REFLECTIONS on the Life of Monsignor Eugene A. Gilb

I have been a parishioner at Saint John Fisher (SJF) since 1983. Shortly a er the death of Monsignor Gene Gilb, I was asked to write something about him.  is brief narrative touches on only a few things this good and holy man did over the course of his life. I want to thank those who shared with me their insights and experiences regarding Monsignor Gilb.  anks also goes to members of the Impact team, especially Carla Green, who assisted me.  is tribute is available in PDF format on the SJF website, www.sjf.org. —C. J. “Kit” Ruona

onsignor Eugene A. Gilb he had decided that his life would be was born Albert E. Gilb devoted to his Lord and he attended on May 23, 1930, to Albert the high school department of Los MC. and Bertha Grace Gilb, during the Angeles College (LAC), which at that papacy of Pope Pius XI and while time was the minor seminary for the Bishop John J. Cantwell presided over Archdiocese of Los Angeles. LAC was the diocese of Los Angeles. (It would located on Detroit Street at the corner not be until 1936 that Los Angeles of ird Street, 12 miles from young was designated an archdiocese.) e Gene’s home. Late in life he reminisced Gilb Family resided at 363 East 62nd about how he hitch-hiked and took the Street in Los Angeles. Gene was the trolley from his home to LAC for six youngest of four sons and the family years. During that period, it was four attended Saint Columbkille Church, years of high school and two years of where Gene was baptized on June 15, college at LAC before the seminarian 1930. Monsignor Gilb felt that date spent six years at Saint John’s Seminary was more signi cant than his birthday for his last two years of college and four since the day he was baptized he was years of theology. born into Christ. However, there were a couple of While Gene was young the Gilbs detours along the way to ordination. moved to 220 East Gage Avenue, Gene was athletic and a good baseball two blocks from Saint Columbkille’s. player as a teenager. Since LAC did not Albert was a butcher, which might have any interscholastic teams Gene explain Gene’s lifelong culinary went to Mount Carmel in 1946-47, attachment to meat, while Bertha his junior year, to play le  eld for the worked at See’s Candy, and that may Crusaders. He helped them win the have accounted for his sweet tooth. Catholic League title, which included e Gilb boys attended their parish Loyola and Cathedral in Los Angeles, his brother Cli . Cli borrowed a car school and a er that Kenneth, Donald Saint Anthony in Long Beach and to drive them to the Hollywood Riviera and Cli ord walked the mile to Mount Saint Augustine in San Diego. e Beach Club in Redondo Beach. Cli Carmel High School (MCHS) at 71th championship game was played on a married his date, Gene returned to the Street and Hoover, but Gene went in Saturday and that night he attended seminary and the Carmelites closed another direction. As a 14-year-old the junior prom, double dating with MCHS in 1976.

1 In 1954 the minor seminary moved to Mission Hills and became Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary while LAC became Saint John Vianney High School. In 1966 Saint John Vianney became Daniel Murphy High School and Daniel Murphy closed in 2008. While at LAC Gene was not only an altar server at his parish but at Saint Vibiana’s Cathedral as well. He loved the richness of the Mass and other liturgical events and wanted to be a part of them as much as possible. is devotion was noted by at least one of the priests at Saint Vibiana’s and possibly aected the course of Gene’s clerical career. Gene enrolled at Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo in 1950 and Albert Gilb Family was scheduled to be ordained in 1956. However, he was one of four two years; however, due to unforeseen ese were good, happy days seminarians chosen to attend a Spanish circumstances all four le aer one serving the parishioners of these seminary in Burgos, Spain. As Bishop year. Gene lost that seminary year parishes and on his days o playing Sylvester Ryan recalls, while it was not and at Saint John’s dropped back to golf with his seminarian classmates, unusual for the archdiocese to send the class of 1957, which had 16 men. other priests and friends. a few seminarians to Rome to study ese men bonded and were friends is all ended on January 15, 1964, on occasion, this was an experiment, throughout their lives. ree of them when Father Gilb was appointed Cardi- and one that did not work out well. survive Monsignor Gilb: Bishop Ryan, nal McIntyre’s priest-secretary succeed- e four were to study in Burgos for the bishop emeritus of the Monterey ing Monsignor John Archie Rawden. Diocese; Monsignor Jerome Schmit, Monsignor Gilb, years later, reected pastor emeritus at Sacred Heart Parish that his selection came as a surprise and in Pomona; and Father Henry Johnson, was not a position he sought, or want- retired in Covina. ed. However, he was counseled that it Sometime during his seminary probably was not a good idea to reject years Gene’s rst and middle names the cardinal’s request. Monsignor Gilb became transposed. Once when speculated that Monsignor Paul Stroup, questioned about this, he simply said, an associate pastor at the cathedral in “I was always called Gene…I don’t the 1940-50s, remembered him (Gilb) know how the ocial name change as a grammar schooler and throughout came about.” And so, on May 3, 1957, his seminary years as an active altar Father Eugene A. Gilb was ordained server who loved the rituals, reverence by James Francis Cardinal McIntyre and liturgical rites of the church and in Saint Vibiana’s Cathedral, and recommended him. One of the many Father Gilb said his rst Mass at Saint jobs of the priest-secretary is to know Columbkille. His initial assignment everything about the religious ceremo- was as associate pastor at Saint John of nies the cardinal leads, or participates God in Norwalk. He served there until in, plus packing and bringing all the he was transferred to Saint Vibiana’s as required vestments and accoutrements an associate pastor on July 20, 1962. needed at these events. Gene in 1947 at Mount Carmel High School

2 Monsignor Gilb moved into XVI, was also a peritus at Vatican 100 Fremont Place in Hancock Park II. ese men were given passes and with the cardinal and vicar-general allowed on the oor of Saint Peter’s, the Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes, and aula, while the bishops discussed and his days of golng and/or relaxing formulated the historic changes in the with family and friends were over. His church that were to come. At Vatican new position had little down time and II Father Gilb became Monsignor no room for mistakes. He was a valet, Gilb, that is an honorary papal caretaker, secretary and anything else chamberlain, enabling him to carry the cardinal wanted…and at any time papal papers between cardinals and the cardinal wanted it. Retired Bishop other high-ranking Vatican ocials. Joseph Sartoris recalls that it was a Cardinal McIntyre worked the entire dicult assignment at a transitional time he attended the council so there time in the church. He pointed out that was little time to relax. On December Vatican II was underway and Cardinal 12, 1965, the Feast of the Immaculate McIntyre was more conservative in Conception, Vatican II concluded. his views than many priests, which On July 23, 1965, between the caused some friction. However, Bishop third and fourth sessions of Vatican Sartoris noted that despite this turmoil II, Monsignor Gilb was on vacation Monsignor Gilb was always loyal to his in Carmel, California, playing golf archbishop in carrying out his duties with Father Juan Arzube, who later Cardinal McIntyre and Monsignor Gilb and deserved much credit for that. became a bishop. Taking Monsignor en route to Vatican II Monsignor Gilb felt that the years he Gilb’s place as priest-secretary while served as priest-secretary caused a he was gone was Father John B. om, McIntyre presided over. Bishop Ryan separation from some of his brother a 32-year-old priest who had recently emphasized that Monsignor Gilb was a priests that was never fully mended. He returned from Catholic University sensitive man who felt that he was the regretted that. and was temporarily assigned to person who should have been there, However, being the cardinal’s the chancery. Dorothy M. Bressie, and not Father om. Bressie was secretary did give this young priest a a 55-year-old nurse that newspaper found not guilty by reason of insanity front row seat…so to speak…at one accounts reported as being red from and released from a mental facility in of the most important events in the her last job for “emotional instability”, 1968 aer a sanity hearing. Roman Catholic Church’s history… came to the chancery and asked to see On November 10, 1967, aer Vatican II. the cardinal. Father om escorted her almost four years as the cardinal’s Beginning on October 11, 1962, into a conference room, and minutes priest-secretary, Monsignor Gilb was Pope Saint John XXIII beckoned an aer entering Bressie shot Father re-assigned to become assistant director estimated 2,860 bishops to Rome to om twice with a derringer, hitting of the Catholic Youth Organization and participate in Vatican II. ey would him in the heart and the head. e went to Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln meet in four sessions over the course young priest stumbled out of the room, Heights to live. On August 12, 1969, he of four years in the nave of Saint Peter’s collapsed and died. Monsignor Francis was made an associate pastor at Sacred Basilica. Most, if not all these bishops J. Weber, the archivist emeritus for the Heart and served in that capacity for are now deceased. Bishop Raymond Los Angeles Archdiocese, then a young almost a year. Hunthausen, the last American bishop priest, was close by and gave Father On July 1, 1970, Monsignor to survive, died in 2018 at the age of om last rites. When Monsignor Gilb, at the age of 40, was made the 96. Father Gilb accompanied Cardinal Gilb learned of this tragic event he was administrator and then pastor at Our McIntyre to the nal two sessions, emotionally devastated and grieved Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) in Los and since the cardinal did not bring for years, according to Bishop Ryan. Nietos, a heavily Hispanic community a theologian, known as a peritus, Nevertheless, only a few days aer west of Whittier. He grew to love with him Father Gilb had some of this tragedy Monsignor Gilb served as that parish and its parishioners and the privileges of that position. Father the master of ceremony at the funeral frequently talked about his days there. Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict Mass of Father om, which Cardinal Under his guidance, amongst many

3 other things, the parish built a new Hispanic Christmas celebration, the Manning appointed Monsignor Gilb church and instituted a Spanish Mass. Posada, which continues to this day. the third pastor at SJF on July 9, It was at OLPH that he developed Another important practice he 1985. He dutifully accepted this new his taste for menudo. He judged all started at OLPH were classes for challenge and drove those 31 miles to menudo thereaer as how it compared the sponsors of those receiving the his new parish on the hill to begin a to the menudo prepared by the OLPH Sacraments of Initiation, baptism, new chapter in his life. parishioners. rst communion and conrmation. On his arrival Monsignor Gilb was OLPH parishioners of that era Monsignor Gilb told one of these welcomed by Father Jarlath Cunnane recalled how through Monsignor Gilb’s parishioners when she became and Father Kevin Kostelnik, the leadership Mass attendance increased, engaged that if she was looking for a associate pastors assigned to the parish; due in part to the ministries he created, mere contract to go to Las Vegas, but Dan Finnegan, the chair of the parish which are active to this day. One of that if she wanted a sacrament and a council; and many of the parishioners these was the Concilio de Damas loving, lasting relationship he would he would now shepherd. (Council of Women), as well as similar help her to assure that happened. His ings were happening in organizations for men and seniors. He wise counsel has stayed with her over the vibrant SJF parish, and less hosted big parties featuring the visiting the decades and has enriched her life than a year aer the new pastor’s bishop aer conrmations and made and marriage. arrival he orchestrated the parish’s sure there was a plaza outside the new Father Vincent Barrett, the second 25th anniversary celebration. On church to promote socialization in the pastor of Saint John Fisher (SJF), died May 4, 1986, Archbishop Roger parish. He instituted the important on April 8, 1985, and Cardinal Timothy Mahony celebrated the parish’s silver anniversary Mass on the football eld of Rolling Hills High School before 4,000 parishioners and friends. Earlier in 1986 Monsignor Gilb had announced plans for a parish activity center (Barrett Hall), which was opened in December 1987. In 1988 Monsignor Gilb was elevated to Prelate of Holiness by Saint Pope John Paul II. is is a higher rank of monsignor and was given to only 43 priests in the archdiocese that year for their dedicated and outstanding service to the church. Monsignor Gilb always gave his support to the parish youth and their education. He was a frequent visitor at the parish school, and the Monsignor Eugene A. Gilb Tuition Fund continues to this day at Saint John Fisher School. e Religious Education Department within the parish thrived. In 1988 a two-year pilot plan of the Conrmation Catechumenate was instituted in the parish and later adopted throughout the archdiocese. In 1992 the children’s Liturgy of the Word became a part of the Sunday 9:00 A.M. Mass, while the teen Mass was inaugurated at the Sunday 5:00 P.M. Mass. Grant Hungerford, the Monsignor Gilb introducing his mother to Saint Pope John Paul II

4 SJF music director and only remaining Monsignor Gilb was asked late such as the Sodality, Altar Society and sta member hired by Monsignor Gilb, in his life to reect on Vatican II and Saint Vincent DePaul. is increase in recalled how Monsignor supported the what he felt were the most important ministries fosters unity in parish prayer music ministry and the parish youth. changes in the church as a result of it. life, as well as generates more social A lasting memory of Hungerford’s is He said that there were many, from interaction amongst parishioners. how Monsignor Gilb accompanied 45 liturgy to church architecture, and On July 1, 1999, Monsignor Gilb SJF teenagers to World Youth Day in that various books had been written retired his pastorate at SJF and was Denver, Colorado. regarding all of them. However, he replaced by Monsignor David A. Sork. In early 1994 Monsignor Gilb opined that one of the most profound At that time Father Michael C. Rocha realized that the church, originally was that the congregation went was the associate pastor and Gayle built in 1962 as the parish auditorium, from being observers of the Mass to Plecha chair of the pastoral council. was in dire need of renovations. e being participants. Prior to Vatican In the summer of 1997 lighting required improvement, the II parishioners were “pay & pray” Monsignor Gilb was vacationing at carpet was badly worn, the roof was Catholics, simply watching the priest Lake Arrowhead and happened to leaking, the heating/air conditioning conduct Mass in Latin. Aer the be at the baptism of one of Steve and unit was in bad shape, the sound council they became participants Pam Geraghty’s children. ey knew system had to be upgraded and the throughout the celebration, including Monsignor from SJF and asked him if entire building required painting. cantors, readers of the Word, bringing he would like to stay at an apartment Liturgically he wanted to adapt as the gis to the altar, distributing they had on the lake near their house. many Vatican II recommendations as the Body and Blood of Christ to the He accepted the invitation. Over the possible. He reversed the location of congregation and much more. And next 20 years he frequently escaped the altar putting it closer to the choir; that the Mass is said in the vernacular to that apartment, and a strong bond removed the tabernacle from the of the community helps this universal developed between Monsignor and altar, placing it in the new chapel of involvement. the Geraghty Family, with them being adoration; and built the north transept He pointed out the number of critical to his care late in his life. that featured the beautiful stained- ministries at SJF, almost 80, whereas e rst two years aer he glass windows of Isabel Helen Piczek, prior to Vatican II there were only a few, retired, he spent a great deal of time depicting the seven Sacraments. He decided to do all the construc- tion and improvements at one time with as little disruption to parish life as possible, instructing the contrac- tor to begin work immediately aer Easter Sunday and have everything complete by Christmas. During the construction, Mass was held in Bar- rett Hall. Due to Monsignor Gilb’s constant attention and communica- tion with the contractor the work was completed by Christmas as planned. At the dedication Mass of the newly renovated church, celebrated by Car- dinal Mahony, Otis Wright, represent- ing the pastoral council, concluded his remarks by saying, “ is splendid church is our monument to our heav- enly Father. However, the fact of its existence will always be a monument to Monsignor Gilb.” Gene Gilb assists Archbishop James Francis Cardinal McIntyre celebrating Mass at Saint John’s Seminary.

5 place to store it Giorgio kept it in his freezer. Giorgio then prepared it for Monsignor along with the rest of his order, which always included dessert. Giorgio’s was frequented by many SJF parishioners who always came by to speak with Monsignor Gilb whenever he was there. Monsignor Gilb’s three brothers had 15 children between them and numerous grandchildren. Monsignor baptized and married many of them, and when able traveled with his family. He oen reminisced about growing up with his brothers and parents in Los Angeles. Monsignor was a man of great depth with many interests. He learned to y when he was 29 years old and while at Monsignor Gilb (right) and Mike McCarthy (le ) with a fellow ying enthusiast SJF oen ew with parishioner retired at Zamperini Field General Mike McCarthy, a World War II ghter pilot, in his Cessna 172. at the Lake Arrowhead apartment frequently said Mass at the church, or Monsignor also ew to various events entertaining guests, sailing on the lake at the neighboring Daughters of Mary around the country with his good and ministering to the pastoral needs and Joseph Chapel for the Sisters, friend Tom Villardi in Tom’s Hawker of those in the community who sought whose friendship he treasured. Aer 700 two engine jet, which Monsignor it. e Geraghtys fondly recalled how some of those weekday Masses he was also capable of ying. Monsignor when he would say an outdoor Mass would invite everyone in attendance had a good golf game and was proud on the edge of the lake, people walking to join him for breakfast at Bristol he had played over 250 courses in past would stop to listen to Monsignor’s Farms, the Hot n’ Tot or another one California. He was an excellent sailor, homilies. He also traveled throughout of his favorite spots. He would visit the having sailed to Santa Catalina Island California and beyond, almost always parish school and spend time in several driving, during those two years. classrooms. e younger children sat He took pride in knowing the around him to ask questions and he highways and lesser known roads took great pleasure in that. throughout California. Monsignor He was oen seen throughout the could tell you about Saint Patrick’s Day community socializing with his legion in Murphy’s, the Christmas Parade of of friends or simply having a quiet Lights in Sutter Creek or when to visit meal at one of his favorite restaurants. any of the California Missions and Giorgio Borrelli, the owner of Giorgio’s, the best route to reach them, since he recalled how Monsignor was the only had been there and had done that. He person who received valet parking at advised his friends that if they were his restaurant. When it became dicult near Lockeford, California, to stop at for him to walk Monsignor would the butcher shop there since they made leave his car in front of the restaurant the best sausage in the state. and Giorgio then parked it for him. A Once he returned to live in the SJF parishioner in the food industry rectory on a regular basis, he continued knowing Monsignor’s fondness for to be a beloved gure on the SJF campus meat provided Monsignor with boxes and throughout the community. He of dierent cuts, but since he had no Monsignor Gilb enjoying dessert

6 several times. His nephew Je Gilb on display before a packed SJF church things that these men do daily. ings recounted how his uncle Gene took at the Mass celebrating the 60th we need and hunger for. him and other family members to anniversary of his ordination. In his Monsignor Gilb’s health Catalina on sailing excursions and compelling homily that day he urged deteriorated later in his life and in how much fun they were. Monsignor his ock to listen to and heed what is August 2014, aer living in the SJF loved trains and took trips on them said in Psalm 23. He certainly lived his rectory for 29 years he moved to and built an extraordinary model life guided by the beautiful words of Nazareth House in West Los Angeles. train set at Arrowhead. Monsignor’s that Old Testament text. He stayed there for 11 months and love of gadgets was well known, from e Roman Catholic Church had then relocated to the Little Sisters of his Monsignor Mobile to the latest eight papacies during his life and the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in navigational equipment in his car. Monsignor was honored and proud San Pedro. Some of his favorite reading was the to have personally met Pope Pius XII, Monsignor Gilb had returned Sharper Image Catalog Pope Paul VI and Saint Pope John to the South Bay. He was now close ese secular interests, however, Paul II. to his parish, his friends, his favorite paled when compared to his love of the As unique as Monsignor Gilb was restaurants and old haunts. e Little Church and the priesthood. Perhaps in many ways, he at the same time was Sisters and their sta loved and cared his greatest charism was his ability to very much like his brother priests. for him, while the other residents preach the word of God. Catholics and Like them he baptized us; heard our became friends that he enjoyed non-Catholics alike, have commented confessions; consecrated bread and visiting and dining with. Many SJF on how meaningful and evangelizing wine into the body and blood of Jesus parishioners, friends and family visited Monsignor Gilb’s sermons were, Christ for our spiritual nourishment; him and generously shared with him frequently drawing them back to married us; gave us wise counsel; and various items and services. He was church to hear more. He put this gi nally blessed and buried us. ese are happy and felt blessed, but various aches and pains began to become chronic in the latter years of his life. Eventually on certain days his back pain was so severe he would be unable to move without assistance. On January 4, 2019, Monsignor was told that his dear friend of 34 years Mary Stankey had passed away the day before. He struggled to sit up in his bed, his eyes reddened, and a tear ran down his cheek. e bearer of the news clumsily tried to nd something appropriate to say, nally stating, “It’s tough Monsignor, but you know the deal.” He slowly lied his head and soly said, “Yes. I know the deal. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be sad. I am losing all my friends.” Early the morning of May 25, 2019, aer being visited by family and friends for the last time, and in the company of the Little Sisters, Monsignor Eugene A. Gilb returned to the Lord he so faithfully served. Now he too, as Psalm 23 reads, “…dwells in the house of the Lord for years to come.” 142 days aer Mary’s passing, Monsignor joined her Monsignor Gilb’s foursome at a charity golf event

7 Epilogue At 1:00 P.M. on August 3, 2019, Monsignor Sork conducted the Rite of Committal, and Monsignor Gilb’s remains were placed in the SJF columbarium. On this sundrenched, breezy a ernoon 60 men and women came to touch Monsignor’s urn and silently utter their  nal goodbyes. It is so appropriate he resides for eternity in front of the fountain he had placed at the entrance of the old church when it was remodeled and later moved to its present location. He really liked that fountain. and all the friends and family he so dearly missed. On May 30, 2019, Monsignor Gilb was once again prostrated on an altar. is time it was at SJF before Archbishop Jose Gomez who was presiding over Monsignor’s funeral Mass. e last time he laid prostrate like this was 62 years and 27 days before at Saint Vibiana’s Cathedral when Cardinal McIntyre ordainedAmen him. Cardinal Mahony,  ve bishops, and 11 priests were on the altar as the congregation bid farewell to this  ne man. In some of his  nal words of the service Archbishop Gomez capsulated the thoughts of many when he said,” We all now have an intercessor in H e a v e n”.

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