In Memoriam

9 July 2023

Stanley Anthony Drongowski was born on September 25, 1951, to Stanley and Grace (Kline) Drongowski in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the first of their four children before Grace passed away in August of 1958. His father later married Dorothy (Horning) Drongowski with whom he had four more children. Stanley began grade school in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, at St. Mary School and completed it in Kent, Ohio, at St. Patrick School. He attended high school at Kent State University School and Roosevelt High School.

From 1969-1974, Stanley attended Kent State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. A significant even happened when Stanley was finishing his freshman year. On May 4, 1970, while he was walking across campus, student protests of the Vietnam War ended with the Ohio National Guard shooting into the crowd, killing four and wounding nine. The trauma of the event remained with Stanley his whole life.  It was also at Kent State that Stanley was inspired and encouraged to become a Dominican Friar by Sr. Diana Culbertson, O.P., one of his literature professors. Soon after graduation, on October 2, 1974, he entered the novitiate for the Province of St. Albert the Great in Dubuque, Iowa.  A year later on October 4, 1974, he professed first vows at St. Rose Priory where he also began studies for the priesthood at Aquinas Institute of Theology. He professed solemn vows on October 7, 1978, in the hands of Fr. Damian Fandal, O.P., and was ordained to the priesthood at St. Rose Priory on October 6, 1979, by Archbishop James Byrne of Dubuque.

Having completed his M.Div. and M.A. in Theology in the Spring of 1980, Fr. Stan moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to begin his first ministry as an associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish which he did for three years. After complementary studies at the Catholic University of America, he was assigned to St. Dominic Parish in Denver (1984-1987) as an associate pastor where he was also elected prior of the community. In 1987, he was asked to prepare to be novice master so he joined a cohort of new formators in the Order for a program at the Angelicum in Rome. He served the province as novice master from 1988-1993.

In 1994, after a brief sabbatical, Fr. Stan moved to St. Louis Bertrand Priory in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was elected prior while completing his D.Min. in Preaching from Aquinas Institute (1996). His next assignment brought him back to Blessed Sacrament in Madison as pastor until 2003. He was once again elected prior (2000-2003). At the end of his term, he moved to the Dominican Ashram, Friends of God, in Kenosha, Wisconsin (2003-2005).

For the last eighteen years of ministry, Fr. Stan worked primarily with college students. He was part of the initial team of Dominicans to run the campus ministry at Indiana University in Bloomington. He was superior of the community at St. Paul for all eight years. His last assignment brought him to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was part of a team of Dominicans beginning a new ministry. Fr. Stan worked as chaplain at Aquinas College for a decade. Through this work, Fr. Stan was known for his availability and encouragement, a trusted advisor to young and old alike. He was set to begin limited service when a cardiac event led to a fall while he was on vacation at the province house in Galena, Illinois. Fr. Donald Goergen, O.P., was with him and immediately called for an ambulance. Fr. Stan died on the way to the hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, on the afternoon of July 9, 2023.

Services were held at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in River Forest, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 18. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30AM preceded by sung Office of the Dead at 9:30AM. Fr. Louis Morrone, O.P., Prior Provincial, presided and Fr. Donald Goergen, O.P., preached. Bishop David Walkowiak of Grand Rapids was the principal concelebrant. Well over one hundred people were in attendance. Funeral arrangements were handled by Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home. He was buried in the Dominican Section at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

5 July 2023

On December 11, 1931, Sophie (Stolowski) and Clinton Paraday welcomed their second of six children, Robert Clinton, into the world in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Longfellow School (1937-1940), Nathanael Greene School (1940-1945) and Kelly High School (1945-1949) all in Chicago.

After two years working in maintenance at a factory, Robert entered the Dominican Novitiate in Winona, Minnesota. He received the habit from V. Rev. Reginald Hughes, O.P., on September 4, 1951 and was given the religious name of Mark. He made simple profession as a cooperator brother on September 5, 1952.

He remained at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona serving in the laundry until 1953 when he was reassigned to St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked in the laundry and kitchen. There he made solemn profession on September 5, 1958. In 1959 he moved to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago where he worked in the kitchen and laundry as well as ministered in the parish and taught leadership courses.

In 1965, Fr. Paraday moved to the Provincial Vicariate in Bolivia, a ministry which shaped the remainder of his Dominican life. After language studies in Cochabamba, he worked in Oruro and La Paz as the procurator and youth moderator until 1967. He then worked in Cochabamba as the director of the Youth Center, high school teacher and a leader in the charismatic renewal until 1973. In addition to religion classes, Fr. Paraday taught two-hour long dance classes to high school boys so that they would have greater confidence at their school dances, which was a great success!

From 1973 until 1982, he was assigned to Santa Cruz and continued working in the charismatic renewal and pastoral work with the marginalized. While there, he requested a change in status from cooperator to clerical brother and began studies for the priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Institute in Santa Cruz as well as the Theological Institute of Higher Studies in Cochabamba. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 11, 1983, by Bishop Pedro Lira at La Mansion in Santa Cruz. He began his priestly ministry in Cochabamba where he remained until 2006. There he continued his charismatic work as director of Centro San Martin de Porres (1984-1987) in addition to working as a Community Coordinator. In 1987, Fr. Paraday was elected to the first of two terms as the Vicar Provincial for Bolivia. He also served as economic administrator of the Vicariate, house superior, prison chaplain and hospital chaplain during his years of ministry in Bolivia.

Fr. Paraday return to Chicago in 2006 and became the associate director of the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus which he did until 2010. He then worked for one year as the Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, Missouri. Travel to and from the parish became quite burdensome as he was no longer driving, so he retired to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago, Illinois. Due to failing health, Fr. Paraday moved to Bethesda Senior care in June of 2023. The community discovered many small chores he had been attentive to when he moved out as glassware was no longer being put away and the coffee was no longer ready at 4:30am. Fr. Richard Litzau, O.P., Prior of St. Pius V, sat with Fr. Paraday for most of the day on July 5 before he passed away that evening. In his funeral homily for Fr. Paraday, Fr. Patrick Rearden, O.P., shared that Fr. Paraday’s liturgical training was perhaps insufficient as he gave the episcopal blessing at the end of his first Mass, a mistake he never repeated.

Office of the Dead and Mass of Christian Burial were held at St. Pius V Parish on July 10, 2023. V. Rev. Louis Morrone, O.P., Prior Provincial, presided and Fr. Patrick Rearden, O.P., preached. Fr. Paraday was laid to rest in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.

4 June 2023

On May 27, 1929, Warren William Bryce was the last of six sons born to Ida (Koehler) and Edward Bryce in Chicago, Illinois. He attended St. Pius V Grammar School (1936-44), St. Ignatius High School (1944-48), and DePaul University (1948-50).

On August 30, 1950, he received the Dominican habit at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota, and was given the religious name of Vincent. He made his first profession on August 31, 1951, and then began his studies at St. Thomas Aquinas House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Vinnie (as he came to be known) moved to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he made his Solemn Profession on August 31, 1954. From 1954-58 he engaged in his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1957, by the Archbishop of Dubuque.

From 1958-64 he served as associate pastor of Holy Rosary Parish and then at Holy Ghost Parish in Hammond, Louisiana from 1964-68. In 1968 Vinnie was pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Houston, Texas, and then as pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest, Illinois, from 1970-79.

Following brief stints in campus ministry at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota (1980), and as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Crookston, Minnesota (1980-81), Vinnie became pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Middle River, Minnesota (1981-83).

From 1983-95 Vinnie was pastor of St. Gertrude Parish in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He then moved to be pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Edmore, Michigan and St. Bernadette of Lourdes in Stanton, Michigan (1995-2002).

In 2002 Vinnie moved to St. Pius V. Priory in Chicago, Illinois and then in 2003 to St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis, Missouri. With declining health, he moved in 2020 to Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis, where he died on June 4, 2023 during the Provincial Chapter. Louis Morrone, O.P., presided at his funeral and DePorres Durham, O.P., preached. The funeral was held at St. Dominic Priory, St. Louis, Missouri, on June 10, 2023. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 

27 May 2023

On January 31, 1940, Francis Leon Witchousky was born to Frank and Helen (Thayer) Witchousky in Aurora, Illinois. He had an older sister Jo Anne.

He attended St. Peter Grade School in Aurora from 1946-54. This was followed by Marmion Military Academy also in Aurora (1954-58). Following high school, he went to St. Procopius College in Lisle, Illinois (1958-60). In 1961-62 he attended Smith Hall at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, in preparation for entering the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great.

On August 30, 1962, he received the Dominican habit and began his novitiate at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota. At this time, he received the religious name of Peter. He made his profession on August 31, 1963, and moved to begin his studies in philosophy at the House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Three years later, on August 31, 1966, he made his Solemn Profession and proceeded to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa to study theology. Peter was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1969.

Peter’s first assignment was to teach religion at Fenwick High School in River Forest, Illinois. While at Fenwick, he was also the director of Fenwick’s theatre program. He was at Fenwick from 1969-76 at which time he moved to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, Wisconsin where he served as pastor until 1982.

Following a year of sabbatical, Peter spent 1983-84 on the pastoral staff of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest, Illinois. In 1984 he became Promoter of Vocations for the Province, a position he held until 1991. In 1992 he became chaplain at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois. In 2004 he became chaplain to the Dominican Sisters at their Motherhouse in Springfield. He held this position until deteriorating health forced him into full retirement.

On May 15, 2023, Peter was moved to the St. Pius V Priory assisted living center in Chicago. He died on May 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jo Anne. He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Buchanan, and his niece, Jorie Carson, and many other extended family members.

The body was received into St. Pius V Parish, Chicago, Illinois at 10:00 a.m. on June 6, immediately followed by Office of the Dead and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

25 May 2023

During the night of May 25, Father Benedict T. Viviano, O.P., STL, PhD, STM died in his sleep at the Resurrection Life Center in Chicago, Illinois. Fr. Viviano was internationally renowned as a scholar of sacred scripture, particularly of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Thomas Michael Viviano was born on January 22, 1940, to Frank G. Viviano and Carmeline Chiappetta Viviano in St. Louis, Missouri. For primary school he attended City House Academy (Barat Hall) from 1945-48 and Immacolata Parochial (Clayton) 1948-53. He then attended Christian Brothers Military High School, graduating in 1957.

Following high school Fr. Viviano studied from 1957-59 at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in preparation to enter the Dominican Order, Province of St. Albert the Great. He entered the novitiate at St. Peter Martyr Priory, Winona, Minnesota, receiving the Dominican habit on August 30, 1959. At that time, he received the religious name of Benedict. On August 31, 1960, he made his religious profession of simple vows.

Following his novitiate Fr. Viviano began philosophical studies at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. It was there that he made his solemn profession on August 31, 1963. From River Forest he moved to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he studied theology and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1966. 

After his ordination Fr. Viviano studied at The Pontifical Institute of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. from 1966-67, where he attained both a Lectorate and Licentiate in Sacred Theology. In 1969 he received a Bachelor of Sacred Scripture from The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy, a PhD in Bible from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina (1976), and a License in Sacred Scripture (cum mentione speciale) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1977).

Fr. Viviano’s teaching experiences began at The Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1972-81 and in St. Louis, 1981-84. He then taught at the Dominican Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem, 1984-95. At this time, he served as editor of The Revue Biblique. Following his time at the Ecole, he moved to become Professor of New Testament at the Dominican University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He taught there from 1995-2011.

A prodigious writer, in 1978 Fr. Viviano’s doctoral Dissertation was published as part of the Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity, Study as Worship: Aboth and the New Testament. He was co-editor of The Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible (1986). In 1988 The Kingdom of God in History was published and was later translated into French. He was also the author of the Commentary on Matthew in The New Jerome Bible Commentary (1989). In addition to other books, he was also the author of numerous articles and reviews, contributing to almost every major biblical journal.

Following his retirement from The University of Fribourg in 2011, Fr. Viviano divided his year between the Dominican community in Vienna, Austria and St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2019 health challenges required his permanent relocation to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago, Illinois.

Fr. Viviano was deeply loved and respected by his Dominican brothers and all who had the opportunity to know him and receive the fruits of his wisdom as well as his wit. He will be deeply missed by them but especially by his sister Patricia Viviano Tecu and her sons Matthew, Peter (and wife Caterina), and Joshua Tecu. He was preceded into eternal life by his parents and his brother Paul Vincent Viviano.

Services for Fr. Viviano were held on Saturday, June 3 at the chapel of St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis, Missouri. Reception of the body was at 10 a.m. followed by the Office for the Dead and visitation. The Mass of Christian Burial began at 11 a.m. followed by a lunch reception. He was interred in the Viviano family plot in Calvary Cemetery. 

3 March 2023

Jon Albert Alexander was born on March 31, 1943, to John and Margaretta Alexander in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jon studied History and Education at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from 1961-1965 and then matriculated to Temple University in Philadelphia where in 1971 he was awarded a Ph.D. with a specialization in American History.

Following a year of teaching at Jackson State University, he went to study at the Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was at Harvard that Jon encountered Thomas O’Meara, O.P. who was instrumental in instructing Jon about Catholicism and bringing him into the faith and, eventually, into the Dominican Order. Jon received an M.T.S. degree from Harvard in 1974 and then entered the Dominicans in Dubuque, Iowa.

Jon was simply professed as a cooperator brother on October 4, 1975 and began teaching American Studies at The Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque (1976-1980). From 1981-1983 he taught as Assistant Professor of History and Lecturer in Religious Studies at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. 

Jon then changed his status from that of cooperator brother to cleric and did supplemental studies at The Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 10, 1986, in the Old Cathedral in St. Louis by Bishop Thomas Cajetan Kelly, O.P. Jon’s first pastoral assignment was as a parochial vicar at the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He was in Albuquerque until 1989 when he became Director of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. From 1991-1994 he was the parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and from 1994-1998 he was in campus ministry at St. Francis Newman Center in Silver City, New Mexico.

In 1998 Jon returned to Providence College as Associate Professor of History and Religious Studies. He was a very popular professor during his time at Providence and remained there until 2014. Jon then returned to New Mexico as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Cerillos. He was also responsible for Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Mission and San Francisco de Assisi Mission (2014-2016).

After a year helping in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis with residence at St. Albert the Great Priory, Jon moved in 2017, due to declining health, to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago. He died in Chicago the morning of March 3, 2023, from cancer.

Jon was known for his acute intellect. His field of academic interest was colonial history and early American religious experience. It was in these areas that he wrote and published many articles and several books. Jon was also known for his incisive (and at times irreverent) humor. He would regale contemporaries with his rewritten songs. He also loved horses and horseback riding. Many experienced Jon as a gentle and generous man.

His funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, March 9, at St. Pius V Parish, Chicago, and interment was at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.

3 February 2023

Joseph Robert Hereley was born on April 28, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to Harry and Helen (Buckley) Hereley. He had three sisters: Patricia, Helen, and Mary. 

From 1935-1942 Joseph attended St. Jerome and Our Lady of Victory elementary schools in Chicago. He then attended DePaul Academy from which he graduated in 1946. Following high school, he entered the Army and was discharged in 1948 with the rank of Corporal.

After his army service Joseph attended DePaul University in Chicago (1949) and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (1949-1950). He then left studies for positions at the brokerage firm of Paul H. Davis & Co. (1950-1951), the import-export division of Armour & Co. (1951-52), and Commerce Clearinghouse, Inc., as an editor (1952-1955). At this time, he returned to study at Loyola University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. Following this he worked at the brokerage firm of A.J. Krenske & Co. (1955-1956).

He entered the Dominican novitiate at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota, where on August 30, 1956, he received the habit from the V. Rev. J.E. Marr, O.P., and was given the religious name of Peter. Br. Peter made his first profession on August 31, 1957, in the hands of Rev. George Kinsella, O.P. After his novitiate, Br. Peter began his philosophical studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest, Illinois. On August 31, 1960, he made his Solemn Profession. 

Br. Peter studied theology from 1960-1964 at St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was ordained a deacon in 1962. On April 15, 1963, he was ordained a priest by Bishop George Biskup. Fr. Hereley’s first assignment after ordination was as associate pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest. This was followed in 1967 by his assignment as co-director of the Catholic Campus Parish at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. In 1970 he was assigned as Chaplain-Director of Holy Trinity Newman Center at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. 

In 1980, Fr. Hereley was asked by Fr. Damian Fandal, the Provincial, to establish and direct the Office for Radio and Television for the Province of St. Albert the Great, with residence at St. Pius V Priory. He worked first with preachers and teachers to give them an opportunity to develop skills for working with media. From 1985-1991, as Director and Producer of Dominican Central Productions, he directed over thirty television productions which were eventually broadcast on educational channels throughout the country such as the Eternal Word Television Network and the Catholic Telecommunications of America.

Fr, Hereley preached for Food for the Poor (1989-1992) and then for The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (1992-1993), residing at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest. From 1992-1996, he became the Business Manager for the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem and served as the procurator for St. Stephen Priory there. He returned to preaching for The Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, with residence at St. Vincent Ferrer Priory in River Forest.  From 1996-2002 he was prior at St. Vincent Ferrer Priory in River Forest, where he continued to reside. From 1998-2011 he was also President of The American Friends of the Ecole Biblique.

In 2020, due to diminished health, he moved to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago. He died on February 3, 2023.  He will be missed by his Dominican family and by his birth family. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He always tried to set a good example for them, and his family was very proud of him. Most of them are named Marren (through his sister Mary) and some Kilbridge (through his sister Helen) and some Coniglio (nee Biernat) through his sister Patricia. He was the last living Hereley of which his family is aware. He had a vice-grip handshake and a famous booming laugh.

His funeral Mass was celebrated 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius V Parish, 1919 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, February 10, 2023, with the Office of the Dead and viewing at 10:00 a.m. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.

26 November 2022

John Daniel Blake was born in Perry, Iowa, on May 7, 1925, to Ethel West Blake and Alfred Blake. He attended St. Patrick Primary and Secondary School at St. Patrick’s in Perry.

After high school he went to Smyth Hall at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa for two years before entering the novitiate in River Forest, Illinois, where he received his Dominican habit and the religious name of Vincent on June 24, 1944. He made his first profession on June 25, 1945. Fr. Blake received a Bachelor of Philosophy in 1947 and a Licentiate in Philosophy in 1948 granted by the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. 

Fr. Blake was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1951. He completed a Master of Theology degree at the Dominican House of Studies at St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque in 1952.

After his ordination Fr. Blake began a ministry in teaching. First, he taught French at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois (1952-57), Religion at St. Joseph High School in Jackson, Mississippi (1957-58), and Philosophy at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas (1958-63). After his teaching career Fr. Blake went as Associate Pastor to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, Wisconsin (1963-69).

In 1969 Fr. Blake was assigned to Santa Cruz in the Dominican vicariate of Bolivia. Fr. Blake was challenged to address the extreme poverty he saw in young boys deserted by their families and sleeping in the alleyways. He established a home for these boys and taught them. He would make an annual return to the United States to solicit charity for them. Fr. Blake was then made Novice Master for the Dominican Friars of the Vicariate.

Experiencing declining health, in 1995 Fr. Blake returned to the United States after twenty-five years in Bolivia. Between 1995 and 2011 he lived in Dominican Priories in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; and Chicago. In 2017 Fr. Blake retired to Resurrection Life Center where he died on November 26, 2022. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Pius V Parish, 1919 South Ashland Ave., Chicago on December 1, 2022. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

21 November 2022

Michael Allan Champlin was born on January 15, 1939, to Smith M. and Noreen M. (Kirby) Champlin in St. Paul, Minnesota. He attended Nativity Grade School (1945-54) and Cretin High School, both in St. Paul. Following high school Michael attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa (1957-59) in preparation for entering the Dominican Order. 

On August 30, 1959, Michael received the Dominican habit at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota. At the same time, he was given the religious name of Eugene. He made his first profession on August 31, 1960, after which he moved to St. Thomas Aquinas Priory in River Forest, Illinois where he was solemnly professed on August 31, 1963. At that time, he was granted both a Licentiate as well as an M.A. in philosophy. 

Following his solemn profession, he began his theological studies at St. Rose of Lima Priory and the Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained a priest on June 3, 1966, at St. Rose after which he undertook studies in Communication Arts at Notre Dame University and later did graduate studies in education. From 1967-69 he was a professor at the Dominican studium.  Around that same time, he took the opportunity to return to his baptismal name of Michael. 

In 1970 he became a member of the Dominican Evangelical Preaching Team in Denver, Colorado. This began a lifelong passion for evangelical preaching which was to continue for the remainder of his life.

Michael became a founding member of the Thomas More Center for Preaching and Prayer in 1979, in Webster, Wisconsin, with his brother, Carson Champlain, O.P., who preceded him to eternal life: Nicholas Punch, O.P.; and Sister Joan Bukrey, O.S.F. Together they shared their gifts for preaching internationally, especially throughout the United States and Australia.

Michael joined his parents and brother Carson in celebrating God’s loving mercy on November 21, 2022, after a lifetime of touching and transforming the lives of countless women and men throughout the world. 

The funeral Mass for Michael was celebrated on December 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest, Illinois. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

19 November 2022

On November 19, 2022, Fr. Richard John Woods, O.P. went to the mercy of God. Richard died peacefully in Tallaght, Ireland, where he had been hospitalized for several months due to brain and neck injuries resulting from falls. 

John Francis Woods was born on July 30, 1941, to James Everett and Margaret (Corcoran) Woods in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 1947-1959 he attended St. Mary’s Grade School, Regina Caeli Junior High, and St. Mary’s High School. He then attended The Catholic University of America, the University of New Mexico, and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

In August of 1962 he entered the Dominican Novitiate at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota. On August 30, 1962, he received the Dominican habit and was given the religious name of Richard. At the end of his novitiate, Richard was simply professed on August 31, 1963.

Proceeding to the Dominican House of Philosophy (St. Thomas Aquinas Priory) in River Forest, Illinois, Richard began his studies in philosophy. He received a B.A. / Ph.B. in 1964 and an M.A. / Ph.L.  in 1966. On August 31, 1966, he made his Solemn Profession.

After his time in River Forest, and as a Dominican student brother preparing for the priesthood, Richard matriculated at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa, from which he received an M.A. in Theology. On April 15, 1968, he was ordained to the diaconate and on May 24, 1969, to the priesthood. 

Richard did postgraduate studies in Film Study at DePaul University in Chicago the summer of 1965, Journalism the summer of 1967 at the University of Minnesota, and from 1974-75 at the Religious Experience Research Unit at Manchester College, Oxford, England.

Following his ordination to priesthood Richard began doctoral studies at Loyola University, Chicago. In 1978 Richard received his Ph.D. from Loyola in Philosophy of Religion. His dissertation was, “The Social Dimension of Mysticism: The Meaning and Structure of Religious Experience in the Philosophy of William Ernest Hocking.”

Among many other awards and honors, Richard received the honorary Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) by the Dominican Order in 2000.

Richard’s teaching experience contributed to numerous institutions throughout the United States, particularly with the Institute of Pastoral Studies of Loyola University in Chicago, and the Dominican University in River Forest from 2000-2022. From 1991-1997 he was also a visiting tutor and lecturer at Blackfriars Hall, the University of Oxford, England. In 1999 he was awarded the Aquinas Lectureship at Emory University in Atlanta.

Richard was a prolific producer of books, articles, and lectures in professional journals and societies. To say he was a renaissance man would be an understatement. His interest in and contribution to the scholarship included spirituality and mysticism, sexuality, the Celtic harp (which he played masterfully), Celtic studies, the occult, and Meister Eckhart. He also wrote or contributed to five volumes of fiction. Another contribution was fifty-two columns in The National Catholic Reporter. The breadth of his interests and his production were exemplary.

Richard was predeceased by his parents and older brother, James Woods, Jr.  He leaves nephew Michael Woods (Lisa), nieces Teresa Woods (Gary), Cathy Woods (John), and Shari Thieman-Greene (Jamie), along with a large extended family.  His primary residence was in Chicago, but he often spent summers at the family cottage in Arklow, Ireland.  He passed while in Ireland.

A wake service combined with Vespers was held at St. Mary's Priory in Tallaght, Ireland. The Mass of Christian Burial took place there on November 25. Richard's body was interred in the Dominican cemetery in the priory garden at St. Mary's. A memorial Mass was celebrated at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, on January 14, 2023.