Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside at funeral services scheduled Nov. 7, 11 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood for Msgr. Arthur Thomas Kiefer, pastor emeritus and founding principal of Bishop Amat High School, who died Oct. 30 following a brief illness at age 87.

A beloved priest, principal and pastor, Msgr. Kiefer served the people of the archdiocese for more than 60 years.

Born in St. Louis in 1919, Kiefer moved with his parents to Hollywood in the late '30s, where he attended the archdiocesan seminary on 3rd and Detroit Streets. He spent his final priestly formation years at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo and was ordained an archdiocesan priest by Archbishop John J. Cantwell on May 4, 1946 at St. Vibiana's Cathedral in Los Angeles.

After ordination, Father Kiefer served temporary assignments at Sacred Heart in Covina and St. Anthony in San Gabriel before being named assistant at Mary Star of the Sea in San Pedro and St. Michael's in Los Angeles where he taught in both parish high schools.

In 1957, he became founding principal of Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, where he spent 14 years as leader of the school community. Dr. Merritt Hemenway, current Bishop Amat principal who attended the school when Msgr. Kiefer was principal, remembers the priest's devotion to the students.

"Monsignor saw that a successful school needed a communal pride, so he strongly supported those student activities that gained notoriety in the press" said Hemenway. "We were well known for debate teams. We were always succeeding in the academic contests of the day: National Latin Exam, National Science Exam, National French exam.

Msgr. Kiefer started the Honors Program to raise the students' academic success. "He built, with pride, the early campus in the shape of a cross and added the language lab, gymnasium and the stadium that is now named after him, 'Kiefer Stadium,'" said Hemenway, who credits Msgr. Kiefer for encouraging him to make a career in Catholic education.

"Msgr. Kiefer meant so much to the students, faculty and alumni of Bishop Amat High School. He often used the phrase 'Amat Family' and lived each moment to insure that the success of his beloved Amat was rooted in the community of our church. His inspiration as our first principal will live long."

In 1971, Msgr. Kiefer was assigned as pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City and principal of the parish high school where he served until 1975. He returned to Mary Star of the Sea, where he served as pastor from 1975-1984 and functioned as Official Catholic Chaplain for the Port of Los Angeles.

In 1984, at age 65, Msgr. Kiefer accepted the invitation of Cardinal Timothy Manning to become pastor of St. Charles Borromeo. As the spiritual leader of St. Charles for 16 years, he always emphasized that "we are a parish family," according to Msgr. Robert Gallagher, St. Charles' current pastor.

"He left a beautiful legacy of priestly dedication, commitment and compassion and was well loved by the people he served for over 60 years," said Msgr. Gallagher. "He lived his life following the model of the Good Shepherd."

Msgr. Kiefer was a charter member of the Priests' Personnel Board, a member of the College of Consultors and the Priests' Senate. He served on the Catholic School Board and Pastors' Advisory Committee on Education and was also a popular retreat director.

Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.