ROCKFORD - Msgr. Michael A. Kurz, J.C.L., died Jan. 8, 2019, at St. Alexis Hospital in Hoffman Estates after a long illness.
Msgr. Kurz was born on Aug. 15, 1946, in Milwaukee, Wis., to George Kurz and Muriel Somers. He attended DeSales Preparatory Seminary, Milwaukee, before attending St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee.
He also attended Aquinas Institute, Dubuque, Iowa, and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Pueblo, Colo., on Aug. 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.
He was an associate for eight years in the Pueblo Diocese after he was ordained, also working in campus ministry, as a team priest for Marriage Encounter and for a parish renewal program.
He was advocate and acting judicial vicar for the Pueblo Tribunal, and was a pastor for one year in the Pueblo Diocese before going to Rome for study. He was on loan for the Archdiocese of Chicago Tribunal before coming to the Rockford Diocese.
Msgr. Kurz was incardinated into the Diocese of Rockford in May, 1998. He was appointed Chaplain to His Holiness on Nov. 22, 2007, by Pope Benedict XVI.
His first appointment in the Diocese of Rockford was as judge-instructor for the Diocese of Rockford Tribunal. He was appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar on Aug. 1, 1997, then appointed Judicial Vicar on Aug. 15, 2005, while also being assigned as chaplain for the Poor Clares of Rockford at Corpus Christi Monastery, Rockford from Sept. 1, 2010, until May 1, 2013. He assisted with Mass and the sacraments at St. Rita Parish, Rockford during this time.
Msgr. Kurz retired from active ministry June 1, 2017, but continued as judge for the Diocesan Tribunal and assisted at St. Rita Parish.
Msgr.Kurz is survived by his brothers George (Penny), Robert (Kathy) and David (Anne) and sisters Mary Lou (Craig) Mackus and Barbara Jean (Bruce) Luyster, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.
Visitation will be 4-7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at St. Rita Parish, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9-10:45 a.m, at the church prior to the funeral Mass, which will be at 11 a.m., Jan. 29, 2019.
There will be a private interment at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago.
