Reverend Father Phillip A. Widmann

The Mass will be livestreamed on St. Peter's Catholic Church Facebook page

The Reverend Father Phillip A. Widmann, passed into eternal life on March 16, 2021 at the age of 79. Fr. Widmann, the only son of Fred J Widmann and Florence Desch Widmann was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 3, 1941. He graduated from both St. Peter's Catholic Grade School and Central Catholic High School. He was employed for some thirteen years in the offices at the Fort Wayne Works of International Harvester Company, where he was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 305, served as a Departmental Union Steward and was active in Democratic Party politics. During those years, he was a member of both the Fort Wayne and the Diocesan Catholic Young Adult Programs, serving as President of both the Fort Wayne Senior CYO and the Diocesan CYA Organizations and later, as a priest, he would serve both these organizations as their Chaplain. In 1969, he was named the Outstanding Catholic Young Adult of the Diocese and was presented with the "Eagle of the Cross" Award. In the years immediately following the Second Vatican Council, he served as the first President of the St. Peter's Parish Pastoral Council and was a member of the Cathedral Pontifical Choir. During these years he took night classes at the University of St. Francis. In January, 1972, he entered the Seminary of St. Pius X, Covington, KY and concluded his theological studies at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD, in December, 1976 with a Masters Degree in Systematic/Dogmatic Theology. Fr. Widmann was ordained to the holy priesthood by the Most Reverend William E McManus on January 15, 1977 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne. His assignments as a priest of the Diocese of Fort Wayne include serving as a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish, South Bend; St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Jude Parish, Fort Wayne; and St. Patrick Parish, Fort Wayne. He also served as pastor of the following parishes: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Avilla; Sacred Heart Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Joseph Parish, Roanoke; St. Catharine of Alexandria Parish, Nix Settlement; St. Andrew Parish, Fort Wayne; St. Peter Parish, Fort Wayne and St. Mary Mother of God Parish, Fort Wayne. He retired from being a pastor on June 23, 2020.  While pastor at St. Peter's, he served on the Board of the neighborhood renewal entity known as SP/ZP. For a time, he also served as temporary pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Hessen Cassel and Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Fort Wayne. From 1977-85, he served as an Instructor of Church History and Church Doctrine at Bishop Dwenger High School and from 1988-1992 he taught there as an Instructor of Moral Theology and served as Chaplain to the football team during the Football State Championship Seasons of 1990 and 1991. From 1977 to 1986, he served as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies to both Bishops William McManus and John D'Arcy. In 1978, he founded and served until his death as Director of the DIOCESAN (CATHEDRAL) MUSEUM. For some thirteen years, Fr. Widmann served as the Diocesan Director  for the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese. Fr. Widmann was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #451 and the Anthony Wayne Fourth Degree where he served as Chaplain from 1983 to 2004. At various times during his priesthood, Fr. Widmann also served on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, the Parish-In-Need Committee, the Priest's Retirement Committee and the St. Mary Mother of God Parish Heritage Fund. For a number of years, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Religious History Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Franciscan Center, Fort Wayne. He was also active in numerous human and animal rights organizations. Fr. Widmann had a special interest in history and politics. He is survived by numerous cousins and his beloved Persian cats, Fiona and Bonnie Bleu.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Monday, March 22, 2021 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 518 East DeWald Street, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. The Mass will be livestreamed on St. Peter's Catholic Church Facebook page. Visitation will be Sunday, March 21, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the church with the Rosary recited at 5:45 pm. Face Masks are required and social distancing will be followed. Entombment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to either Masses; the St. Peter Preservation Fund; the St. Mary Mother of God Repairs & Restoration Fund; The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith; the DIOCESAN MUSEUM; the Allen County SPCA or the Allen County Democratic Party. To sign the online guest book, go to www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.