Rev. Brian Clare Fawcett
Deceased: 2011-10-09
Diocese: RAPID CITY
ICTE Spring: 2009
FORT PIERRE – Fr. Brian Clare Fawcett, 46, Fort Pierre, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at Lippold Hospice Suite at the Sturgis Regional Hospital.
Fr. Brian was born Aug. 4, 1965, in Huron to Delmar and Patricia (Faust) Fawcett. He grew up on the family ranch near Ree Heights. He attended Ree Heights School for kindergarten and graduated from Miller High School in 1983. He graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree. He taught English and social studies and coached for three years.
He responded to a call for the priesthood and attended pre-theology at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary at St. Mary’s University at Winona, Minn., from 1991-1993. He attended theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary at Emmitsburg, Md., and was awarded the Master of Divinity in 1997. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput ordained him a priest for the diocese of Rapid City on June 13, 1997, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
His first mass was offered June 14, 1997, at St. Francis of Assisi in Sturgis. He offered a mass of thanksgiving at his home parish of St. Ann’s in Miller, on June 21, 1997. His first assignment was associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City. He served there from June 23, 1997, to July 1, 1998. He was then assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Faith, with missions at Our Lady of Victory in Plainview and St. Anthony’s at Red Owl. He served in this capacity from 1998 to July 2008. His next assignment was as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Lemmon, with missions at Morristown, Bison and Drew.
He was granted a five month Sabbatical to attend the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at North American College in Vatican City, Italy, in 2009. In May of 2010, he was reassigned to St. John the Evangelist in Fort Pierre and was there until the time of his illness.
In addition to serving as pastor, he served as Dean of Deanery 5, Chair of Presbyteral Council, was a member of the diocesan accounting committee, and most recently, Dean of Deanery 4. He was a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, and he was active in the Lions Club and many community organizations.
He loved sports and was a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings, the Twins and the San Antonio Spurs. He also was an avid pheasant hunter with his faithful dog, Brandy. He loved his niece and nephews. He was involved with the youth of the communities he served. He announced sports events, coached middle school basketball, and participated in youth activities.
Survivors include his parents, Delmar and Patty Fawcett, Ree Heights; sisters, Susi (Dean) Odden, Ree Heights, and Robin (Mike) Strain, Sturgis; niece, Jade Strain, Sturgis; nephews, David Strain, Sturgis, Matthew (Sara) Odden, Sturgis, Joseph Odden, Kimball, and Christopher (Heather) Odden, Ree Heights; great-niece, Olivia Odden, Ree Heights; great-nephew, Noah Odden, Sturgis; numerous cousins; and his trusty dog, Brandy.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT Thursday, Oct. 13, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Miller, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the church, with Most Rev. Robert Gruss, Bishop of Rapid City, officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Ann’s Cemetery.
A memorial mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City.
