Reverend Monsignor Terence M. Moore
February 24, 1943 - December 19, 2023
Reverend Monsignor Terence M. Moore, our loving brother, uncle, beloved pastor and friend, age 80 years, completed his earthly journey and went peacefully to his Father's House on December 19, 2023.
Rev. Msgr. Moore was born on February 24, 1943 in Ballyfin, Co. Laois, Ireland to Peter and Julia Moore. Rev. Msgr. Moore entered the seminary at St. Patrick's College, Thurles, Ireland in 1961 and was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on June 10, 1967. He came as a missionary priest to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in August of that year and assumed his first assignment as the associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
The young Father Moore demonstrated a passionate devotion to the poor and vulnerable at the earliest stages of his ministry, becoming very involved in social justice ministry on behalf of disenfranchised members of the downtown urban community. Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal observed Fr. Terry's passion for community involvement and sent him to study for a Masters Degree in Social Work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1970. Father Moore returned to Utah in 1972 and became the Director of the Newman Center at the University of Utah where he was a regular speaker on campus on social justice issues. He assumed several assignments as pastor during his younger years which he fulfilled with great energy and pastoral enthusiasm.
In 1978 he was named Director of Refugee Resettlement for Catholic Charities of Utah and administered a variety of social service programs to promote the self sufficiency dreams of thousands of refugees from South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Cuba. He was invited to study for a Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Utah, which he completed in 1981. He was asked to serve as the Coordinator of Refugee Resettlement for the Utah State Department of Social Services in 1982, a position he held with distinction for three years.
In 1985, he was appointed pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Sandy, a position he held for 14 years and during which time he oversaw the building of their new Church and Rectory. In 1987, he was named Executive Director of Catholic Community Services of Utah, a position he served for seven years and during which time he developed several programs to address homelessness in Utah communities. In 1999 he assumed the role of Founding Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Draper, a position he held until his retirement from full time active ministry in 2013. During his tenure at St. John the Baptist Church, he oversaw the construction of the new church and Rosary Grotto on the grounds of the Skaggs Catholic Center.
He was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on November 5, 2008, with the title Monsignor. He was an active member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem since his installation into that Order in 2004. He also served as Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus in several parishes and Assemblies.
He will be remembered for his warm personality which empowered many people to undertake leadership roles in parish ministries. He was totally selfless in his caring for those entrusted to his pastoral care even as he battled chronic leukemia and subsequent heart disease for the past several years. He genuinely loved people and they loved him in return. He devoted several hours each week to pastoral counseling and spiritual direction and was cherished for his gentle spirit and compassionate, humble heart. He will be greatly missed by all of us but his deep faith will continue to call us to our higher selves and the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom he had an abiding affection and devotion.
He is survived by his brother John (Maggie), his sisters, Dympna and Veronica (Michael) and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Reception for Rev. Msgr. Terence M. Moore will be on Monday, January 8, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South Draper, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the recitation of the holy rosary at 6:30 PM and Vigil at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Mass for Rev. Msgr. Terence M. Moore will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, with Bishop Oscar A. Solis presiding. Committal to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue & “T” Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Priests Mutual Benefit Society, 27 “C” Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 or Catholic Community Services, 224 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.
Funeral Services are under the care of Starks Funeral Parlor.
In Loving Memory
Msgr. Moore was a devoted servant of God. Our family was blessed to have Msgr. celebrate joyous and sorrowful moments with us. He celebrated marriages, baptisms, birthdays and Christmas Eve traditions with our family. He also celebrated the funeral Mass of our dear brother and the memorial service for our mother. As Mother grew older and unable to attend weekly Mass, Msgr. visited our home weekly to give mom Holy Communion and we enjoyed the fellowship of the moment. We also enjoyed Msgr.'s company when we hosted him for dinner at one of his favorite places, Carvers Steakhouse. He was eager to attend two weeks prior to his death but his health prevented him from going to dinner. We also enjoyed his company when we took a drive to see the fall leaves throughout Mt Nebo loop. He loved life and the adventures of the seasons. He loved being around people and ministering to their needs. When mom was near death, Msgr. came to visit her in the morning on the day of her passing and then in the afternoon as she was dying. The prayer he offered over her at the moment of the death is the same prayer I offer for him: "May the angels have taken you into paradise. May the martyrs have come to welcome you and lead you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. May choirs of angels have welcomed you and with Lazarus who is poor no longer. May you have eternal rest." Msgr. we love you and thank you for your dedication to serve others and for your devotion to God, the Almighty Father. Selma, Elsa and the Sierra family
Terry you will always be apart of our family. We will miss you so much. We love you with all our hearts. You are in God's hands now. You will never be forgotten. Until we meet again. With all our love, Robery, Judy & Kelle
Monsignor was a true treasure with a heart of gold. His genuine heart shone through at every mass and interaction with his parishoners. We were lucky to have him marry us and baptize both of our children. Your kindness and heart of gold will never be forgotten. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. Rest in God's eternal peace.
Rest in Peace Monsignor Moore, you are among the best priest there ever was!
He will be long remembered for his steadfasst service to his host of friends and the community. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Rest in Peace, The Connole Family.
Father Moore was a good egg. He was one priest I relied on for sound advice, and I was able to put his advice into action. I was cantor for St. Thomas More parish for awhile there. I liked Father Moore's sermons. His philosophy was to look out of oneself, stop 'navel gazing,' and do for others. Good guy. Jody Brings
Requiesce in pace dear Monsignor Moore and thank you for your faithful service and sacrifice in the Diocese of Salt Lake City ministering to 4 generations of my family personally. I am grateful, as well as humbled in my soul to know that you took comfort in my personal prayers as you finished your earthly pilgrimage. My prayer is now for your eternal peace and comfort with your "beloved Lord" in the reassurance to you of my eternal personal prayers and those of the Utah Flame of Love. I also have the great honor to extend the deepest condolences and prayers on behalf of the Ireland Flame Of Love as well. May God take loving delight in you His beloved chosen one, and may God take great care of your family. ~ Úrsula Quintana Diocesan Director of The Utah Flame of Love
Rest in Peace good and faithful servant. Thank you for your kind and loving service to God's people. You were never to busy for a photo opportunity at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Love Al & Patty Trujillo
Dear Father Moore, you have been so dear to my heart since those years at the Newman Center in the '70s when I was a cantor. I loved that your face radiated joy, even in moments that it was filled with compassion. Knowing your goodness, I'm certain that you're enjoying your first Christmas in Heaven. Congratulations! You made it! You ran the race, you finished in the arms of God. I hope to see you there! Debbie
Father Moore was a joy and a blessing to us at St.James parish in Ogden. His deeply spiritual and caring ways will forever remain in our hearts.
Rest in your well deserved Peace Terry, true and faithful servant. We served together for the. Salt Lake Diocese where I saw your overriding kindness, and caring for all of God's people entrusted to your care. The Diocese has been the fortunate recipient of a life dedicated to God and a true Missionary from his native land..Ireland. Although I choose a different path to serve, our friendship anchored in our our seminary days never faded. I will miss you dear friend but the void is somewhat filled knowing you have reached the joy of Heaven. We arenot likely to see your like again Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis May his faithful/sweet, soul be at the right hand of God
Dear Family, Thank you for sharing Msgr. Terry with us. He is a blessing and a joy. We mourn, heaven rejoices! His ministry touched and changed many lives. His legacy is profound in the state of Utah and we will continue to be benefitted by it for years to come. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His angels carry you through this difficult time. Your uncle is loved very much! Michelle Cronin Jones
In Loving Memory
