By JAY LAMM | editor@wsj30.com
The man whose vision and leadership created a manifestation of Christianity and Catholicism in Wake Forest has passed away.
Father Phillip Marian Tighe, former priest at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Wake Forest, died Monday, Aug. 31 after a struggle with cancer.
Tighe was a priest with the Diocese of Raleigh for 20 years and director of the Office of Vocations.
He was 57.
“He was my dear friend for nine years,” said Shari Pender, director of Finance at St. Catherine’s. “He was a friend to all the congregation.”
Tighe was instrumental in getting the new church building constructed off West Holding Avenue.
“He is the reason Wake Forest has the beautiful Catholic church it has today. A church building like St. Catherine’s usually wouldn’t exist in a town the size of Wake Forest.”
Seeing such a project through took dedication and patience, she said.
“He put in tireless hours working to get the new church. St. Catherine’s is his legacy,” said Pender.
Tighe left St. Catherine’s in 2016 after serving there since 2007.
“I will miss him dearly,” Pender said.
Funeral arrangements
A “Reception of the Body, Private Prayer and Vigil for the Deceased” will be Monday, Sept. 7, at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth St., Raleigh.
Reception of the Body is at 10 a.m., with Monsignor David Brockman presiding Private visitation and prayer continues throughout the day.
A Vigil for the Deceased is at 6 p.m. with Monsignor Jeffrey Ingham presiding Visitation continues until 8 p.m.
A funeral mass will be Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth St., Raleigh
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama will be the principal celebrant for the mass, and Monsignor Jeffery Ingham will share the homily.
Interment will be Tuesday, Sept. 8, upon arrival of the procession, approximately 2 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua Parish Cemetery
Camp Easter Road, Southern Pines.
Mass cards and condolences may be sent to: The Tighe Family, 2140 Midlands Road, Southern Pines, NC 28374
