The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
50th First Profession
Brother Louie Fournier
Birth place: St. Louis
First profession: 1971
Education: Associate degree in hotel/motel management, Forest Park Community College, 1975
Bachelor’s in art education (K-12), Notre Dame College, 1977
Service in the archdiocese: Cook, Marycliff Novitiate Community, Glencoe, 1973-75
Art teacher, Ursuline Academy, 1977-79
Art teacher, Chaminade College Prep, 1989-96
Art teacher, Rosary High School and Trinity High School, 1996-2004
Service outside the archdiocese: Cook, Marianist Scholasticate, San Antonio, 1971-73
Art teacher, Nolan Catholic High School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1979-85
Archivists’ assistant, Marianist Archives, Dayton, Ohio, 2004-09
Artist and gallery assistant, Gallery Saint John at Mount Saint John, Dayton, Ohio, 2009-present
About Brother Louie Fournier: Since entering the Society of Mary as an aspirant in September 1969, I have been blessed to meet even more holy and interesting men and women, professed and lay, Christian and non-Christian. They all have been a help on my journey.
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
50th First Profession
Father Timothy M. Kenney
Birth place: St. Louis
Entrance: 1970
First profession: 1971
Final profession: 1978
Ordination: 1982
Education: Bachelor’s in philosophy and theology, Chaminade University of Honolulu, 1974
Master’s in divinity in pastoral theology, University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, 1982
Master’s in private school administration, Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership, University of San Francisco, 1987
Service in the archdiocese: Director of education, Marianist Province of the U.S., St. Louis, 2002-07
Chaplain and director of campus ministry, St. John Vianney High School, St. Louis, 2007-18
Provincial assistant for religious life, Marianist Province of the U.S., 2018-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, counselor and campus ministry director, Saint Louis School, Honolulu, 1974-77
Teacher, counselor, student council and student activities director, Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, California, 1977-79
Associate pastor, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, San Antonio, 1982-83
Chaplain, campus ministry director, teacher and counselor, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, 1983-87
Assistant principal for academics, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, 1987-89
Assistant for religious life, assistant for temporalities, formation director, Pacific Province of the Society of Mary, Cupertino, California, 1989-92
Principal, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, 1992-2001
About Father Timothy M. Kenney: I cannot believe I am celebrating 50 years as a Marianist in this prophetic and amazing moment in our history: the best of times and the worst of times! I used to look upon golden jubilarians as the old guys. Now, I have a different perspective as I continue to see God at work in my life and ministry. I am so blessed with people who love and encourage me to be better and better. My vows and my priesthood matter to me in my desire to grow in holiness. Through my vocation, over the years, I have come to believe that Christ comes to us in many disguises. I remember seeing that saying on a poster when I visited East Africa. I am honored to have served in four Marianist schools, one parish and on three different provincial administrations. What a blessing to have been a campus minister for many years and to have served in internal ministry and traveled the world: I have been to over 30 countries! Wow, our world is small and I am blessed. I hope and dream that I have another 25 years to live and serve the people of God in our Church and our Marianist Family. Let’s raise together a glass of vino to that hope! How is the world better because I have lived in it? How am I better because I have lived in the world?
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
60th Ordination
Father Joseph Donald Cahill
Birth place: Detroit
First profession: 1949
Ordination: 1961
Education: Bachelor’s in history, St. Mary’s University, 1952
Master’s in guidance, Texas Christian University, 1970
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary’s High School, 1952-56
Teacher and chaplain, St. John Vianney High School, 1962-65, 1969-71, 1973-74, 1992-94
Teacher and chaplain, McBride High School, 1966-67
Teacher and chaplain, St. Mary’s High School, 1971-73
Associate pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, 1981-82, 1984-91, 1994-2004
Chaplain, Curé of Ars Community, 2007-13
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, 1956-57
Associate pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, San Antonio, 1965-66
Teacher and chaplain, Nolan High School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1967-69
Teacher and chaplain, St. Thomas More High School, Milwaukee, 1974-75
Chaplain, St. Francis Hospital, Milwaukee, 1975-78
Chaplain, McGuinness High School, Oklahoma City, 1978-79
Chaplain, Holy Cross Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1979-81
Associate pastor, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Fort Worth, Texas, 1982-83
Chaplain, St. Leonard’s Retirement Community, Dayton, Ohio, 2004-07
About Father Joseph Donald Cahill: I was ordained in Fribourg, Switzerland, on June, 11, 1961, and returned to the United States to celebrate my first Mass at my home parish, Holy Redeemer in Detroit, with my family present. I have served in various ministries: high schools, parishes and hospital ministry. My time at Vianney High School was very positive. Celebrating the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation was powerful for me. In the Eucharist, I experience and imagine the closeness that Mary had with Jesus when He came into our world. In Eucharist, we can all experience the great love of God and His nearness to us. In the sacrament of reconciliation, I was a silent witness to the gracious mercy of a God who loves us more than we know. Those sacraments were and are graces for me, and I hope and pray they were graces for all those who shared them with me. 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.
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
60th Ordination
Father Joseph Uvietta
Birth place: San Antonio
First profession: 1950
Ordination: 1961
Education: Bachelor’s in history, St. Mary’s University, 1952
Doctorate in ministry, University of Fribourg, 1961
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis, 1952-54
Assistant for religious life, St. Louis Province, St. Louis, 1963-67
Teacher and chaplain, Chaminade College Prep, St. Louis, 1967-68
Chairperson and chaplain, Marycliff (St. Louis Provincialate), Glencoe, 1968-73
Teacher, chaplain and community director, St. John Vianney High School, Kirkwood, 1977-84
Provincial, St. Louis Province, 1987-95
Director, Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, Eureka, 1996-2005
Marianist high school board member, chaplain for women’s religious communities, retreat director, spiritual director and supply priest at parishes and nursing homes, while residing at Curé of Ars Community, 1999-2015
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Joseph High School, Victoria, Texas, 1954-56
Teacher and chaplain, Cathedral High School, Belleville, Illinois, 1962-63
Novice master, Marynook Novitiate, Galesville, Wisconsin, 1973-77
President, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas, 1985-87
About Father Joseph Uvietta: Father Uvietta is retired and has resided at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio, Texas, since 2018. He was ordained in Fribourg, Switzerland, on July 16, 1961, and returned to the United States to celebrate his first Mass at his home parish, St. Agnes in San Antonio, and was graced to have his caring family present.
Reflecting on his ministry, Father Uvietta says, “I have been blessed to have encountered so many wonderful people: my brothers, my collaborators in ministry, and my friends in all walks of life. I also have received grace and have been inspired by serving as chaplain for women’s religious communities.” In his ministry, he has helped many people through good times and bad times, walking with them through tough times, helping them cope and guiding them to see how God is with them. A continuing life goal is to recognize the good in each person. Acknowledging the blessing of his vocation and priesthood, Father Uvietta hopes his ministry has helped others saying, “When I celebrate the Eucharist, I always pay attention to the Mass intention and pray especially for the person or situation. I hope that my ministry has been a blessing for others.” In reflection of life as a Marianist, Father Uvietta says, “When I first met the Marianists, I was most impressed by the respect and compassion with which they treated others. When I saw that they treated one other that way, I was sold on becoming a Marianist.”
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
60th First Profession
Brother Kenneth Straubinger
Birth place: Belleville, Illinois
First profession: 1961
Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, St. Mary’s University, 1964
Master’s in business administration, Notre Dame University, 1970
Associate’s in data processing, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, 1984
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher and bookstore manager, McBride High School, 1965-67
Teacher and assistant business manager, Chaminade College Prep, 1971-74
Assistant treasurer, St. Louis Province, 1974-2002
Community director, Maryland Avenue Community, 1980-83
Assistant treasurer, Marianist Province of the U.S., 2002-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Middle and high school teacher at St. Joseph High School, Victoria, Texas, 1964-65
Camp archery instructor, TECABOCA camp, Mountain Home, Texas, 1965
Teacher, business manager and bookstore manager, Roncalli High School, Pueblo, Colorado, 1967-71
About Brother Kenneth Straubinger: As the years go by, it causes one to reflect more how swiftly the years go by. This prompts me to reflect on “How did I get here?” Obviously, it was not only my personal effort. So, I thankfully recall the many, many graces received from our Lord through the love and support of my parents, brothers and sisters and their families. And, finally, but not least, those of the many faith-filled and holy men with whom I lived. A debt of gratitude to all.
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
70th First Profession
Father Robert E. Hackel
Birth place: St. Louis
First profession: 1951
Ordination: 1965
Education: Bachelor’s in history, St. Mary’s University, 1954
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, Chaminade College Preparatory, 1956-57
Teacher, St. Mary’s High School, 1957-60
Teacher and chaplain, St. Mary’s High School, 1965-67
Teacher and chaplain, St. John Vianney High School, 1967-69
Associate pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar, 1978-81
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, St. Joseph High School, Victoria, Texas, 1954-56
Teacher and chaplain, Nolan Catholic High School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1969-75
Teacher and community director, St. Thomas More High School, Milwaukee, 1975-78
Teacher and chaplain, Daniel J. Gross High School, Omaha, Nebraska, 1981-83
Community director, teacher and chaplain, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, 1983-89
Teacher, chaplain, community director, Nolan High School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1989-97
Chaplain, Pillar of Faith Community, Houston, 1997-2004
Community director, teacher and chaplain, Saint Louis School, Honolulu, 2004-08
Director and chaplain, Nolan High School, Fort Worth, Texas 2008-2014
About Father Robert E. Hackel: Father Hackel is currently in retirement from active ministry and residing at the Marianist Community in Cupertino, California. “I have always liked the Society of Mary. Requests for me to assist in some of its ministries have been a great grace. As a priest, the sacrament of reconciliation has been a sign of the Father’s love in bringing Christ to all of us. The joys and challenges of community life have been a means of growth and maturity for me and have given me skills to communicate better and show fraternal appreciation,” he writes.
The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
70th First profession
Brother Norbert J. Karpfinger
Birth place: Milwaukee
First profession: 1951
Education: Bachelor’s in math, St. Mary’s University, 1954
Master’s in science education, Washington University, 1960
Master’s in math, University of Notre Dame, 1964
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, McBride High School, St. Louis, 1954-58
Teacher, Maryhurst Novitiate, Kirkwood, 1958-61
Teacher and community director, St. John Vianney High School, Kirkwood, 1971-78
Administrator, St. Mary’s High School, 1978-80
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and assistant principal, Assumption High School, East St. Louis, Illinois, 1962-68
Teacher and principal, Roncalli High School, Pueblo, Colorado, 1968-71
Teacher, St. Thomas More High School, Milwaukee, 1980-89
Teacher, Vincent Gray Alternative School, East St. Louis, Illinois, 1989-97
Fundraiser, Catholic Daycare Center, East St. Louis, Illinois, 1997-2015
About Brother Norbert J. Karpfinger: Brother Norbert wrote: “It is difficult to imagine that I am celebrating 70 years of Marianist religious life. I believe that I have been greatly blessed the entire time: the first blessing being my family that nurtured me in faith. The next blessing was meeting the brothers at Thomas More High School in Milwaukee. I found my calling there. My Marianist years break down into two sections: I spent the first section, 1954-1989, in service to the Marianist high schools throughout the province. I served as a math and science teacher as well as in administration in St. Louis, Colorado and Wisconsin. I enjoyed teaching and the fine people I was serving. I spent the second section of my life in East St. Louis, where I served for 26 years. I served at Vincent Gray Alternative School for eight years and the Catholic Daycare Center, where I spent 18 years as a fundraiser. I wrote letters to just about everyone I knew, and the response was generous. I also wrote thank-you notes to all who contributed. I felt I made a contribution to the poor people our community served. I retired in 2015 to San Antonio, where I continue to write thank-you notes to those supporting the Marianist Mission. My service of writing thank-you notes is very appropriate for me. I have lived in gratitude all these years due to God’s goodness. Jesus and Mary have been my constant companions.” (Brother Norbert Karpfinger, 89, died June 23, 2021, in San Antonio. He was a beloved teacher, administrator and prolific letter-writer whose fruitful advocacy for the poor and disadvantaged was profiled in The New York Times in 2013.)
