In Memoriam Archive - Jesuits.org https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/ Welcome to the Society of Jesus in Canada and the United States Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:10:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.jesuits.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-Jesuits_fav_light-32x32.png In Memoriam Archive - Jesuits.org https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/ 32 32 Nolan, Eugene A. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/remembering-jesuit-father-eugene-a-nolan/ Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:52:51 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/remembering-jesuit-father-eugene-a-nolan/ Fr. Eugene A. Nolan, SJ, died peacefully at the Scranton Jesuit Community on January 6, 2025, at the age of 84. A Scranton native and a graduate of Scranton Central High School, Fr. Nolan entered the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of Saint Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, PA on July 30, 1960. Shortly after […]

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Fr. Eugene A. Nolan, SJ, died peacefully at the Scranton Jesuit Community on January 6, 2025, at the age of 84. A Scranton native and a graduate of Scranton Central High School, Fr. Nolan entered the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of Saint Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, PA on July 30, 1960. Shortly after pronouncing his first vows as a Jesuit, he began his studies at Loyola College and Seminary of Fordham University in Shrub Oak, New York. (A talented and focused man, he completed both his BA in Philosophy and English and his MA in English in less than four years.) He continued his studies (this time in theology) at Woodstock College (first in Maryland and then in New York), from which he received his M.Div in 1971. He was ordained a priest by Lawrence Cardinal Shehan on June 5, 1971.

A master teacher and a skilled administrator, Fr. Nolan had a rich and varied life in ministry, serving as a member of the faculties of Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, MD, Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, Loyola High School (Blakefield) in Baltimore, MD, and his beloved Scranton Preparatory School; and as the Headmaster of Loyola Blakefield and as the President of Scranton Preparatory School. Widely admired in Jesuit circles for his wit, good judgment, mastery of Ignatian spirituality and his deep and abiding love for and devotion to his Jesuit brothers, he rounded out his pastoral life by serving as the minister of many of the Jesuit communities in which he lived, including those at Georgetown University, The University of Scranton, and Gonzaga College High School.

He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Ann (nee Mayer), and by his brother, Thomas J. He is survived by his three sisters: Mary Ellen Rossi (of Scranton), Eileen Grizzanti (of St Augustine, Florida) and Ann Marie Roberts (of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania).

Courtesy of the Scranton Times-Tribune

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Mercy, Frederick O. (Brother) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/mercy-frederick-o-brother/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:49:38 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/in-memoriam/mercy-frederick-o-brother/ Brother Fred Mercy, SJ, passed away January 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. Br. Mercy was born on March 17, 1935, in Seattle. He entered the Society on March 11, 1967, in Sheridan, Oregon, and professed his final vows July 31, 1985. He was 89 years old and a Jesuit […]

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Brother Fred Mercy, SJ, passed away January 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. Br. Mercy was born on March 17, 1935, in Seattle. He entered the Society on March 11, 1967, in Sheridan, Oregon, and professed his final vows July 31, 1985. He was 89 years old and a Jesuit for 57 years.

Br. Mercy worked primarily with the poor and homeless in programs in Portland, Seattle, Yakima, and with Native Americans in Omak, Washington, and served as an addiction counselor in Zambia. He was a pastoral minister, did retreat work and published a book of spiritual reflections. He was a mentor and supporter of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Seattle and Yakima and the Catholic Worker movement in Tacoma.

He was a passionate advocate for the poor and was equally passionate about issues of peace and nuclear disarmament. In 1982-83, he joined a group who made a pilgrimage of peace, walking from Seattle across the U.S., through Europe to Bethlehem, a 6,500-mile journey that took the better part of two years. In 1994 he participated in civil disobedience at Fort Benning, Georgia, protesting the School of the Americas, which trained foreign troops complicit in human rights violations. Convicted of trespassing along with other clergy, nuns and laypeople, he was sentenced to two months in federal prison. He remained a passionate advocate until the end of his life. In 2016, he began his ministry of prayer for the Church and the Society at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos.

Br. Mercy is survived by his sister-in-law, Kathi Mercy; niece, Jennifer Hill; nephews Fred and Stephen Mercy; and cousins John Sweet and Elizabeth Luthy. Close family will remember him at a private funeral Mass and inurnment in Spokane.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:15 am. All are most welcome to attend the Memorial Mass or the livestream link is below.

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Connolly, Patrick J. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/connolly-patrick-j-father/ Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:05:27 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/in-memoriam/connolly-patrick-j-father/ Father Patrick J. Connolly, SJ, professor emeritus of film and television studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, died December 17, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. A member of the Jesuits’ USA Midwest Province, he was 89 years old, a Jesuit for 71 years and a priest for 58 […]

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Father Patrick J. Connolly, SJ, professor emeritus of film and television studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, died December 17, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. A member of the Jesuits’ USA Midwest Province, he was 89 years old, a Jesuit for 71 years and a priest for 58 years.

Fr. Connolly was born July 27, 1935, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the second of four boys born to Irish immigrants Patrick Connolly, a St. Paul city fireman, and Rita (Nappy) Coyne Connolly. After graduating from St. Agnes High School in 1953, Fr. Connolly entered the Jesuit novitiate in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His studies took him to St. Stanislaus Seminary (B.A.) in Florissant, Missouri, and to St. Louis University (M.A., Ph.L.). He taught English at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska (1960-1963) and then did theology studies at St. Joseph’s College in Milltown Park, Dublin, Ireland, where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (1963-1967). He was ordained a priest there on July 28, 1966.

Fr. Connolly pursued graduate studies in communications at the University of Southern California (1968-1974), during which time he held teaching positions at Marymount College, Palos Verdes Estates and on the oceangoing University of the Seven Seas. Beginning in 1974, he served as a professor in Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television and produced and directed films including “El Grito de las Madres Dolorosas.” Fr. Connolly became professor emeritus in 2016, devoting his time to priestly ministry in local parishes and health care facilities. In 2021 he moved to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center for a ministry of prayer.

He is survived by nieces Kathleen, Mary, Tara and Meaghan Connolly; nephews Kevin and Timothy Connolly; and many cousins in Minnesota, Florida and Ireland.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 25, 2025, 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos.

 

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James G. Knapp (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/james-g-knapp-father/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:40:22 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/in-memoriam/james-g-knapp-father/ Fr. James G. Knapp, SJ, died Dec. 20, 2024, in Florissant, Missouri. He was 73 years old, a Jesuit for 55 years and a priest for 43 years. He will be remembered at a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple at St. […]

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Fr. James G. Knapp, SJ, died Dec. 20, 2024, in Florissant, Missouri. He was 73 years old, a Jesuit for 55 years and a priest for 43 years.

He will be remembered at a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple at St. Louis University High School. A visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the same location. Burial will be in the Jesuit plot at Calvary Cemetery, immediately following the funeral Mass.

The funeral Mass will be livestreamed via the St. Louis University High School YouTube channel.

James Gerard Knapp was born March 15, 1951, in St. Louis. His parents, Warren F. and Mildred M. Knapp predeceased him. He is survived by his sister, Jacquelyn M. Syberg. Following his graduation from St. Louis University High School, he entered the Society of Jesus at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri, on Sept. 1, 1969, and pronounced first vows on Sept. 2, 1971. He was ordained a priest on June 18, 1981, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis, and pronounced final vows in the Society on May 8, 1996, at St. Louis University High School.

Father Knapp began his teaching career in 1975 at St. Louis University High School. From 1982 to 1986, he taught religion and ran the pastoral program at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City. He spent the 1986-87 school year at Fordham University in the Jesuit Secondary School Administrators Program (JSSAP) run by the Commission on Research and Development of the JSEA. In this program he earned a professional diploma in high school administration from Fordham in 1987. With this credential in hand, he was assigned to Regis High School in Denver as assistant principal 1987-89 and then principal 1989-93. He then returned to SLU High in 1994 and remained there until 2011, except for a brief sabbatical in 2003.

In 2011, Fr. Knapp was assigned to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where he was a spiritual director and assistant professor of theology. In 2015, he was assigned to pastoral ministry, and in 2019, he began a ministry of prayer.

Father Knapp is remembered by his Jesuit brothers as bright, gifted and congenial. He inherited St. Ignatius’ special zeal for fostering the faith and moral life of youth. He also embodied the magis, as seen in his enduring commitment to deepening old skills and developing new ones—even pursuing a doctorate well past the age of 50. He loved the outdoors (especially Wyoming and Alaska) as much as he loved books. His profound faith, joyful priestly spirit and gentle care for others remained part of his character to the end.

Father Knapp earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and education at Saint Louis University, a Master of Divinity in theology and a Master of theology at Regis College in Toronto, and a doctorate in sacred theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America.

We remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God’s people.

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Dagelen, Anthony L. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/dagelen-anthony-l-father/ Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:33:47 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/dagelen-anthony-l-father/ Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Anthony L. Dagelen, SJ, who died on December 7, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 98 years old. May he rest in peace. Tony was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Margaret (nee Kraus) Dagelen and his siblings: […]

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Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Anthony L. Dagelen, SJ, who died on December 7, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 98 years old. May he rest in peace.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Margaret (nee Kraus) Dagelen and his siblings: Joseph Dagelen, Elizabeth Bach, Eleanor Brophy, Margaret Arbanas, Joan Thelen, and Agnes Stockhausen. He is also preceded in death by his nephew, Fr. Gerard (Gerry) Stockhausen, SJ. Tony is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Tony was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 12, 1926. After serving in the U.S. Navy in Japan during the post-war occupation, Tony used the G.I. Bill to pay his tuition at Marquette University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics (1951) and did a year of further studies (1953-1954). Tony entered the Missouri Province of the Society of Jesus at the Jesuit Novitiate in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on August 17, 1954, and became a member of the Wisconsin Province when it was formed in 1955. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1965 at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee and pronounced final vows at Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, on April 22, 1971.

While in the Society, Tony earned a licentiate in philosophy from Saint Louis University (1959), a master’s degree in education from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota (1966), and a bachelor’s degree of sacred theology from St. Marys College in St. Marys, Kansas (1967).

During regency, Tony taught math and general science at Red Cloud Indian School (1959-1962). After ordination, he returned to Holy Rosary Mission where he ministered for over three decades. During his time on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Tony was a teacher of religion and physics at Red Cloud (1967-1974), an administrator and treasurer of Holy Rosary Mission (1974-1976), and an administrator of Lourdes Mission Station and School (1976-1982). After a well-deserved sabbatical, Tony returned to Red Cloud Indian School where he taught religion (1983-1991) and was a chaplain in the elementary school (1991-1996).

In 1996, Tony was missioned to the St. Camillus Jesuit Community where he worked and lived until his death — almost three decades later. He served the community as the assistant superior until in 2011, at the age of 85, he was missioned to pray for the Church and the Society.

Tony was a devoted Jesuit who loved engaging people, especially in the sacraments. Tony’s love of being with others probably came from his growing up in a large family in Milwaukee. He had a plethora of nieces and nephews, many of which gathered round Tony in his final days. One nephew entered the Society of Jesus: the late Gerard (Gerry) Stockhausen who, in addition to many other fruitful ministries, was president of the University of Detroit Mercy. All of his nieces and nephews remember laughing heartily over the years at Tony’s humorous one-liners, such as “You don’t get down off an elephant; you get down off a goose.” Tony’s sense of humor extended beyond “one liners”: While studying at Marquette University, he was president of the Avalanche Club which transformed a hill (Maryvale) outside Milwaukee into a piste, (i.e., a skiing hill).

Tony’s idea of family extended beyond blood relations as he considered everyone to whom he ministered a member of his “family”. People felt accepted, respected, and cared for by Tony and they easily welcomed him into their lives and homes.

Tony was a steady man, absolutely reliable, willing to do whatever needed to be done. He had great practical skills. He was always calm, even when others were not. His more than thirty years among the Lakȟóta gave him some understanding of what it means to be poor, and his many years serving his brother Jesuits at St. Camillus taught him something about sickness and suffering. So he was at peace when the Lord he served so faithfully called him home.

Fr. Peter Klink, SJ, has these memories of Tony:
Having lived and ministered for some time with Tony among the Lakȟóta people here on the Pine Ridge, my sense is that Tony simply wanted to energize and uplift people. He had come to know and experience the richness and cultural gifts of the people. He provided leadership administratively but he also spent time in the schools, classrooms, and in the driver’s seat of school buses. On a regular basis, one would hear him empowering students with, “Go get ‘em, good guys!” He knew their capacity, their ability, and their goodness!

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Powers, J. Daniel (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/powers-j-daniel-father/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 23:15:34 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/in-memoriam/powers-j-daniel-father/ Father J. Daniel (Dan) Powers, SJ, last Jesuit pastor of St. Anne’s Church on the Blackfeet Reservation at Heart Butte, Montana, died December 3, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 88 years old and a Jesuit for 70 years. Fr. Powers was born in Pendleton, Oregon, on March 20, […]

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Father J. Daniel (Dan) Powers, SJ, last Jesuit pastor of St. Anne’s Church on the Blackfeet Reservation at Heart Butte, Montana, died December 3, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 88 years old and a Jesuit for 70 years.

Fr. Powers was born in Pendleton, Oregon, on March 20, 1936, the son of Joseph Powers, a weaver in a woolen mill, and Myrl Daniel Powers.  The family moved to Spokane, Washington, and Fr. Powers attended Gonzaga Prep. After graduating in 1954, he entered the Oregon Province Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, Oregon. His Jesuit studies took him back to Spokane for philosophy and to Alma College, the Los Gatos, California campus of Santa Clara University, for theology. He was ordained a priest in Spokane on June 8, 1968.

Fr. Powers’ ministry for many years was in the high school classroom, where he taught mathematics and sometimes English and religion, first at his alma mater, Gonzaga Prep (1962-65), then Loyola High School in Missoula, Montana (1969-72), and Jesuit High School, Portland (1973-75).

Starting in 1977, he was engaged in pastoral ministry with the Blackfeet People and the larger community at St. Anne’s Church in Heart Butte. For 36 years he was the lone priest at the church, deeply committed to the people and serving their needs, frequently celebrating funerals. He also was involved in the Cursillo movement, providing intensive retreats for various groups. The Cursillo members, in turn, brought the retreats to Native Americans throughout the West. With his long braided hair, he adapted to the life of his parishioners and made himself available day and night to give guidance and support. During his tenure, a new church and residence were built.

He was the last Jesuit to serve the mission, which started in 1898. In 2013, at his retirement from the parish, the church was turned over to priests of the Helena Diocese. Always a man of deep prayer and faith, he retired to a ministry of prayer first in Spokane, and since 2017, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center. The funeral will be available via livestream. Inurnment will be at St. Anne Catholic Cemetery in Heart Butte, Montana, on the Blackfeet Reservation at a later date.

Donations in memory of Fr. Powers may be made to the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 68, Los Gatos, CA 95031, or to a charity of your choosing.

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Dixon, James M. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/dixon-james-m-father/ Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:32:44 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/dixon-james-m-father/ Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. James M. Dixon, SJ, who died on November 28, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 82 years old. May he rest in peace. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Cecilia (nee Kluger) Dixon and his sister, Ann Williams. He […]

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Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. James M. Dixon, SJ, who died on November 28, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 82 years old. May he rest in peace.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Cecilia (nee Kluger) Dixon and his sister, Ann Williams. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 6, 1942. He attended Loyola University Chicago for one year (1960-1961) before he entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of the Sacred Heart in Milford, Ohio, on August 8, 1961. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1973 at Madonna della Strada Chapel on the campus of Loyola University Chicago and pronounced final vows in the Loyola University Chicago Jesuit Community on August 22, 1984.

While in the Society, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago (1967). He also earned a master’s degree in sociology from Fordham University (1968) and a master’s of divinity from Regis College in Toronto, Ontario (1973).

During regency, Jim taught sociology at Loyola University Chicago and also worked on a sociological survey of the Society of Jesus (1968-1970). After ordination, he was the associate pastor and worked with the Native Deacon Program at Immaculate Conception Church in West Bay, Ontario (1973-1974). He then taught theology at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1974-1977) before being missioned to be the pastor on Holy Rosary Mission in South Dakota (1977-1982). While he was working in South Dakota, he also was the senior associate judge of the Diocese of Rapid City.

After a well-earned sabbatical, Jim became the associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish (1984-1986) and at St. Ignatius Church in Chicago (1986-1991). While in Chicago, Jim also was on the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Jim was then missioned to be pastor of a family of parishes in Arizona in addition to being the associate judge for the Diocese of Little Rock (1997-2002). He returned to the Chicago Province where he was the associate director (2002-2008) and director (2008-2011) of the Heartland Center in Hammond, Indiana. While he was director, Jim also was the director of peace and social justice for the Diocese of Gary.

He then served the Society as the superior of the Woodlawn Jesuit Community (2012-2018) and the chaplain for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (2012-2024) before being missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2021.

Jim was a kind man who met people easily and enjoyed helping them. He made close friends while working in the Dioceses of Rapid City, Phoenix, Little Rock, and Gary and stayed in frequent contact with several of them. He was a pastor, an advocate in marriage tribunals, a spiritual director, and a companion to young adults. He had a special affection for indigenous people, First Nation and Native American, thanks his studies in Toronto and his parish ministry in Oglala, South Dakota.

Jim’s passion was social justice. He advocated for the poor and the marginalized by contacting members of Congress and other elected officials; he was a voice for the disadvantaged.

The certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who cared for Jim in his final years got close to him. He listened intently to them and understood their concerns; they appreciated the respect, kindness, and support he gave them.

The card he has printed on his golden jubilee in the Society (2011) quoted First Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain.” Jim added, “That grace is AMAZING!”

Fr. Richard Baumann, SJ, had these memories of Jim:

Whether with the economically poor among the Native Americans, or those at the Heartland Center in Northwest Indiana, or elsewhere, Jim always took interest and had a listening heart. He appreciated the cultures of those with whom he worked and valued a simplicity of lifestyle. He loved the Society and enjoyed the socializing and brotherhood of our community life.

Fr. Bill Creed, SJ, writes of Jim Dixon with whom he shared Jesuit life for 61 years:

Dixie, as many of us called him, was a faithful friend to his relatives, Jesuit companions, former colleagues, former classmates. He delighted in being together – especially over a good meal. He kept abreast of the news and enjoyed a debate over current social and political issues. I found some of his most attractive qualities were an endearing vulnerability, a capacity to laugh at himself, and a willingness to speak truth simply and succinctly as he saw it. But most of all, to me Dixie was like a human Teddy Bear – just loveable. 

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Langstaff, Keith (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/langstaff-keith-father/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 23:33:42 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/langstaff-keith-father/ Father Keith Langstaff died peacefully in the Lord on October 21 at René Goupil House, Pickering. He was in his 80th year and was a Jesuit for 55 years. The son of Harrison Langstaff and Hazel Burley, he was born in Cornwall, Ontario, January 30, 1944. He entered the Society at Guelph on September 9, […]

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Father Keith Langstaff died peacefully in the Lord on October 21 at René Goupil House, Pickering. He was in his 80th year and was a Jesuit for 55 years. The son of Harrison Langstaff and Hazel Burley, he was born in Cornwall, Ontario, January 30, 1944. He entered the Society at Guelph on September 9, 1970, and two years later pronounced first vows. Keith went directly to a two-year regency at Loyola High School, Montreal. In 1974 he began theology studies at Regis College, Toronto, and was ordained on May 28, 1977. His first priestly assignment was a two-year stint at St. Ignatius Parish, Montreal, interrupted by a specially crafted tertianship at Guelph. A passion for liturgy encouraged him to travel to Notre Dame University for liturgical studies for the next two years.

Keith began a longer stay at Guelph in 1981 as a retreat director. In 1985 he embarked on a two-year programme on spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. He returned to Regis College in 1990 for doctoral studies. During this period from 1992 to 1998, Keith was part of the formation faculty at St Augustine Seminary, Scarborough. With his doctorate completed, Keith became – in 1996 – a professor at the Toronto School of Theology. He had moved in 1992 to La Storta Community in Pickering and remained there until he left for Loyola Retreat House at Guelph in 1998. There he conducted retreats and seminars on the liturgy for four years.

A move west to Campion College, Regina, allowed Keith to assume the role of director of pastoral studies and associate professor of theology. In his final apostolic move in 2009, he returned to Pickering. Until his retirement in 2020, he ministered at Martyrs’ Shrine during the open season, conducted retreats at Manresa, engaged in local pastoral ministry, and entertained all through his flamboyant personality.

Keith possessed much energy throughout his Jesuit life, in spite of a diabetic condition. Outspoken, often using colourful language, he tended towards impatience and could be critical of Jesuit life. In later life, he mellowed somewhat and was not opposed to lively conversations, even at his own expense. His last years were difficult as his scooter was taken away for his personal safety, which consigned Keith to a wheelchair.

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Twohig, Richard H. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/twohig-richard-h-father/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:25:45 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/twohig-richard-h-father/ Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Richard Twohig, SJ, who died on October 21, 2024 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 91 years old. May he rest in peace. Dick was born on January 16, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland (1951) […]

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Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Richard Twohig, SJ, who died on October 21, 2024 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 91 years old. May he rest in peace.

Dick was born on January 16, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland (1951) and attended John Carroll University (1951-1954) before entering the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus on August 8, 1954 at Milford Jesuit Novitiate in Milford, Ohio. He became a member of the Detroit Province when it was established in 1955. Dick was ordained on June 17, 1965 at Colombiere College in Clarkston, Michigan, and pronounced final vows on August 15, 1971 at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. While in the Society, Dick earned a bachelor’s degree in literature from Xavier University (1958). He earned a licentiate degree in philosophy (1961) and a master’s degree in physics (1963) from Saint Louis University. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology from Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois (1966).

During regency, Dick taught physics and math at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (1961-1962). After ordination, he was a teacher (1967-1969) and the principal (1969-1972) at his alma mater, St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He then was missioned to internal governance as the Socius to two Detroit Province provincials: Fr. Paul Besanceney, SJ (1972-1977), and Fr. Michael Lavelle, SJ (1977-1980).

Dick returned to secondary education where he was principal of University of Detroit Jesuit High School (UDJHS) for more than a decade (1980-1993) and headmaster of Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania (1994-1997).

Upon his return from Africa, became the alumni chaplain at UDJHS (1997-2005). Dick was asked to focus some of his abundant energy to internal governance. He was missioned to the Detroit Province office were he was the provincial assistant for international missions (1997-2008), the provincial assistant for secondary education (1998-2005) and the provincial assistant for health care (2005-2010). In addition to these province office positions, Dick was the rector of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School Community (1999-2005) and the superior and director of Colombiere Center (2005-2013). Dick spent three years (2013-2016) working in the Adult Faith Formation program at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, before being missioned in 2016 to Colombiere Center to perform pastoral ministry and to pray for the Church and the Society.

Dick was a devoted priest and Jesuit who was available to be missioned where the need was the greatest. He delighted in helping men and women to deepen their love for Christ and influenced countless high school students and staff in Cleveland, Detroit, and Tanzania. Although preferring to work directly with others, his impressive administrative skills kept him in administration roles and internal governance throughout his Jesuit life. His organizational talents were put to good use in the province office, in province high schools, and internationally.

Dick had a commanding presence — and voice — and was able to quiet rowdy students at assemblies in gymnasiums with a single shouted word. He tended to be strict in following the rules but was always willing to make exceptions when necessary. He had firm beliefs and specific ways of doing things. Although some bristled when he stuck to his convictions, this attribute helped UDJHS in the 1980s when the student population was very low because parents were concerned about sending their sons to school in Detroit. Because Dick did not lower the standards and accept students who could not flourish at UDJHS, the school retained its excellent reputation. This renown brought many students to the school in the 1990s.

Dick loved the outdoors: camping, hiking, canoeing, and biking. Dick especially loved spending time — including Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations — at Villa Marquette in Omena, Michigan, with close friends such as Fr. Jack White, SJ. He loved good meals, visited and knew many restaurants, and was an excellent chef.

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Keene, James H. (Father) https://www.jesuits.org/memoriam/keene-james-h-father/ Thu, 10 Oct 2024 18:29:03 +0000 https://www.jesuits.org/in-memoriam/keene-james-h-father/ Father James Hayes Keene, SJ, former senior systems analyst at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, died on October 2, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 83 years old, a Jesuit for 65 years and a priest for 51 years. Fr. Keene was born in St. Louis on August […]

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Father James Hayes Keene, SJ, former senior systems analyst at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, died on October 2, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 83 years old, a Jesuit for 65 years and a priest for 51 years.

Fr. Keene was born in St. Louis on August 30, 1941, the son of Harry M. Keene and Gertrude (Hayes) Keene. He graduated from St. Louis University High School and entered the Jesuit novitiate at Florissant, Missouri, in 1959. Originally trained as a mathematician, by the 1970s Fr. Keene got involved with computers both as a high school teacher and later as a systems administrator at the university level. He received a bachelor’s in classics and a master’s in education in counseling from Saint Louis University; a master’s in mathematics from Louisiana State University; and a master’s in data processing from Washington University in St. Louis. He taught mathematics and science at Chaplain Kapaun High School in Wichita, Kansas (1966-1967) and De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis (1967-1969). He studied theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and the Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was ordained a priest in St. Louis on May 11, 1973.

After ordination, Fr. Keene returned to the high school classroom teaching math at De Smet Jesuit High School and math and computer science at St. Louis University High. In 1985 he moved into university work as database manager at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, a post he held until 1995. In 1995, he came to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles as a systems administrator and analyst until he retired in 2016. His last ministry was as chaplain at the Nazareth House retirement center in Los Angeles before moving to the Jesuit health care center in Los Gatos in 2021.

Fr. Keene is survived by a sister, Marilyn Keene Mier, of Ballwin, Missouri, and dear friends Scott Henning of Los Angeles and Tony Querciagrossa of Walnut Creek, California.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center (300 College Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95930), followed by inurnment at 1:45 p.m. at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery (490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050). The funeral will be available via livestream.

Donations in memory of Fr. Keene may be made to the Jesuits West Province of the Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 68, Los Gatos, CA 95031, or to a charity of your choosing.

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