May 10, 2023 — Here’s the latest news from the Jesuits in Canada and the United States.
Milestones and Honors
Fr. Joseph Brown, SJ, was awarded the inaugural Southern Illinois University System ADEi (Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Lifetime Achievement Award for faculty. The award was presented at a meeting of the SIU Board of Trustees on April 27. In presenting the award, the board noted his “advocacy for students, other faculty and staff,” and the “caring, helpful … and expansive reach of (his) work.” Fr. Brown is a professor and director of the School of Africana and Multicultural Studies at Southern Illinois University.
Fr. Richard J. Clifford, SJ, recently retired after 53 years of service to the Weston Jesuit School of Theology and the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (BCSTM). A world-renowned scholar, respected teacher and mentor, he also served as founding dean of BCSTM.
Fr. Tim Brown, SJ, associate professor of law and social responsibility and assistant to the president for mission integration at Loyola University Maryland, recently received the Educator for Life Award at the school’s Student Choice Awards as an acknowledgement of his outstanding influence on student life at Loyola. The Student Choice Awards are honors given at the behest of the student body to staff, faculty and students whose influence on the Loyola campus has been exemplary.
Fr. John Predmore, SJ, faculty and staff chaplain at Boston College High School, recently completed the Boston Marathon, raising close to $24,000 for the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program. Around mile 10, he met author Michael Levin, who was worried he might not finish. The two buoyed each other across the finish line. Levin wrote about their experience in the Boston Globe.
Recently three Jesuits had asteroids named after them, including U.S. Jesuit Fr. Martin F. McCarthy, SJ, (1923–2010). Fr. McCarthy was an astronomer noted for his study of carbon stars. At the Vatican Observatory from 1958-1999, he served as a key figure in the Observatory’s transition to the world of modern research. In 1986 he founded the Vatican Observatory Summer Schools, an initiative which has become world-renowned.
The two other Jesuits, Fr. Johan Stein, SJ (1888–1952), and Fr. Patrick Treanor, SJ (1920–1978), both served as directors of the Vatican Observatory.
Final Vows
Fr. Jim Clifton, SJ, pronounced his final vows before Fr. Nicky Santos, SJ, rector of the Creighton Jesuit Community, on May 1, the feast of St. Joseph. Fr. Clifton serves as associate dean of Creighton University’s School of Medicine.
Jesuit Produces Exorcist Movie
Fr. Eddie Siebert, SJ, served as executive producer of the new movie “The Pope’s Exorcist” starring Russell Crowe, which The New York Times called “the buddy-priest action-comedy-horror hybrid we didn’t know we wanted.”
It tells the story of Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the late Pauline priest known as “the James Bond of exorcists.” Read about how Fr. Siebert came to be involved in the movie.
Jesuit Provincials of the U.S. and Canada Visit Holy Land
After attending the Provincials’ Meeting at the Jesuit Curia in Rome, the Jesuit provincials of Canada and the United States traveled to the Holy Land for their annual retreat in April.
Relic Tour Through the Midwest
Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, recently went on a Midwestern tour with the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis. They travelled more than 1,900 miles giving talks on Carlo’s life, the theology of relics, Ignatian spirituality and the universal call to holiness to university students. They encountered hundreds of students over the course of their journey.
Blessed Carlo is the first beautified millennial and is very popular with young Catholics. He was known for his kindness, devotion to the Eucharist, and love of video games.
Jesuit Actor’s Solo Show in New York
Fr. George Drance, SJ, performed “*mark – a solo performance of the Gospel of Mark” in April for a four-week run in New York City. Artist-in-residence at Fordham University, Fr. Drance has performed and directed in over 20 countries on five continents.