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Telthorst-001

In Loving Memory

Telthorst, Msgr. James T.

Telthorst, Msgr. James T. “Father T”, Baptized into the hope of Christ’s Resurrection, March 24, 2022. Beloved son of the late Clifford and Margaret Telthorst. Dearest brother of Ric (Mary) Telthorst and the late Ed (Jan survives) Telthorst; dear cousin of Marilyn Keathley; dear uncle of  Matthew (McKenzie) Telthorst, Erin (Mike) Wheeler, Cindy (John) Kincaid, Patti (Dave) Johnson, Lisa (Dan) Stewart, Terri (John Reinhardt) Nevlin and several great-nieces and nephews.

Msgr. Telthorst was an Archdiocesan priest for over 50 years, receiving his Ph.D. in Homiletics from Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2013.

Ordination 5/11/1968 by Archbishop John J. Carberry

Attended: Laboure High School

Cardinal Glennon College

Kenrick Seminary

St. Louis University School of Divinity

1968, May 24: Assoc. Pastor, St. Ann, Normandy, MO

1972, May 19: Part time Assoc. Pastor St. Ann and teach at Prep. North

1976, June 2: Assoc. Pastor, St. Adalbert, St. Louis, MO and continue to teach at Prep. North

1978, June 7: Chaplain, Sisters of Charity, Incarnate Word Convent, Normandy, MO

1979, June 8: Study Sacred Liturgy, Notre Dame University

1980, June 16: Chaplain, Oblate Sisters of Providence at St. Frances Day Care Center, Normandy, MO

1982, June 23; Director for the Office of Worship

1983, October 20: Part time Assoc. Pastor, Corpus Christi

1984, June 26: Part time Assoc. Pastor, Holy Trinity and to continue as Director of Worship Office

1988, Aug. 25: Assoc. Pastor, St. Louis Cathedral and continue as Director of Office of Worship

1991, Nov. 1: Pastor, New Cathedral, St. Louis, MO

1995, June 28: named Prelate of Honor

2002, April 4: Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Louis

2009, June 16: parochial administrator of Mary, Mother of the Church

2017, June 27: retirement status, residence at Regina Cleri

Services: Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Sunday, April 3, 4-8 p.m. with vigil service at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass Monday, April 4, 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Catholic Charities of St. Louis appreciated.

 

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56 thoughts on “Telthorst, Msgr. James T.”

  1. Jim was a good friend and special classmate. Projectionist on Saturday nights at the seminary and a good drummer boy.

    Fr. John schneider

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  2. Jim was a good friend and special classmate. Projectionist on Saturday nights at the seminary and a good drummer boy.

    Fr. John schneider

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  3. Jim was my Pastor at the Cathedral Parish. He was a wonderful homilist and a good friend and support to women religious.

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  4. Jim was my Pastor at the Cathedral Parish. He was a wonderful homilist and a good friend and support to women religious.

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  5. He welcomed people into the church/Church in genurine ways. His homilies were often worthy of print, in that they should reach a wider audience as he engaged people and challenged us to think. He seemed to minister with integrity, compassion, and grace. RIP.

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  6. He welcomed people into the church/Church in genurine ways. His homilies were often worthy of print, in that they should reach a wider audience as he engaged people and challenged us to think. He seemed to minister with integrity, compassion, and grace. RIP.

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  7. What a wonderful pastor, preacher liturgist and role model for seminarians. He often spoke at Kenrick Seminary during my years there in the 80’s. May the angels come to greet you and bring you to paradise! Kenrick 86

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  8. What a wonderful pastor, preacher liturgist and role model for seminarians. He often spoke at Kenrick Seminary during my years there in the 80’s. May the angels come to greet you and bring you to paradise! Kenrick 86

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  9. A wonderful teacher who challenged us in class and from the pulpit to be better people, better Catholics. Fr. Telthorst was the real deal. His was a life well lived.

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  10. A wonderful teacher who challenged us in class and from the pulpit to be better people, better Catholics. Fr. Telthorst was the real deal. His was a life well lived.

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  11. I worked with Jim for many years. It was and will always be a special gift in my life. He worked hard but always had time to enjoy. I have missed him and will always be grateful to and for him. I am sure you are enjoying a wonderful party right now—-singing, dancing, and playing drums

    Rest and enjoy
    Sr Pat Giljum, csj

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  12. I worked with Jim for many years. It was and will always be a special gift in my life. He worked hard but always had time to enjoy. I have missed him and will always be grateful to and for him. I am sure you are enjoying a wonderful party right now—-singing, dancing, and playing drums

    Rest and enjoy
    Sr Pat Giljum, csj

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  13. Finally Heaven, with all of its angels playing harps, and all the saints blowing trumpets and playing cymbals, it gets a rockin’ drummer. Well done faithful and prudent servant.

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  14. Finally Heaven, with all of its angels playing harps, and all the saints blowing trumpets and playing cymbals, it gets a rockin’ drummer. Well done faithful and prudent servant.

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  15. Jim was a very dear friend, confidant, and special “godfather” to my son, Morgan and my daughter, Tricia.

    He will be dearly missed at our annual Christmas gatherings, but I know he is now at rest and peace in his heavenly home.

    Sincere condolences to the Telthorst family and please know he will always be in my prayers.

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  16. Jim was a very dear friend, confidant, and special “godfather” to my son, Morgan and my daughter, Tricia.

    He will be dearly missed at our annual Christmas gatherings, but I know he is now at rest and peace in his heavenly home.

    Sincere condolences to the Telthorst family and please know he will always be in my prayers.

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  17. He was a wonderful man and an amazing priest. I had the pleasure of knowing him when he was assigned to Most Holy Trinity when I also lived at the rectory.

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  18. He was a wonderful man and an amazing priest. I had the pleasure of knowing him when he was assigned to Most Holy Trinity when I also lived at the rectory.

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  19. Father Telthorst your appreciation and support of the Arts is what I will never forget. For it I’m truly grateful.

    Had this vision of Jesus doing a drumroll as you entered the pearly gates!

    Going to miss you Dancing Partner!

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  20. Father Telthorst your appreciation and support of the Arts is what I will never forget. For it I’m truly grateful.

    Had this vision of Jesus doing a drumroll as you entered the pearly gates!

    Going to miss you Dancing Partner!

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  21. I went to Laboure & graduated with Jim. We had fun dancing together on the Keil Opera house stage. He knew how to enjoy life as well as living a deep spiritual Union with God.
    Sister Leonette Juengst, SSND

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  22. I went to Laboure & graduated with Jim. We had fun dancing together on the Keil Opera house stage. He knew how to enjoy life as well as living a deep spiritual Union with God.
    Sister Leonette Juengst, SSND

    Reply
  23. We at St. Ann’s in Normandy, and the Pilgrims of Emmaus, will always remember you and all the baptisms, weddings, funerals, First Communions, Confirmations, other events and celebrations, all made special and forever blessed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit shared through you to us. Well done good and faithful servant.

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  24. We at St. Ann’s in Normandy, and the Pilgrims of Emmaus, will always remember you and all the baptisms, weddings, funerals, First Communions, Confirmations, other events and celebrations, all made special and forever blessed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit shared through you to us. Well done good and faithful servant.

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  25. Msgr Telthorst was a special person in my life. I had the distinct honor of his input to the PSR ministry at Mary Mother of the church where I was a PSR Instructor. He sat in on one of my classes and afterwards explained how impressed he was with how I delivered the material. Never a critical word and only words of encouragement.

    When I lost my job he sought me out to paint the rectory and then decided to help. During the time we spent together he shared a number of personal stories, challenges and accomplishments. It drew us in to a close relationship. Never had I met someone so much like myself.

    In case you are interested I’ll share a couple things I think he would be okay with me sharing:

    He aimed higher than where he set his mark, and he forced himself to get better. His homilies are the example. Getting a higher education in 2013 to deliver the right words.

    Friends, he never underestimated the power of his dreams and the influence of the human spirit. He always was his worst critic. So much like me.

    So Brothers and Sisters, he was not afraid of greatness and he sought it with his whole heart but never saw himself reaching the finish line. Something else we have in common.

    William Shakespeare said this of leaders, “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” On March 24th the Catholic Church in St. Louis lost a great leader, friend and homilest. Msgr James Telthorst worked at being the best! We are a better for being in his presence and receiving his preached words. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. So long my friend! I’ll see you in church!

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  26. Msgr Telthorst was a special person in my life. I had the distinct honor of his input to the PSR ministry at Mary Mother of the church where I was a PSR Instructor. He sat in on one of my classes and afterwards explained how impressed he was with how I delivered the material. Never a critical word and only words of encouragement.

    When I lost my job he sought me out to paint the rectory and then decided to help. During the time we spent together he shared a number of personal stories, challenges and accomplishments. It drew us in to a close relationship. Never had I met someone so much like myself.

    In case you are interested I’ll share a couple things I think he would be okay with me sharing:

    He aimed higher than where he set his mark, and he forced himself to get better. His homilies are the example. Getting a higher education in 2013 to deliver the right words.

    Friends, he never underestimated the power of his dreams and the influence of the human spirit. He always was his worst critic. So much like me.

    So Brothers and Sisters, he was not afraid of greatness and he sought it with his whole heart but never saw himself reaching the finish line. Something else we have in common.

    William Shakespeare said this of leaders, “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” On March 24th the Catholic Church in St. Louis lost a great leader, friend and homilest. Msgr James Telthorst worked at being the best! We are a better for being in his presence and receiving his preached words. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. So long my friend! I’ll see you in church!

    Reply
  27. I knew Jim from my days at the Cathedral Parish. I served on several committees at his request. Great leader, great pastor, great guy! Loved by many. He truly was an amazing homilist. Jim was forward thinking and accepting of all. Rest in Gods peace Fr. T.

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  28. I knew Jim from my days at the Cathedral Parish. I served on several committees at his request. Great leader, great pastor, great guy! Loved by many. He truly was an amazing homilist. Jim was forward thinking and accepting of all. Rest in Gods peace Fr. T.

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  29. I went to Laboure with Fr Jim We were the best of friends. We helped each other with our ministries.

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  30. I went to Laboure with Fr Jim We were the best of friends. We helped each other with our ministries.

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  31. There are so many stories. The ordination class of 1968 were brothers. Jim was my brother. We vacationed together–15 of us–at the Lake of the Ozarks annually. We prayed together and attempted to duplicate the community of brothers we had built in the Seminary. He kept being a brother when I left active ministry in 79. We ate, drank, visited, went to shows, and shared many opinions. The Church has lost a great man. Some advice: BE LIKE JIM.

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  32. There are so many stories. The ordination class of 1968 were brothers. Jim was my brother. We vacationed together–15 of us–at the Lake of the Ozarks annually. We prayed together and attempted to duplicate the community of brothers we had built in the Seminary. He kept being a brother when I left active ministry in 79. We ate, drank, visited, went to shows, and shared many opinions. The Church has lost a great man. Some advice: BE LIKE JIM.

    Reply
  33. Counting just a few of the the many ways I’ll remember Jim: his warm but incisive voice; the way he approached spiritual subjects with stories from real life, the earth, human flesh; his Seinfeld – like humor; his love for music and dance; his intimacy with Jesus. Just a few of the gifts Jim shared with me and so many. I can’t measure his influence on me. I hope I may carry him with me and pass some part of his spirit it along to others.

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  34. Counting just a few of the the many ways I’ll remember Jim: his warm but incisive voice; the way he approached spiritual subjects with stories from real life, the earth, human flesh; his Seinfeld – like humor; his love for music and dance; his intimacy with Jesus. Just a few of the gifts Jim shared with me and so many. I can’t measure his influence on me. I hope I may carry him with me and pass some part of his spirit it along to others.

    Reply
  35. What a joy to have known Father T for the few years I ministered at Aquinas! I offer condolences to all his family and friends as your grieve. May he rest in God’s loving embrace.

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  36. What a joy to have known Father T for the few years I ministered at Aquinas! I offer condolences to all his family and friends as your grieve. May he rest in God’s loving embrace.

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  37. I knew Fr. T from our days at Corpus Christi. He baptized our daughter. I had miscarried prior to my daughter and Fr. T prayed with me and for me many times. On Christmas Eve as Father was getting ready to enter church for the mass my husband and I were standing in the back of church having arrived a bit late. Father stopped and traced the sign of the cross on my 8 month pregnant tummy. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. In my opinion, just what a priest should be. God bless you father.

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  38. I knew Fr. T from our days at Corpus Christi. He baptized our daughter. I had miscarried prior to my daughter and Fr. T prayed with me and for me many times. On Christmas Eve as Father was getting ready to enter church for the mass my husband and I were standing in the back of church having arrived a bit late. Father stopped and traced the sign of the cross on my 8 month pregnant tummy. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. In my opinion, just what a priest should be. God bless you father.

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  39. Jim played drums with me in late high school and early college. We had a small band and played at weddings and other venues. We had a lot of fun and I always remember how much he loved the drums. What a great person and priest!!

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  40. Jim played drums with me in late high school and early college. We had a small band and played at weddings and other venues. We had a lot of fun and I always remember how much he loved the drums. What a great person and priest!!

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  41. Dear Fr. T,
    Thank you for being such an outstanding teacher and role model at Prep North. I appreciated our occasional meetings over the years, and I’ll miss hearing you break open the Word through your preaching.
    My condolences to your family and friends.
    Godspeed, Fr. T, and thanks for everything.
    Mike Bahr, Prep North ‘76

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  42. Dear Fr. T,
    Thank you for being such an outstanding teacher and role model at Prep North. I appreciated our occasional meetings over the years, and I’ll miss hearing you break open the Word through your preaching.
    My condolences to your family and friends.
    Godspeed, Fr. T, and thanks for everything.
    Mike Bahr, Prep North ‘76

    Reply
  43. Fr. Telthorst-

    One of the best teachers… period. A man of many talents. I can’t remember the last time I saw him, but I do remember how well he treated me and made me a better person.
    God Bless You Fr. Telthorst.

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  44. Fr. Telthorst-

    One of the best teachers… period. A man of many talents. I can’t remember the last time I saw him, but I do remember how well he treated me and made me a better person.
    God Bless You Fr. Telthorst.

    Reply
  45. Jim Telthorst was an amazing man. He was a friend to all. His homilies were inspirational. He left his mark in this world. He touched so many. He is a role model. He enriched the lives of those who knew him. Rest in peace

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  46. Jim Telthorst was an amazing man. He was a friend to all. His homilies were inspirational. He left his mark in this world. He touched so many. He is a role model. He enriched the lives of those who knew him. Rest in peace

    Reply
  47. The phrase “man of many talents” is so true. I admired all of those talents but was so moved by his goodness & kindness. Whether he was preaching, teaching, dancing or playing the drums, Jim carried his family, his friends, his church in his heart. And we are blessed to have him in our lives.

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  48. The phrase “man of many talents” is so true. I admired all of those talents but was so moved by his goodness & kindness. Whether he was preaching, teaching, dancing or playing the drums, Jim carried his family, his friends, his church in his heart. And we are blessed to have him in our lives.

    Reply
  49. I worked with “Father T” at the Cathedral Basilica for several years where I served as his Pastoral Associate. He was a wonderful mentor, a wonderful friend, and above all, an outstanding homilist. No matter how many hundreds of people were in the pews, one always believed that Father T was preaching directly to him/her. I thank God that he put Father T into my life. I shall always remember him.
    His brother’s homily was perfect. I had the honoring of dancing with Father T several times.
    Mary Wainscott on April at 11:15 a.m.

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  50. I worked with “Father T” at the Cathedral Basilica for several years where I served as his Pastoral Associate. He was a wonderful mentor, a wonderful friend, and above all, an outstanding homilist. No matter how many hundreds of people were in the pews, one always believed that Father T was preaching directly to him/her. I thank God that he put Father T into my life. I shall always remember him.
    His brother’s homily was perfect. I had the honoring of dancing with Father T several times.
    Mary Wainscott on April at 11:15 a.m.

    Reply
  51. What a great teacher and man. It has been forever since having him as a teach, but still remember his way of challenging but also supporting.

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  52. What a great teacher and man. It has been forever since having him as a teach, but still remember his way of challenging but also supporting.

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  53. I meant to post something here about a year ago, when I learned Fr. Telthorst had died. But I set the task aside for later, thinking there was simply too much to say.
    That is still true, for a priest who came to Our Lady of Sorrows at Easter 2002 and helped us rise from the depths of darkness and despair that followed the removal of two of our priests. I was only in sixth grade at the time, but I remember feeling so honored by the joy he expressed at our school’s Spring Concert that year. And for the next seven years, he was a wonderful pastor — especially for young people like me. He opened up opportunities for students to read at Sunday Mass, not just at school Masses during the week. He was instrumental in starting the regional youth group (SouthSide Youth Ministry) that became my spiritual home in high school. He invited me to join the parish council. When Mr. Linhares assigned his senior theology class to interview someone about their vocation, I knew right away that I wanted to talk to Fr. Telthorst. Some of the wisdom he shared in that interview — as with some of the wisdom he shared in his homilies, his bulletin columns, and several subsequent one-on-one conversations — remains with me today.
    In short, Fr. T. was and is an inspiration for my own vocation to the priesthood. I might have found that vocation without him; but I wouldn’t be the same kind of priest (soon) if not for him. May he rest in peace.

    Reply
  54. I meant to post something here about a year ago, when I learned Fr. Telthorst had died. But I set the task aside for later, thinking there was simply too much to say.
    That is still true, for a priest who came to Our Lady of Sorrows at Easter 2002 and helped us rise from the depths of darkness and despair that followed the removal of two of our priests. I was only in sixth grade at the time, but I remember feeling so honored by the joy he expressed at our school’s Spring Concert that year. And for the next seven years, he was a wonderful pastor — especially for young people like me. He opened up opportunities for students to read at Sunday Mass, not just at school Masses during the week. He was instrumental in starting the regional youth group (SouthSide Youth Ministry) that became my spiritual home in high school. He invited me to join the parish council. When Mr. Linhares assigned his senior theology class to interview someone about their vocation, I knew right away that I wanted to talk to Fr. Telthorst. Some of the wisdom he shared in that interview — as with some of the wisdom he shared in his homilies, his bulletin columns, and several subsequent one-on-one conversations — remains with me today.
    In short, Fr. T. was and is an inspiration for my own vocation to the priesthood. I might have found that vocation without him; but I wouldn’t be the same kind of priest (soon) if not for him. May he rest in peace.

    Reply

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