservation Fund; the St. Mary Mother of God Repairs & Restoration Fund; The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith; the DIOCESAN MUSEUM; the Allen County S.P.C.A. or the Allen County Democratic Party. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com