Fitzgerald served on the faculty of Loras College for 25 years where he also served as the registrar and dean of studies. In 1938 he received an honorary degree from Loyola University Chicago in recognition for his work in organizing Catholic colleges.[1] During his time at Loras, Fitgerald filled a number of chaplaincies in the Dubuque area. He became a pastor at Sacred Heart in Osage in 1941 and at St. Joseph in Elkader in 1946.
On October 20, 1949, Pope Pius XII appointed Fitzgerald bishop of the Winona diocese. He became known as "the building bishop" for his oversight of the construction of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, a seminary, and several churches in the diocese.[3] He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965, and subsequently implemented the Council's reforms in the diocese, including introducing English into the Mass.[3]
Later life and death
Fizgerald retired on January 8, 1969. He was succeeded by Bishop Loras Watters, another auxiliary bishop from Dubuque. On March 30, 1972, Fitzgerald died in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart during the Holy Thursday liturgy.[1] He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona.
References
^ abcdGallagher, BVM, Mary Kevin (ed.) (1987). Seed/Harvest: A History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Duduque, Iowa: Archdiocese of Dubuque Press. p. 161. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)