Tower Topics ~ Spring 2002

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Fr. Lawrence Gidley passes to eternal life

Shortly after the community Eucharist, at about 12:40 in the afternoon, Dec. 6, 2001, our confrere Father Lawrence Gidley passed over from death to eternal life.

Father Lawrence was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on March 10, 1913, the son of Edwin Garfield and Louise Jardine Gidley. When baptized at St. Francis Xavier Church in Council Bluffs, he was given the name Edwin Joseph. The family moved to Fremont, Neb., in 1922, where he graduated from Fremont Senior High School in 1931.

Perhaps to summarize the next fifty years of his life, it would be well to let Father Lawrence speak for himself by citing some of his own words from the letter he wrote for the Saint Peter’s Parish bulletin in Stanberry, Mo., on the occasion of his 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood:

“In the fall of 1931 I went to Conception College to ‘test my vocation,’ as Father Richard Felix [the rector] said, who was out recruiting students for Conception College. At Conception the good Brothers and Fathers made a deep impression on me by their lives of prayer and work . . . [These all] contributed to my decision to become a Benedictine . . .

“On August 15, 1933, I entered the monastery and became a novice. Following my profession of vows . . in 1937 to Father Abbot Philip Ruggle, I continued my academic studies at St. Benedict’s in Atchison, and (the then) State Teachers’ College at Maryville, Catholic University and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. On May 2, 1940, I was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica by Bishop LeBlond—-and four hours later baptized my dad. I taught in the academy and seminary for 14 years. Father Abbot Stephen Schappler in 1953 assigned me as chaplain and teacher to Sacred Heart Convent and Mt. Marty College in Yankton, S.D. There I taught for 12 years. In the summer of 1965 — my 25th anniversary year — I traveled for 3 months through 18 countries of Europe and Asia. Upon my return I was assigned as chaplain, teacher and counselor to St. Martin’s Convent and Academy in Rapid City, S.D., by Father Abbot Anselm Coppersmith.

“After teaching [English, homiletics and drama] for 36 years I asked Father Abbot Kevin McGonigle for permission to assist my good friend, Bishop Harold Dimmerling of the Rapid City Diocese who was very short of priests. With the abbot’s permission, the bishop assigned me to a fine parish, St. Mary’s, at Newell, a picturesque little town on the prairie in sheep country. In the winter of 1978, Father Abbot Jerome Hanus asked me if I would return to Missouri to become the pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in Stanberry. . . On August 1, 1978 I became the pastor of St. Peter’s [and of St. Patrick’s Church, Ford City] . . . After 40 years [in 1980] I am simply amazed at God’s great goodness to me!”

Father Lawrence continued as pastor in Stanberry until the fall of 1985 when his advancing age and troublesome arthritis prompted Abbot Jerome to relieve him of that position and to call him home to the Abbey. From here he was happy to be available for what was called “extraordinary ministries:” filling in temporarily for pastors on vacation, acting as associate pastor, e.g., for several months at our Catholic Indian Mission in Fort Yates and other parishes, hearing confessions at near-by convents, and other ad hoc tasks assigned to him by the prior.

Residing in the Abbey’s St. Stephen’s Infirmary, he gradually withdrew more and more from outside activities, primarily because of the gradual worsening of his chronic arthritis. He continued nevertheless to keep in close contact with many of his friends and acquaintances by phone and by mail. The number of cards, presents, and letters he received at Christmastime and on other special occasions continued to amaze and challenge the mail carriers.

Father Lawrence, while he was director of dramatics for many years in the Seminary College, was responsible for a large number of outstanding stage presentations, including productions of several of Shakespeare’s plays, other dramas and comedies, both “classical” and popular. Together with Father Edmund Kestel, he directed many speech choirs and highly acclaimed musicals. This flare for the dramatic tended to manifest itself in his own behavior, often giving others a somewhat flamboyant and bigger-than-life impression of himself — an impression he sometimes indulged with much good will and humor. He thought that life was wonderful and we all should react accordingly. All his life he continued to make big gestures, often to the delight of those about him.

A Vesper-wake service was sung on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 7:15 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by burial in St. Columba’s Cemetery.

Abbot Gregory Polan
and Community

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