HR33: Celebrating the life of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr.


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33
Celebrating the life of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 15, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., a dedicated educator and a distinguished spiritual leader who inspired students and congregants in Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, died on February 25, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, William Pitt grew up in Norfolk, where he was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; he received his licentiate of sacred theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Maryland and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt later earned a master’s degree in classic languages from the Catholic University; he was able to perform mass in five different languages and had a love and respect for all the cultures of the world; and

WHEREAS, beginning his career in Richmond, Father Pitt served as a teacher and assistant principal at St. John Vianney Seminary, then worked as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish and a teacher at St. Patrick’s and Cathedral High Schools; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt returned to Norfolk in 1968 and worked as principal of Norfolk Catholic High School; over the next 24 years, he went on to serve as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Norfolk, chancellor of the Diocese of Richmond, and pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hampton; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Father Pitt became the principal of what is now Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, an outstanding secondary school that traces its roots to the former Norfolk Catholic High School; under his able leadership, the school flourished and helped countless students prepare for higher education, careers, and responsible citizenship; and

WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement in 2004, Father Pitt continued to serve the community by offering his sage guidance to local parishes, schools, and priests; he had a passion for the joys of music and was also an avid tennis player and one of the first beach volleyball players in the area; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and fellow leaders in the faith community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., a respected educator and an inspiring spiritual leader in the Diocese of Richmond boundaries and beyond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the family of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., and Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33

Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled December 29, 2015
Celebrating the life of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr.
Patron-- Knight

WHEREAS, Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., a dedicated educator and a distinguished spiritual leader who inspired students and congregants in Central Virginia and Hampton Roads; died on February 25, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, William Pitt grew up in Norfolk, where he was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; he received his licentiate of sacred theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Maryland and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt later earned a master’s degree in classic languages from the Catholic University; he was able to perform mass in five different languages and had a love and respect for all the cultures of the world; and

WHEREAS, beginning his career in Richmond, Father Pitt served as a teacher and assistant principal St. John Vianney Seminary, then worked as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish and a teacher at St. Patrick’s and Cathedral High Schools; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt returned to Norfolk in 1968 and worked as principal of Norfolk Catholic High School; over the next 24 years, he went on to serve as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Norfolk, chancellor of the Diocese of Richmond, and pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hampton; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Father Pitt became the principal of what is now Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, an outstanding secondary school that traces its roots to the former Norfolk Catholic High School; under his able leadership, the school flourished and helped countless students prepare for higher education, careers, and responsible citizenship; and

WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement in 2004, Father Pitt continued to serve the community by offering his sage guidance to local parishes, schools, and priests; he had a passion for the joys of music and was also an avid tennis player and one of the first beach volleyball players in the area; and

WHEREAS, Father Pitt will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and fellow leaders in the faith community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., a respected educator and an inspiring spiritual leader in Diocese of Richmond boundaries and beyond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the family of Monsignor William L. Pitt, Jr., and Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.