Fr. Todd Reitmeyer returned to his Father on May 24th at 12:30 PM in the year of our Lord, 2006.
His death occured as the result of a boating accident while Fr. Todd was vacationing in Austin, TX.
His family and friends request your prayers.
“We know that in everything God works for good for those who love Him.” -Romans 8:28
Arrangements:
The Rosary will be at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda, TX at 7:30 PM on Monday, May 29th, Msgr. Charles Elmer presiding.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert Carlson at Santa Cruz Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 30th.
Fr. Todd’s Family welcomes any comments from those who have supported Fr. Todd in his ministry or have been a part of his blogging community. They’ll be reading the comments on the blog.
A Son Becomes a Father 
May 25, 2006 at 4:23 pm |
Fr. Todd and family will be in my prayers. I have known him since we were undergrads at A&M together. I still remember his passion for Christ and his great desire to serve the Church as a priest. We have kept in touch over the years and I know that he is even more passionately in love with his Lord at present.
God Bless.
May 25, 2006 at 4:23 pm |
I was deeply saddened to read of Fr. Todd’s death. Being a seminarian myself, I found Fr. Todd’s writing to be very inspirational, a true example of how a young priest loves and lives for the Church. Please know that my prayers are with you, that you may find peace in the midst of this tragic death, and that his soul may find its eternal repose.
May 25, 2006 at 4:27 pm |
What sad news! I remember when Fr. Todd first started blogging. I was bowled over with shock when I read this over at Amy’s blog.
May all the saints in heaven intercede before the Lord for the repose of Fr. Todd’s soul and may he be amongst their number and in the company of our God.
Prayers and sympathies for any of Fr. Todd’s family reading these words. It is so kind of you, in your grief, to let those of us who only knew him through his blog know of his passing.
May 25, 2006 at 4:34 pm |
To the family and parishioners of Fr. Todd. I never met this wonderful young man, but only knew him from his blog. His homilies were beautiful and he was quite an inspiration. I am truly sorry for your loss. You lost a precious family member and the world lost a wonderful priest.
May 25, 2006 at 4:46 pm |
I am so sorry to hear we have lost Fr. Todd. He always inspired me so much.
Then again, we haven’t really lost him — our Lord is so good to give us the communion of saints, so that we many still be connected to our brothers and sisters in Heaven.
Praying for the repose of Father’s soul, and that the Blessed Mother will comfort you in your grief.
May 25, 2006 at 4:48 pm |
Eternal peace for Fr. Todd.
May 25, 2006 at 4:49 pm |
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
It was a shock to hear about earlier, when it was still a hesitant rumor, it is a shock now. I didn’t know Fr. Todd, I didn’t read his blog very often, but when I did I always loved what I saw – he helped me to pray better. Now I trust that he can help us all to pray better – better than ever before!
Two of the seminarians from Sioux Falls diocese (at St. John Vianney in St. Paul) studied here in Rome with me last semester, and I know from them how tight the Catholic community is there. I can only imagine the grief and pain that is being felt right now, and my heart’s prayers go out to all of you, particularly his family and parish.
I think we should start a Spiritual Bouquet on this comments board for Fr. Todd and his family – while it’s never necessary to say what spiritual offerings one is doing, I think it would be nice for us to publicly say it as a way to give comfort to the family. I will offer a Holy Hour and Rosary, and have a Mass celebrated for the repose of his soul.
Fr. Todd – may you rest forever in the peace of our Lord whom you loved and served so dearly!
May 25, 2006 at 4:57 pm |
The Good Lord knows how much we need dedicated, holy priests here on earth. For Him to take Fr. Todd home now in spite of our needs here must mean he was a special soul indeed.
To his family and friends, you will be in my prayers.
May the Divine Assistance remain ever with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
May 25, 2006 at 5:04 pm |
We are so sad to hear of Father Todd’s passing he was the priest in my hometown, Herreid, SD. Last April he officiated at my sister’s wedding, and did the most wonderful job. We were so sad to see him leave Herreid, my family thought he was the most wonderful priest we have had in a long time. You and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. Also if there is an address to send memorials to please let us know.
May 25, 2006 at 5:25 pm |
Dear Father Tod
Go forth to Paradise.
May angels take thee by the hand
and at the gate of heaven may the martyrs greet thee at thy coming.
May they lead thee in the city of Jerusalem,
the holy place of God.
May the choirs of angels
sing with joy to welcome thee.
And with Lazarus, who once was so poor,
may thou find eternal peace at last.
Sharon, from Australia
May 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm |
J.M.J.
May Father Todd rest in peace. The news of his abrupt death disturbed me. But now we have another friend praying for us on “the other side.”
May 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm |
Priest of the Sioux Falls Catholic diocese killed in Texas water accident
Father Todd Reitmeyer, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls serving in Faulkton, Seneca and Orient, SD was killed in a jet ski accident while vacationing in Texas on May 24.
Father Reitmeyer is a native of the Austin, Texas area who was ordained a priest here in 2003. He was currently home to visit family and friends during his vacation. The accident occurred on Lake Travis near Austin.
Father Reitmeyer was born on May 13, 1969 to David and Phyllis Reitmeyer in Virginia. His father was in the military so the family moved some, but eventually settled in the Austin, Texas area. His father suffered a stroke and died in 1992. He graduated from Texas A&M, and earned a Masters degree in counseling from Northwest Missouri State. His discernment of his vocation led him to meet Bishop Robert Carlson, and eventually Todd moved to South Dakota, living in Faulkton with then pastor Father Terry Anderson for several months before entering the seminary. He attended St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, MN before studying Theology at North American College in Rome.
He was ordained on June 13, 2003 at St. Joseph Cathedral by Bishop Robert Carlson. His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Michael, Sioux Falls. He then became administrator of St. Michael, Herried, St. Anthony, Selby and St. Joseph, Eureka where he served from January of 2004 until June of 2005. For the past year he has served as administrator at St. Thomas, Faulkton and St. Boniface, Seneca, as well as sacramental minister for St. Joseph, Orient. He served as spiritual director for St. Margaret Fellowship, the association of Catholic home school families since August 2003.
Father Todd is survived by his mother Phyllis Steiger of Rochester, MN; two brothers, William of Austin, TX and Thomas of College Station, TX; his sister, Christina Sheely of Coldwater, MI, and many friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Santa Cruz, Buda, TX on Tuesday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. A Scripture service will be held at the Church Monday evening at 7:30. He will be buried at Assumption Cemetery, Austin, TX.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls, at noon on Wednesday, May 31, celebrated by Bishop Samuel Aquila, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Sioux Falls
May 25, 2006 at 5:54 pm |
I went to A&M, like Fr. Todd, but had never met him. I heard about him and how awesome he was. I had mentioned to one of his friends (who was my roommate at the time) that I was considering the priesthood. That was all Todd needed. He took me out to lunch, having never met me, and had a heart to heart about becoming a priest. I ended up getting married, but I will never forget Todd’s enthusiasm and dedication to the vocation of priesthood.
How many seminarians would take a stranger out to lunch simply because he heard, through the grapevine, that this guy MIGHT be considering a vocation, and on top of it all, TODD PAID FOR THE LUNCH.
If every town had a Todd Reitmeyer, our priest shortage would be gone overnight.
I am saddened by the loss of such a promising priest, but I know that he was the kind of guy who would always be prepared for this type of thing.
I will lift up prayers for his soul. That’s what Fr. Todd would want.
May 25, 2006 at 5:59 pm |
It is always a shock to suddenly lose someone you know and the fact that you never met in person does not lessen the shock. I only knew Fr. Todd from his blogging and watched his journey and saw him become a dedicated and successful priest and pastor.
I offer my condolences to his family and my prayers for the repose of his soul.
May 25, 2006 at 6:30 pm |
I can’t believe I received Jesus… it still seems like a dream.
Mary Rachel said that to Father Todd after receiving her First Holy Communion from him.
What a gift to have read that. Thank you, Father Todd…and thank you to his family and friends for asking for our prayers.
It is a privilege to offer them.
May 25, 2006 at 6:31 pm |
This was unreal to get the news this morning. I know that Todd (er…Father Todd), Aggie ’93, held these traditions as strongly as I do….so in his honor:
Silver Taps at A&M
By Mrs. Jeanette Hennigan
You hear about the Aggie Band
And the Spirit of Aggieland.
But few have heard the Farewell Hymn
Of Silver Taps at A&M.
All day the flag flies at half-mast.
A sign to us of a solemn task,
To bid farewell to one who’s gone.
With Silver Taps he’s not alone.
The night is dark and very still.
Where Sully stands the area fills
With a silent crowd of those who care.
Their hearts all joined in silent prayer
The Ross Volunteers, the honor guard,
Speak for us all as their guns discharge.
Twenty-one guns now blast the air
And fade away in the darkness there.
The taps blow loud from the tower near.
And twice again so faint, yet clear.
Like rustling wings of a soul in flight,
Silver Taps fades in the night.
You stand spellbound, you scarcely breathe.
With heavy heart you turn to leave.
Your Aggie friend no more you’ll see,
Till Silver Taps is blown for thee.
Silver Taps at A&M
Will always be our farewell hymn
To those who’ve gone to heights unknown.
With Silver Taps, he journeys on.
—
“The Last Corps Trip”
By P.H. DuVal Jr. ’51
It was Judgment Day in Aggieland
And tenseness filled the air;
All knew there was a trip at hand,
But not a soul knew where.
Assembled on the drill field
Was the world-renowned Twelfth Man,
The entire fighting Aggie team
And the famous Aggie Band.
And out in front with Royal Guard
The reviewing party stood;
St. Peter and his angel staff
Were choosing bad from good.
First he surveyed the Aggie team
And in terms of an angel swore,
“By Jove, I do believe I’ve seen
This gallant group before.
I’ve seen them play since way back when,
And they’ve always had the grit;
I’ve seen ’em lose and I’ve seen ’em win
But I’ve never seen ’em quit.
No need for us to tarry here
Deciding upon their fates;
Tis plain as the halo on my head
That they’ve opened Heaven’s gates.”
And when the Twelfth Man heard this,
They let out a mighty yell
That echoed clear to Heaven
And shook the gates of Hell.
“And what group is this upon the side,”
St. Peter asked his aide,
“That swelled as if to burst with pride
When we our judgment made?”
“Why, sir, that’s the Cadet Corps
That’s known both far and wide
For backing up their fighting team
Whether they won lost or tied.”
“Well, then,” said St. Peter,
“It’s very plain to me
That within the realms of Heaven
They should spend eternity.
And have the Texas Aggie Band
At once commence to play
For their fates too we must decide
Upon this crucial day.”
And the drum major so hearing
Slowly raised his hand
And said, “Boys, let’s play The Spirit
For the last time in Aggieland.”
And the band poured forth the anthem,
In notes both bright and clear
And ten thousand Aggie voices
Sang the song they hold so dear.
And when the band had finished,
St. Peter wiped his eyes
And said, “It’s not so hard to see
They’re meant for Paradise.”
And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said
As he stiffly took his stand,
“It’s just another Corps Trip, boys,
We’ll march in behind the band.”
May 25, 2006 at 6:42 pm |
I am shocked to hear about the unexpected departute of Fr. Todd. I saw him just last Saturday when he said mass at St. Louis in Austin. I hadn’t seen him since he left for the seminary. He was the youth minister at Sacred Heart in 1997 and led a group of us to World Youth Day in Paris. I am so sorry for you loss. I guess God just couldn’t wait any longer to have his beloved son with him.
May 25, 2006 at 7:01 pm |
We are so sorry to have lost a beautiful friend and priest of God. As spiritual director for St. Margaret’s Fellowship here in Sioux Falls, Fr. Todd has touched the lives of many children. At the Children’s Holy Hours that he would do each month, he would always encourage the children to pray for all the souls of the people who have died. He would encourage them to pray for a holy, happy death. So, now we pray for him, that our Blessed Mother Mary and the angels may take his soul to heaven to be with his Father, together with the Son and the Holy Spirit.
May 25, 2006 at 7:03 pm |
Todd was a mentor and friend to me for many years, from our undergrad days together in the Corps at A&M to presiding as a groomsman at my wedding. He basically got me through some very tough years in college. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around the idea of a world without him. He was so vibrant, so full of life – I felt that he was sometimes larger than life. My heart aches at the thought of his loss; yet I am somewhat consoled that he is now at peace, where he always longed to be. He was a true friend and a brother.
God bless you Todd. I love you.
Chris.
May 25, 2006 at 7:07 pm |
The loss of Fr. Todd will be felt by many. Both he and his family will be in my prayers. While I only knew Fr. Todd through his blog, his homilies and writing have been an inspiration to me. May he rest in peace.
May 25, 2006 at 7:19 pm |
I am honored to have such a loved brother. Our family has suffered such a great loss. I am at peace knowing that God took him for that he was special. But as a sister, I don’t understand at all. He had so much more to do. Thank you for all of your prayers.
May 25, 2006 at 7:33 pm |
I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Todd’s passing. We were ol’ ladies together a semester in the Corps at Texas A&M University, a time when both of us saw dramatic growth in our respective faiths.
As a pastor and seminary professor, he was a great help to me in better understanding the Catholic faith. As a professional colleague, he will be missed, but even more so as a friend.
By God’s providence I will be in San Antonio and will attempt to be there for the service(s).
I will enlist the prayers of my congregation as well.
With great sorrow,
Rev. Eric “Gunny” Hartman ’93
Pastor, http://www.firstbaptistmurphy.org
May 25, 2006 at 7:38 pm |
What a loss. I’m going to miss Fr. Todd a lot. We were seminarians together a a few years ago. I have since discontinued to follow my vocational calling in a different direction. He and I had dinner just a little while ago here in Aberdeen. What a holy priest.
I was reading his blog and he mentioned that he wanted a computer especially for the pastor’s desk in Faulkton, as he was using his personal laptop. If anyone is interested in helping me raise money to get this computer for the parish in his memory, email me- bknebel@hotmail.com.
God Bless,
Basil Knebel
Aberdeen SD.
May 25, 2006 at 7:38 pm |
What a loss. I’m going to miss Fr. Todd a lot. We were seminarians together a a few years ago. I have since discontinued to follow my vocational calling in a different direction. He and I had dinner just a little while ago here in Aberdeen. What a holy priest.
I was reading his blog and he mentioned that he wanted a computer especially for the pastor’s desk in Faulkton, as he was using his personal laptop. If anyone is interested in helping me raise money to get this computer for the parish in his memory, email me- bknebel@hotmail.com.
God Bless,
Basil Knebel
Aberdeen SD.
May 25, 2006 at 7:45 pm |
I too am at a loss for words at losing Fr. Todd (although I knew him just as Todd, the fun-loving, Spirit-filled Aggie as we all hung out at St. Mary’s together). Although I have not seen him in years, his memory is dear to me. As I volunteer as a youth minister, I remember especially his love of young people and his contagious enthusiasm for his faith!
We know you are rejoicing in the ultimate way (a big WHOOOOOOP to that) but your absence leaves a huge hole in our hearts. We love you always.
May 25, 2006 at 7:48 pm |
I agree, Christina- there is no understanding. And my heart breaks for you and your family. There is no understanding- only trust, and love. What else is there?
May 25, 2006 at 7:51 pm |
I am so very saddened to hear this news. Please know that Fr Todd & his family will be in my prayers.
I followed his journey through his blog but very rarely posted. His podcasts of sermons & about life as a priest were wonderful & endearing. I’m just so saddened & moved by his death. He was a true gentleman. A man & priest who allowed God access to every part of his life. May he continue to be an inspiration to all of us.
May 25, 2006 at 7:51 pm |
Father Todd was one of two seminarians we hosted for years, sharing his journey to the priesthood and his ultimate goal, the military chaplaincy. He is sorely missed. Our prayers and condolences to his family, parishioners, and friends- from his friends here at CatholicMil.org. Thank you, Father, for the gift of yourself. Rest in peace.
May 25, 2006 at 7:53 pm |
My prayers are with this good and faithful priest and for his grieving family and friends. May the peace that is beyond understanding fill your hearts.
May 25, 2006 at 7:58 pm |
As a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls I will dearly miss Fr. Todd. I was a year ahead of him in seminary and so we spent a lot time together. He could not wait to become a priest and he did so much in the short time God gave him here on earth. I will offer the traditional three masses for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.
May 25, 2006 at 8:00 pm |
I am greatly saddened at the loss of this wonderful Catholic priest, beloved son, brother, friend to many. I never met him personally, but read his blog regularly and was so impressed by his passion for his faith and vocation. He touched my heart and soul. May those of you who are his family and friends be blessed and comforted by the Lord. I will pray for the repose of his soul. RIP
May 25, 2006 at 8:14 pm |
I am deeply sadden by Fr. Todd’s death… I grieve with you and pray for his soul. I was fortunate enough to be able to count him among my friends while here at A&M. We kept in touch some, but certainly not enough. He was a good Aggie, a good man, and a good priest. He is missed.
Grant unto him eternal life and may perpetual light shine upon him! Rest in peace.
May 25, 2006 at 8:26 pm |
I only knew of Fr. Todd through his blogging and as someone discerning a vocation to the priesthood his witness really meant a lot to me. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let the perpetual light of your love shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
May 25, 2006 at 8:29 pm |
I was two years ahead of Fr. Todd in Rome, and then had the privilege of getting to know him more when I took a position with the Diocese of Sioux Falls… he was a man who loved Our Lord, and loved being His priest.
He will be missed dearly by so many here, and elsewhere.
May 25, 2006 at 8:30 pm |
I will offer a Mass for the eternal rest of Fr. Todd – and for God’s consolation for his mom, family members and brother priests in South Dakota.
May 25, 2006 at 8:32 pm |
I read Fr. Todd’s blogs a lot, but never posted. I had met him a few times at Santa Cruz in Buda. My daughter went to school in Buda with his brother Tommy. His writings were inspirational and entertaining. My sympathies to his family and his parishioners. I am planning on attending the funeral. When the news came on the TV that there was another fatality on Lake Travis I said a prayer for that person never imagining I would actually know him. Rest in peace Father Todd.
May 25, 2006 at 8:39 pm |
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Fr Todd’s sudden death. We never know what God’s plans for our lives are. How sad to lose such a fine young priest.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord!
May 25, 2006 at 8:40 pm |
I was so saddened to hear of Father Todd’s death. I only knew him through his blog, and I loved his blog’s title….A Son Becomes A Father.
My sympathy goes out to his family. God Bless you all, and may Fr. Todd find eternal rest and joy in his Savior’s arms.
May 25, 2006 at 8:41 pm |
I want to thank everyone for there kind words and prayers. As his youngest brother, my grief at the loss of Father Todd is extreme.
The grief is countered by joy in knowing that Fr. Todd has received his reward for his time on earth. It is comforting to know that Fr. Todd is finally reunited with his Father. I am thankful for the time that I had him in my life. As a brother, as a friend, as a priest, he was an inspiration to me.
I cannot express how much all of you meant to Father Todd. He loved being a priest and loved celebrating the Eucharist. After giving Holy First Communion to his godson’s sister he told her, “Now I can go be with Jesus.”
Fr. Todd understood his purpose in this life perhaps more clearly than any of us ever will. I can only hope that we all may find the peace that he has now.
Again, thank you for your kind words. The comments and the prayers are helpful in remembering how loved Fr. Todd was. The family and I will try to post more later.
Tom Reitmeyer
TAMU Class of ’00
May 25, 2006 at 8:43 pm |
I am deeply saddened at the death of Fr. Todd. Even though I never met him, I saw what a zealous apostle he was for the Lord. May the Lord richly reward him for his generosity and for his priesthood. His priestly ministry continues as he intercedes for us before the Lord.
Requiescat in pace.
May 25, 2006 at 8:48 pm |
I’m so saddened for the loss of Fr. Todd. I was a regular on his blog and thought that he was a wonderful priest and servant. He will be in our prayers.
May 25, 2006 at 9:15 pm |
My heart is so heavy to hear of Father Todd’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss, and we will keep you in our prayers. He was a dear friend to me at St. Mary’s. He was kind and considerate and a good dancing partner. What joy he must have given to his Father in Heaven as he turned himself over completely to God’s service by becoming a priest. I am grateful my children were able to meet such a holy man.
A sweet memory that came rushing back to me was sitting at the Black Eyed Pea in College Station, TX while Todd discussed Catholic doctrine with his Protestant Corp Buddies. Even back then, he was ready to defend his faith with such a good hearted attitude.
Father Todd…pray for us.
May 25, 2006 at 9:22 pm |
Fr. Todd, a priest forever,and a man of God for eternity, may you rest in peace with Jesus & Mary. The Lord give you His mercy.
Thank you for your life’s witness of Christ. We remember you for always serving the Lord and His people, from the early days of your journey of faith at Texas A&M and at St. Mary’s Student Center, to our days studying theology in Rome, to becoming “in persona Christi”. May you continue to touch lives with your love of Christ, through our rememberances of you, your blog writings, and your intercession before the Lord. And may the Lord give us 10 more priests like you.
May 25, 2006 at 9:24 pm |
While I did not know Fr. Todd well I was very impressed with him and the mass he performed in Eureka while we were pheasant hunting in the fall of 2004. Very sad day for the diocese. He will be missed.
May 25, 2006 at 9:25 pm |
While I did not know Fr. Todd well I was very impressed with him and the mass he performed in Eureka while we were pheasant hunting in the fall of 2004. Very sad day for the diocese. He will be missed.
May 25, 2006 at 9:34 pm |
I will celebrate Mass tomorrow for the happy repose of Fr. Todd’s soul. I had only been acquainted with his blog for a short time, but will miss his insight and fidelity.
Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace.
May 25, 2006 at 9:40 pm |
I just now learned about Fr. Todd, through some online friends, and Amy W’s blog. Please know that I will pray for his soul, and put his name in our parish intention book. I am so sorry for his family, and their loss. Please keep his blog online! I’m enjoying reading it, and have it bookmarked.
Julie M.
Virginia
May 25, 2006 at 9:47 pm |
I was privileged to witness Fr. Todd’s deep love of the sacraments. He held the Eucharist high, he was a wonderful confessor, and his homilies always ended with “Choose well” when he was here in Sioux Falls. I especially enjoyed watching him challenge the high school students to greater faith.
My deepest sympathies to his family and all those close to him.
I add a rosary and Holy Hour to the Spiritual Bouquet.
May 25, 2006 at 10:08 pm |
I read his blog regularly. I am so sorry, I will say prayers for him, his family and friends.
May 25, 2006 at 10:15 pm |
I only knew Fr. Todd for a short time, but he made a huge impression on my family & me. He always challenged his parishes to better themselves and grow in their Catholic faith. I will always be thankful for that. Our prayers are with his family and all who knew him as their priest and friend.
May 25, 2006 at 10:33 pm |
Our family is so sad over the earthly loss of Fr. Todd but we will forever be grateful for the legacy he has left our children and the other children of Sioux Falls. His love for Our Lord in the Eucharist showed, not just during Children’s Holy Hours, but in all his interactions with the children. He taught them so much about our beautiful Catholic faith and especially in the importance of praying for the souls of our dearly departed. I’m sure you have a legion of those souls praying for you now!
Thank you Fr. Todd for choosing to share your life with all of us in SD in such a profound way. It is because of men like you saying ‘yes’ to Our Lord that we, the church militant, have the courage to go on in this ‘valley of tears’. You will be missed terribly but never forgotten.
May 25, 2006 at 10:38 pm |
Fr. Todd – A Faithful Priest!
We were blessed to witness his love of Christ in the little parish of St. Boniface in Seneca, SD. He was never afraid to preach the truth, even the hard teachings. He will be missed.
Fr Todd, please pray for us.
May 25, 2006 at 10:44 pm |
I am deeply stunned by this news. While I *know* that he has gone to his eternal father’s arms… I selfishly am going to miss his wonderful writings and insight into our faith.
A few weeks ago I tripped across this blog and read all of the archives. I was struck by what a wonderful loving priest and man Fr. Todd clearly was.
My faith was clearly deepened by reading his writings. He was beloved and will be missed by many people throughout the world because of his writings here.
May 25, 2006 at 10:46 pm |
While I only met Fr. Todd once in person, I’m grieved to hear of his loss. His blog was very inspiring and a ray of light on the web. I suspect there are many who were moved by his obvious love for our Lord through his ministry, including this blog.
May he rest in peace.
May 25, 2006 at 10:49 pm |
I met Fr. Todd when I was a seminarian living in San Marcos,TX.
When I was ordained in 2000, I met up w/ Fr. Todd in Rome and he bought me a 3 foot long picture of St. Peter’s. It hangs in my room today!
Fr. Todd, introduced me to Carbanara sauce on pasta at a resturant in Rome owned by an ex-swiss guard.
Finally, We had a common love for a movie called “My Blue Heaven” with Steve Martin. The line that I always remember that reminds me of him is:
“What’s your name?” “Todd. It’s Italian for extra special!”
It’s even more true today!
I miss you Fr. Todd and I love you!
YOU are Priest forever in the order of Melchezedek!
Until Heaven
Fr. Darrin Merlino, CMF
May 25, 2006 at 10:55 pm |
I first met Father Todd when my husband and I were preparing for marriage; we had marriage instructions with him in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I am a Catholic, however, my husband is not, so he was a little intimidated to take marriage instructions, until we met Father Todd.
Father Todd was amazing, we feel in love with him instantly. He set both of us (especially my husband) at such ease. He was very open to any questions we had and had such a great way of answering our questions.
We formed such a bond with Father Todd and he more than willing agreed to marry my husband and I in Hoven (4 1/2 hours from Sioux Falls – very close to Faulkton). He did an AMAZING job.
He will be forever missed!!
May 25, 2006 at 11:03 pm |
I remeber Fr. Todd Reitmeyer when he was a seminarian at NAC in 2002 when I first discovered the world of Catholic blogs, while I was not a commenter, I allways followed his blog, and was happy when he was ordained to the priesthood, and gave me great hope for the future of the church. When earlier today I read that he died in an accident, all I can say is I am in shock. I prayed for him during the canon of the mass tonight, and we all should when he go to mass these next few weeks.
Rest in Peace, and may you be in Christs grasp, also thanks for all those you inspired.
May 25, 2006 at 11:26 pm |
…et lux perpetua luceat eis…
May 25, 2006 at 11:27 pm |
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon Him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May 25, 2006 at 11:49 pm |
WE here in Faulkton are in shock over the loss of Fr Todd. A large ache will forever be in our hearts, although I know he is rejoicing in Heaven with our Holy Father. My prayers go out to his family and close friends. He was very involved with the children of our parish. My 3 daughters are hurting now for his loss, especially our 4 year old. He is all she has talked about today. He will be deeply missed.
May 25, 2006 at 11:56 pm |
I don’t know Fr. Todd, but I believe he knows who I am now. I pray for his soul and for peace for his grieving loved ones.
May 26, 2006 at 12:02 am |
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Fr Todd will be missed. I feel that I’ve lost a friend, although I only knew Fr Todd through his blog. May he rest in the peace of Christ. My sincere sympathy to his family. They will be in my prayers.
May 26, 2006 at 12:07 am |
This news has been very shocking and sobering. The loss of a friend is never easy and it prompted me to post about Father Todd on my blog.
Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.
Even in death, he has motivated me to redeem the time and each day as a gift from God.
Thanks, Amigo.
Gunny ’93
May 26, 2006 at 12:18 am |
Unfortunately, I have learned about the wonderful Fr. Todd too late, having just read about his death on the “Closed Cafeteria” blog of Gerald Augustinus.
My prayers are with his family. May God bless his soul.
Having read through some posts of Fr. Todd, might I suggest a “Fr. Todd Donation” to send some children to a summer Steubenville conference as Fr. Todd wrote about a little while back?
( http://www.fathertodd.com/blog/archives/2006/03/index.html )
I will be doing so. Please join me.
May 26, 2006 at 2:14 am |
From an Orthodox Christian and fellow bloger my deepest sympathies on your loss. May his memory be eternal!
May 26, 2006 at 2:22 am |
We offered Holy Mass this morning at the North American College in Rome for the repose of the soul of Fr. Todd and the consolation of his family. We are deeply saddened by the death of this dedicated priest. It is a reminder to us all of the shortness of this life, and the need to keep before our eyes the reason for our living each day. As. St. Thérèse said, “We must see life in its true light…. It is an instant between two eternities.”
Requiem eternam dona ei, Domine.
Et Lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace. Amen.
May 26, 2006 at 2:51 am |
I am stunned and extremely sad to hear about Fr. Todd. He meant a great deal to me and has been a huge help in hard times, even though I only knew him in cyberspace. I am in Rome and will light a candle for him at St. Peter’s.
May 26, 2006 at 4:42 am |
I have never actually read this blog, but I found out on Whispers in the Loggia about Fr. Todd’s death. The grief that so many people have for him is testimony to a life well led and a person who left the world a better place. May he rest in peace. Amen
May 26, 2006 at 4:54 am |
todd, i will miss you. you were a good man. i remember how nice you always were to me when we were in the minor seminary together in minnesota. and, i remember that last time that i saw you while you were a student in rome. you had just had your wallet stolen while on the number 64 bus. just after, you had gone to the vatican balilica to pray. now, we invoke your prayers and i will ask for a requiem to be celebrated for you here in rome.
May 26, 2006 at 5:24 am |
Amen
May 26, 2006 at 5:31 am |
He is remembered on St. Blog’s Prayer Network.
May he, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
May 26, 2006 at 6:42 am |
I was just reading an address the Pope gave in East Germany many years ago. He said that the first and most important thing that the priest must do for his flock is: be a believer. When a priest is a believer, this has a profound effect on those he touches and makes it possible for them to hope. To hope, when habit and discouragment make it all too easy to think or feel, “Perhaps it isn’t really true after all.”
Fr. Reitmeyer made it possible for me and many others to believe and touch the Invisible World. He was so obviously a believer of the simplest and most transparent kind.
God bless you, Father. May you rest in peace and at your coming may the Martyrs receive you and lead you through into the Holy City, Jerusalem!
May the Angels of God comfort those from whose loving gaze he has been taken and may the prayers of the Holy Mother of God, who mourned over her lost Son, be with Father Reitmeyer’s parents.
May 26, 2006 at 6:57 am |
His witness meant a great deal to many. May his soul rise quickly to the joy of Heaven.
May 26, 2006 at 7:29 am |
Thoughts and prayers for Fr. Todd, his family, and friends.
May 26, 2006 at 7:49 am |
Rest in peace, Fr. Todd.
May 26, 2006 at 7:51 am |
Fr. Todd was an amazing friend, brother and priest. I will miss him more than any will ever know but I have great hope to see him again on the day that the Lord calls me home. Fr. Todd, say hi to all of my friends for me and tell them that I’ll be there soon enough. Hasta luego amigo.
Soli Deo Gloria!
May 26, 2006 at 7:52 am |
Shocked and saddened by this news. Praying for Fr Todd and his family.
May 26, 2006 at 7:55 am |
I am saddened by the loss of this young priest, and yet, have to rejoice that he has come home to the Lord. Prayers coming for all who grieve him. Pray for us, Fr. Todd!
May 26, 2006 at 8:14 am |
I don’t even have the right words to say. Todd was a close friend of my husband and mine from college and was even a groomsman in our wedding. We both talked last night about how he lived his full out 150% for Jesus and what an amazing example he was.
I have no words to express the love and admiration I have for Fr. Todd, so please know my prayers are with his family.
May 26, 2006 at 8:14 am |
He had a big impact on the Agnus Dei homeschool group in Tennessee. We knew him only through his blog, but we loved him and will pray for him and his family.
May 26, 2006 at 8:31 am |
Rocco Palmo has posted a tribute to Fr. Todd on his blog:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/
May 26, 2006 at 8:42 am |
Dear Reitmeyer Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My family and I will pray for the repose of Fr. Todd’s soul. What a champion you have for you in heaven now!
May 26, 2006 at 8:51 am |
My condolences to the Reitmeyer family annd to all his friends. Fr. Todd was in his last year at the NAC when I began here. He left a strong impression on all of us. It was my great privelege today, in my first opportunity to celebrate the community Mass at the North American College to offer the Mass for the repose of his soul. Be assurede of the prayers of this priestly community for one of our own.
May 26, 2006 at 8:56 am |
I was greatly saddened and shocked by the news of Fr. Todd’s death. Although I never met him, I have been reading his blog for the past few years, and later found out a good priest friend of mine had gone to the NAC and was friends with Fr. Todd. Occasionally he would relate a story about Fr. Todd, and in fact, I had just recently asked if he’d heard from him lately. Fr. Todd will be greatly missed, both by his parish families and his blogging family. I prayed my rosary for the repose of his soul last night, and will continue to keep him in my prayers.
May 26, 2006 at 8:58 am |
I will deeply miss Fr. Todd and all of his wise words to us. I knew him when he was at St. Michaels here in Sioux Falls and he has been such an inspiration to me and my faith life.
May 26, 2006 at 8:59 am |
It was early morning (May 15) when the sun was not up and the trees leaves blocked any light that could get through…in the Rectory driveway I saw a tall man standing with his suit case, waiting…I drive the bus for the Cathedral and saw that it was Fr. Todd (backing up with the bus beeping it’s warning signal)to greet Fr. Todd we both laughed (I can still picture him waving his hands laughing). He said he was waiting for a ride to the airport then off to TX to meet familiy and friends. We joked around for a few minutes about how early in the morning it was and that it was good to get away to get some rest. He blessed me, off I went. Now we are blessed for have known him.
May 26, 2006 at 9:01 am |
My condolences to Father Todd’s family. I will pray a rosary for your consolation and for the repose of his soul. I know he is watching over you and assisting you from the Father’s side. God bless you all and thank you for sharing your wonderful priest brother with all of us. He continues to be an inspiration
May 26, 2006 at 9:09 am |
Fr. Todd’s blog was one that I visited from time to time, and it’s sad news on a Friday morning to hear of his death. Certainly we’ll keep both him and his family in our prayers.
But look at these comments… comments from people who only knew Father (like myself)only from his blog and comments from people that he touched personally. There are comments from several priests, a sister, a Baptist Pastor, and may lay people. There is at least one comment from Australia and several from Rome. And there will be a Funeral Mass and a Memorial Mass, each celebrated by a different Bishop.
Who could imagine a better, a more powerful demonstration of the universal nature of the Church and of the Catholic Priesthood? Fr. Todd’s life is powerful testimony to the incredible good that a man can do when he becomes more than just a man by joining himself to Christ.
Fr. Todd, may you rest in peace. You fought the good fight to the end.
May 26, 2006 at 9:12 am |
Fr. Todd’s blog was one that I visited from time to time, and it’s sad news on a Friday morning to hear of his death. Certainly we’ll keep both him and his family in our prayers.
But look at these comments… comments from people who only knew Father (like myself)only from his blog and comments from people that he touched personally. There are comments from several priests, a sister, a Baptist Pastor, and may lay people. There is at least one comment from Australia and several from Rome. And there will be a Funeral Mass and a Memorial Mass, each celebrated by a different Bishop.
Who could imagine a better, a more powerful demonstration of the universal nature of the Church and of the Catholic Priesthood? Fr. Todd’s life is powerful testimony to the incredible good that a man can do when he becomes more than just a man by joining himself to Christ.
Fr. Todd, may you rest in peace. You fought the good fight to the end.
May 26, 2006 at 10:00 am |
Man this hurts. I was just checking out his blog on Monday, lamenting the fact that I hadn’t been keeping up with Fr. Todd in a while. And then he goes and travels all the way down here to Texas without me knowing about it. And then he travels all the way up to Heaven without me knowing about it… Dang. I miss the Mellow Men’s Nights at Pete’s house, swapping theology and bachelor’s cooking tips. I miss the glare and the smile that spoke of the thousands of thoughts rolling across his brain before he picked up a juicy topic and showed how it wasn’t really all that juicy, not nearly as sensationalistic as you thought, and layed out how the teaching of the Church was always consistant and always correct. Fr. Todd was a rare find. It hurts to see him go. But as I told my wife this morning, “He didn’t get sick or hurt, he went home.” He’s not disappointed about this turn of events. He’s reveling in the Source of the Truth that he so dearly protected and adored.
May 26, 2006 at 10:04 am |
I only knew Fr. Todd through his blog, but he made a deep impression on me. I offer sincere condolences to his family and friends, and I have already prayed for the repose of his soul.
May 26, 2006 at 10:24 am |
I didn’t know Father Todd, but he studied in Rome around the time my daughter, Jessica, studied at the Angelicum, so perhaps they knew each other. God must have much work to be done from Heaven. He is recruiting such powerful prayer warriors — intercessors for a broken world. Father Todd joins Father Darin Didier, from Alexandria, MN, who just died last year at the age of 32 from cancer; Deb Frietag; Larry & Verna Mae Gloe; Pat Williams. Certainly we can all think of the recent “saints” or “certain-to-become saints” who have gone before us.
Let us join Basil Knebel in his endeavor to get a laptop for Father Todd’s church.
We will be praying for the repose of Father Todd’s soul and for comfort for all who love him.
May 26, 2006 at 10:27 am |
I too have posted a tribute to Fr. Todd and one of the many memories I have of him on my blog:
http://marcelisbald.blogspot.com/
May 26, 2006 at 10:44 am |
I also only knew Fr. Todd mainly through his blog as well as a few brief conversations. He was a good man with a good heart, this is truely sad news to hear. My thoughts and prayers for Fr. Todd, his family, and friends.
May 26, 2006 at 10:46 am |
I am the pianist and song leader at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Seneca, S.D. (Fr Todd was a wonderful singer…) I first met Fr Todd when he was a seminarian here. I’m REALLY gonna’ miss him. We all are. I haven’t heard yet what we will do locally to formally mourn Fr Todd, but I look forward to helping with the plans and honoring him in song. We are feeling lost without our pastor, our leader, our shepherd.
To Fr Todd’s family:
God bless you all. There are so many unanswered questions and I think when we get to heaven, either God will answer all our questions, or our questions won’t matter anymore. You may want to listen to a song by MercyMe called “Homesick” from their album titled Undone. My hope is that the music will minister to your hearts.
Fr Todd, until we meet again…
Colleen Simon
May 26, 2006 at 12:29 pm |
If ‘The Cafeteria is closed’ memorializes Father Todd he must be a good man indeed. Your website is a joy and it starts my day. Every day. God bless you who are responsible for it. For the “speedy relief, ransom and repose of the soul of Father Todd” I shall include him in my morning prayers each sunrise.
James
May 26, 2006 at 12:32 pm |
I’m another person who only knew and appreciated Fr. Todd through his blog.
I pray for him, his family, and his parishes today. May God bless you all with comfort and mercy.
May 26, 2006 at 1:17 pm |
He is in my prayers as are his family for their peace in this time of mourning.
May 26, 2006 at 1:28 pm |
I am shocked and so sad to learn that Father Todd has died, but I know he is with his God in heaven, was there instantly. He was such a wonderful priest and man…I never met him personally but he was so kind to give me some Christian advice by email late last year, and I read his blog faithfully. My the same God who now holds Father Todd in his arms, hold all of you who knew and loved him close to him, also. My prayers are especially with the Reitmeyer family.
Leigh
May 26, 2006 at 1:29 pm |
I pray that Fr. Todd now knows Paradise and I pray for the comfort of his family.
I’ve enjoyed his blog, podcasts and videos for a number of years. He seemed to be a holy and humble man. Whenever I sit with Jesus I think of Fr. Todd crouched down on the floor in front of the Blessed Sacrament, explaining to the children that we make ourselves small so that God can become bigger.
I cry for your loss and I thank Fr. Todd for his example.
May 26, 2006 at 1:42 pm |
Condolences to his family and friends.
May 26, 2006 at 1:53 pm |
Just a fan of Fr. Todd’s through the blog, but I offer my deepest condolences to his family on this shocking loss.
May 26, 2006 at 1:55 pm |
All are in my prayers. Deepest sympathies.
+Lord watch over and bless all those who now mourn Fr Todd’s passing. May they come to celebrate all that he was and may those whom he touched carry on his work. Hold your son close to you and forget not those who lost him on earth. Amen.
May 26, 2006 at 2:03 pm |
I was the chair of the department of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota when I had the pleasure, and honor, to meet Fr. Tod as a special student, sent by Bishop Carlson for some additional courses before entering the seminary. “Special,” indeed. A marvelous young man. He will be greatly missed. I know I write for all those at the University who knew him then: our sincerest condolences to Fr. Tod’s family. Requiescat in pace.
May 26, 2006 at 2:04 pm |
I have been compiling a list of news links and blog entries about Father Todd at http://www.aggiesaway.com/, the domain he originally set up after his graduation from A&M. I acquired it about a year ago, after Todd didn’t have time to maintain the site any longer (for some reason, seminary and ordination became his focus…imagine that!). The site currently just a portal to the Aggie Catholic site at MyFamily.com, but hopefully I can show some tribute to someone I consider a great man, a dynamic priest, and a true friend.
May 26, 2006 at 2:21 pm |
Thank all of you for your prayers. I wish I could say tht my faith is as deep as my brother’s. I hope that this brings me even close to the Lord and that I find comfort in tht about his death. It is so comforting to know that he touched so many people in so many ways. Thank you.
May 26, 2006 at 4:13 pm |
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
You have I have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Enter, indeed, into the joy of thy Lord, Fr. Todd. You will be in all our prayers.
Requiescat in pace,
-J.
May 26, 2006 at 7:26 pm |
An old friend leave not; the new is not his like…. – Sirach 9:10
As the crushing weight of this news fell upon my soul, my thoughts turn to this Old Testament proverb. Todd was a true friend, one of the more sensitive fellows you’d ever meet. And though he may have an opinion to share, he appreciated dialogue with those he trusted and would allow himself to be challenged. His was a discerning and caring spirit. His everpresent concern as a priest was to preserve the faith in himself and transmit it without compromise. Nevertheless, he embraced opportunities to deepen his faith, clarify his presentation of it and grow in personal holiness. Like our good Lord, he had a very human heart.
Dear friend and Father, I am weeping bitter tears, for the new friend is not like unto the old. And how I would like to come to Texas and say goodbye, but circumstances are preventing that…
I think Todd thought he might pass away young, only he wanted to be on the field of battle ministering Sacraments to Marines. Intercede for us still, Father, for those of us in uniform, and I will say prayers for you.
Bull, thank you for your post…it cut to my heart and made me remember those special days at A&M, a place which Fr Todd loved so dearly and, in a sense, never left. Thank you also to the person who sent the email giving notice of our loss.
There’s a good deal more I could write, and perhaps I shall later. But for now I recall what seemed to me to be Fr Todd’s constant preoccupation: to be a good priest and to testify to the holiness of Jesus Christ. My consolation is that, according to Scripture, our Lord will impart holiness to him who took his stand upon the faith of Christ – the Catholic faith, “the faith that was handed down, once for all, to the saints” (Rm 3:26, Jude 3).
Fr Todd, it was a blessing to have known you, to have witnessed your lion-hearted response to the call to priesthood, and to have been touched by your ministry. May you find rest in the company of Mary and all the saints. With my feeble faith, I await the day all things will be consummated in Christ and we shall meet again.
May 26, 2006 at 7:32 pm |
My condolences and prayers to Fr. Todd’s family, parishoners and the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Like many I knew him only from his blog but to me in the midst of a priest shortage and scandals when the prestige of the priesthood is at a low ebb, it is men like Fr. Todd who inspire hope. Reading his blog about his parish life from Sioux Falls I always thought to myself, “well, at least, that’s one area of the world where the Catholic Church won’t have to worry for another 50 years or so”. Sadly this won’t be the case. It is a great loss, not only to those who knew him and loved him but to the all whole Catholic community.
May 26, 2006 at 7:36 pm |
Todd was our son’s best friend through high school and college. Charles and I say with pride that Todd was like our other son. After Ryan went home to the with the Lord, Todd seemed to know we needed him. He stayed in touch via emails and always remembered to call us when he came to town. Often he stopped by to see us even if was just for a few minutes. He especially loved to come by at Christmas when he knew I would have made Divinity candy. We will forever remember with greatest fondness the times we shared with Todd and the beautiful and positive influence he was in our son’s life. Just knowing Todd was out there even if he was so far away was always a comforting thought for me and Charles.
We know and share your pain in losing Todd. You have our support and our prayers during this difficult time.
May 26, 2006 at 9:10 pm |
I only knew Fr. Todd from the short time he was in my parish before his ordination and from his blogs; but what an impact! He revitalized the faith of more than a few people, and I learned so much from his blogs, his sermons, and from how he approached his Catholism. To say he will be missed is such an understatement. My prayers go out to Fr. Todds’ wonderful family who shared their son, brother, and uncle with us. . . thank you for helping him become the fantastic priest that helped us all come closer to the Lord.
May 26, 2006 at 10:05 pm |
FWIW, just in case he didn’t already know, I left a message with Archbishop Timothy Dolan about Fr. Todd’s passing.
Also, I will be having Masses said for him. Will try to let you know when.
May 27, 2006 at 12:41 am |
Each month, Fr. Todd would make the long trip to Sioux Falls to celebrate children’s adoration. He wore the most elaborate vestments he could find. He asked the children to get on the floor into a ball and “Make yourselves small, so that Jesus can grow bigger in you.” He always had the children recite the Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great and told them, “1,000 souls will be released from Purgatory and they will pray for you when they get to Heaven.” At intention time, he allowed every last child to come within a few feet of the Blessed Sacrament. He would say, “Don’t tell me; I’m not Jesus! Go right up close, look straight at him, and tell him your intention!” One time he burned so much incense that the smoke detector went off and the fire department showed up! He wanted to promote children’s adoration in the diocese, so he once asked that photos be taken at holy hour; these were posted in the Bishop’s Bulletin.
Fr. Justin Wachs will have a Children’s Holy Hour offered for the soul of Fr. Todd Reitmeyer at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, June 1 at 6:00 PM.
Fr. Todd, you have taught our children well!Sleep sound…in the arms of Jesus, and please pray for us!
May 27, 2006 at 2:06 am |
It’s been a hectic week. My daughter, who’s to be married soon, and I were online this evening to take care of some details. I said I wanted to check Father Todd’s blog .. he’s been posting while on vacation. I frowned at the headline, I just completely didn’t comprehend .. only tears could come.
I began reading his blog about 3 years ago. I took him to my heart immediately. His love for the Eucharist and Eucharistic adoration set him apart for me from the ordinary. I looked forward to his homilies. I laughed as he asked for home improvement tips when he received his first assignment. I thought of taking a trip to South Dakota and looking him up while we were there. Now, it would be a joy to one day lay my eyes upon the monstrance he so passionately desired for the worship of our Lord.
My heart cries for the good people whom he loved serving in South Dakota. My heart aches for the family who has lost their son, brother, nephew, cousin. I am deeply saddened that we have all lost a friend.
He and all of you will be in my prayers for a very long time.
With love from central Missouri ….
May 27, 2006 at 6:57 am |
My condolensces to Fr. Todd’s family. I never got to read his blog – didn’t even know about the blog until his death. May he rest in peace.
BMP
May 27, 2006 at 7:48 am |
It is with much sadness we hear of Fr. Todd’s passing. We were Father’s first wedding following his ordination. Even though we did all of our marriage preparation with other priests, Fr. Todd took the time to meet with us and get to know us. He really made our wedding a very special ceremony.
Father Todd and family will remain in our prayers.
May 27, 2006 at 8:29 am |
I have already posted here yesterday, but I wanted to add that I have a dear friend in another priest named Father Todd, from our parish, who is from NORTH Dakota and will be returning there in a matter of weeks to be a priest in the archdiocese of Bismarck, his home. I was drawn to Father Todd Reitmeyer and his blog because of his name (and my husband is also named Todd), but was amazed at how much he and my friend Fr. Todd seemed to have in common. I would even send excerpts of Fr. Todd Reitmeyer’s blog to my friend from time to time, and my Fr. Todd enjoyed them immensely. I emailed my friend yesterday to let him know of Fr. Todd R.’s passing, and I know he will be praying fervently for him and his family. I will also have some Masses said for him. I still can’t believe this has happened. Every time I sign on to this page, it’s like seeing it for the first time. I have cried many tears since learning of Fr. Todd’s loss yesterday. Lots of love, prayers and hugs to all of his loved ones.
May 27, 2006 at 9:38 am |
I can already see Fr. Todd looking at the face of Christ and smiling. As much as I want to be sad, I know that Fr. Todd is the happiest man in heaven right now.
May 27, 2006 at 10:23 am |
My sympathy to all of Fr. Todd’s family. What a wonderful person he was. Will certainly miss him. May he rest in Peace.
May 27, 2006 at 10:43 am |
All of us here at St. Joseph’s in Eureka, SD where Fr. Todd was our parish priest for 1 1/2 years are so saddened by the loss of such a wonderful priest! Priests come and go out of parishes but this priest…Fr. Todd…his memory will live strong in our parish. He certainly took care of the things he loved and our souls were what he loved. God Bless the Reitmeyer family and Mrs. Reitmeyer…thank you for giving him life. “You chose well.”
May 27, 2006 at 2:59 pm |
1. Lord, you have come to the seashore,
neither searching for the rich nor the wise,
desiring only that I should follow.
2. Lord, see my goods, my possessions;
in my boat you find no power, no wealth.
Will You accept, then, my nets and labor?
3. Lord, take my hands and direct them.
Help me spend myself in seeking the lost,
returning love for the love You gave Me.
4. Lord, as I drift on the waters,
be the resting place of my restless heart,
my life’s companion, my friend and refuge.
O Lord, with your eyes set upon me,
gently smiling, you have spoken my name;
all I longed for I have found by the water,
at your side, I will seek other shores.
May 27, 2006 at 9:16 pm |
I was very sad and shocked to hear the death of Father Todd.
I first contacted him through email. I asked him to say a Mass for me and my intentions. He did that. He said that he wanted to meet with me when he came down for vacation in Texas.
In November 2004, we met at a Whataburger in the Houston Area (where I live). He was in the Houston Area visiting a friend of his (Msgr. Charles Elmer) at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. I remember it was a Sunday evening and he drove up to the Whataburger while I waited for him. He was dressed in his clerics. He paid for my meal. We ate and talked about discernment and vocations. He told me about his vocation story. He told me that if I ever need a Mass celebrated for me again, that he would do it. I really enjoyed our talk.
After he left TX to go back to SD, we mostly kept in contact via email but I still read his blog…
I remember on a recent discernment retreat in Jan 2006 at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, the retreat master was his friend (Msgr. Charles Elmer). I told Msgr. Elmer that I knew Todd.. Msgr’s faced lit up.. I am sure he is taking the news of Father Todd’s death very hard..
I will pray for the repose of his soul and for his family who is mourning the death of such a holy and nice priest…
May 28, 2006 at 5:13 pm |
Right up front, I think it’s important that you know that I’m not Catholic. Nevertheless, like so many of you, Fr. Todd’s spirituality is beautiful to me. Reading all of these comments makes smile and cry at the same time. Odd, but sweet. Todd has/had? a deeply fulfilling relationship with the Father and His Son that is beyond my comprehension. The depth of his conviction and devotion truly is inspiring. I believe Todd would be humbled and awed by all of the attention his passing has wrought. On some level he would, no doubt, think it is “Cool” too. I do. Smiling down on all of us from heaven, he can see that his life had meaning. What a blessing that must be. “O Blessed Face of my kind Savior, by the tender love and piercing sorrow of Our Lady as she beheld You in Your cruel Passion, grant us to share in this intense sorrow and love so as to fulfill the holy will of God to the utmost of our ability.
Amen.”
Peace,
H
May 28, 2006 at 6:29 pm |
I did not know Father on a personal basis but knew him to be one of our “holy priests” & I mourn his loss & but rejoice as I am sure it has been said…well done good and faithful servent enter into the joy of your masters home..may his soul rest in the eternal arms of the heavenly Father….
May 28, 2006 at 10:45 pm |
I knew Fr. Todd from my time in Seminary with him. He was truly an inspiration to me and helped me in my discernment a great deal.
He was a great priest and a wonderful servant of God. He will be greatly missed.
My sincere condolensces to the family, our prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
May 28, 2006 at 11:32 pm |
We will 0ffer a mass for Fr. Todd and consolation for his family members and friends. We have no words to express the loss and sudden death of Fr. Todd.; just tears and emptiness.I left work the day I heard the news. My husband and I got to know Fr. Todd very well while he was here @ St. Michael’s in Herreid, S.D He married our youngest daughter and her husband last April; After he left, we kept in touch. He was a fantastic priest;we loved and admired him; for he loved JESUS 100% AND HE LIVED IT.We feel blessed we had the opportunity to have known him; we’ll always remember him and that smile. And we too feel he is in his Father’s arms and smilimg.Bob & MaryAnn Volk
May 29, 2006 at 10:54 am |
Again, thank all of you for your prayers. Todd was my pesky big brother for most of my life. We were only 14 months apart. Seeing how much he inspired people all over the world is truly a blessing. Though Wednesday was the hardest day of my life since our father passed away..Today and tomorrow will be so painful. We haven’t seen him yet, that is going to be difficult today. Please pray for us.
May 29, 2006 at 3:44 pm |
I never knew Fr. Todd, not in person anyway. But I knew him through his words. As a brand-new Catholic, I had a lot to learn and by reading (and hearing through his podcasts) what Fr. Todd had to say on his blog about a variety of topics, he became one of my online teachers and part of my extended community. He was also a fellow foodie, who loved fried catfish.
I am praying for the repose of Father Todd. I also pray for his family and friends and his flock at St. Michael’s, especially the kids.
Fr. Todd, pray for us. Thank you for the lessons; help me/us to “Choose well.” Give Our Lady a hug for me. We will be praying the Rosary for you today.
http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=813493
May 29, 2006 at 5:14 pm |
I learned just today of Father Todd’s untimely death, and was greatly saddened by the news. His excellent work with Catholic homeschooling families and for Terri Schiavo are not forgotten, and speak for him eloquently before our Lord. My prayers are with his afflicted family, which must be in utter shock still.
Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
May 29, 2006 at 6:20 pm |
What a tremendous loss to the Diocese of Sioux Falls! We were very fortunate to have him for a short while at St. Michael’s. He will be missed by the entire staff! Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
May 29, 2006 at 7:46 pm |
To the Family of Fr. Todd
Please know that my prayers will be with you and that I will pray for Fr. Todd’s soul. This is truly a loss for many and he will surely be missed. May Jesus and the Blessed Mother comfort you in your time of grief. God bless
May 29, 2006 at 8:04 pm |
“The choice is yours, choose well.” God has chosen to take the one who gave me the heart and the strength to continue to pray.
Christina, my heart goes out to you and your family. I only knew Fr. Todd from his blog and Podcast, and from his classmate at the North American College, Fr. Coan. It was Fr. Coan who suggested I check out Todd’s blog when I was searching for true Catholic spirituality on the web. And it was Fr. Coan who told me the news. I couldn’t believe it, and he had to show me the text message on his cell phone.
With God there are no coincidences, and just minutes before Fr. Coan gave me the news, I had been sitting in my car listening to Fr. Todd’s podcast homilies, one after another. I was going to a holy hour for vocations, and Fr. Todd’s beautiful words inspired me in a special way. The very last one I heard was his All Souls homily – where he speaks especially about the necessity of praying for the dead. He said that when you pray for someone in purgatory, and then they make it to heaven, you have a very grateful saint praying for you in heaven. I’m sure that we have a grateful saint praying for us.
If it is possible, it would be a tremendous blessing for all of us who are unable to be in Texas or South Dakota to record the homilies at his funeral and memorial service, and post them on his podcast site so that all of us can share in this final tribute.
God Bless you in this difficult time. There are many Masses being said here in Maryland for Fr. Todd.
May 29, 2006 at 8:31 pm |
Dear Family of Fr. Todd,
Please accept my sincere condolences. What a wonderful man. I read his blog about same sex attraction and the priesthood and he is amazing for speaking out. My prayers are with you during this most difficult time. I am sure he is watching all of you.
Ave Maria!
theresa
May 29, 2006 at 9:31 pm |
Fr. Todd was the celebrant for a Mass for my granddaughter Beth Harms, at the end Mass, there was also a baby baptisted. Fr. Todd said” Today the Mass was offered to a young girl who is receiving the fruits of eternal life and a baby who has received the promise of eternal life” Fr. Todd is now receiving the promised fruits of eternal life. May the Perpetual Light shine upon you, Dear Fr. Todd.
A priest that was ordained for one month,gave a faith filled insight of birth and death.
May 29, 2006 at 10:05 pm |
Fr. Todd’s death has also been mentioned on my “Christus Vincit” Podcast, episode 31
http://podcast.christusvincit.net
Peace,
BMP
May 29, 2006 at 10:19 pm |
Sorry to hear of the loss of Fr. Todd.
My condolences to the family.
Regards,
Gary Silis
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES
A U S T R A L I A
May 29, 2006 at 11:10 pm |
I am so very sorry to hear of this. I check back often to see what Fr Todd was writing about. I found his blog not long after his ordination, when he had begun this. I enjoyed reading here, immensely. I will miss coming here, and know that many others will also.
God bless his family and friends. I will pray for the repose of his soul. I have no doubt that he is has heard “Well done, good and faithful Servant”. I wish I had some comforting thing to say other than simply I am sorry.
May 29, 2006 at 11:11 pm |
Sorry, it says that I am a first time visitor here, but I think it is a glitch. I have posted here other times. God bless!
May 30, 2006 at 11:32 am |
I first met Fr. Todd in the summer of 1994. At the Time, he was the Camp Director of the Capitol area Council’s Equestrian ranch in Dripping Springs, Tx. and carried the moniker of “Mr. Todd”. I learned so much about work and love of humanity from this man. His dedication to helping others inspires me to this day. He will be sorely missed. Although I had lost contact with Fr. Todd over the years, it is wonderful to see how his work and love of life has touched so many.
May 30, 2006 at 2:41 pm |
This morning we had a memorial service for Fr Todd in Faulkton, S.D. The church was full, the choir was lovely. We sang Here I Am, Lord and How Great Thou Art. Monsignor McPhee was the celebrant and there were 9 other priests and 2 deacons. Lectors and other helpers came from the other 2 parishes, Seneca and Orient, to include someone from each place. Monsignor McPhee spoke about Jesus’ love for each of us, how we are made in God’s image, and he asked, “How much do YOU love Jesus?” The entire Mass was simple and beautiful. There is a feeling of finality that I guess we all really needed. We prayed for the repose of Fr Todd’s soul and prayed for his family. God bless you all.
Colleen
May 30, 2006 at 10:58 pm |
I am writing to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Fr. Todd, though I never knew him, I really feel like I have lost a true friend.
As a fellow Catholic Blogger along with a friend of mine, we would like to sponsor a blog award in memory of Fr. Todd, We hope to hold a Catholic Blogger Memorial Award, featuring Awards in memory of bloggers who have passed away. If you could please let me know if we could honor the memory of Fr. Todd I would appreciate it!
Ed L.
mariandevotion@gmail.com
May 31, 2006 at 1:21 pm |
Tom,
I have been racking my brain these last few days trying to recall any memories that I had of Fr. Todd when I knew him at A&M, but I can only remember the first time I met him at the old St. Mary’s Student Center, we talked about Aggie Navigators, because my friend had just joined. The thing that sticks in my mind when I think about Fr. Todd back then was his exuberance, both for his faith and for life in general. Reading through this blog and seeing what others have said, I see that he maintained this exuberance through the years. We will keep him and your family in our prayers.
Laura (Reiter) Brown
May 31, 2006 at 1:37 pm |
I was at St. Michael’s Parish in Sioux Falls while Fr. Todd was Associate Pastor there. Even though we only knew him for a short while, like many, he made a tremendous impact on my family’s life.
I distinctly remember the last Homily of Fr. Todd’s. It was ‘Classic Fr. Todd’ in that he ‘told it like it is’. It was in 2004, shortly before the November elections. Fr. Todd explained in very specific terms that if you knowingly voted for a Pro-Choice candidate, that you were committing a Mortal Sin. To further drive the point home, he stated that if you were to die with that mortal sin on your soul, without asking forgiveness and being truly sorry, you would go to hell. He went on to say that he was sorry, but that it was a simple fact, and that someday he was going to die and God would hold him accountable for teaching us these facts.
I repeat this story frequently to friends and family members, as it tends to make people really stop and think about their priorities and outlook on life.
We all feel so blessed for having had Fr. Todd as a pastor. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family.
Jim Hemmer
Sioux Falls, SD
May 31, 2006 at 5:11 pm |
I thought I would let you know that Father Todd is still working and hasn’t taken a day off yet! He is working his magic in heven! I am his sister and I strayed from the Catholic church. When he passed, I vowed that I was going to go back, and proceeded to confession on Saturday. Well, no coincidences, right? A friend of mine at home in Coldwater, MI asked the priest there to pray for me and my brother who had recently passed away. He asked his name and she said “Father Todd -” and he finished “Reitmeyer” and had tears in his eyes. Todd is going to make sure there is no way out for me, not that I would want one.
Todd has also been trying to help me and my husband with adopting an infant. We have been praying for this for quite some time. We got a call today, and we will be getting a 5 month old baby boy tomorrow when he get home. Appropriately, his name is…Austin.
June 1, 2006 at 2:56 am |
I just want to let the family of Father Todd know that they are all in our thoughts and prays. I was very touched by the news that Christina and her husband found out they will be getting a baby. That baby will have the best guardian angel.
June 1, 2006 at 9:17 am |
I have only come to know Father Todd through his blog and I have learned that the Catholic blogs I have initially “happened upon” have always been through the providence of God and they become like daily prayer books for me …Father Todd’s has become one of these.
I listened to Father Patrick’s homily this morning and I was touched so deeply by his intimate and lively portrait of a priest who was so faithful to the law with so much love and joy, a priest who truly realized the inseparable connection between God’s Law and God’s Love. Like many other readers I so wish that I could have met him. And like so many I have wondered “why?” this vibrant, courageously, unapologetically orthodox priest — one who was such a magnet….
But Father Patrick’s reference to St. Therese of Lisieux who is one of my favorite saints is part of the answer for me…I so often wonder at the miracle of a young obscure Carmelite dying so young who has influenced so many millions from heaven. I now wonder if Father Todd,in heaven with Jesus and our beloved mother Mary, will become a powerful intercessor for the priesthood — I would think that St. John Vianney and JPII could use a little help from a big, strapping guy like him ….
To all the family, especially Christina as you begin your journey home to the loving arms of the Church your brother so loved, all the friends,and all the parishioners who have lost him I add mine to the prayers that are being raised…
June 1, 2006 at 3:28 pm |
Christina – I didn’t get the chance to meet you at the funeral, but I will let you know that I have known Todd since A&M. He never stopped challenging those he loved. Isn’t that what love is – to want the best for others?
I will pray for you as you journey back to the Church. You made me cry for joy!
June 1, 2006 at 8:41 pm |
When talking about a priest friend of his that I had recently met, Father Todd said, “He’s a better priest than I am.” I responded, “I didn’t realize it was a competition.” “It isn’t,” he said, “he’s just a better priest than I am.”
What I learned from Father Todd and what he tried to instill in all the youth was that we all needed to know, love, live, and defend our faith. It is not enough to BE Catholic, you must LIVE Catholic. Father Todd knew, loved, lived, and defended his faith to the utmost. He IS the inspiration for all of us. He IS a GREAT priest. I know that he continues to help us in LIVING Catholic. I’m sure it is a struggle for him sometimes, which is probably why he had to go to heaven—so he could keep all of us whose lives he had touched on the right track. (I, like you Father Serna, believe that he did not spend much time, if any, in purgatory.)
Congratulations, Christina, on your faith journey and the new addition to the family.
God bless all of you—you are in our prayers.
Mickey Neuharth
Eureka, SD
June 2, 2006 at 8:17 am |
Well, I am sorry to say that we did not get the children yesterday. Todd is probably fuming! The stepdad went to jail for criminal sexual conduct, therefore, the judge thought that they were out of danger. But, I guess he didn’t think that a mother that put them in that situation deserves to be punished. But, we will get a baby soon enough.
I meet with Father Stanley here in Coldwater last night.
Thanks for all the prayers
Christina
June 4, 2006 at 7:39 am |
It is so wonderful to see that my brother’s life was blessed so much. A mas was said at my church today for him. He will live on.
To let all who are interested know, this website will be kept up, hopefully by my younger brother Tom and a priest friend of Father Todd.
June 11, 2006 at 10:02 am |
Je vais offrir une prochaine messe pour le repos de l’âme de Fr. Todd.
June 21, 2006 at 4:24 pm |
Phyllis and entire Reitmeyer Family….I attended Santa Cruz Catholic Church with the Reitmeyer family as our families were close friends. My strongest memories of Todd (and now so excited to find out “Father Todd”)was during his Dad’s illness and then death. He was very strong and always there for the rest of the family especially his youngest brother Tommy. I would like to offer my most sincere sympathy to the Reitmeyer family. May he rest in peace! All my love….Sylvia Barker