Giving Back to Those Who Gave Everything: How Your Gift Helps Retired Priests Like Father James Fox
- Denver Catholic Staff
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
For more than 50 years, Father James Fox has dedicated his life to serving the faithful in the Archdiocese of Denver.
We caught up with him, now retired, to ask about his upbringing, vocation and retirement. In his own words below, he shares how the generosity of the community has blessed him throughout his 50 years of service and continues to bless priests like him through the Retired and Infirm Priests Second Collection.
A Calling Rooted in Family and Faith
“I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, and the monsignor who ran our parish closed the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. So, the parochial vicars had to go searching for food. Well, my mom was a wonderful cook, so periodically, the priests would come over, specifically for my mom’s chocolate cake.
In the process of doing that, I met Monsignor William O’Connell, and something about his dynamism, energy and passion for his vocation really got my attention. I was also trained by Benedictine Sisters during elementary school, and occasionally, they would tell me, ‘You ought to think about being a priest.’ I didn’t want to, but obviously, they planted some seeds.
Then, in college, I found myself listening to my friends’ problems, and as a result, I began thinking about redirecting my choice from studying pharmacy to becoming a priest.”
A Journey of Companionship
“One outstanding thing is that I never think of this in individual terms: my work, my successes, what I’ve done. I’ve been uniquely blessed in all the parishes that I’ve served to work with both lay and religious individuals.
Thinking about the last 50 years, it really has been a journey in companionship to help make our parishes life-giving and nourishing for the faithful. It’s not really my journey, but the journey of all those with whom I have worked. I feel nothing but gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had.”
The Gift of Support in Retirement
“First of all, it's always been my sense and responsibility that if I'm a part of something, I also have to support it. So, I've never asked a community to donate or to give anything to which I was not willing to also give. And so, making contributions to the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal or the Priest's Retirement Fund has always just been part of my life.
Being able to move here into the Prophet Elijah House, I think probably my overwhelming sense is one of gratitude that, for those of us who may not have independent wealth or, you know, some options or may be facing medical issues, that we have an opportunity to such a place is a great gift.
It was pretty easy to transition into retirement. I had some friends who helped me to move in here, and then, with the help of Deacon Mark and Deacon Rob, the transition in terms of physical location has not been that challenging. The other challenges are adjusting to new routines and reacquainting yourself with old friends, and then trying to figure out what am I going to do next.
The first plan was to take a breath. Life in parishes can be a little bit daunting sometimes, and I've really enjoyed the privilege of working with a very active, wonderful community at Good Shepherd. And so, having just a couple of days to take a breath is a little bit of a gift. And then my goal certainly will be to help serve any parish communities or other groups of people, as long as I'm physically and mentally able.”
The Blessing of the Prophet Elijah House
“Each of us who's retired has different physical and mental abilities. And, in particular, my brother, who was a priest of the Cheyenne Diocese, was able to live here at the Prophet Elijah House. He was suffering from a form of cancer, and his major cancer doctor was here at Presbyterian St. Luke. And so, being able to come to a community where he wasn't alone, he was given the dignity of being able to function to the best of his ability. Being received as a brother and welcomed so that he could share meals, share a Mass and just be accompanied. Over the time of his dying, the kindness and support not only of the brother priests at Prophet Elijah House, but also of other people in the Archdiocese was just amazing.
I would add, if somebody were living in an apartment all by themself, the kind of support and help would be very limited. And so, having a community where there are different resources available makes this a whole different experience than just living in an apartment on your own.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a sacrament of relationship. We are ordained to be at the service of community, and that doesn't make us lone rangers. It makes us brothers and fathers to a community. And so being together again only gives us that wonderful support and help to be in relationship even though we are retired.”
The Power of Giving Together
“I think, oftentimes, I've heard this notion that together we can do great things. I think one of the remarkable gifts of the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal and the Priest Retirement Fund is that there are many things that we can't do on our own, one parish or one individual. But by joining my efforts — even if my contribution may be a little smaller or seemingly insignificant — with others, amazing things can happen. And personally, I'm just nothing but filled with awe and gratitude for the remarkable generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Denver.”
Through your generosity to the Retired and Infirm Priests Second Collection, you provide priests like Father Fox and many others with the care and community they deserve after a lifetime of service to the Church.
Your contributions support housing, medical care and communal living at places like the Prophet Elijah House, where retired priests can continue to live their vocation in fellowship and prayer.
Even the smallest gift, joined with the gifts of others, makes an incredible difference in honoring those who have dedicated their lives to serving the faithful. To make a gift to the Retired and Infirm Priest Second Collection, please visit archden.org/retiredpriests or call 303-867-0614.
Note: This interview was edited for length and clarity.
