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Remembering Jesuit Brother John B. Hollywood

Brother John B. Hollywood, S.J., was born on May 4, 1938, in New Philadelphia, Pa. to John Patrick and Anna Marie (McQuail) Hollywood. He was one of four siblings with brothers James, Paul, and Patrick. John was a member of the first graduating class at Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville, Pa. in 1956 before entering the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, Pa. the following year. He pronounced his final vows at the Church of the Gesu in Philadelphia in 1971.

As a Jesuit Brother, John Hollywood served many of the Maryland Province’s schools and universities over his more than six decades in the Society of Jesus. He worked at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia as an assistant treasurer and director of facilities, at Loyola High School in Baltimore as a business administrator, Loyola College in Maryland as treasurer and assistant minister, and The University of Scranton and Georgetown University as both minister and treasurer of his Jesuit communities. He also worked as treasurer for the Vatican Observatory Foundation, serving in both Rome and Tucson, Arizona. Later in his career, Brother Hollywood directly served the Maryland Province, overseeing finances for its apostolic properties and then as an assistant to the advancement office, raising needed funds for elderly Jesuits and men in formation.

Brother Hollywood’s travels and service also took him to Jerusalem where he served as Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulcher, an order whose mission is to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. A true Irishman at heart, John was an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic fraternal organization.

As an accomplished minister, treasurer, and business administrator, Brother Hollywood helped advance the mission of many Jesuit institutions throughout his province, going where Jesuits always go—where the need is greatest. He spent his final years at the Colombiere Jesuit community in Baltimore, praying for the Church and the Society of Jesus.

Brother Hollywood died on October 31, 2021, at the age of 83. He is survived by brothers James, Paul (deceased), and Patrick, as well as a niece, Brynn Marie Hollywood.