Diocese remembers 'quintessential priest'

From his first assignment as an associate pastor to his years as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Bishop Roger L. Kaffer was "the quintessential priest" who blessed thousands of people with his "love, kindness and counsel," colleagues say.

"He led a life of Christian sacrifice, literally giving himself away moment by moment, to each person or situation before him," Bishop J. Peter Sartain said Friday in a statement. "And all of this he did because of his love for the Lord Jesus - one cannot speak of Bishop Kaffer without speaking of his love for Jesus."

Kaffer, a Joliet resident, died Thursday. He was 81.

Diocese officials said his life was "marked by dedication to prayer, an upbeat spirit, vibrancy, boundless energy, sincerity and an extraordinary willingness to serve."

Kaffer was born Aug. 14, 1927, in Joliet. He was ordained when he was 26. His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Joliet.

In 1965, Kaffer was named founding rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Romeoville. From 1968 to 1974, he also served as a member of the seminary board.

From 1970 to 1985, Kaffer served as principal at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. After holding a variety of positions, he was named auxiliary bishop to Bishop Joseph L. Imesch in April 1985.

Kaffer was appointed Vicar General and Vicar for Priests, positions he held until 2002. In March of 2002, he was appointed secretary for education. He also served as the state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus from 1993 to 2009.

Despite retiring in 2002, Kaffer continued to give retreats to priests and bishops, to offer spiritual direction and to assist with confirmations.

Elizabeth Freund was a little girl when her family belonged to a Joliet parish that Kaffer led. Her younger brothers and sisters also attended Providence while he was the school's principal.

The Bloomingdale resident said she will remember Kaffer's kindness, compassion and humor.

"Off-the-cuff he would make up a blessing or poem," Freund said. "He was a very creative, very humble man."

Kaffer's body will lie in state from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Solemn Vespers will be celebrated 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday.