Best Wishes to Father John Norman
Best Wishes to Father John Norman, an Incredible Alta Community Friend, Mentor and Spiritual Leader
Please join us for an Open House on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 at the Our Lady of the Snows from 4PM to 7PM to celebrate Father John’s retirement and his many contributions to his faith leadership and presence in the Alta community.
A $50 donation at the door (check or cash) per person will cover food and libations as well as a special farewell gift for John. To plan for a successful celebration, reservations will be required. Please contact paullippert@comcast.net for any questions and to secure a reservation.
A Bit of Background
On March 27, 1994, Monsignor F. Terrence Fitzgerald, Diocesan Administrator of Salt Lake City, dedicated the newly built Our Lady of the Snows Chapel and Community Center (OLS) in Alta. The new building replaced a series of two structures that were partially, then fully destroyed by avalanches, one in 1973, another in 1984.
Since 1980 or 1981, a strong community has formed due to, in a great part, the warmth and welcoming nature of an incredible man, Father John Norman. Ski season after ski season, Father John has welcomed congregants from the Alta and Snowbird communities, as well as visitors from all around the country and even from around the world. John played a leading role in the planning and building of the current Our Lady of the Snows, now preparing to recognize its 28th anniversary on March 27.
Father John Norman, Priest and (Telemark) Skier
According to Father John, gathering on Sundays at 5 PM in Alta’s beautiful mountain environment has always been invigorating. Mentioned in an interview years ago, John remarked
“(Attendees) come in after a full day of skiing, helping to set up the chairs.” John continued, “One of the finest things in life is having a good ski day, and then going to Mass. Of all the places in the world where Mass is celebrated, this must be one of the most beautiful.”
It is with great excitement for John’s next chapter, along with a depth of sentiment and loss, that the Alta community is preparing to bid farewell to John, whose retirement is later this summer. While many know and love him for his presence in the community, some may not know of the breadth of John’s contributions and accomplishments before and after he was ordained as a priest in 1979.
A rich description of John’s commitment, faith and character can be found on the Intermountain Catholic website in a 2012 article. While the article was written ten years ago, it has relevance today as John has steadfastly continued to fill his role and live his life as an accomplished and respected man in this journey. We wish him the absolute best in what lies next for him. We have been assured that it will involve great adventures and continued volunteerism, especially in the support of young people’s lives.