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2002
Fr. Ronald J. Ferguson, SJ, 11/27/2002
Fr. William H. Hogan, SJ, 03/13/2002
Fr. Robert Willmes, SJ, 03/01/2002
Fr. Edmund J. Montville, 02/11/2002
Fr. Charles H. Giblin, 01/19/2002
Fr. George H. Minamiki, SJ, 01/04/2002

Fr. Ronald J. Ferguson, SJ November 27, 2002 Genesys Medical Center Grand Blanc, MI View and sign Fr. Ferguson’s guest book on legacy.com

Fr. Ronald J. Ferguson, SJ, 69, Jesuit priest, teacher, musician, computer pioneer, and assistant to the president at Loyola University Chicago died Wednesday, November 27, at Genesys Medical Center in Grand Blanc, MI.

Fr. Ferguson was born in Indianapolis, IN, where he attended parish grade schools and Cathedral High School. In 1951, two months after graduating from Cathedral, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Milford, OH. During his studies to become a priest, Fr. Ferguson completed his A.B. in Latin in 1956 and then in 1958 earned a Ph.L from West Baden College in West Baden Springs, IN. He earned an MA in mathematics from Boston College in 1964, and completed his S.T.L at Bellarmine School of Theology in Aurora, IL, where he was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1965.

Fr. Ferguson’s principal appointments included teaching math at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, OH, from 1958-1960, and then at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL, from 1967-1973. In 1968 Loyola Academy’s math department obtained its first computer. Fr. Ferguson was quick to see the potential of computers to change the way people worked, lived, and studied, so he enrolled in a computer training course at the Illinois Institute of Technology. As a Jesuit, Fr. Ferguson’s knowledge and mastery of computer technology was motivated by his desire to serve others. "My work is the same as any Jesuit in the natural sciences," Fr. Ferguson said. "I believe all knowledge comes from God. The Jesuits represent the Church in science. Everything we do reflects God’s wisdom and knowledge."

In 1979, after serving six years as executive assistant to the Chicago Provincial, Fr. Ferguson was assigned to Xavier University where he became director of academic computing with responsibility for providing computer services to faculty, staff, and students. Fr. Ferguson, who directed a staff of 40, spent nine years at Xavier. In that time he helped modernize and advance the computer infrastructure of the growing university, which was recently ranked third out of 142 Midwest colleges and universities by U.S. News and World and Report. "Computers make it possible for people to live on a human level," Fr. Ferguson once said, noting that "computers can make life better for people so they are more able to practice virtue."

In 1989 Fr. Ferguson served for a year as national coordinator of the Jesuit Refugee Service before his appointment as assistant to the president of Loyola University Chicago where he worked until he took ill earlier this fall. He was also a gifted flautist and was studying the oboe at the time of his death. During his tenure at Loyola he also engaged in a ministry of music to the elderly in local nursing homes.

"Fr. Ron was a kind, thoughtful, gifted minister of the gospel. In some ways he was like a utility infielder on a ball team: he served in such a wide variety of ministries over his long and fruitful apostolic career," says Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, superior of the Jesuit community at Loyola University.

"Fr. Ron Ferguson was an accomplished mathematics teacher whose abilities translated well into computer skills in the technological age. It was perhaps the same set of inner skills that made him a good musician as well," says Fr. Jack O’Callaghan, SJ, rector of Loyola University’s Jesuit community. "His music was always performed in a context of faith and caring: it was a symbol and a vehicle of his genuine concern for people who were ailing or lonely or bored. If, as we believe, heaven will be a place where all gifts are carried to their highest level, I'm sure we will one day meet Ron there, playing away on one or other instrument in high praise of the God he served so well on earth! He was a faithful Jesuit and a good companion."

"Ron was a tremendous asset when he was my executive assistant as Provincial," says Fr. Daniel Flaherty, SJ, former provincial of the Chicago Province. "He actually ran the Province when I was attending our 32nd General Congregation in Rome for five months in 1975-76 and again when I was hospitalized for awhile in late '76. I think the Province liked it better when i was away and they could deal with him. He was understanding, unfailingly helpful and approachable, with a good sense of humor and very efficient. He got things done. He was "a Jesuit's Jesuit," if I can put it that way. A deeply spiritual priest whose "vocation" was to change the world by engaging in it."

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling:

To make an online donation, click here.

Br. Michael Grace, SJ May 5, 2001 Loyola University Chicago View and sign Br. Grace’s guest book on legacy.com.

Br. Michael J. Grace, SJ, "dedicated" archivist at Loyola University who recently celebrated his fiftieth anniversary as a Jesuit, died suddenly in his room on May 5, 2002.

Br. Grace was born in Chicago in 1932. He attended St. Barnabas Grade School and Saint Ignatius College Prep, and then studied at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH, for a year before entering the Society of Jesus in 1951. After completing the Jesuit novitiate, Br. Grace served as librarian first at Milford Novitiate and then West Baden College in Indiana.

In January, 1965, Br. Grace was assigned to Loyola University Chicago, where he began his work as an assistant librarian in the E.M. Cudahy Library. He also completed an undergraduate degree in theology at Loyola University in1970, and then went on to earn an MA in library science at Northern Illinois University in 1971, and an MA in Church history from The Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1978.

Loyola University appointed him University Archivist in 1978, a position he held until his death. Br. Grace worked tirelessly to preserve and augment the school's permanent records, kept for both their legal and historical value. Br. Grace brought formal training and a love of history to his work. In addition to maintaining formal university documents, Br. Grace also kept biographical data on all university employees, and maintained the papers of the Catholic Church Extension Society, and those of Samuel Insull, a famous Chicago public utilities magnate.

Fr. Ron Ferguson, SJ, a Jesuit colleague at Loyola University, entered the Jesuits with Br. Grace in 1951, and last year they celebrated together the 50th anniversary of their entrance into the Society of Jesus. Fr. Ferguson described Br. Grace as "a man of total dedication to the mission of the Society and to the Church who lived a faithful life as a Jesuit." Fr. Ferguson said Br. Grace's scholarship and desire to preserve history has served the university well, adding that "in the future we'll find out that we owe him a lot. He preserved things that others would never have bothered with."

Ms. Valerie Brown, Library Archivist at Loyola University's Gannon Center for Women and Leadership Archives said, "Michael Grace has left us a rich and lasting legacy through his work as University Archivist. Through his dedicated efforts the history of the University and the contributions of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni have been preserved for generations to come. Countless persons are indebted to Br. Michael for sharing his broad knowledge and understanding of Loyola's history, church history, and Chicago history to further their research."

Fr. Jack O'Callaghan, SJ, rector of the Loyola University Jesuit Community, echoed the same sentiments. "Br. Grace's work in the Loyola University Archives was foundational and careful; he was esteemed by coworkers here and in our sister institutions; he was a fraternal presence in the Jesuit community, counted on to know the latest news of interest around the Society, and thoughtful in keeping track of events of importance to individuals." Fr. O'Callaghan added, "We will only gradually hear how many people he kept informed of things, without fanfare."

Fr. Earl Weis, SJ, a dear friend of Br. Grace and senior professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago, remarked that "For several decades now, Br. Michael has been in his capacity of University Archivist, an important professional resource of Loyola University's collective memory, not only for his knowing the University's past, but also for his conserving material that will be needed in the future." For twenty years, Fr. Weis and Br. Grace attended the lyric opera together. Fr. Weis said Br. Grace's love of culture and religious dedication served him well in his work.

Br. Grace, widely respected in his field, also served as the United States secretary for the Amici Thomae Mori, an international organization devoted to the life and thought of St. Thomas More and friends. He was also a perpetual member of the American Catholic Historical Association, and held membership in the American Library Association, the Society of American Archivists, and the Mid-West Archives Association.

Michael O'Connell, one of Br. Grace's nephews, said "Uncle Mike was always close to his family. He's made himself special to each of us in his own way. He was never judgmental, always caring, and always insightful."

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling:

To make an online donation, click here.

Fr. William H. Hogan, SJ March 13, 2002 St. Joseph's Hospital Chicago, IL Sign Fr. Hogan's guest book on legacy.com

Fr. William H. Hogan, SJ, "Beloved Professor" at Loyola University for over 30 years, Chicago native, and Jesuit priest died Wednesday March 13, 2002 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Fr. Hogan was born in Chicago in 1929 and attended Little Flower Grammar School and Saint Ignatius College Prep before entering the Society of Jesus at Milford, OH, as a 17-year old.

During his studies to become a priest, Fr. Hogan completed his AB in Greek at Loyola University in 1952, and his MA in history in 1958. He earned a licentiate in philosophy (Ph.L.) in 1954 from West Baden College and a licentiate in sacred theology (S.T.L.) there in 1961. He was ordained a Jesuit priest on June 12, 1960, in West Baden, IN, and then spent a year of studies at St. Andea in Lavanthal, Austria. Fr. Hogan spoke German and Italian and was also able to read French.

Fr. Daniel Flaherty, SJ, entered the Jesuits on the same day as Fr. Hogan, August 21, 1947. They taught together at Saint Ignatius College Prep from 1954-57, and for over 55 years have remained close friends. "Bill was always loved by his students," says Fr. Flaherty, "even when he was pretending to be stern. Graduates from those years were forever asking me, during his final illness, how he was doing."

In 1966, after four years of higher studies in American History at Georgetown University, Fr. Hogan was assigned to Loyola University Chicago where he continued to teach as assistant professor of history until his last illness. In 1974 he served as dean of students at the Loyola University Rome Center before returning to Loyola Chicago to assume the post of Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. From 1986 to 1992 he served as superior of the Jesuit community at Loyola University.

Fr. Robert Bireley, SJ, professor of history at Loyola University Chicago and colleague of Fr. Hogan, said "Fr. Bill Hogan was a long-time valued member of Loyola's Department of History. A popular and even beloved teacher, he introduced many students to the study of history through the core courses in Western Civilization and the survey of American History." Fr. Bireley added that Fr. Hogan endured the infirmities of recent years with a remarkable combination or resilience, grace, and patience.

Chuck Thompson, a Jesuit from 1991 to '95, lived with Fr. Hogan at Loyola University for two years. "Bill wasn't at the door shaking hands, but he was a welcoming presence in our community, a gentle and compassionate soul who was generous with his time. He was always concerned with how you were doing." Thompson added that Fr. Hogan remained particularly close to his older brother, Fr. Thomas Hogan, SJ, also a Jesuit priest and Loyola faculty member, who died in 1992.

Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ, superior of the Jesuit community at Loyola University, spoke of Fr. Hogan's warmth and humanness. He remarked that he was also "a teacher par excellence. He taught in the classroom and in the way he embraced his suffering. He taught in words and by example."

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling :

To make an online donation, click here.

Fr. Robert Willmes, SJ March 1, 2002 Colombiere Jesuit Community Clarkston, MI Sign Fr. Willmes' guest book on legacy.com

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Fr. Edmund Montville, SJ Jesuit priest, missionary and college professor February 11, 2002 Colombiere Center Clarkston, MI

Fr. Edmund J. Montville, Jesuit priest, missionary, and college professor died on February 11, 2002, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, MI.

Fr. Montville, a native of Cicero, attended St. Anthony grammar school and Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, then entered the Jesuits at Milford, OH, in 1932 at age seventeen. During his studies to become a priest, Fr. Montville earned an AB in English at Loyola University Chicago in 1937 and an MA, also in English, in1941 from University of Detroit. He was also granted a licentiate in philosophy from West Baden College in 1939, and a licentiate in sacred theology from that same institution in 1945. Fr. Montville was ordained a priest on June 13, 1945, at West Baden, IN.

Soon after his ordination, Fr. Montville was assigned to University of Detroit where he was an assistant professor of English and philosophy until 1958. He next served as an assistant professor of English and ethics at Loyola University Chicago until 1965. During his years at Loyola, "Monty" was also headmaster of campus dormitories and an assistant pastor at St. Ignatius Parish.

In 1965 Fr. Montville was hired by Fr. Joseph Pittau, SJ, to teach journalism and English at Sophia University in Japan. From Japan, he went to New Delhi, India, in 1968, where he was dean of the school of journalism at St. Xavier High, a Jesuit school, and also taught English and moral science. Fr. Paul Faulstich, SJ, who also taught at St. Xavier said Fr. Montville, "was always eager to get things done for the school. He was always writing letters back to the States trying to get more library books." He added that "Monty" was "enthusiastic about his work and alive to everything in the world."

Fr. Jack Beez, SJ, who taught with Fr. Montville in India, said "Ed adapted easily to the Indian students. He showed great interest in their concerns and difficulties and was a good friend to many of the teachers."

Fr. Bob Sears, SJ, who lived with Fr. Montville in later years at Jesuit House, the Woodlawn community in Hyde Park, said Ed was always interested in other people, and helping people through his work. "He brought his concern for poverty back from India. He placed tremendous value on living a simple life."

In 1971, Fr. Montville volunteered to work at De Nobili College in India, where he taught part time and served as an associate pastor at Damien Social Welfare Centre, a leper colony. He returned to the United States in 1978 and became an associate pastor at St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati until 1983. From 1984 to 1996, "Monty" was guestmaster at the Woodlawn Jesuit community in Chicago and worked in a number of pastoral ministry opportunities around the city. He retired to Colombiere Center in Clarkston, MI in 1996.

Fr. Paul Mueller, SJ, a doctoral student of history and philosophy of science at University of Chicago lived with Fr. Montville at the Woodlawn Community. At that time Fr. Montville needed a cane to support his frail upper body but, according to Fr. Mueller, "it didn't slow him down. He was out and about in Hyde Park often, hob-nobbing with the neighbors." Fr Mueller said that even in his old age Fr. Montville remained an advocate for the community. "From his perch in the turret on the second floor of Jesuit House, he could see how many fender benders happened at 56th & Woodlawn, and how many near-misses pedestrians had with cars. So Ed began a long and ultimately successful campaign for a 4-way stop sign. There was no stopping Ed once he got onto a project!"

According to Fr. Mueller, Fr. Montville was a frequent and faithful correspondent, a prolific story-teller, and a gracious host. Of his time with "Monty," Fr. Mueller added, "I found him at various times delightful, frustrating, challenging, and inspiring to live with. But never once did I ever find myself feeling sorry for him in his old age. He carried his years and infirmities with grace. He would ask for help without embarrassment when he needed it, and he would contribute in the ways that he could. In short, he was himself, pure and simple, with his glories and his limitations."

Fr. Montville is survived by his brothers Joseph and Alfred Montville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling:

To make an online donation, click here.

Fr. Charles H. Giblin Professor of biblical languages and exegesis January 19, 2002 Elmhurst Extended Care Center, Elmhurst, IL

Fr. Charles H. Giblin, SJ, Fordham professor of biblical languages and exegesis, Jesuit priest, biblical scholar, and author died January 19, 2002, at the Elmhurst Extended Care Center. He would have turned 74 yesterday, January 22, 2002.

Born in Chicago, Fr. Giblin attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School and High School before transferring to Loyola Academy in Chicago, where he graduated in 1945. That summer he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Milford, OH.

During his Jesuit training, Fr. Giblin received an AB in Latin in 1950 from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Greek in 1952. In 1952 he also earned a licentiate in philosophy from West Baden College in Indiana and an STL or licentiate in sacred theology from the same institution in 1959. Following his ordination to the priesthood on June 18, 1958, Fr. Giblin studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, from which he earned a licentiate in scripture and an STD, or doctorate in sacred theology, in 1967. He became proficient in spoken Latin, French, Italian, German, and English and could read fluently Hebrew, Greek, and Spanish.

Upon his return from Rome, Fr. Giblin taught theology to Jesuits preparing for the priesthood at Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, IL, at Colombiere College in Clarkston, MI, and at Milford Novitiate before joining the faculty of Fordham University. He has remained at Fordham for 34 years, teaching theology to graduate and undergraduate students. In the spring of 1974 he served as a visiting professor at Ecole Biblique et Archeologique Francaise in Jerusalem.

Fr. Gerald McCool, SJ, a professor emeritus of philosophy at Fordham who has known Fr. Giblin for over 30 years, said, "He demonstrated great persistence, courage, and cheerfulness in the face of death." Of Fr. Giblin, who in his last years relied on an oxygen tank to assist his breathing, Fr. McCool said, "Most people would have just retired and waited for death if they were in his condition. He knew he had two years to live and he didn't let that disturb him. He was determined to maintain both his research and teaching, despite the physical difficulties. He showed great persistence and ingenuity in the way he kept meeting with students.

Fr. Giblin published numerous scholarly articles in such journals as Catholic Biblical Quarterly and Analecta Biblica. In 1967 he published The Threat to Faith: An Exegetical and Theological Re-examination of 2 Thessalonians 2 (PBI Press, Rome). In 1991, he published, The Book of Revelation: the Open Book of Prophecy, (Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN) which was subsequently translated into Russian.

Fr. John W. O'Malley, SJ, visiting professor at Fordham University, entered the Jesuits a year after Fr. Giblin. Of his friend for more than fifty years, Fr. O'Malley said, "His passion was the New Testament. He especially loved Saint Paul, whose writings he not only knew thoroughly but whose teaching he took as his own rule of life. He tried to impress upon his students that study of the New Testament was imperfect unless it included taking to heart its message. In his last months he knew how sick he was, but, after quoting to me a few lines from Paul about our "life with Christ," he said he had never been happier."

Father Giblin was a man who gave his life to the Word of God, with passion, love, and grace." Fr. John Lienhard, professor of theology at Fordham University said of his colleague. "His life was the Bible. He taught with intensity: from a sophomore class to a doctoral seminar, he could be heard expounding a theory on a word or a verse of the Scripture. He seldom disengaged himself from his study. Even at the Jesuit villa, he would sit next to the pool, paging through a copy of the New Testament in Greek and making notes on his reading."

Fr. Giblin is survived by his sister, Mary Gertrude Giblin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling:

To make an online donation, click here.

Fr. George H. Minamiki, SJ Author and retired professor January 04, 2002

Fr. George H. Minamiki, SJ, author and retired professor of Japanese at University of Notre Dame died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday January 4, 2002. He was 82 years old.

Fr. Minamiki, born in California, grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he graduated from Loyola High School in 1936, and Loyola Marymount University in 1940. He was interned with his parents by the United States government after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1945 he entered the Society of Jesus in California but was sent to the east coast for his novitiate, returning to the California Province in the summer of 1946 when the political climate had calmed. After completing his Jesuit philosophy studies in 1949, Fr. Minamiki was assigned to the Japanese mission at Kobe Shi, where he worked and completed language training. Fr. Minamiki completed his Jesuit theology studies at Alma College, in California, and was ordained a priest on June 12, 1954.

From 1956-57, Fr. Minamiki completed Japanese language studies in Yokosuka, Japan, and then was assigned to the Jesuit high school Hiroshima Gaukin in Hiroshima, Japan. In 1962 Fr. Minamiki officially joined the Japanese Province of the Jesuits, but returned to the states and joined the faculty of the University of Notre Dame as a Japanese instructor while working towards a Ph.D. in liturgy, which he completed in 1977. That same year he was promoted to assistant professor at UND and to associate professor in 1986. His book, The Chinese Rites Controversy from its Beginning to Modern Times, was published in 1985.

Fr. Minamaki received the 1988 Sheedy Award for Excellence in Teaching in the College of Arts and Letters, and he was co-recipient of the Madden Award in 1991 for Outstanding Teaching of Freshmen. For more than twenty years Fr. Minamiki also served as the coordinator of Notre Dame's Year-in-Japan program.

Fr. Brian Daley, SJ, Huisking professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, said of him, "George was a very devoted Jesuit. He was immensely proud of the Jesuit tradition." Perhaps more importantly, Daley added, "People found him to be a lovable and very generous person."

Fr. Minamiki is survived by his sister Mrs. Umeko Mori and his nephews Alfred and Stephen Mori.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuit Partnership or the Jesuit International Missions by writing or calling:

To make an online donation, click here.