Two faithful servants remembered

The Catholic Week

Fr. William P. Folsom Jr. and Msgr. Maurice L. Shields, who served priestly ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile, died in February.

Fr. Folsom died Feb. 14, 2020 at the age of 92. Msgr. Shields died Feb. 21, 2020 at the age of 90.

Fr. Folsom was ordained a priest on June 29, 1991, at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. He then served as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Grove Hill; administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish, Orrville and St. Joseph Mission, Camden; pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Atmore; pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Mobile; pastor at Our Lady Queen of Mercy Parish, Montgomery; and administrator at St. John the Baptist Parish, Montgomery before retiring from active ministry in 2002.

Before being ordained to the priesthood, he spent several years teaching at Montgomery Catholic, Jesuit High School in Dallas, Jesuit High School in Tampa Fla., and at Thomas More College in Covington, Ky.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi celebrated the funeral Mass Feb. 21 at St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Montgomery. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery

Fr. Folsom was born in Montgomery to William P. Folsom Sr. and Mary Gertrude Flaherty on March 8, 1927. Fr. Folsom served his country proudly during World War II in the U.S. Navy from 1945–46. After the Navy, he attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Loyola University in Grand Coteau, La., Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., and seminary from 1948 – 1958 at Society of Jesus, New Orleans Province.

Before and after his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Folsom was active in Prison Ministry. In 2003 he was on Faculties from Archdiocese for Military Services, USA as a contract chaplain to Maxwell Air Force Base.

Fr. Folsom was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John P. Folsom; and a sister, Mary Dean Folsom.

He is survived by his nieces Chris Folsom Barse (Billy) and Pat Folsom Gradwell (Wayne) and many great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Fr. Bill to the Archdiocese of Mobile Burse Club Retired Priest Fund, 400 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 and Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.

Msgr. Maurice Shields
1929-2020

Information was incomplete on Msgr. Shields at press time. Please see the March 13 edition of The Catholic Week for more on the life of Msgr. Shields.

A Memorial Mass was Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.