ordination by Jeremy Langford

Transcription

1 Partners 11

2 In an ancient act symbolizing humility, obedience, and willingness to live by Christ s example, Kent (closest to the altar) and Mike lay prostrate on the floor in response to Bishop Murry s invitation to prayer. As the men pray, the congregation sings the Litany of the Saints to ask the holy women and men throughout history to guide these men in their ministries. ordination Answering by Jeremy Langford 12 Partners

3 2007 God s Call Jesuits Kent Beausoleil and Michael Conley Begin Their Lives of Priestly Service On June 9, Kent A. Beausoleil, SJ, and Michael T. Conley, SJ, were ordained to priestly ministry at St. Ita Church in Chicago. As the entrance hymn All Are Welcome filled the Church, a procession of Jesuits, followed by Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ, the bishop of Youngstown, Ohio, and Very Reverend Edward W. Schmidt, SJ, provincial of the Chicago Province, led Kent and Mike to the altar through the large congregation of family, friends, benefactors, and fellow Jesuits. For these men, the moment marked the culmination of 10 and 11 years, respectively, of Jesuit formation and the beginning of their lives as priests in the Church. Though they are five years apart in age and did not know each other before entering the Jesuits, Kent and Mike share many things in common. For starters, they were both born in Illinois and come from large families Kent, born in 1963, is the second youngest of seven, while Mike, born in 1968, is the oldest of six. Both were raised as active Catholics, were altar servers in grade school, and have been part of parish communities all their lives. They both participated in theater and sang in choir in high school, and studied sociology in college. And they both had careers before joining the Society of Jesus. Where they most differ is that Kent pondered a call to the priesthood as early as grade school, while Mike was convinced from the start that a vocation was not right for him, even though he was voted best freshman religion student in high school. Whatever their similarities or differences, Kent and Mike have heard God s call and are responding by devoting themselves to a lifetime of service through their Jesuit vocations. In the photo story that follows, you ll learn more about them, their journeys to the Jesuits, and their hopes for the future. As the newest priests in the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Kent Beausoleil and Fr. Michael Conley move forward bolstered by God, family and friends, and the Society of Jesus to serve the Church and the people of God. Partners 13

4 Faith for us as a family was very important, says Kent. I remember the dynamism and mystery present during Mass and worship at Immaculate Conception Church. Every Sunday the church was packed and everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. The rites, the ritual, the smells of incense and candle-wax burning, the music, the communion rail, the artwork and stained glass all conveyed the beauty and majesty of the Catholic faith for me. I hold these memories deep in my heart now. I also remember well when the associate pastor invited five classmates and me to attend a day retreat at Mundelein Seminary because he believed that we had a religious calling. Kent s father, a French-Canadian, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, into a Catholic family in 1917, while his mother, who was Danish, was born into a Methodist household in 1924 in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. His parents met at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and were married in My mother converted to the Catholic faith when she married my dad and was the main proponent of our faith, prayer life, and catechesis, says Kent. She worked tirelessly for us attending soccer games, cooking, sewing costumes for dance and theater recitals, serving as den mother for Cub Scouts, nursing us back to health, and playing with us. She also worked temporary jobs from time to time to help the family when times were tough. She passed away in 1985 from emphysema. My father who served in the United States Navy from 1934 to 1963 and later as a business manager, was a great storyteller and loving man. He died in 1994 from cancer. I remember one of my grade school teachers praying a prayer of petition at Mass that more young men and women would answer the call to be priests and nuns, Mike recalls. I said to myself, that s fine, but that s not for me! Yet, now I see that God was speaking to me through my earliest experiences of community, through my parents, committed teachers and priests, and friends and their families. He adds, Mom was the prime mover of our religious education Catholic grade school, Mass, sacraments, teaching and helping us to pray and observe the different seasons of the Church, especially Christmas, Lent and Holy Week. I remember when I was in grade school, on Good Friday afternoon my mom would turn off the television and ask us to be quiet from noon until 3 p.m. Those experiences helped me make the intuitive connection that the mystery of Jesus passion was worth pondering. In the tradition of the Apostles, the bishop lays his hands on the heads of the candidates and prays in silence as a sign of the conferral of the Holy Spirit, who ordains one to serve in Holy Orders. Priests then join the bishop in this symbolic gesture. Here, Fr. Bill Verbryke, SJ, lays hands on Mike (right) and Fr. W. Henry Kenney, SJ, lays hands on Kent, as Frs. Fran Daly, SJ, Michael Garanzini, SJ, and Chuck Niehaus, SJ, wait to do the same. 14 Partners

5 Fr. Kent A. Beausoleil, SJ The Beausoleil family (sans Denice who wasn t born yet) poses in front of their home in Waukegan, IL, before Easter Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish in Front Row, Laurie, Glenn, and Jon; back row, Arthur holding his young son Kent, Norman, Joanne, and Andrea. When Kent was employed by the Archdiocese of Chicago, he worked with the Jesuits at St. Procopius Parish and was involved peripherally in the logistics behind the inception of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen. I found myself impressed with the Jesuits, he says, not only with the ministry they were involved in, but also their sense of community, and the depth of their spirit evident in who they were. After being a diocesan seminarian, I hoped to find an order with a deep spirituality, a profound sense of community, and a diverse array of ministries. I also was looking for a balance between community and independence and a formation process that would help me to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and pastorally. I find these hopes have been met and continue to deepen as I journey with the Society in the Catholic Church as a priest. Kent s Parents: Arthur and Joanne Beausoleil Born: September 8, 1963, at Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Waukegan, IL Siblings: Norman, Andrea, Jon, Glenn, Laurie, Denice Cities raised in: Waukegan, IL Grade School: Hyde Park Elementary, Waukegan, IL, kindergarten through fifth grade; Immaculate Conception Grade School, Waukegan, sixth through eight grade High School: Waukegan East High School, Waukegan, IL University: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois Major / minor: BA in political science and public service with a minor in sociology Activities and interests: speech, a cappella choir, theatre, baking, cooking, travel, hiking and camping Work history: During high school worked as a caddy at Glen Flora Country Club and as a cook and waiter at a Marc s Big Boy in Waukegan. Five years in restaurant business as a waiter, bartender, chef, and manager; Assistant Village Manager in Palatine, IL; Budget and Risk Management Officer for the City of Rockford, IL; Mundelein Seminary and was a diocesan seminarian for 2 years; Vicariate Administrative Consultant in Vicariate III for the Archdiocese of Chicago Date of entry to Society of Jesus: August 23, 1997 J e S U i t F o r m a t i o n Phase Dates Institution / Location Novitiate 8/97 8/99 Loyola House, Berkley, MI First Studies 8/99 5/02 Fordham University, Bronx, NY Regency 8/02 6/05 Loyola Academy, Wilmette, IL Theology 8/05 5/07 Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, CA Ordination June 9, 2007 St. Ita Church, Chicago, IL Ministry and Service experience: Emergency room orderly, Mercy Hospital, Detroit; Companionship of infirmed Jesuits at Colombiere in Clarkston, MI; Covenant House, New Orleans; Simon House AIDS Hospice, Detroit, MI; Campus Ministry, Xavier University, Cincinnati; Hospital Chaplain, Saint Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY; Campus Ministry, Spiritual Direction, Retreat Work, Fordham University, Bronx, NY; Parish ministry, Saint Agnes Parish, San Francisco, CA Advanced degrees: MA in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University; MA in philosophy from Fordham University; MDiv from Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley Assignment following ordination: Associate Pastor of Bellarmine Chapel and campus minister, Xavier University Partners 15

6 Fr. Michael T. Conley, SJ Michael s Parents: Terry and Mary Conley Born: August 17, 1968, Berwyn, IL Siblings: Katie, Sean, Kevin, Robert, Sara Cities raised in: Northwest Indiana (Crown Point, Munster); Calumet City, IL; and St. Paul, MN Grade School: St. Thomas More in Munster, first through sixth grade; St. Victor in Calumet City, seventh through eighth grade High School: Mt. Carmel High School, Chicago, through sophomore year; graduated from St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, MN. University: University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, through sophomore year; graduated from University of Pittsburgh Major / minor: BA in sociology with a minor in philosophy Activities, interests: sports, hiking, camping, Chicago White Sox, interreligious dialogue Work history: growing up, worked with father and brother, Sean, renovating investment properties. In high school and college, Cecil s, a Jewish delicatessen in St. Paul, MN. After graduation from college, worked for Prime International Trading, first as a runner at the Chicago Board of Trade, then in London as an options trader from 1992 to After returning to the US, worked as assistant registrar at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati Date of entry to Society of Jesus: August 17, 1996 J e S U i t F o r m a t i o n Phase Dates Institution / Location Novitiate 8/96 8/98 Loyola House, Berkley, MI First Studies 8/98 5/01 Loyola University Chicago Regency 8/01 6/04 Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Theology 8/04 5/07 Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley Ordination June 9, 2007 St. Ita Church, Chicago Ministry and Service experience: Hospital orderly, Mercy Hospital, Detroit; Care and companionship of infirmed Jesuits at Colombiere Center, Clarkston, MI; Ministry to young women at Vista Maria Home for Girls, Warren, MI; Parish ministry, Holy Rosary-St. John Church, Columbus, OH; Chaplain to detainees at Cook County Jail; Helped develop and lead retreats for Charis young adult ministry; Advised Korean- American faith and fellowship group at University of California, Berkeley; Parish ministry, Sacred Heart Parish, El Paso, TX; Parish ministry, St. Patrick Church, Oakland; Spiritual direction; Co-led high school immersion trips to Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota and Matamoros, Mexico. Advanced degrees: MA in applied philosophy from Loyola University Chicago; MDiv, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley Assignment following ordination: Associate Pastor, St. Procopius Church, Chicago 16 Partners My parents were born and raised in Chicago, in Bellwood and the west suburbs, says Mike. They married young my father was 21 and my mother was 19 when I was born and had six children in eight years. We moved a lot when I was growing up because our family was expanding and, in addition to working in mortgage banking, my father was into real estate and would upgrade our houses every several years. My mom, Mary, was the prime mover of our religious education, so no matter where we lived, I went to a Catholic school. I learned at an early age the challenges and rewards of moving saying good-bye to good friends but making new friends and learning about new places. I think my ability to happily live in different places as a Jesuit and to make a home wherever I am is founded in our many experiences of moving. Terry Conley and his infant son, Michael, in 1968.

7 Bishop Murry anoints the hands of the newly ordained with chrism as a sign that they now share in the mission of Christ. Following the three central moments of prayer in the ordination liturgy the Litany of the Saints, Imposition of Hands, and Prayer of Consecration by the bishop the newly ordained Fr. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, and Fr. Michael Conley, SJ, are clothed with the liturgical vestments of the priest. Here, Mary and Terry Conley vest their son, Mike, by placing the stole that symbolizes the office of priest over the chasuble that symbolizes service. In the background, Fr. Brian Paulson, SJ, folds the stole Mike previously wore as a deacon. Kent was vested by friends Fr. Brian Schieber, Mark Reeves, and Tim Martin. When Michael told us that he was thinking of becoming a priest, we were shocked, recalls Mary Conley. He had a very serious girlfriend at the time, but he just felt that he was being called to the priesthood. I told him to look into the Jesuits, which he did. As she put the priest s stole around her son s shoulders at the ordination liturgy, Mary, who finished her college degree at the University of St. Thomas when Michael was there, says she was overwhelmed, I felt much like I did at the weddings of our other children, like we were giving Michael away by putting him into the hands of God. It meant a lot to be the one to vest him. I kept thinking, you made it, you re going to be okay for the rest of your life. We couldn t be happier that he joined the Jesuits. For Kent, some of the most profound moments in his ministry have come through listening to a person suffering with HIV or coming out of emergency surgery, helping a person face a difficult decision, or being with a student struggling with tests, dating, fitting in. Also, sharing in someone s joy and healing. Glenn Beausoleil says of his brother, Kent is a very caring individual. He s been there for me through some tough times and is a very good listener. He also makes a great turtle cheesecake! Much of the same holds true for Mike: The first thing that prompted me to enter the society was its spirituality and its ideal vision of Jesuits being contemplatives in action. I felt drawn to this vision of a strong spiritual life while being deeply engaged in the world at the same time. I also felt drawn to being on mission with a group of talented, like-minded men in responding to the pressing needs and issues facing the church and the world. Partners 17

8 Throughout my formation as a Jesuit, I have felt a profound sense of love and support that speak of a God doing good work in the world and in my soul. I feel that love of God in the world and desire to return that love with God s people at the table of the Lord and in service. Kent Beausoleil, SJ Michael has always been very compassionate, responsible, and loving, say Sue and John Heybach, Mike s paternal aunt and uncle. He takes time to stay connected to others. He s very bright and has had great success in the past. He has accepted every new assignment openly. We think it s wonderful he is a priest. We couldn t be prouder and we pray for him all the time. Having received the gifts of bread and wine as a symbol of their commitment of service to the People of God and exchanged the sign of peace with the bishop as a sign of their membership in the presbyteral order, Kent and Mike concelebrate the Mass for the first time as priests. Here Kent joins (from left) Bishop Murry, Rev. Deacon John Lucas (back right), Mike, and Fr. Robert Thesing, SJ, director of formation for the Chicago Province, at the altar. Kent has waited a long time to be ordained a priest, and he ll make a great Jesuit, says Kent s brother, Glenn. He s always been very patient and caring he took care of sick parents growing up and understands how to keep people connected. 18 Partners

9 At the close of the ordination liturgy, the newly ordained Kent and Mike gave their blessings to Bishop Murry and Fr. Schmidt, and then, together with the bishop, blessed the assembly. The congregation responded with applause and smiles as Kent and Mike recessed out of the church to begin their lives of priestly ministry in service of God s greater glory. During the ordination liturgy, Kent and Mike participated in the consecration of the Eucharist for the first time and then distributed it to others. Here Mike offers the Body of Christ to Mary Holzhall, sister of Fr. Jack Kilgallen, SJ, of the Chicago Province. I m excited about serving God s people as a priest, says Kent. The ability to help spread the Good News, to proclaim it, preach it, to be a sacramental presence, and to lead and guide others through prayer into a deeper relationship with God are important aspects of what being ordained means for me. One desire I feel very strongly, which has emerged out of my experience as transitional deacon, Michael says, is to preach well. I ve discovered that good preaching takes significant preparation time, creativity and help from the Holy Spirit! One way I predict my life will change through ordained ministry is through a shift in focus from my spiritual experience of God to an increasing focus on the people s experience of God. I look forward to helping others focus on the saving and consoling action of Jesus in their lives as they seek to encounter him in the sacraments, in parish life, spiritual direction, volunteer ministry, and daily life. Partners 19

10 ... What They re Saying... about Kent Beausoleil, SJ As a lifelong friend through grade school, high school, college and adulthood, I ve seen Kent grow, mature and develop into a truly genuine, caring individual. Always one to put others first, his giving nature is ideally suited to his Jesuit calling. And those of us lucky enough to witness Kent preside over his first Mass with such warmth and humor certainly were not surprised. Those are the same gifts that he s shared with so many of his friends for so many years. The people of Cincinnati and Xavier University are blessed to have Kent as their newest religious leader, their newest neighbor, their newest friend. Mark Reeves In his wit, humor, and joi de vivre, Kent embodies and exhibits to his students, colleagues, and friends the Jesuit cura personalis. His deep abiding love of God is magnified outward in his warmth for all he meets, his curiosity about cultures and people, and his compassion for those in need. He is a phenomenal cook, gracious host, and a wonderful teacher, colleague, and friend. Tim Martin Mark Reeves, Vice President, Corporate Advertising & Creative Services, Northern Trust, is a childhood friend of Kent s. Timothy Martin, Ph.D., is a religious studies teacher at Loyola Academy who got to know Kent during his three years of regency at the Academy. about Michael Conley, SJ Mike came to Cristo Rey in August 2001 to begin his three years of regency. Students and faculty still talk about him! Students remember Mike for his persistence in reminding them at dances to Leave a little room for the Holy Spirit! Faculty remember him for his huge vocabulary and sense of humor! Mike s greatest gift to Cristo Rey was the witness he gave as a happy Jesuit. As a teacher, Mike never settled for good enough. He consistently worked to design courses that were more and more engaging yet challenging for students and implemented his plans with the greatest respect for each individual student. That respect and desire to do better for the persons he serves will make him a good priest. Pat Garrity Mike became the spiritual advisor for Chun Jin Ahm (CJA), a Korean American Catholic fellowship, during my sophomore year at University of California Berkeley. I had the blessing of getting to work with Mike extensively this past year while serving as one of the co-facilitators for CJA. Mike met with the facilitators on a weekly basis at a local café over his staple Gunpowder Green tea to help us prepare for the Friday fellowship meetings and to plan several other spiritual events, including two retreats throughout the year. Mike s dedication to this unique group of students enabled him to enter as a stranger, and really become a beloved and integral part of the Chun Jin Ahm family. His thoughtful reflections and insightful comments enabled us to cater to the often diverse spiritual needs of this small fellowship to create a home away from home at CJA. Mike will be missed greatly, but it is with much happiness that we congratulate him on his priestly ordination. I know he will be a great asset to any group of people that he is called to serve. Vivian Lee Pat Garrity, Principal of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, worked with Mike when he taught at the school. Vivian Lee, a recent graduate of University of California Berkeley, served as student facilitator of Chun Jin Ahm, a Korean- Catholic faith and fellowship group at the school. She worked with Mike in his role as an advisor to the group. 20 Partners

11 Following the ordination liturgy, newly ordained Frs. Michael Conley, SJ, (second from left) and Kent Beausoleil, SJ, capture a moment with Bishop George Murry, SJ, Fr. Provincial Edward Schmidt, SJ, (right), and Fr. Robert Thesing, SJ, outside St. Ita Church. Mike enjoys celebrating his ordination with former Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Colleagues. Kneeling from left: Bridget Colacchio (half-kneeling); Manuel Vazquez, German Indacochea, Josh Nemeth, Pat Garrity, Dan Considine. Standing, first row: Matt Lazzarotto, Sr. Frances Thibodeau, Patti Vazquez, Mike Conley, SJ, Guillermo Velez, Anna Chapin, Tony Ortiz, Rosa Sanchez, Brenda Ortiz, Rafael Torch, Tim Green. Standing, second row: Marty Lefalce, Mark Luedtke, SJ, Emilio Dillon with his father Jason Dillon, Kevin Serr, Bernhard Walke, and Jim Ackerman, SJ Partners 21

12 A newly ordained Fr. Michael Conley, SJ, (center) celebrates with his family following the ordination liturgy. Front row: Katie Conley and her children, Lisa and Kevin; Sara Conley; Second row: Lisa Conley, wife of Kevin Conley (third row, far left), holding their daughter Megan; Terry Conley; Mary Conley; Molly Conley, wife of brother Sean (third row, center, holding son Liam); Olivia Conley with her parents Robert Conley (third row, far right) and Shelly Conley. from Michael Conley I am grateful to God for granting me a family who has loved me and spared no expense for my education. I am grateful to God, too, for the personal gifts of reflection and discernment which have helped me to hear God s quiet callings in relationships and circumstances throughout my life, and for allowing me to feel just enough dissatisfaction in my life to encourage me to question what kind of person I want to be, how I really want to spend my life, and for whose sake I want to spend it. Although they were surprised by my announcement twelve years ago that I wanted to be a priest and religious, I am grateful for my family and friends who did not discourage me, but affirmed and reinforced the good desires they saw in me. And with every year of formation that has passed, I am grateful for how my family and friends have continued to support me with their kind words and their prayers. In the various ministries and apostolates in which I have had the privilege to work, I am grateful to my colleagues, my supervisors, and the people whom I strove to serve, for they encouraged me in my vocation by giving me honest feedback about my strengths and weaknesses, and let me know in different ways the happiness they experienced because of our opportunity to work and be together. I am grateful to my Jesuit brothers who continue to confirm in me my desire to be on mission with committed and trusted companions: my peers with whom I ve walked and laughed during formation, older brothers in the Society who have been mentors to me, my Jesuit formatores who made my formation a central concern. And for those brothers with whom I ve shared a community I am grateful for their welcome and especially for the invitation to make community anew because of my arrival. Finally, I am grateful for the many benefactors who continue to provide a generous web of resources that helps to knit our life and our mission together: that gives us access to nothing short of the best education, opportunities to explore various ministries in order to discover new gifts and talents for service, freedom to travel in order to deepen our understanding and enable us to be even more effective bridge-builders among peoples, and time for rest, reflection and a little recreation to help us stay refreshed and renewed. Such generous benefaction concretely enables us to say Yes to Jesus call to be his companions on mission. n 22 Partners

13 Surrounding their newly ordained brother are Kent s siblings: Denice, Glenn, Norman, Jon, Laurie, and Andrea. Gratitude from Kent Beausoleil G od has graced me with a wide variety of people and experiences that have blessed my life, touched my heart, and transformed me on my journey. Whatever the encounter or whatever the experience, whether it was an experience of light, such as a friendship that has lasted through thick and thin, or an experience of dark, such as losing my parents or walking with another person who suffers, God has allowed those experiences to break open the reality of the importance of loving kindness and the truth that God s love and mercy never die. I would like to thank, first and foremost, God for being ever-present, patient, and compassionate with me; Jesus, for walking with me on my journey; and for the Holy Spirit moving in my life and sustaining me on my journey. God has also graced me with a very loving and supportive family whose example has called me to serve and minister in kind. I also have been deeply graced by God with many loving and loyal friends. My heart is moved by the care and companionship found in the many friends I also call family. The support, love, and challenge found here helped also to define me and point me on my journey to serving God s people in the Church. The Society of Jesus and the many brothers and friends I have found within its company have affirmed me, challenged me, and helped me to be a man of prayer and a man of mission. Without them, their presence, the Society s formation and spirituality, and the love and challenge found here, I would not have developed my existing depth of relationship with Jesus Christ, call to sanctity, depth of spirituality, and desire to serve justice within the context of faith. For my companions in the Society of Jesus, and for the Society itself, I have nothing but profound love and gratitude. Formation and the many ministries that the Society is involved in would not be possible without the Jesuit partners who work with us on mission. The various means of support that our Jesuit partners so generously give to the many ministries of the Chicago Province and their support of Jesuit formation are real blessings. On behalf of the Society, I am grateful for these gifts, and in humility, I will prayerfully steward these gifts with the spirit in which they have been given for the work of the Society. n Partners 23