Jubilarians 2024

BROTHER JAMES LEAHY

80 years of profession

I was born on September 2, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY. I have three brothers and one sister. I professed my first vows on August 20, 1944, at Marianist Prep in Beacon, NY. I was blessed to serve in many schools before I retired in 2008 to the Cupertino Marianist Community in Cupertino, CA. I learned quite early in life that I would not be able to do everything for everybody but would be able to do something for somebody. Click here to read more.

FATHER DONALD CAHILL

75 years of profession

I was ordained on June 11, 1961. There were four of us: me, Don Cowie, a Japanese Marianist, and a Spanish Marianist, who went to a nearby German diocese to be ordained with their ordination class. I returned to the United States and celebrated my first Mass at my home parish, Holy Redeemer in Detroit, with my family present. In all my ministries, I continue to know that there is no end to God’s mercy and that He never gives up on us. It has been a blessing. Click here to read more.

BROTHER RICHARD DIX

75 years of profession

I first met the Marianists during my freshman year at Don Bosco High School. The school was just opening, and I was the sixth student to register. I had all Marianist teachers and was impressed by their cheerfulness, happiness, and caring attitude toward the students and each other. This was impressive since they were temporarily living and sleeping in empty classrooms with bedsheet partitions. I was very impressed by what they were doing and how they were doing it. I could see myself doing this. In my junior year, I became a postulant in St. Louis and, a year later, went to the novitiate in Galesville, Wisconsin. Click here to read more.

FATHER ROBERT E. HUGHES

75 years of profession

I first met the Marianist brothers at a very young age, they taught at my grade school, Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C., of particular influence was Bro. Joe Weber in eighth grade. I probably also developed a special devotion to the Blessed Mother at that time. When I asked my parents if I could go to the Postulate at Mount Saint John in Dayton, OH, they were very supportive. After seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland, I learned to love the Church in a special way because of my years of service at the Vatican writing letters to various bishops regarding Vatican II. Click here to read more.

BROTHER LEO SLAY

75 years of profession

Bro. Leo Slay came from a family that had been in the restaurant business since 1911 and has been actively engaged in food service in the Society of Mary since 1949. He’s been a consultant for all types of food service operations, has organized and directed numerous culinary institutes and workshops, and has served as a food service director at Marianist schools. Bro. Leo says, “I believe there is no better way to be happy than to be of service to others.” Click here to read more.

BROTHER WILLIAM BOLTS

70 years of profession

As I look back, I could never have imagined what has unfolded: a variety of teaching positions in various settings and levels, a vast experience of ministries, writing three published volumes and professional articles related to U.S. Catholicism, traveling the United States, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, while in Province leadership, on pilgrimages and study tours, meeting and interacting with such diverse peoples, having a variety of ministries, two of which encompassed 13 years each, and even a foreign assignment. Click here to read more.

FATHER TIMOTHY DWYER

70 years of profession

Thinking back over these years, I’ve come to realize how important “family” has been throughout my entire life. I was born an only child but into a large extended Irish-American family. I don’t think I was ever very conscious of being an “only.” We actually referred to our family as a “tribe” – parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and numerous cousins. We belonged to each other. So, family was important to me from the beginning. Click here to read more.

BROTHER WILLIAM GRUNDISH

70 years of profession 

I have enjoyed my life as a Marianist. My life as an active Marianist could be seen as a life as a teacher, a counselor, and a coach. My life as a Marianist is a constant backdrop to this life. Over time, I discovered that being a Marianist, I took in more than the students I taught, counseled, or coached and all whom I met. When I retired from working in high schools and moved to Cincinnati, I realized more clearly my life as a life of service to the people with whom I work and to my community. Click here to read more.

BROTHER IRWIN WACHTEL

70 years of profession

A neighbor’s family had a son who was a Marianist whom I admired. I entered the postulate at Maryhurst, which led to the novitiate. I was always interested in things scientific and technological, and I enjoyed providing for the physical needs of the community and institution wherever I was assigned. It has been a fulfilling life dedicated to the advancement of the kingdom of God. Click here to read more.

BROTHER ROGER BAU

60 years of profession

Bro. Roger Bau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 1, 1945. He attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and St. John Cathedral High School, graduated from St. Mary’s University with a B.A. in history, Notre Dame University with an M.B.A. in Not-for-Profit Institutions, and Loyola University with a Master’s in Pastoral Studies. Click here to read more.

BROTHER JAMES CONTADINO

60 years of profession

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to choose to remain a Marianist religious, a member of a community of men as part of the larger Family of Mary, consecrated to her, calling others to work together to bring life. With Mary as our model, we are helped to carry in us the care and tenderness that welcomes and heals, the courage to “Do whatever He tells you,” and the faith and endurance to stand at the foot of the cross. Click here to read more.

BROTHER LAWRENCE CORBIN

60 years of profession

Looking back on my 60 years as a Marianist, the one word that keeps coming up is ‘CHANGE.’ Change in the World, Church, Society of Mary, The Province, Community, Ministry, and Self. The only thing that did not change was the Lord’s love for me. There were times when I questioned this love, but Mary would remind me that Her and the Lord’s love was there. Click here to read more.

BROTHER RONALD OVERMAN

60 years of profession

“Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” That quote from Corinthians sums up much of my life as a Marianist. I’ve been blessed with many opportunities and experiences these past 60 years.

I look upon the experiences and ministries in the past and realize that each one brought unique and gifted people with whom to work. I was blessed to have so many generous people as colleagues. I think the Society of Mary mirrors the quote from Corinthians, we have many gifts and a variety of ways of using them for the ministry of the Church. Click here to read more.

BROTHER JOHN HABJAN

60 years of profession

I became impressed with the Marianists while a student at Cathedral Latin School. They were a very happy community of Marianists. I can remember them standing on the porch of the Marianist residence laughing. I was thinking of joining the Marianists when a brother encouraged me to do so. I joined a group of students who talked with the Marianists about joining. The rest is history, I went to novitiate in July 1963. I know I still have a lot to learn, a lot to share with my brothers. I am extremely grateful to Mary and to my brothers for all I have learned through my years as a Marianist. Click here to read more.