Beloved Catholic Priest bravely battling breast cancer

 

Father Marty Goetz leans on faith, prayers in battle with breast cancer: 'It's time to accept the love'

Matt Levins

The Hawk Eye

It may seem unusual for a Catholic priest to quote the lyrics to the Tom Petty song, "I Won't Back Down."

But that has been the theme song lately for Father Marty Goetz, who is in his 10th year as priest for the Divine Mercy Parish at St. Mary's in Dodgeville.

Goetz found out last summer that he has breast cancer, which has metastasized to other parts of his body.

With Catholics all over the world praying for him, Goetz is learning to live with the disease as he undergoes treatments and works a full schedule.

On Tuesday night, during the girls' and boys' basketball games against Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Notre Dame High School held a "Strike out Cancer Night" for Goetz. 

Money was raised through a bake sale, a free-will donation and a raffle, with all proceeds going to help offset Goetz's medical expenses.

For Goetz, it was an emotional night during what he said has been an unbelievable outpouring of love and support from all corners of the globe.

“It’s overwhelming tonight," said Goetz, 55, who was born and raised in Keokuk. "I have trouble sleeping before doctor appointments. One of the things I thought about was one of my very good priest friends said, ‘Love the people and let them love you.’ I love these kids dearly. I love my parishioners dearly. Now it’s time to accept the love they want to give to me.”

It was only fitting that Goetz's special night came in games against Holy Trinity. His older brother, John Goetz, is athletic director and teacher at Holy Trinity; John's wife, Kim, also teaches there.

“Two Catholic schools going at it. It’s a good rivalry. We’re happy to support it," John Goetz said. “He’s a strong young man. He works hard. He’s not going to let this beat him. We’re just here to support him and do all we can for him."

It started last spring, when Goetz began having back issues. Further tests revealed the news Goetz dreaded.

“It started to get so bad that I could hardly walk or do anything," Goetz said. "So in a second opinion in July I found out that I have cancer. They found lesions in my back. After I was referred to an oncologist, I found out that I have breast cancer that has metastasized and spread to the bones.”

Goetz had surgery on one of his femurs to remove a large tumor and is taking oral chemotherapy at home.

“No radiation yet," Goetz said. “I’m blessed that I don’t have to go to the hospital, yet, and get infusions. Everything I can take medication-wise is at home. So I am truly blessed that way.”

Goetz was sidelined for several months at the beginning of his treatments, but began easing back into work in September. 

Goetz said it is his faith, and the prayers and support of others, that has been inspiring and humbling at the same time.

"One of the things that really touched me is, my brother John, who teaches at Holy Trinity, said that the kids pray the Hail Mary for me down there," Goetz said. "I’ve received notes from all across the country from people I don’t know saying that they are saying a Hail Mary for me. And the kids out here (at Notre Dame) have been praying the Hail Mary for me.”

Goetz has developed a special relationship with Notre Dame. That outpouring of love has been front and center through the entire process.

“They are good kids. (Monday) night one of them said, ‘You have Mass (Tuesday)?’ I said, ‘No, I’ve got my doctor’s appointment.' She said, ‘Oh, we’ll be praying for you.’ That’s just neat to hear," Goetz said. “One of the first-graders came up to a substitute teacher, who was my physical therapist, and said, ‘Mr. Kipp, you know why we’re praying the Hail Mary every day, right?' He was like, ‘No. Tell me.’ He told him we’re doing it for Father Marty. It’s not just my faith, but it’s the faith of so many people that has helped.”

Goetz is learning to live with cancer. He is learning to lean on his faith and the faith and prayers of others to get him through his battle, one day at a time.

“In the words of Tom Petty, ‘I won’t back down.’ We’re going to get them," Goetz said. “The prognosis right now is I’m learning how to live with cancer. They told me there is no cure for it yet. But the doctor is going to teach me how to live with it. And he has promised me good years.