LEXINGTON, Ky. — Dozens of people in and beyond Kentucky remember Lexington’s Fr. Norman Fischer.
Offering a smile to each person he interacted with, a quick chat in the hallway for the students he mentored and ministered to, and an unwavering heart full of support, is how those who knew Fr. Norman Fischer describe his unique character.
All week, dozens of people have posted comments, pictures and stories about Fr. Fischer on social media. Families like the Halls say their hearts were left heavy after learning of his untimely passing.
Fischer was the leader of Saint Peter Claver Church and the first permanent chaplain of their high school, Lexington Catholic.
Delores Hall, her husband Houston and their children, remember their fondest moments with Fr. Fischer. Each of the four Hall children attended Lexington Catholic and were ministered by Fr. Fischer.
They say the priest attended almost every sporting event with the loudest cheers and reached out with compassion during serious matters.
“He wasn’t just trying to spread it to just a few people. I mean, he was trying to spread love energy to every single person,” Walker Hall said.
Charlotte Hall added, “I mean, it didn’t matter who it was. I mean, no matter who you were, you were his friend.”
Fischer was ordained over 20 years ago, becoming the Lexington Catholic Diocese’s first Black and Filipino priest. He met the Hall family shortly after.
“We just had an instant connection and then a few years later, when we were singing in the choir, he could pick up any instrument and play it, whether it was the tambourine, the flute or the drums. I mean, it was just magical the way that he played instruments.” Delores said.
A lover and art creator, he connected with the second-chance business, dv8 Kitchen, to get popular artwork from California painted on their walls. Owner and friend Rob Perez says Fischer was actively helping them create new ways to connect with the people they serve and support.
“That morning, I gave it to him at 10:00 and by 2:00 I was on a conference call with Father Norman and this wonderful artist from Los Angeles,” Perez said. “And she agreed that afternoon to come in six weeks and put the angel wings on the side of our Broadway store.”
Perez says Fischer was truly one of a kind and will be missed by an entire community.
“By not being on this earth anymore, it has left such a gigantic void. It will take all of the people of central Kentucky to be more kind, to be more generous, and to be more joyful, to fill the void that he’s leaving,” Perez said about the legacy Fr. Fischer leaves behind.
Visitation for Fr. Fischer will be Saturday, July 27 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 28 from 3:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Saint Peter Claver, 485 West Fourth Street in Lexington.
His funeral mass will be held Monday, July 29 at 11 a.m. at The Cathedral of Christ the King at 299 Colony Boulevard in Lexington.