Reverend Monsignor J. Jerome Boxleitner (or "Box" as he was affectionately known) was a tireless advocate for "preferential options for the poor" in the Twin Cities community. He passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the age of 82.
Msgr. Boxleitner was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1931. He attended St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956, beginning his career as a parish priest at The Church of the Holy Name in Minneapolis. In 1963, he completed a Master's degree in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Upon his return to the Twin Cities, Boxleitner became Executive Director of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a position he held for 35 years. Msgr. Boxleitner was a revered community leader locally and nationally. He was deeply concerned with social services and social policy, particularly those programs and issues which address the needs of the poorest of the poor. Monsignor Boxleitner began a children in crisis program at St. Joseph's Home for Children, street outreach services (Minneapolis Branches I, II, III and Dorothy Day in St. Paul), volunteer program for over 1000 people a year, an unwed mother program, drug program, many housing and emergency services programs, aging, migration, and refugee services. Msgr. Boxleitner spent a half day a week as prison chaplain at Lino Lakes for several decades.
In 1992, the University of St. Thomas conferred upon Boxleitner the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities. He also received the Morris Hursch Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Services in Minnesota. With this award, he joined the ranks of previous winners Walter F. Mondale and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. In addition, Msgr. Boxleitner received a medallion from Pope John Paul II in recognition of his leadership of Catholic Charities USA, a position he held from 1983-85. Upon his retirement from Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1998, a Pioneer Press editorial described Boxleitner as "a cross between Michael the Archangel, a Chicago ward boss and a gruff uncle. He bears the ferocity of Michael when defending the poor, the cunning of a 1960s Chicago politician who wheels and deals, and an occasional orneriness that camouflages his passion for social justice." Msgr. Boxleitner challenged us all to put a name and a face to every individual living in poverty. He leaves a legacy of compassion, service and social justice advocacy that will inspire and motivate the Twin Cities community for generations to come.
Boxleitner is preceded in death by parents, John and Theresa (Doepner) Boxleitner; sister, Dee Tobin; and niece Carol Hammer. Survived by sister, Audrey Gareis; nieces and nephews, Mary (David) Schultz, Susan (Bob) Daniel, Kathy Tobin, John Tobin, and Mark Tobin; many great- nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, March 19, 2013 ~ 10 AM at The Church of the Holy Name, 3637 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Interment ~ Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, MN. Visitation Monday 4-8 PM (7 PM prayer service) at The Church of the Holy Name and one hour prior to Mass at the church. The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff at St. Therese Care Center for their loving support and gentle care during Monsignor's stay. Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis or St. Therese Care Center. GILL BROTHERS.com 612-861-6088
Msgr. Boxleitner was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1931. He attended St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956, beginning his career as a parish priest at The Church of the Holy Name in Minneapolis. In 1963, he completed a Master's degree in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Upon his return to the Twin Cities, Boxleitner became Executive Director of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a position he held for 35 years. Msgr. Boxleitner was a revered community leader locally and nationally. He was deeply concerned with social services and social policy, particularly those programs and issues which address the needs of the poorest of the poor. Monsignor Boxleitner began a children in crisis program at St. Joseph's Home for Children, street outreach services (Minneapolis Branches I, II, III and Dorothy Day in St. Paul), volunteer program for over 1000 people a year, an unwed mother program, drug program, many housing and emergency services programs, aging, migration, and refugee services. Msgr. Boxleitner spent a half day a week as prison chaplain at Lino Lakes for several decades.
In 1992, the University of St. Thomas conferred upon Boxleitner the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities. He also received the Morris Hursch Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Services in Minnesota. With this award, he joined the ranks of previous winners Walter F. Mondale and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. In addition, Msgr. Boxleitner received a medallion from Pope John Paul II in recognition of his leadership of Catholic Charities USA, a position he held from 1983-85. Upon his retirement from Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1998, a Pioneer Press editorial described Boxleitner as "a cross between Michael the Archangel, a Chicago ward boss and a gruff uncle. He bears the ferocity of Michael when defending the poor, the cunning of a 1960s Chicago politician who wheels and deals, and an occasional orneriness that camouflages his passion for social justice." Msgr. Boxleitner challenged us all to put a name and a face to every individual living in poverty. He leaves a legacy of compassion, service and social justice advocacy that will inspire and motivate the Twin Cities community for generations to come.
Boxleitner is preceded in death by parents, John and Theresa (Doepner) Boxleitner; sister, Dee Tobin; and niece Carol Hammer. Survived by sister, Audrey Gareis; nieces and nephews, Mary (David) Schultz, Susan (Bob) Daniel, Kathy Tobin, John Tobin, and Mark Tobin; many great- nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, March 19, 2013 ~ 10 AM at The Church of the Holy Name, 3637 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Interment ~ Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, MN. Visitation Monday 4-8 PM (7 PM prayer service) at The Church of the Holy Name and one hour prior to Mass at the church. The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff at St. Therese Care Center for their loving support and gentle care during Monsignor's stay. Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis or St. Therese Care Center. GILL BROTHERS.com 612-861-6088
Reverend Monsignor J. Jerome Boxleitner (or "Box" as he was affectionately known) was a tireless advocate for "preferential options for the poor" in the Twin Cities community. He passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the age of 82.
Msgr. Boxleitner was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1931. He attended St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956, beginning his career as a parish priest at The Church of the Holy Name in Minneapolis. In 1963, he completed a Master's degree in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Upon his return to the Twin Cities, Boxleitner became Executive Director of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a position he held for 35 years. Msgr. Boxleitner was a revered community leader locally and nationally. He was deeply concerned with social services and social policy, particularly those programs and issues which address the needs of the poorest of the poor. Monsignor Boxleitner began a children in crisis program at St. Joseph's Home for Children, street outreach services (Minneapolis Branches I, II, III and Dorothy Day in St. Paul), volunteer program for over 1000 people a year, an unwed mother program, drug program, many housing and emergency services programs, aging, migration, and refugee services. Msgr. Boxleitner spent a half day a week as prison chaplain at Lino Lakes for several decades.
In 1992, the University of St. Thomas conferred upon Boxleitner the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities. He also received the Morris Hursch Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Services in Minnesota. With this award, he joined the ranks of previous winners Walter F. Mondale and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. In addition, Msgr. Boxleitner received a medallion from Pope John Paul II in recognition of his leadership of Catholic Charities USA, a position he held from 1983-85. Upon his retirement from Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1998, a Pioneer Press editorial described Boxleitner as "a cross between Michael the Archangel, a Chicago ward boss and a gruff uncle. He bears the ferocity of Michael when defending the poor, the cunning of a 1960s Chicago politician who wheels and deals, and an occasional orneriness that camouflages his passion for social justice." Msgr. Boxleitner challenged us all to put a name and a face to every individual living in poverty. He leaves a legacy of compassion, service and social justice advocacy that will inspire and motivate the Twin Cities community for generations to come.
Boxleitner is preceded in death by parents, John and Theresa (Doepner) Boxleitner; sister, Dee Tobin; and niece Carol Hammer. Survived by sister, Audrey Gareis; nieces and nephews, Mary (David) Schultz, Susan (Bob) Daniel, Kathy Tobin, John Tobin, and Mark Tobin; many great- nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, March 19, 2013 ~ 10 AM at The Church of the Holy Name, 3637 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Interment ~ Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, MN. Visitation Monday 4-8 PM (7 PM prayer service) at The Church of the Holy Name and one hour prior to Mass at the church. The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff at St. Therese Care Center for their loving support and gentle care during Monsignor's stay. Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis or St. Therese Care Center. GILL BROTHERS.com 612-861-6088
Msgr. Boxleitner was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1931. He attended St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956, beginning his career as a parish priest at The Church of the Holy Name in Minneapolis. In 1963, he completed a Master's degree in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Upon his return to the Twin Cities, Boxleitner became Executive Director of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, a position he held for 35 years. Msgr. Boxleitner was a revered community leader locally and nationally. He was deeply concerned with social services and social policy, particularly those programs and issues which address the needs of the poorest of the poor. Monsignor Boxleitner began a children in crisis program at St. Joseph's Home for Children, street outreach services (Minneapolis Branches I, II, III and Dorothy Day in St. Paul), volunteer program for over 1000 people a year, an unwed mother program, drug program, many housing and emergency services programs, aging, migration, and refugee services. Msgr. Boxleitner spent a half day a week as prison chaplain at Lino Lakes for several decades.
In 1992, the University of St. Thomas conferred upon Boxleitner the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities. He also received the Morris Hursch Award for Outstanding Contributions to Social Services in Minnesota. With this award, he joined the ranks of previous winners Walter F. Mondale and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. In addition, Msgr. Boxleitner received a medallion from Pope John Paul II in recognition of his leadership of Catholic Charities USA, a position he held from 1983-85. Upon his retirement from Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1998, a Pioneer Press editorial described Boxleitner as "a cross between Michael the Archangel, a Chicago ward boss and a gruff uncle. He bears the ferocity of Michael when defending the poor, the cunning of a 1960s Chicago politician who wheels and deals, and an occasional orneriness that camouflages his passion for social justice." Msgr. Boxleitner challenged us all to put a name and a face to every individual living in poverty. He leaves a legacy of compassion, service and social justice advocacy that will inspire and motivate the Twin Cities community for generations to come.
Boxleitner is preceded in death by parents, John and Theresa (Doepner) Boxleitner; sister, Dee Tobin; and niece Carol Hammer. Survived by sister, Audrey Gareis; nieces and nephews, Mary (David) Schultz, Susan (Bob) Daniel, Kathy Tobin, John Tobin, and Mark Tobin; many great- nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, March 19, 2013 ~ 10 AM at The Church of the Holy Name, 3637 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Interment ~ Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, MN. Visitation Monday 4-8 PM (7 PM prayer service) at The Church of the Holy Name and one hour prior to Mass at the church. The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff at St. Therese Care Center for their loving support and gentle care during Monsignor's stay. Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis or St. Therese Care Center. GILL BROTHERS.com 612-861-6088
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