Father Thomas Zotter

Father Thomas Zotter passed away peacefully at the age of 70 at Sunrise Hospital, Las Vegas, Nevada on September 30, 2018. Father Tom was born on February 15, 1948 to Mary E. Zotter and Albert R. Zotter in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in a loving Irish family with five aunts and uncles, and nine cousins, and a German family with two aunts and an uncle, and five cousins. He pursued his vocation to priesthood by entering St. Fidelis Seminary, Herman, PA, in the 10th grade. He graduated from St. Fidelis High School and College with a BA in Counseling Psychology. He continued his studies at the Washington Theological Coalition is Annapolis, Maryland.

He was ordained by Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez on January 9, 1976 at his parish church, St. Gabriel, in Pittsburgh, PA for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Father Tom served as a priest in the Archdiocese for 34 years: Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, Albuquerque; Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Fe; Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Cimarron; Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pojoaque; Pastor, Queen of Heaven, Albuquerque; Pastor, St. Bernadette (elevated to The Shrine of St. Bernadette), Albuquerque.

While serving at St. Bernadette, Father Tom took correspondent courses from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkley, California, and earned a PhD as a Doctor of Ministry. He was the first liaison between the Santa Fe diocese Catholic Charismatic’s and the Archbishop. He also became an Air Force Chaplain at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, and retires as a Captain.

Tom was assigned several challenging parishes at the time. Tom successfully turned them around. While serving as Pastor in Pojoaque, Tom became life long friends with Patty and Wilfred Romero. Likewise, while serving at St. Bernadette, he became lifelong friends of Dan Paulos, Susan Tomita, Deacon Byron and Madeline Wicker, and numerous others. He was also a long time friend of Father Ed Ortega and Jen Cantrell.

Tom’s crowning achievement in the priesthood was the major renovation of St. Bernadette, and subsequent elevation to The Shrine of St. Bernadette. Tom served as Pastor of St. Bernadette from October 1, 1992, until June 30, 2010, approximated one half of his priesthood. Due to ill health, Tom was forced to take early retirement and leave his beloved Shrine of St. Bernadette.

Given the large drop in housing prices in Las Vegas due to the housing crisis, Tom moved there to buy a home. He continued to perform his priestly duties as a visiting priest under the patronage of Bishop Pepe, hearing confessions, and saying weekend masses at St. Joan of Arc, St. Bridget, St. Anne, and St. Christopher Catholic Churches.

Tom is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Ferrari (Dan) of Houston, TX; his brother, Jim Zotter (Susan); and five nieces and nephews, Liz, Lexi, and Jason Ferrari, and Michael and Karen Zotter. Tom was predeceased by his beloved parents, Al and Mary Zotter.

A Memorial Service was held at St. Bridget in Las Vegas on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.  A Rosary will be recited Monday, October 22, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated by Archbishop John C. Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe at 10:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  A Reception will follow in the parish hall. All are invited. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque.  Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to The Shrine of St. Bernadette Building Fund.