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MY FAVORITE PRIEST
A compassionate priest
By Joseph C. Frisch
God blesses each of us with certain talents. He blessed Father Richard Speltz with a multiplicity of talents. This popular priest was not only an outstanding spiritual leader and efficient parish administrator, but also a competent musician, architect, building contractor, mason, plumber, carpenter, and electrician.
Father Dick would be the first to admit that he was not a child prodigy, yet he always loved music. He believed that his early interest and enjoyment of all types of music were largely due to parental influence. His mother played the piano. Her five sons and two daughters became musicians. Al played the trumpet, Paul excelled as a bass violinist, Ed entertained audiences with the cello, George (Bishop Speltz) was a trombone player and band director, while Father Richard mastered the violin and baritone horn. Sister Genevieve, O.S.F. was a gifted violinist and Margaret was a pianist.
This priest musician played the violin regularly with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and sometimes with the Winona Symphony Orchestra. It was gratifying for him to be told that people enjoyed listening to his violin performances.
Music was not the only ingredient which added zest to Father Dick’s life. He was keenly interested in the construction of churches. During the nineteen years that he was pastor of Crucifixion Parish in La Crescent, Minnesota, Father Speltz assumed the role of a general contractor and supervised the erection of a new church, parochial school, convent, and catechetical center. He also assisted with the building of Holy Cross Church, his mission parish in Dakota, Minnesota. Bishop George Speltz claims that his brother Richard was a naturally born engineer. Not only did he supervise the construction of those parish buildings, but he also contributed many hours reading blueprints, cutting stone, laying bricks and cement, and assisting workers wherever he was needed. His great love for his parishioners prompted him to make any sacrifice for the welfare of Crucifixion Parish. Doctors were convinced that this priest’s first heart attack, which he suffered in 1958, was induced by excessive physical exertion.
Father Dick’s humble and unassuming attitude toward people endeared him to many of the La Crescent residents. He never paraded his talents or achievements in the presence of others. He once mentioned to me that he preferred to be addressed as “Father” and not “Monsignor.” Special honors and awards meant nothing to him. In this regard, he resembled St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) who reluctantly became an archbishop and cardinal. When the papal delegate brought the cardinal’s hat to the monastery, Bonaventure was washing dishes. Without manifesting the slightest sign of emotion or interest, Bonaventure simply told the pope’s representative to hang that hat on a tree. I am convinced that Father Speltz would have responded in a similar manner if such an honor were extended to him.
His genuine humility was demonstrated a few years ago when I informed Father Speltz that I intended to write an article concerning his love for people and music. His response was simply, “Please do not publish anything about me while I am still living because, if you say too many nice things, I will feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.”
On the occasion of one of my weekly visits with this priest friend, he shared with me one of his personal convictions. “The day that a priest begins to think and act in such a way to impress the right people for the sake of clerical advancement, that priest will no longer be effective as a spiritual leader,” stated Father Richard. Then he added to this observation, “I have always been happy in the priesthood and that is enough for me. There is no greater honor than the privilege of being ordained a priest.”
Because he never compromised his moral convictions, people recognized Father Speltz as a priest who always stood between God and man, between goodness and evil, between knowledge and ignorance, between integrity and dishonesty, between compassion and insensitivity, as well as between faith and infidelity. He brought the message of God to mankind and mankind’s needs to God.
His life has been totally committed to God and totally committed to human beings. He is truly a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
This likable priest was accepted as everyone’s friend. Even teenagers have informed me that he was the most affable and approachable pastor they ever had in Crucifixion Parish. Those young people trusted him and confided many intimate secrets of their lives to him.
Father Speltz bore a lifelong influence on some of his younger parishioners. He encouraged them to pursue certain careers in life. His judgment was based on the student’s talents and interests. Kathleen Cooper, who idolized this priest, readily acknowledged that she owes her success in life to the suggestion offered by Father Dick that she study music and become a church organist. “It was the wisest decision I ever made,” declared Kathleen. “Music has enriched my life and provided me and my family with many years of enjoyment.”
This charming lady, who is one of the musicians in Holy Cross Parish, laughed when she told me that the instructions given by Father Richard to couples, who were preparing to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, were unique and effective. Many years ago this priest gave the following advice to George and Kathleen (nee Gittens) Cooper: “Have children and not Cadillacs.” The Coopers took that advice seriously and brought eight children into the world. It can also be said that this couple never owned a Cadillac. Incidentally, their marriage was a very happy experience for both of them.
On one occasion, while sharing our thoughts with one another, I told Father Speltz that, if I were ever asked to assist any pastor in our diocese again, he would be my first choice. Father was pleased with those words and responded, “You have made my day!”
I was profoundly edified by the loyalty which former parishioners displayed toward him. For example, while Father Speltz was a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, several individuals maintained a twenty-four hour vigil in his room for four consecutive days. These people said that they did not want their former pastor to die alone. It was their way of thanking him for the nineteen years he had unselfishly served as their spiritual leader. I wonder how many persons in other parishes would be willing to sacrifice their sleeping hours to be at the bedside of their pastor if he were dying.
All of Father Dick’s actions were motivated by love. He loved God intensely and he demonstrated a sincere love for others by responding compassionately to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. By means of such love, he became a special light of hope and inspiration to his parishioners.
His genuine love for others and interest in their welfare were revealed in numerous ways. One day, while attired in working clothes, Father Speltz crawled under a parishioner’s automobile to locate a mechanical malfunction. He discovered what was wrong and explained to this man how to make the necessary repairs. No type of manual labor was demeaning to him.
This pastor was always present to offer assistance and condolences when parishioners lost a loved one. He was also generous to people in need. No one was ever turned away when he or she required financial aid. Father Dick was truly generous to people in times of distress. A year before this priest’s death, a former parishioner left a substantial bequest to him. Father gave almost all of that inheritance to charitable causes. The acquisition of money was not important in his life.
We will miss the companionship of this talented and compassionate priest, his hearty laugh, his pleasant disposition, and his optimistic outlook on life. We were indeed privileged to count him as our friend. His presence made our world a better place in which to live.
May God bless you, Father Richard Speltz! May he reward you generously for all of the good deeds you have done on behalf of others!
You are invited to contribute to this series by sending in an account of a priest whom you admire. Articles should not exceed 800 words. The best of these will be printed. Send to “My Favorite Priest,” c/o Homiletic & Pastoral Review, 50 S. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 1, Ramsey, N.J. 07446. If you have a good photo of the priest, please send that also. Enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope, if you wish to have your article returned. . . . Fr. Joseph C. Frisch is the pastor of Holy Cross Church in Dakota, Minn. —Editor
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