IN REMEMBRANCE: Fr. Steven Wilson, C.Ss.R.
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May 25, 2023Fr. Steven Wilson, an exceptional pastor who inspired and mentored many Redemptorist students, died while in hospice care in Kirkland, WA, on May 17.
As a highly skilled CPA, he had tremendous impact on the entire Congregation through his service in the financial offices of the Denver Province as well as the General Government for a substantial portion of his 22 years of Redemptorist ministry.
Steven Neel Wilson was born on June 30, 1953 in Seattle. After graduating from Seattle University with an accounting degree in 1975, he opened his own CPA firm, Steve N. Wilson & Co., in the Fremont District. While he was in his mid-30s he converted to the Catholic faith, and soon was serving as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Alphonsus Parish in Seattle.
Although he had built a very successful company, he felt a persistent call to the priesthood. He considered several religious orders, but the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help at his home parish led him to the Redemptorists.
He entered the formation program in 1994, at the age of 41. While he studied at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, he ministered to the Hispanics and African Americans at Blessed Sacrament Parish and the homeless in the heart of the inner city of Chicago. He found that meeting their spiritual needs was the most challenging – and most fulfilling – experience of his life. He professed temporary vows on August 2, 1997 and perpetual vows on October 15, 2000. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 2001.
Fr. Steve returned to Blessed Sacrament Parish to continue working with the poor as a Son of Alphonsus until 2005, when he was assigned as pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Biloxi, MS. He also was responsible for two smaller parishes, St. John and St. Louis. Nothing could have prepared him for his arrival in Biloxi only two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast.
He immediately responded to parishioners, and was a pillar of strength amid the chaos. He gathered parishioners for outdoor Masses on the steps of the damaged church buildings, and worked nonstop to identify all available services. Our Mother of Sorrows Parish quickly became an information hub for the East Biloxi area.
Fr. Steve and his confreres built a tightknit community as they infused the Redemptorist charism in the Diocese of Biloxi. During the nine years he served at the helm there, Fr. Steve oversaw the renovation of the churches and coordinated the merger of St. John and St. Louis into Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish. He was a friend and mentor to the youth, as well as the Redemptorist students he welcomed for summer ministry.
Fr. Steve became so well known in all circles that even former Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi referred to him as the “King of East Biloxi,” and Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway declared June 29, 2014 “Father Steve Wilson Day.”
During this time, Fr. Steve also began serving as an internal auditor for the General Government. He traveled the world, and made regular visits to the Father Ray Foundation in Thailand. The ministry had such a profound impact on him that he established Redemptorist Apostolic Works to provide financial support to the ministry, as well as other worthy organizations serving the less fortunate in Thailand, Laos and Africa.
Fr. Steve was appointed Co-Director of the Pre-Novitiate Formation House in the Bronx, NY in 2014. He set high standards for the students, and expected them to fully immerse themselves in ministry and develop leadership skills. Only a year later he was assigned Treasurer/Secretary of the Denver Province. He successfully managed the Denver Province Finance Office until 2018, when he was appointed Vice Econome of the Redemptorist General Curia in Rome.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, Fr. Steve returned to Seattle for treatment. His sister, Janet, and her family welcomed him into their home in nearby Sammamish, WA, and helped arrange the best care possible.
While in treatment, Fr. Steve spent time with his Sacred Heart community and was serving as administrator of the parish. Although he hoped to spend his last moments at home with his loved ones, he had to be transferred to Evergreen Health Center a few days before his death so that he could to receive the necessary level of care. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family and trusted friend, Fr. Chuong Cao.
Confreres and students representing all levels of formation joined family and friends for Fr. Steve’s funeral at Sacred Heart Parish in Seattle on Monday, May 22. Provincial Superior Kevin Zubel presided at the Mass with more than a dozen concelebrants, including Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster of Seattle and diocesan clergy, as well as Fr. Wiboon Limpanawooth, a Redemptorist from Thailand.
Confreres, family and friends gathered in Liguori on Thursday, May 25, as Provincial Vicar Aaron Meszaros presided at a Mass of Resurrection and burial at the Redemptorist Cemetery.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
