It is said that grief is love made homeless.
The parishioners of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, the students and alumni of Lexington Catholic High School and the hundreds and hundreds of friends and admirers of Father Norman Fischer around the country know exactly what this means.
When he died suddenly on July 15, 2024, just weeks shy of his 51st birthday, those who loved Father Fischer were beyond shocked.
How could this joyful, talented, passionate young priest be so suddenly gone? How could someone who was so powerfully present to so many now be so utterly absent? His passing left what seemed to be an unfillable void.
The love so many had for Father Fischer was left homeless.
And who could fault them? Father Fischer was larger than life.
He was fond of saying that
God doesn’t ask for much. God asks for everything!”
And Father Fischer held nothing back.
Norman Fischer grew up on a small tobacco and cattle farm in Perryville, Kentucky, son of an African American father and Filipino mother. His humble beginning created a special empathy for those who are counted out and a special affinity for the many-hued colors of all God’s children.
He attended Centre College, located near his hometown, and graduated with a double major in psychology and art. He painted beautiful Catholic art, such as this recent painting of the sacred heart of Jesus.
After his ordination in 2000, he became the first Black Filipino priest in the Diocese of Lexington and in 2006 he was appointed pastor of St. Peter Claver. He was elected president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus last year.
The spiritual son of St. Peter Claver
St. Peter Claver held a beautiful resonance for Father Fischer. St. Peter Claver is the patron saint of enslaved peoples and interracial justice. He is frequently pictured standing on broken chains. It is said that he slept in the holds of cargo ships while ministering to Africans bound for the slave market. It is not an exaggeration to say that Father Fischer is a spiritual son of St. Peter Claver.
Father Fischer was known for his work among marginalized communities in Lexington and beyond. He was equally dedicated to the eradication of spiritual poverty.
Under his leadership, the parish community of St. Peter Claver came to embody the beautiful diversity of God’s family. It is home to African Americans, Filipinos, Koreans and longtime residents of Lexington. In the past few years, a thriving community of Congolese refugees has come to call St. Peter Claver home. Lexington is home to more than 1,300 Congolese, more than 50 percent of whom are Catholic.
Father Fischer joked about his fluency with languages. He said he spoke four languages: English, Spanish, enough Swahili to get by, and “teenager”—a language few adults ever master. He served as chaplain at Lexington Catholic High School for over 18 years. He was adored by the students. They loved his authenticity, playfulness, wise counsel and Energizer Bunny enthusiasm. Father Fischer’s passing likely hit hardest on these young hearts and souls.
A Church for the ages
The original St. Peter Claver Church was established in 1875 at Jefferson and Fourth Street. Its mission was to educate Black children and minister to Black Catholics in Lexington. Under Father Fischer’s leadership the parish had grown a remarkable 50 percent in just 10 years, and a bigger church needed to be built.
Father Fischer led the building campaign. Catholic Extension Society was honored to have supported the rebuilding of his growing parish, and we joined in the dedication of the stunningly beautiful new church on April 16, 2023.
The church is a reflection of Father Fischer’s beautiful artistic and spiritual vision and will be one of his most enduring gifts for generations to come.
Inside its walls is a large portrait of Our Lady Queen of Angels. Mary is depicted surrounded not by the traditional triumphant angelic hosts, but by children of every nationality and with disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome. Father Fischer knew that those counted out in our world are also those closest to Mary’s protective mantle.
From grief to consolation
The loss of Father Fischer hit Catholic Extension Society hard as well. Father Fischer had been an advisory member of our Board of Governor’s “Mission Committee” since 2018. His wisdom, prophetic voice and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.
If grief is love made homeless, then it is equally true that consolation is love made active. We will find our consolation when, like Father Fischer, we hold nothing back in the service of Love. It is then that our love will find a landing spot. It is then that the separation between us and Father Fischer in the Communion of Saints will be membrane thin.
Catholic Extension Society joins with the parishioners of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, the students and alumni of Lexington Catholic High School and the hundreds and hundreds of friends and admirers of Father Fischer across the country, promising to give our everything in the service of Love.
Because God does not ask for much. God asks for everything.
