Rev. Frederick H. Taggart, O.S.A. (1938 - 2023)

Rev. Frederick Harold Taggart, O.S.A., entered eternal life on January 5, 2023. He was 84 years old.

Frederick Harold Taggart was born on April 8, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, to Harold R. and Estelle C. Taggart. He was baptized on April 24, 1938, at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church in Detroit. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on June 6, 1949, at St. Matthew Church in Detroit.

Frederick received his elementary education at St. Matthew School in Detroit. He completed two years of secondary studies at Austin Catholic High School in Detroit. He then finished high school at St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, earning his diploma in 1956.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 8, 1956. He professed Simple (temporary) Vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1957, and Solemn (permanent) Vows on September 10, 1960.

He began collegiate studies in 1957 at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. After one year there, the Augustinian formation program relocated to the newly opened Tolentine College in Olympia Fields, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at Tolentine, which was an extension of Villanova University. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova in 1961.

He then pursued theological studies, first at Augustinian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1961 to 1963, and then at Tolentine College in Olympia Fields from 1963 to 1965. He was ordained a priest on February 6, 1965.

Father Taggart earned an M.A. in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1966, an M.S. from Notre Dame University in 1972, and an M.A. in Formative Spirituality and a Certificate in Formative Studies from Duquesne University in 1983.

Father Taggart was assigned to teach at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago in 1965.  Beginning in 1969, he taught at Austin Catholic High School in Detroit.

In 1976, he moved to St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he served as a teacher and member of the Formation Team. When the Augustinian Minor Seminary Program relocated in 1977 to St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Father Taggart moved there. He continued to teach and serve on the Formation Team. Father Taggart was assigned to St. John Stone Friary in Chicago in 1978. He was a member of the Formation Team, Prior of the community, and a part-time teacher at Mendel Catholic High School.

During 1982 and 1983, he was on sabbatical at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. After earning his Certificate in Formative Studies and M.A. in Formative Spirituality in 1983, Father Taggart was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery in Olympia Fields to direct the Province Renewal Team and serve as Adult Vocations Director.

In 1987, Father Taggart was assigned as Pastor to St. Peter Parish in Douglas, Michigan. He was also Superior of the Augustinian community there. He became Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, in 1989. In addition to his ministry as Pastor, he served as Prior of the Augustinian community there, beginning in 1992. He was appointed Pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Flint, Michigan, in 1995. He was also named Prior of the Augustinian Community there. While remaining Pastor of St. Matthew, in 2011 Father Taggart was appointed canonical Pastor of St. Michael Parish in Flint. A deacon of the Diocese of Lansing was appointed Pastoral Coordinator to oversee the daily pastoral administration of St. Michael.

On July 1, 2015, Father Taggart retired as Pastor of St. Matthew Parish. He continued to reside with the Augustinian community at St. Matthew Rectory, where he provided priestly ministry at various Flint area locations as needed.

Father Taggart was assigned to the Novitiate community in Racine, Wisconsin, on July 1, 2016, as a member of the Formation team.

On July 1, 2019, the Novitiate was moved to Radnor, Pennsylvania, and Father Taggart was assigned to the Augustinian community at Cascia Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he assisted with liturgical needs at St. Rita Chapel.

In August 2020, Father Taggart moved to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, Indiana, where he could receive needed health care. His health began to dramatically decline in October of 2022.  Over the next couple of months, he was admitted in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation a few times.  In early January 2023, he was moved to palliative care at Franciscan Hospital, and then he was moved to hospice care at St. Anthony Care Facility. 

On January 5, 2023, Father Taggart peacefully entered eternal life.

Father Taggart is remembered as a caring teacher and pastor, always available to everyone he served.  He was also involved with spiritual formation for both religious and laity. He was known for his love of classical music and watercolor painting. 

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, MI.