Rev. Michael Joseph Bigley, SDS
Deceased: 2013-01-30
Diocese: PHOENIX
ICTE Fall: 2006
Fr. Michael J. Bigley SDS, age 71, died unexpectedly on Jan. 30, 2013, in Gilbert, AZ. Born in La Crosse, WI on March 23, 1941, son of George and Edna Bjorge Bigley. Entered the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on June 29, 1961, and received the religious name “Brother Mark.” Ministered as a Brother for 17 years at Salvatorian schools in Wisconsin, New Jersey, California, Iowa, and Maryland. Ordained a deacon in 1978 and ministered in Wisconsin and Alabama. Ordained a priest on October 23, 1987, and served at parishes in Arizona, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, including Mother of Good Counsel in Milwaukee and St. Pius X in Wauwatosa. Also ministered as spiritual director to men in the Salvatorian formation program. Preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Patrick. Survived by four sisters: Donna Montalvo of Tempe, AZ, Marlene Fadness of Elk Grove, CA, Diane Kelley of Pueblo, CO, and Veronica Carnechas of Newbury Park, CA; two brothers: Richard of Highland Ranch, CO, and Charles of Pueblo West, CO; as well as his sisters and brothers in the Salvatorian Family.
Visitation Friday, Feb. 8, 10-11 am at The Chapel of Alexian Village, 9301 N. 76th St., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial Friday 3 pm at Salvatorian Cemetery, St. Nazianz, WI.
Father Michael Joseph Bigley was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on March 23, 1941, one of eight children in the family. He attended St. Mary’s Parish Grade School and Aquinas High School. In 1959, he joined as a Brother Candidate for the Society in Milwaukee. When he entered the Novitiate in Colfax, Iowa, in June 1960, he received the religious name “Brother Mark.” He made his profession of vows on June 29, 1961. During his years as a Salvatorian Brother, he ministered as gardener, mechanic, and maintenance worker at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz; Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; St. Pius X Seminary in Galt, California; Trinity Prep Seminary in Sioux City, Iowa; Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin; Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland; the Blackwood Catholic Center in Blackwood, New Jersey; and JFK Prep in St. Nazianz. But within himself, Brother Mark was experiencing a call to “something else.” He received permission to study for ordination as a Permanent Deacon. After studies, he was ordained as a Deacon in St. Nazianz in 1978. As a Deacon, he ministered as catechism teacher at St. Gregory’s Parish in St. Nazianz, and Mother Mary Mission in Phenix City. Alabama.
After five years as a Deacon, Brother Mark still felt called to “something else” and decided to study for the priesthood. He studied at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, receiving his Master of Divinity Degree in 1987. And with the change in ministry, he decided it was time to return to his baptismal name. He was ordained a priest on October 23, 1987, as “Father Mike.” His priestly assignments included: Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee; Spanish studies in Mexico; Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa, Arizona; St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Cookeville, Tennessee; St. William Parish in Shelbyville; St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lewisburg; the Chilton Area parishes in Chilton, Wisconsin; and St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa. Fr. Mike did studies in Spiritual Direction at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and at the North American College in Rome. After returning from Rome, he was pastor of St. Gregory Parish in St. Nazianz and Holy Trinity Parish in nearby School Hill until his retirement in 2011. He returned to Milwaukee and served as spiritual director for a number of Salvatorian men in formation.
Fr. Mike’s death on January 30, 2013, at the age of 71, was sudden and unexpected. While vacationing in Arizona, he collapsed and died while hiking in a nature preserve near Gilbert. He is buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.
