Monsignor Reid C. Mayo ’59
Monsignor Reid C. Mayo, Colchester, VT, died April 12, 2025.
Born in St. Albans, Msgr. Mayo was educated at Holy Angels School and graduated from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans in 1955. He continued his studies at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Michael’s, followed by Seminaire de Philosophie, Montreal, Canada, completing a Bachelor of Philosophy degree; Grand Seminaire de St. Sulpice, receiving a Bachelor of Theology degree, Montreal, Canada; University of Montreal, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Montreal, Canada; The Catholic University of America, receiving a Master of Arts in Religious Education, Washington, DC; and the North American College, Institute for Continuing Education, Rome, Italy.
On May 26, 1963, Msgr. Mayo was Ordained to the Priesthood by the Most Reverend Robert F. Joyce, Bishop of Burlington, in Holy Angels Church, St. Albans, VT. Following his ordination, he received pastoral assignments as: curate, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington, VT (1963); curate, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Winooski, VT (1963-1967); assistant director, Diocesan Office of Religious Education (1968-1973); president National Federation of Priests Councils, Chicago, IL (1973-1976); pastor, St. Monica Parish, Barre, VT (1976-1985) and pastor, Christ the King Parish, Rutland (1985-2008). He was appointed Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Msgr. Mayo was asked to teach classes at Mt. Â鶹ÊÓƵ Mary Academy, Jeanne Mance School of Nursing, Rice Memorial High School, in Burlington, VT; the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Michael’s (VT) graduate theology program, and the American College, University of Louvain, Belgium. He gave multiple conferences on priestly life and ministry; workshops on rural ministry; retreats and days of recollection to bishops and priests in over 112 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada; and co-authored two books for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He served on many different boards throughout his pastorate and was a well-known leader and advocate for Catholic schools in Vermont. But most of all, he was known for his caring commitment to his God and the people he served. Monsignor was a Fellows Club supporter of the College.
He is survived by two sisters and extended family.