Reverend Monsignor Michael A. Kurz

Reverend Monsignor Michael A. Kurz, J.C.L., died Tuesday afternoon, January 8, 2019 at St. Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates after a long illness.

Monsignor was born on August 15, 1946, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to George Kurz and Muriel Somers. He attended DeSales Preparatory Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin before attending St. Francis Major Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Monsignor also attended Aquinas Institute, Dubuque, Iowa and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado on August 24, 1975 by Bishop Charles Buswell. He went for further studies in Canon Law at the Angelicum, Rome, Italy, earning his License in Canon Law (JCL) in 1987. Monsignor was incardinated into the Diocese of Rockford in May, 1998. Monsignor was appointed Chaplain to His Holiness on November 22, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. His first appointment in the Diocese of Rockford was as Judge-Instructor for the Diocese of Rockford Tribunal. Monsignor was appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar on August 1, 1997, and then appointed Judicial Vicar on August 15, 2005 while also being assigned as Chaplain for the Poor Clares of Rockford Corpus Christi Monastery, Rockford from September 1, 2010 until May 1, 2013. He assisted with Mass and the sacraments at St. Rita Parish, Rockford during this time. Monsignor retired from active ministry June 1, 2017, but continued as Judge for the Diocesan Tribunal and assisting at St. Rita Parish.

Monsignor Kurz is survived by his brothers, George (Penny), Robert (Kathy) and David (Anne); sisters, Mary Lou (Craig) Mackus and Barbara Jean (Bruce) Luyster; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Monsignor is predeceased by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Rita Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive, Rockford, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4 PM-7:30 PM Monday, January 28 at the church with rosary at 7:30 PM and visitation from 9:00 AM-10:45 AM at the church prior to the Mass. There will be a private interment at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to St. Rita Parish, the Vocations Office at the Diocese of Rockford, the Clergy Relief Society of the Diocese of Rockford and the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns of Rockford. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108.