The following information about the Fathers from the Second Edition of the Society of the Divine Savior, "On Whose Shoulders We Stand", published 2005. Salvatorian Archives, 2506 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-1135
Collection compiled by Michael R. Hoffman SDS
Submitted by Bob Domagalski, contact information on contributors page.
FATHER THEODORE FASCHINGBAUR SDS Born December 9, 1919 - Died January 13, 1982 Father Theodore Faschingbaur (birth name: Bernard Henry) was born in 1919 in Bloomer, Wisconsin, a farming community in the northwest part of the state. After high school, he decided to enter religious life and enrolled in the Specials’ class at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz. He entered the Novitiate there in 1941. On September 8, 1942, he made his profession of vows, after which he completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained in St. Ambrose Chapel in St. Nazianz on June 4, 1948. His early ministries included helping in the local parishes around the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland; and serving as associate pastor of Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For four years, he worked in the missions in Macao, China, before the Communists expelled all the missionaries. After spending a year at St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, he was sent to the missions in Tanzania, East Africa, where he remained until 1970. The early detection of bone cancer forced Fr. Ted to return to the United States. During the next five years, he underwent medical treatments while he ministered in several parishes: St. Joseph’s Parish in Huntsville, Alabama; St. Bernard’s in Scio, Oregon; and St. Joseph’s Parish in Elko, Nevada. But these treatments only delayed the cancer’s effects. From 1975 until his death in 1982, he was able to help only occasionally in hospitals and nursing homes in California and Nevada before returning to Wisconsin. He died on January 13, 1982, at the University Hospital in Madison, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Ted is remembered as a dedicated worker, especially during his years of ministry in the missions. He worked tirelessly to bring the message of salvation to the world while living among the poorest of peoples. ******** The Rev. Theodore Faschingbaur, 62, of Salvatorian Center, New Holstein, died Wednesday afternoon, January 13, at Madison. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, JFK Prep, St. Nazianz, and burial will be in the Community Cemetery. Father Faschingbaur was born Dec. 9, 1919, at Bloomer, Wis. He attended St. Paul Parochial School, Bloomer High School, Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz and Catholic University. He professed his first vows in 1932 and was ordained June, 1948, in St. Nazianz. From 1951 to 1954 he was involved in mission work in China and from 1955 to 1970 in Tanzania, East Africa. From 1970 he served in various hospitals and parishes in Nevada, California and Georgia. Last year Father Faschingbaur became associated with the Salvatorian Center, St. Nazianz. Survivors include eight brothers, Walter, Robert, Gilbert, Arthur, Joseph and Richard of Bloomer, Sylvester of Lake Geneva and Lester of Racine and four sisters: Mrs. Malcome Bauer and Mrs. Adolph Peostl of Bloomer, Mrs. Vernon Hanson of Stanley and Mrs. Ervin Michaud of Eau Claire. Friends may call at St. Ambrose Church Friday evening. A prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. Christianson-Deja Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Herald Times Reporter, January 14, 1982 pg. 3
BROTHER FLORENTINE FEDERSPIEL SDS Born December 3, 1895 - Died September 9, 1993 Brother Florentine Federspiel (birth name: Georg Phillip) was born on December 3, 1895, in Saarlouis Roden, Germany. He entered the Society as a Brother candidate in Hamont, Belgium. In 1914, he came to the United States to begin his Novitiate year in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. The following year, on September 8, 1915, he made his profession of vows. For most of his religious life, he devoted himself to carpentry and cabinet- making. A gifted and talented wood carver, his bas-relief statues, altars, communion railings, and baldachins graced many of the Society’s chapels and churches around the country. His list of assignments reads a bit like a travelogue of short-term trips, but it was because of his indispensable talents that he was sent to so many places around the country, most especially when they were in the process of building or remodeling: Salvatorian Seminary and JFK Prep in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin; Mother of Good Counsel Parish and the Provincial offices in Milwaukee; Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha; Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton; Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan; and the Novitiate in Colfax, Iowa. Bro. Florentine’s greatest desire, however, was to serve in the foreign missions. His wish was granted in 1963, when he went to Tanzania, Africa, to supervise and help in the construction and renovation of numerous churches, schools, and community houses in the various mission stations. With a heavy heart, he returned to the United States in 1965, but he was happy that he was able to realize his dream for those two years. In his final years, he had retired to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later, health needs demanded greater care at St. Mary’s Nursing Home. He died on September 9, 1993, in St. Joseph’s Hospital, just one day after completing his seventy-eighth year in religious life. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. At the time of his death at 98 years of age he was the oldest member of the Society in the world, and he was the last member of the USA Province to have been born in the 1800’s. His brother, Father Alfons, was a Salvatorian priest in the Belgian Province, and his sister, Sister Agape, was a Salvatorian Sister in the German Province. Bro. Florentine is remembered as a soft-spoken and deeply spiritual man, with a delightful and gentle manner that was always present. A true artist in his craft, he left a legacy of beauty in the many places in which he lived and worked. ******** Brother Florentine Federspiel, S.D.S., age 97, of Milwaukee, died Thursday, September 9, 1993, at St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 11, 1993, at St. Gregory Church, St. Nazianz. Burial will be Salvatorian Community Cemetery, St. Nazianz. Friends may call at the Church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Herald Times Reporter, September 10, 1993 P. A2
FATHER MATTHEW FEHRING SDS Born February 22, 1907 - Died July 29, 1969 Father Matthew Fehring (birth name: Bernard Ferdinand) was born in 1907 in Carroll, Iowa, a small community northwest of Des Moines. At the age of 22, he began his studies for the priesthood at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. He entered the Novitiate there, and made his profession of vows on September 8, 1935. He took his first year of philosophy studies in the seminary there, and then the scholastics were sent to the newly-founded Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, for his second year. His theology studies were taken at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on June 11, 1940. For one year, he taught in the seminary in Lanham, and was then sent as teacher and Superior of Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan. When World War II was already underway, Fr. Matthew entered the service as a military chaplain, and was in numerous battles in Belgium and Germany. Following the war, he returned to Lanham as teacher and Superior. He then taught at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz; and at the newly founded Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he remained until ill health forced him to retire to St. Nazianz in 1967. He died in Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc on July 29, 1969, and was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Matthew is remembered as a strict and somewhat demanding teacher, and those who learned dogmatic theology and liturgy under him were expected to remember well what he had taught them. ******** Fr. Fehring Dies at 62, in Wisconsin The Rev. Matthew Fehring, 62, a native of the Carroll County area, died Tuesday night a the S.D.S. order's home in St. Nazianz, Wis. He had been in ill health for about two years. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 am at St. Nazianz. Fr. Fehring was born in Carroll County, Feb. 22, 1902, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Herman Fehring Jr. He grew up and was educated in the Maple River Community, attended St. Nazianz seminary and received some education in Rome before his ordination in June, 1940 in Washington D.C. He served in World War II ad in New Jersey before going to Wisconsin. Survivors are two brothers, Herman Jr., of Carroll and Norbert of Lenox; four sister, his twin, Mrs. Francis Dorweiler, Arlington, Minn., Mrs. Ben (Elizabeth) Schwalbe, Breda; Mrs. Albert (Dora) Baumhover, Carroll and Mrs. Henry (Clara) Haig, Whittemore. Carrol Daily Times , Carroll, Iowa - July 20, 1969
FATHER PAUL FIERRO SDS Born January 24, 1945 - Died July 20, 1997 Father Paul Reyna Fierro was born in 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from high school, he entered the Society’s candidature program in Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan. In June of 1965, he began his Novitiate year in Colfax, Iowa, and he made his profession of vows as a Brother on June 29, 1966. He then attended Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Dominican College in Racine. He decided to become a priest and so he pursued further studies at Washington Theological Coalition in Washington, DC. He was ordained in his home parish in San Antonio on May 16, 1975. He ministered as associate pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Bryte (West Sacramento), California; administrator of San Mateo Parish in Fort Worth, Texas; associate pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in the same city; as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Bryte (West Sacramento); and finally as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in downtown Sacramento. In early 1997, he suffered a stroke, and he moved to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Never recovering fully from the stroke’s effects, he died on July 20, 1997. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Paul is remembered as a kind priest whose sole interest was in serving God’s people, especially among the poor in the Latino parishes. He brought joy and comfort into the lives of the people to whom he ministered and to his brothers and sisters in community. His Novitiate class, incidentally, was the first not to receive religious names.
BROTHER GRANT-MICHAEL FITZGERALD SDS Born September 11, 1947 - Died November 10, 1986 Brother Grant-Michael Fitzgerald was born in 1947 in Kingston, New York. His family later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He entered as a candidate for the Society in Lanham, Maryland, and then moved to Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he spent his Novitiate year. He made his profession of vows on July 26, 1969. He continued his college studies at Mount St. Paul and at Dominican College in Racine. The years of ministry were, for Bro. Grant-Michael, quite an odyssey. He provided pastoral services in a group home in Milwaukee; he supervised a child care center for the United States Army in Germany; he was a counselor in a Catholic Charities youth home in Washington, DC; he provided social services for the elderly and the needy in Philadelphia, and he was involved in the establishment of a group home for African- American gay teens in that city. Beginning in 1982, he did pastoral services for the community in St. Joseph’s Parish in Huntsville, Alabama, until he was diagnosed as terminal ill in 1984, when he moved to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, to be with the retirement community there. Later that year, he was hospitalized in Milwaukee and several weeks before his death he was placed in hospice care. He died on November 10, 1986. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Deeply committed to issues of social justice and equality, Bro. Grant-Michael sought to bring the values of the gospel into the world through his ministries. For him, the message of the gospel was not simply an intellectual one, but one to be lived in concrete ways. He was very active in peace and justice issues of the Renewal Commission in the province, and was an advocate for the Gay Ministry Task Force.
FATHER BRENDAN FLANAGAN SDS Born July 23, 1926 - Died December 4, 1986 Father Brendan Flanagan (birth name: Michael James) was born in 1926 in New London, Wisconsin. For high school and the first two years of college, he attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz. He entered the Society’s Novitiate there in 1945, and he made his profession of vows on October 18, 1946. He then attended Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, to complete his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 9, 1952. In his earlier years of ministry, Fr. Brendan was at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, where he taught and was dean of students; he was at St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster, New York, as teacher, assistant principal and director of guidance; and he was the local Superior and high school principal of Mother Mary Mission in Phenix City, Alabama. In 1964, he returned to Lancaster for a year, and then returned to the seminary in Blackwood until the school closed in 1967. He then became dean of students and rector of seminarians at Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The school merged with Dominican College in Racine where he continued to work until 1973, when he was elected Vicar Provincial and Director of Personnel. He held these posts until 1982. He then was chaplain of St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan until his death on December 4, 1986, after suffering a massive stroke a week earlier. Fr. Brendan is remembered as a pleasant, humorous, and playful man, who enjoyed the company of everyone – community members, students, and families. He was generous to all with both his time and his joy.
FATHER SOLANUS FREISCHMIDT SDS Born September 8, 1888 - Died October 31, 1942 Father Solanus Freischmidt (birth name: Bernard) was born on September 8, 1888, in Hellenthal, Germany. At the age of 16, he came to the United States and lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he studied at St. Francis Seminary and Marquette University. In 1917, he entered the Society as a candidate in St. Nazianz, where he also spent his Novitiate year. He made his profession of vows on October 24, 1921. After taking some courses in St. Nazianz, he was sent to the Salvatorian College in Passau, Bavaria, where he finished his studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1923. He went to Wealdstone, England, to help with pastoral duties for a year. He then came back to Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, to teach. During his years there, he also served as dean of discipline and later as rector of the seminary. Fr. Solanus excelled as a teacher of Gregorian Chant and he promoted a liturgical spirit that inspired the entire institution. He did his utmost to foster greater congregational singing in the local parishes and to help them understand and have a greater appreciation for liturgical chant. He authored and directed the first Passion Play for the seminary, a tradition that continued through the years of the school’s existence, as well as at several other Salvatorian minor seminaries across the country. While serving as rector of the seminary, Fr. Solanus died suddenly and unexpectedly of a cerebral hemorrhage at the seminary on October 31, 1942. He was buried in the community cemetery.
FATHER BEDE FRIEDRICH SDS Born November 2, 1894 - Died February 19, 1966 Father Bede Friedrich (birth name: Francis Joseph) was born in 1894 in Amsterdam, New York, northwest of Albany. In 1909, he entered Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, the day the school opened its doors for the first time. He began his Novitiate year there in 1914, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1915. During these early years in the seminary, he helped to write and to raise funds for “Manna,” a Salvatorian publication. He was ordained a priest in St. Nazianz in 1921, and was named director of the Publishing Department, a position which he held until 1953. He was also the Superior at St. Nazianz and rector of the seminary for several years. Fr. Bede served as Provincial of the USA Province from 1931 – 1936, and again from 1939 – 1947. Other ministries included years at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, where he was spiritual director, and also ran the fundraising department, “The Student Apostolate.” He was at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, serving as the scholastics’ spiritual director, and also as community procurator and provincial consultor. He ministered to St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, while serving as advising editor of Newman Press, which was located in Westminster, Maryland. In 1965, he returned to Blackwood, and helped at St. Pius X Retreat Center. He died in Blackwood, on February 19, 1966, and he was buried in the Salvatorian cemetery in Lanham, Maryland. Later when the seminary there closed, his body was transferred to the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Bede is remembered as a strong-willed and decisive leader, a shrewd finance manager, and a man who was deeply committed to the work of the Society and the province. ******** Sunday, August 28, was a red-letter day at the College of the Salvatorian Fathers, St. Nazianz. At 9 o'clock in the morning in the College Church of St. Ambrose, there took place the ordination to the priesthood of six young clerics, the first to complete the entire course of studies at the college, which opened its doors in 1909. The order of priesthood was conferred by the Right Reverand Paul P. Rhode, D.D., Bishop of Green Bay and long before the services began the church was taxed to its utmost capacity with friends and relatives of the Fathers and clerics. Dinner was served to many visiting guests and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon solemn benediction was given with one of the newly ordained priests. Bebe Friedrick S.D.S., as officiant. Once more on Tuesday morning, the 30th was the church packed upon the occasion of the First Solemn masses of three of the young priets, Willibald Unger S.D.S., Rev. Landeline Glass, S.D.S., and Rev. Emmeran Weidinger S.D.S. The two last named said their first masses at the side altars while Rev. Father Willibald sang solemn high mass at the high altar, with Rev. Simon Borkowski S.D.S. as Deacon and Rev. Bebe Friedrick, S.D.S., as sub deacon. Very Rev. Dorotheus Brugger, Provincial of the Salvatorian Fathers acted as presbyter assistant and Rev. Father Michael Hoess, S.D.S., as master of ceremonies. The sermon, a forceful and eloquent exposition of the priestly office, was preached by the Rev. Father Hammel, pastor of St. Mary's, Menasha and the sanctuary was filled with priests from near and far, come together to do honor to the newly ordained. The music, which was of very high order, was rendered by the choir of the parish church of St. Gregory's through the kindness of the Sisters of the school, who directed the choir and of the pastor, Rev. Epiphanius Diebele, S.D.S., under whom the young men just ordained began their studies at the college. The rest of the young priests will each say his first solemn high mass in the home parish on Sunday, Sept. 4; Father Simon Borkowski in Sheboygan, Father Bebe Friedrich in Amsterdam, N.Y., and Father Winifrid Herbst in Poygen, Wis. Manitowoc Pilot - Thurs., Sept. 1, 1921
FATHER RICHARD GAGNON SDS Gagnon, Fr. Richard SDS Died at Alexian Village in Milwaukee on July 13, 2017, at age 83. Born to Louis and Helen (Kilinski) Gagnon on Dec. 27, 1933, in Philadelphia. Entered the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) in 1958 and was ordained on June 5, 1965. He was a high school teacher for four years in New Jersey and Indiana before moving into parish ministry in Texas, California, Nevada, Florida, and Tennessee. He was Director of Hispanic Ministry in the Nashville Diocese for 23 years. Retired to Alexian Village in 2015. Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara Bilge. Survived by his niece Filiz Roser of Herndon, VA, and her family, as well as his brothers and sisters in the Salvatorian Family. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 28, 11am at The Chapel of Alexian Village, 9301 N. 76th St. Visitation Friday at the Chapel from 10am until time of Mass. Burial Friday, 3:00 pm at Salvatorian Cemetery in St. Nazianz, WI. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel July 26, 2017 ******** Former Hispanic ministry director retires after ‘an interesting life’ February 27, 2015 by Andy Telli, Tennessee Register “That was more than enough anyway,” for Father Gagnon to take care of, he said. As he leaves the Diocese of Nashville to begin his retirement in Milwaukee, the Hispanic population in Middle Tennessee has ballooned to more than 145,000, about 11 times larger than when he started. And that doesn’t count all the people who don’t participate in the census, Father Gagnon said. The growth of the Hispanic population in the Nashville diocese is part of a national trend in the United States, where the American Church is becoming more Hispanic. The diocese will need a Hispanic ministry to provide pastoral care to Spanish speakers for a long time, Father Gangon said. Father Gagnon, who also served as pastor of St. Luke Church in Smyrna for 21 years and as pastor of St. William Church in Shelbyville for the last two-and-a-half years, left Tennessee last week to move to a retirement home in Milwaukee, Wisc., operated by his order. During the first 25 years of his priesthood, Father Gagnon had served in several parishes with large numbers of Latinos, including several in Texas near the Mexican border. It was there that he became fluent in Spanish. In 1991, Bishop James Niedergeses invited him to come to Nashville to lead Hispanic ministry and serve as pastor of St. Luke. The major migration of Hispanics to the area began a few years after he arrived in Middle Tennessee. Father Lorenzo Martinez was a priest from Parral who was working with Hispanic ministry in Nashville, Father Gagnon recalled. Father Martinez invited his bishop to visit Nashville. The bishop was surprised to see so many Latinos living here and agreed to send more priests and religious sisters from his diocese here to provide pastoral care to the Hispanic community. Hispanics started flocking to the new Mexican priests and sisters, Father Gagnon said. “They understood the culture and the language, so the people naturally went to them for spiritual help,” he said. “Why would they go to anyone else?” As the Latino population continues to grow, so does the need for more priests who speak Spanish and can provide pastoal care to migrants from Central and South America, said Father Gagnon. “They need more pastoral care, more pastoral attention,” said Father Louis Rojas, who came to the Nashville Diocese in 2008 to work with the Hispanic ministry office and is now replacing Father Gagnon as pastor of St. William. “We’re in need of priests who can speak Spanish.” Some help should be coming from several of the diocese’s seminarians who speak Spanish. “We pray that they make it through and become priests,” Father Rojas said. The current wave of immigrants coming into the American church is different than the European immigrants that came in earlier centuries, Father Gagnon said. “Most Catholic Americans are expecting them to follow the same path as their ancestors did in coming here,” Father Gagnon said. “But because of the differences in language, culture and even appearance, it’s harder to assimilate. “The first migration that came from Europe couldn’t go back. They were here to stay,” Father Gagnon added. But many Hispanic immigrants travel back and forth between the United States and their country of origin, he said. Father Gagnon doesn’t think Hispanic ministry’s first priority should be to help new immigrants assimilate into American culture. “Do you want to bring them closer to the Lord or do you want to Americanize them? Do they want to become Americanized and can they?” he said. “I don’t see anything in Church documents about changing their ethnicity,” he said. St. John Paul II stated clearly that the Church should let migrants develop their faith in the context of where they started, Father Gagnon said, and the people have the freedom to change if they want. ‘An interesting life’ Father Gagnon, 81, grew up in Philadelphia. He began to discern a vocation to the priesthood because “religion meant a lot to me, also the goal of religion: eternal happiness,” he said. “That was a way I could serve others.” Father Gagnon was interested in becoming a missionary and contacted the Salvatorians after reading about them in Our Sunday Visitor. He studied at a Salvatorian seminary in Michigan and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before being ordained on June 5, 1965. Before coming to Nashville, he served as a teacher in New Jersey and Indiana, before working in parishes in Texas, California, Nevada and Florida. He was able to serve as a missionary, but in the home missions, he said. “Nothing went the way we thought it would,” Father Gagnon said. “There’s no sense having any plans because you can’t predict what will happen in life. The Lord said don’t worry about tomorrow. Live (one) day at a time, because you may not see tomorrow. “You’re always adapting,” he said. “You have to adapt until you can’t adapt and that means you’re dead,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s an interesting life,” Father Gagnon said. “I’ve been very happy about the whole thing.”
FATHER CLEMENT GESELL SDS Born January 9, 1906 - Died May 3, 1962 Father Clement Gesell (birth name: Herman Gerard) was born in 1906 in Detroit, Michigan. He studied in the diocese’s Sacred Heart Seminary, at the Detroit Institute of Technology, and at the Detroit College of Law, after which he was a banker for nine years. He entered the Society in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he began his Novitiate in 1933, and professed his vows a year later, on September 8, 1934. He continued studying for the priesthood at Salvatorian Seminary, and then at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on May 30, 1939. He taught at the seminary in St. Nazianz, and then at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland. Lingering problems with acute arthritis brought Fr. Clement to an Alexian Brothers’ hospital in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, for several months of treatments. He then went to Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, to assist with pastoral duties in the area, and also to serve as confessor and spiritual director of the Brothers. In 1950, he went to St. Nazianz to teach, but within a couple years, the recurring arthritic problems began to increase, and medical help was sought once again. On the advice of his doctors, he accepted less tiring work assisting in the mission parishes in Oregon. In 1960, he returned to Blackwood, to be of service in whatever ways he could. On May 3, 1962, while taking a stroll around the small campus lake, Fr. Clement apparently slipped on the embankment and fell into the water. His arthritic condition made it impossible for him to lift himself from the shallow water and he drowned. It was hours later when students found his body along the edge of the lake. He was buried in the cemetery at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, but when the seminary there closed, his body was transferred to the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.
FATHER LANDELIN GLASS SDS Born September 5, 1885 - Died October 20, 1949 Father Landelin Glass (birth name: Joseph) was born in 1885 in Daiting, Germany, a small village near Augsburg. After completing his studies in the Salvatorian seminary in Hamont, Belgium, he was sent to the United States in 1911 with a few of his classmates, to continue their studies in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. He entered the Novitiate there in 1914, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1915. He was ordained on August 28, 1921, in St. Ambrose Chapel. Fr. Landelin remained in St. Nazianz, teaching both classical and modern languages in the seminary. For many years, he also served as the school's disciplinarian. for several years, he was also the director of the Brother candidates. He ministered in the neighboring parishes on the weekends and became well known throughout the Diocese of Green Bay. Fr. Landelin was one of the most active fundraisers when the new seminary building was under construction in the late 1930's. Well liked and respected by his students, it was difficult for him to give up teaching when his health began to grow weaker. He suffered a fatal heart attack on October 20, 1949, at the age of 64, and he was buried in the community cemetery. ******** Sunday, August 28, was a red-letter day at the College of the Salvatorian Fathers, St. Nazianz. At 9 o'clock in the morning in the College Church of St. Ambrose, there took place the ordination to the priesthood of six young clerics, the first to complete the entire course of studies at the college, which opened its doors in 1909. The order of priesthood was conferred by the Right Reverand Paul P. Rhode, D.D., Bishop of Green Bay and long before the services began the church was taxed to its utmost capacity with friends and relatives of the Fathers and clerics. Dinner was served to many visiting guests and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon solemn benediction was given with one of the newly ordained priests. Bebe Friedrick S.D.S., as officiant. Once more on Tuesday morning, the 30th was the church packed upon the occasion of the First Solemn masses of three of the young priets, Willibald Unger S.D.S., Rev. Landeline Glass, S.D.S., and Rev. Emmeran Weidinger S.D.S. The two last named said their first masses at the side altars while Rev. Father Willibald sang solemn high mass at the high altar, with Rev. Simon Borkowski S.D.S. as Deacon and Rev. Bebe Friedrick, S.D.S., as sub deacon. Very Rev. Dorotheus Brugger, Provincial of the Salvatorian Fathers acted as presbyter assistant and Rev. Father Michael Hoess, S.D.S., as master of ceremonies. The sermon, a forceful and eloquent exposition of the priestly office, was preached by the Rev. Father Hammel, pastor of St. Mary's, Menasha and the sanctuary was filled with priests from near and far, come together to do honor to the newly ordained. The music, which was of very high order, was rendered by the choir of the parish church of St. Gregory's through the kindness of the Sisters of the school, who directed the choir and of the pastor, Rev. Epiphanius Diebele, S.D.S., under whom the young men just ordained began their studies at the college. The rest of the young priests will each say his first solemn high mass in the home parish on Sunday, Sept. 4; Father Simon Borkowski in Sheboygan, Father Bebe Friedrich in Amsterdam, N.Y., and Father Winifrid Herbst in Poygen, Wis. Manitowoc Pilot - Thurs., Sept. 1, 1921
FATHER CARL GLEASON SDS Gleason, Fr. Carl SDS Of the Salvatorian community at Alexian Village in Milwaukee, WI, died Feb. 6, 2017, at the age of 88. Born in Columbus, GA, to Julius and Virginia (Moultrie) Gleason, on Sept. 6, 1928. Professed vows in the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on Sept. 8, 1950, and was ordained a priest on Jun. 9, 1956. Ministered in the missions in Tanzania, East Africa, for fifty-four years, until 2010. Preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gerald; and brother-in-law, Aubrey Rhodes. He is survived by his sisters: Virginia Rhodes of Evans, GA, Barbara (Ed) Ginn of Westminster, CA, and Patricia Morris of Augusta, GA; a sister-in-law, Sandra Gleason; as well as his brothers and sisters in the Salvatorian Family. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, February 17 at 11 AM at The Chapel of Alexian Village, 9301 N. 76th St. Visitation Friday at the chapel from 10 AM until time of Mass. Burial Friday, 3 PM at the Salvatorian Cemetery in St. Nazianz, WI. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel February 16, 2017
FATHER JOHN GORMAN SDS The Reverend John E. Gorman, S.D.S. Berlin—The Reverend John E. Gorman, S.D.S. (Society of the Divine Savior) age 76 of Berlin, died Wednesday November 7, 2012 at home. He was born on August 11, 1936 in the Bronx, New York to Monica Mary and Detective John E. Gorman. He attended Saint Angela Merici Elementary School and Mother of the Savior High School in Blackwood, New Jersey. Fr. Gorman began his under-graduate studies in clinical psychotherapy at Fordham University, with an additional year at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. On September 8th, he made first vows with the Society of the Divine Savior. Three years later on December 6, 1969, Father Gorman was ordained as priest by Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York City. The Archbishop had close familial ties to the Gormans and Gannons. The ordination took place in Our Lady Chapel of St. Patrick's in NYC as a treasured kindness of the Cardinal. Following ordination, Father Gorman was appointed Director of Catholic Charities in Camden, New Jersey. Five years later, he was named as Director of Adoptive Services in the same Diocese. Four years later, Father accepted an assignment as chaplain for St. Joseph Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. There he served for nine years. During the next ten years, Father set up a private practice in the Washington, DC/Montgomery County area. Along with Dr. Michael Peterson, M.D., Father helped with the establishment of St. Luke's Institute, first in Holliston, then Suitland. It continues to serve the needs of the chemically addicted and other psychiatric illnesses in Takoma Park, Maryland. After eight years of staff work, Father Gorman accepted the position of Director of Pastoral Services at St. Mary's Church in New Carrollton, Maryland. After thirteen years in this capacity, Father was elected Personnel Director and First Consulter within his Society. Upon the conclusion of six years in this assignment, he took up pastoral work at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland. Following his retirement, Father moved to Ocean City and then to Berlin. He is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Kiernan of Tuckerton, NJ and Berenice Gannon of The Villages, FL and two nephews and eight nieces. One of his last, and telling, pastoral deeds was to officiate at the Baptism of his great-grand niece, Katherine Mae Kiernan, in October of this year. In so many ways he has striven to make the Savior known and loved. May he know the joys of eternal life in the presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A viewing will take place at St. Luke's Church in Ocean City, beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, followed by a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12 noon. Interment will take place in the Cemetery of the Divine Savior at St. Nazianz's, Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, Father John requests donations to be made to St. Luke's Catholic Church, 14401 Sinepuxent Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842 to help reduce the church mortgage.
BROTHER SIMON GRANT SDS Born July 8, 1929 - Died December 10, 1987 Brother Simon Grant (birth name: Ronald John) was born in 1929 in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, a farming community in the northwest part of the state. After graduating from high school in his hometown, he entered the Society’s Novitiate in 1948 in Menominee, Michigan, where he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1949. He remained in Menominee for a year, assisting as cook in the seminary; he was then assigned to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin where he worked in the boiler room; and then Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, caring for the farm and the community house. In 1955, Bro. Simon entered into the field of missionary work, and spent the next twenty-seven years in Tanzania, East Africa, building and caring for many of the mission properties there, and teaching the people to be self-reliant in his very down-to-earth, practical style. He returned to the United States in 1982, and received training as an alcohol rehabilitation counselor, working at a center in Madison, Wisconsin. In mid-1987, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he retired to the Jordan House community in Milwaukee. In the final weeks of his life, he resided in the Hospice unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he approached his impending death with calm faith and courage. He died on December 10, 1987, and was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Strong in his faith and committed to doing his best in helping others, Bro. Simon is remembered as a man who lived religious life by quiet example.
FATHER BARRY GRIFFIN SDS GRIFFIN, Father Barry J., SDS Died February 11, 2008 at Alexian Village in Milwaukee, WI at the age of 73. Birth name: James Whitman Griffin; born January 4, 1935 in Boston, MA; son of John and Marguerite Butters Griffin. Entered the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on September 8, 1957, receiving the religious name "Barry". Ordained to the priesthood in Lanham, MD on February 1, 1964. He was President of the Foundation of St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo, OH for six years. In 1982, he was elected Provincial of the USA Salvatorian Fathers & Brothers and served two terms. For another two terms, he served as Vicar Provincial and Director of Finance. In 1993, he suffered a stroke while in Poland, the effects of which limited his mobility and speech for the rest of his life. He was able, however, to minister at St. Catherine's Parish in McMinnville, TN for six years, and as Pastor of St. John's Parish in Lewisburg, TN for a year before he retired to Alexian Village in 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Paul and John. He is survived by his brothers and sisters in the Salvatorian Community, and by many friends and acquaintances. Funeral Mass Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 7 p.m., at Holy Spirit Chapel at Alexian Village, 9301 N. 76th St., Milwaukee, WI. Visitation Thursday at the Chapel, from 6 p.m. until time of Mass. Burial Friday, February 15, 2008 at 2 p.m., at Salvatorian Cemetery in St. Nazianz, WI. SCHRAMKA FUNERAL HOME, Milwaukee, WI (414) 464-4040.
FATHER WENDELIN GROSS SDS DEATH OF FATHER WENDELIN St. Nazianz, Wis., June 23 - With the death of the Ven. Brother Wendelin here on Friday morning of last week, the last link has been severed that formerly connected the Salvatorian Seminary with the band of intrepid and zealous pioneers who performed for so many years on the state that they set for themselves in this vicinity. Their stage was the clearing made with their own hands in the wilderness and which by dint of much hard labor they expended to considerable proportions durig the few decades after the original band of pioneers established itself where this village now stands. That was in the year 1854 when Father Oschwald and his faithful followers began the task of clearing this stage for themselves and for the actors of another generation who have now succeeded them. Although Brother Wendelin Gross was not one of the original band of pioneers, he was, nevertheless, known as one of the "Old Brothers", who labored for years under the personal guidance of Father Oschwald. he came from Baden where he was born about 84 years ago, according to the reports of those who were associated with him intimately for many years. His arrival here was a few years later than that of the company that was led by Father Oschwald and he was welcomed into the circle of the religious family that was at that time well established and carrying on its labors in a manner that was winning for the community and lasting reputation for industry and piety. For years Brother Wendelin was the only blacksmith in the village and when the Brothers removed to the seminary on the southern shore of the little lake he was placed in charge of the shop that was opened there. Many of the newer generation still retain a pleasing mental picture of that aged blacksmith laboring at his forge. And it was not until the infirmities of advancing age compelled him to seek less strenuous tasks that the venerable brother abandoned the forge and the hard labors associated with it. Among the older members of this community he is still remembered as one who led them in the strenuous tasks of harvest time. He was known as one of the most skillful among them in the handling of the old fashioned cradle with which the early settlers harvested their grain. And they tell, also of his remarkable feats of endurance in walking to the city of Manitowoc, a distance of about eighteen miles, carrying on his back heavy parts of farm equipment that had to be taken their for repair. Unfortunately those old settlers like the late venerable Brother had little time for the writing of history to print. Otherwise, what interesting reading would be available if an accurate written record of their experiences had been kept. Their work was of a more strenuous nature requiring the exercise of patient endurance that would, no doubt prove too severe for most of us of the present day and age. In and about the village of St. Nazianz and the Salvatorian college we find however, the imprint left by workers of those days gone by. They laid well the foundations upon which now rests all that succeeding generations have built to contribute to their own pleasure and to the furthering of the great cause for which those early pioneers like the late Ven. Brother Wendelin labored. And now, as he has passed quietly to the rewards which he sought, we are the state that knew him for so many years in the possession of that new generation. Funeral services for the deceased were held in the church of St. Augustine at the college and interment made in the village cemetery, where the body of Brother Wendelin now rests side by side with those of his numerous associates who preceded him to the Great Beyond. Manitowoc Pilot - Thurs., July 2, 1925 ******** St. Nazianz – On Saturday the funeral of Wendel Gross, better known as Schmidt Wendel, was held from St. Ambros church. He died at the convent of old age. Deceased was one of Father Oshwald’s men. He was 86 years old. Kiel Tri-County Record – June 18, 1925 ******** Wendelin -Oschwald Brother (1842-June 12, 1925 -parents are marked as "unkown" on death record -blacksmith -born Baden -died from "arteriosclerosis and senility")
BROTHER STANISLAUS GUMIENY SDS Born March 5, 1896 - Died February 28, 1989 Brother Stanislaus Gumieny (birth name: Adelbert George Joseph) was born in 1896 in Manistee, Michigan, a city on the shores of Lake Michigan, almost directly across the lake from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He joined the community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, in 1928, and he began his Novitiate that same year. He made his profession of vows on November 1, 1929. A carpenter by trade, this was the primary ministry of Bro. Stanislaus for many years, though he also helped in farming, landscaping and gardening work when needed. His assignments included Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee; the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland; the mission parishes in Jordan, Oregon; Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; St. Joseph's Parish in Huntsville, Alabama; and the retreat center in Colfax, Iowa, after the Novitiate there closed. In 1973, he retired in St. Nazianz. In 1982, health needs required him to move to St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc, where he lived until his death on February 28, 1989, just five days short of his 93rd birthday. He is remembered as a man who knew the value of hard labor, and his skills at carpentry gave the province many solidly-built structures throughout his many years of service. Bro. Stanislaus was outspoken and expressive, often struggling with his temperament, but he was a faithful religious who was proud to use his gifts and talents for the good of the community and the Church. ******** Brother Stanislaus Gumleny, 92, of St. Mary home, Manitowoc, died Tuesday morning, February 28, 1989, at the home. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Thursday at St. Gregory Catholic church, St. Nazianz. Father Paul Portland SDS Provincial, will co-concelebrate the Mass with Father David Christel and Father Cletus LeMere. Stanislaus was born March 8, 1896 at Clay Bake, Michigan, son of the late John and Mary Tomaszewski Gumleny. He attended Elementary School in Manistee, Michigan and was a Carpenter and Farmer for the Salvatorians, Society of the Divine Savior. Brother Stanislaus served at various places and was stationed at St. Nazianz from 1972 to 1983 when he became a member of St. Mary Home. Survivors include members of the Salvatorian Community; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. Christianson-Deja Funeral Home, is in charge of funeral arrangements. Manitowoc Herald Times - Wed., Mar. 1, 1989 - page B5