“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
Margadette M. Demet
Margadette M. Demet, former Sacred Heart Board member, died on 29 August 2023. To read her obituary, click here.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Margadette and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Fr. Don Mclaughlin
Fr. Don Mclaughlin, Sacred Heart alum (1980), passed away on May 16, 2023. To read his obituary, click here.
May the angels receive him in paradise.
Sr. Mary Carroll
Sr. Mary Catherine Carroll SSSF, professora emerita, and long-time collaborator in SHSST’s Pastoral Formation program passed away on May 16, 2023.
May the angels receive her in paradise. Eternal rest grant unto her, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Sr. Mary’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Msgr. Patrick R. Wells
Monsignor Patrick R. Wells, a priest, distinguished scholar and leader passed away on May 11, 2023, at the age of 92. Msgr. Wells was a SHSST alumnus and founder of the MLK Service . To read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Bernard A. “Ben” Meyer
Fr. Bernard A. “Ben” Meyer, 90, formerly of Effingham, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at his home in Bridgeton, Missouri.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 4, 2023, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery. A parish prayer service will be held at 4:00 pm, followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.
Fr. Ben was born September 29, 1932, in Effingham County, the son of Bernard H. Meyer Jr. and Mayme R. (Koester) Meyer. He graduated from St. John’s Home Missions Seminary and was ordained on May 23, 1959. Fr. Ben was assigned as assistant priest to St. Thomas in Decatur from 1959-1963, Sacred Heart Springfield from 1963-1967, and St. Mary Taylorville from 1967 to 1972.
He was then assigned as co-administrator at St. Mary in Taylorville from 1972 to 1979 and St. Rita in Kincaid from 1976-1979. Fr. Ben then became part of the faculty at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, WI from 1979-1981.
In 1981, Fr. Ben became pastor at St. Elizabeth in Marine and St. Gertrude in Grantfork until 1984. He was then assigned as the Director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary Hospital in Galveston, TX until 1995. Fr. Ben later served as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, TX until his retirement in 2002.
Fr. Ben is survived by five Meyer first cousins, five Koester first cousins, and many close friends, especially the Sisters of Loretto.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ruth C. (Donald) Cyrier.
Fr. John Emanuel
Fr. André Papineau SDS
Fr. William “Bill” Wiegand
Fr. William “Bill” Wiegand passed away on March 7, 2023. To read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Chet Collins
Fr. Chet Collins passed away on January 12, 2023. After retirement, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on Jan. 12, 2013. He was currently the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, Mancelona and St. Luke the Evangelist, Bellaire. To read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Jonah Wharff, OCSO
Fr. Jonah (Thomas) Warff of New Melleray Abbey died on Tuesday evening December 27th 2022. He suffered from a long term lung disease.
Before entering the monastery Fr. Jonah worked as a Counselor after receiving a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska. In this capacity he worked for several state agencies and for three years at Boys Town of America helping orphan children who came from abusive homes.
Thomas entered New Melleray in 2000 at the age of 53. He took the name Jonah at that time. He was ordained in 2008 and was appointed guest master and retreat director for New Melleray. He helped many people as a spiritual director and confessor.
Fr. Bernie Rosinski, SCJ
Fr. Bernie passed away on November 03, 2022.
In August, Fr. Bernie was diagnosed with metastatic cancer which had advanced to his lungs, pancreas and liver. He was in hospice care with the SCJ community in Chamberlain, SD.
Fr. Bernie was born in 1934, was professed in 1952 and ordained in 1959.
“What chiefly attracted me to the Priests of the Sacred Heart was their title,” said Fr. Bernie, who was 88. “As early as I can remember I wanted to go to ‘Sacred Heart Seminary,’ located in Detroit. But because of Cardinal Mooney’s policy of having people with Polish surnames attend St. Mary’s at Orchard Lake, I knew that Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit was out of the picture. But then came along Fr. George Pinger, SCJ, who showed color slides at my parish grade school touting ‘Divine Heart Seminary.’ That seemed like a close enough approximation and so I signed up. The school was 270 miles from Detroit, thus my first contact with Priests of the Sacred Heart was with total strangers. But they were professional, competent, resourceful, dutiful, devout, loving, and thus – to me – eminently lovable. I wanted to be like them.”
Except for a brief stint in vocations, most of his ministry was academic or administrative. He taught at Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, Ind., at Dehon Seminary in Great Barrington, Mass., and at Sacred Heart School of Theology. In 1990 he was named provincial secretary but stayed with the Provincialate for only a year before being asked to serve on the staff of the Generalate in Rome. He was there from 1992-1998, after which he returned to SHSST. In 2001 he was back to his old job as provincial secretary. He also served on the Provincial Council.
He retired in 2007, but it was an active retirement. In South Dakota he assisted with pastoral ministry and held formation workshops for permanent deacons. Fr. Bernie had degrees from the Gregorian University in Rome, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology and from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.
“I am happy to be an SCJ because I am surrounded by saints,” said Fr. Bernie. “There are so many of them, both deceased and still living. I find that by being with them I discover their saintliness, often hidden, but discoverable through attentiveness and observation. It’s not that my SCJ brothers don’t have faults. It’s that they seek to find them out, work on them, weed them out, and face any fault or weakness that prevents the LOVE and SERVICE to others that Fr. Dehon called for. That takes courage and guts. That SCJ tradition is bonding.”
Fr. Jim Schifano, SCJ
Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Fr. Jim was 77, and was ordained in 1975. Before pursuing his vocation, Fr. Jim served in the US Army; he was at the rank of sergeant when he was discharged in 1967
Fr. Jim did his theological studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology and later served at the seminary from 1978-1990. However, his first assignment as a priest was at Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, IN.
Besides his many years serving at the seminaries and in the monastery community, Fr. Jim also did pastoral ministry, first at St. Matthew parish in Houston (1977-78). After over 20 years at SHSST, Fr. Jim returned to Houston, where he briefly served at Christ the Redeemer parish (1990-91) and then back at St. Matthew’s for five years.
In 1997, Fr. Jim joined the SCJ community in Mississippi, where he ministered for three years at St. Gregory parish in Senatobia and Sacred Heart parish in Walls. From 2004-07 he served at St. Joseph’s parish in Holly Springs.
Fr. Jim’s final assignment before retirement was with the Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL.
Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ
Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, former provincial superior of the US Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, died on June 26 while traveling in California. He had suffered from a number of health concerns, including the diagnosis late last year of pancreatic cancer. He was travelling while his health allowed, to visit people and places of significance to him.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Fr. Ed, 67, was elected to his first term as provincial superior in 2015. Professed in 1975 and ordained in 1983, Fr. Ed had been in vocation ministry, served as province justice and peace director, and in parish ministry. He completed his second term as provincial early this year.
To read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Theodore V. Lewandowski
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Fr. Theodore (Ted) Vincent Lewandowski peacefully died in his home in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Fr. Ted was a 1997 Sacred Heart alumnus. To read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Daniel Hessling
2004 Sacred Heart alum Rev. Daniel Hessling died on May 17, 2022, at the age of 65. Please pray for Rev. Hessling’s loved ones during this difficult time. To view his obituary, click here.
Mr. Frank Kanaskie
Frank, a past Sacred Heart volunteer, died on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death.
His health had declined somewhat in the last few years, but most recently his kidneys failed and he declined dialysis. He had a heart attack on March 13, was in the hospital for a couple of days, then went into hospice. His family was able to spend time with him and they were able to say their farewells.
Frank and Trudy (wife) began volunteering for SHSST in the mid-1980s with the Mission Society as helpers in sorting mass mailings. Frank became a library volunteer shortly after that, and Trudy joined us in the 1990s.
Fr. Beryl Gibson
Fr. Beryl Gibson of the Diocese of Salina died on 26 February 2022. He completed his program at Sacred Heart in 1996 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 18 of that year.
May he and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Fr. Thomas Mescall
Former judge turned priest, Thomas Mescall, dies at 74 (December 9, 1947 – February 1, 2022). Mescall attended Sacred Heart School of Theology in Wisconsin and was ordained in 2004 at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois at the age of 56. to read his obituary, click here.
Fr. Tom Novak SDS
Fr. Andrew L. Buczyna
Fr. Thomas Botheroyd
Reverend Thomas J. Botheroyd, age 74, retired Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard, died peacefully November 29, 2021 surrounded by Little Sisters of the Poor. To read his obituary, click here.
Ms. Mariane Wheeler
Br. John Monek, SCJ
Fr. David T. Link
David Link began teaching at Notre Dame in 1970, and in 1975, he was appointed by Father Theodore Hesburgh as the eighth Dean and Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. He served as Dean from 1975 until 1999. He also served as the founding president and chancellor of the University of Notre Dame-Perth, Australia, as the founding dean of the law school at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and as the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost of the University of St. Augustine in South Africa. Dave Link was also the co-founder of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend.
As Dean, Dave Link coined the phrase, “A Different Kind of Lawyer.”
After Barbara, his wife of 45 years, passed away in 2003, then Dean Emeritus Link followed the suggestion of President Emeritus Theodore Hesburgh and the call of the Holy Spirit when he entered the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained to priesthood in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, on June 7, 2011, at the age of 71. As a priest, he dedicated himself to prison ministry, serving those incarcerated in the seven prisons of Northern Indiana.
Fr. John Yockey
Ms. Shirley Hess
Fr. Thomas Dieter
Fr. Dale Maxfield
Fr. Kevin Gordon
Fr. Bob Tucker, SCJ
Rev. Thomas Brundage
Fr. Thomas Brundage, 58, died on January 15, 2021. He is a former adjunct faculty member at Sacred Heart.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Msgr. Michael Yarbrough
Msgr. Michael Yarbrough, 75, died on January 13, 2021 of COVID-19-related illness and other health concerns. He is a former member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart and earned his M.Div at Sacred Heart in 1979.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Fr. Steve Malkiewicz, OFM
Fr. Steve Malkiewicz, O.F.M., 78, died on January 07, 2021 after falling victim to the COVID-19 virus. He served in the SHSST Formation Department from 2011-2018.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Sr. Roseann Wagner
Sister Roseann Wagner, 86, died November 24, 2020. She served as spiritual director, music, instructor, and associate director of liturgical music from 1981-2004. Our condolences to her community, the School Sisters of St. Francis, and in particular her blood sister, Sr. Mary Jane Wagner SSSF.
Her obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Marty Pable, OFM Cap.
Fr. Marty Pable, 89, died on November 19, 2020. He served as a faculty member at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology for many years.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Bernard Green SDS
Deacon Leon Zalewski
Deacon Leon, 89, died on October 28, 2020. He received his MA degree from Sacred Heart in 1999. Please keep Deacon Leon, his wife, Joan, and his family in your prayers.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. David W. Sedlock
Fr. David W. Sedlock, 64, of Gwinn, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Fr. Sedlock earned a master of divinity degree at Sacred Heart in 1990.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Joanne E. Kriva
Joanne E. Kriva, 86, of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2020. She earned her master’s degree in Theology from Sacred Heart in 1999.
Her obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Jess Anthony Testa
Fr. Jess Anthony Testa, 82, died on September 30, 2020. He earned his M.Div. degree from Sacred Heart in 1988.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Angelo Sanchez CSsR
Fr. Angelo Sanchez CSsR, 74, died on September 13, 2020 in the Dominican Republic. He graduated with his M.Div. degree from Sacred Heart in 1992.
Rev. Kendal Faulk
Fr. Kendal Faulk, 62, died peacefully on August 20, 2020. He graduated from Sacred Heart in 2010.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Arley T. Downie
Fr. Arley T. Downie, 88, passed away on Sunday August 2, 2020 in Rock Island, Illinois. He was a 1988 graduate from Sacred Heart.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Debb Kosut
Debbie Kosut, 68, passed away on July 19, 2020 after a long journey with cancer. She worked in the Pastoral Formation Department, directed the volunteer program, ran the visitor center, and helped in many ways until she retired from Sacred Heart in 2018.
Please keep her husband, Garry and her entire family, related and adopted, in your prayers.
Her obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Robert E. Keane
Fr. Keane, 95, passed away on July 6, 2020 surrounded by family. Fr. Keane graduated from Sacred Heart in 1978.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Sister Ann McKean, CSA
Sister Ann McKean, CSA, formerly Sister Corona, died peacefully at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on April 11, 2020. She was a faculty member at Sacred Heart for five years.
Her obituary can be viewed here.
Sr. Elizabeth Marie Hoell SSND
Sr. Elizabeth Marie Hoell SSND, 87, passed away on March 26, 2020. She was a member of our formation department faculty for a number of years. Please remember her in your and the School Sisters of Notre Dame in your prayers.
Her obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Rick Eldred
To view his obituary, click here.
Rev. John P. Carberry
Fr. John Carberry died on January 21, 2020. He was a Sacred Heart alumnus from the class of 1980.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Tan Van Tran
Fr. Tan Van Tran, 62, passed away on December 10, 2019. He received his M.Div. degree from Sacred Heart in 1992.
His obituary can be viewed here.
Rev. Andrew Marthaler
Fr. Andrew Marthaler, 86, passed away on December 13, 2019. He graduated from Sacred Heart in 1988.
His obituary can be viewed here.