June 3, 2011
Four celebrate priesthood jubilees at St. Meinrad
Noting their anniversaries are Benedictine Fathers Meinrad Brune, Timothy Sweeney, Guerric DeBona and Harry Hagan, posing at St. Meinrad Archabbey. Click for a larger version.
The Benedictine monks at St. Meinrad Archabbey celebrated the 50-year priesthood jubilee of Benedictine Fathers Timothy Sweeney Meinrad Brune, and the 25-year priesthood jubilee of Father Harry Hagan and Father Subprior Guerric DeBona, on May 29.
Father Timothy, a native of Indianapolis, made his profession of vows on August 15, 1956, and was ordained on May 7, 1961.
Father Timothy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Meinrad College and a Master of Divinity from the Seminary and School of Theology, a licentiate in sacred theology from Pontifical International Institute of St. Anselm, Rome, and a licentiate in philosophy from Institut Catholique, Paris, France.
From 1968-78, Father Timothy taught philosophy at St. Meinrad College. In 1970, he was named subprior (third in leadership) of the monastic community, serving in that role for five years. He was then appointed prior (second in leadership) of the monastic community, from 1975-78.
On June 2, 1978, Father Timothy was elected archabbot of St. Meinrad. Under his leadership, construction was completed on a new monastery and a new library. In addition, the former monastery was renovated into St. Anselm Hall and plans were begun to renovate the Archabbey Church.
After resigning as archabbot in 1995, Father Timothy served as pastor of Parish of the Immaculate in Owensboro, and later at St. Paul Parish in Tell City. He currently teaches philosophy in the Seminary and School of Theology.
Father Meinrad is a native of Indianapolis. He made his profession of vows on August 15, 1956, and was ordained on May 7, 1961. Father Meinrad earned his bachelor’s degree and Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad and a Master of Arts in political theory from Butler University.
From 1962-67, Father Meinrad taught history at the St. Meinrad High School. In 1968, he was appointed assistant professor of history and political science at the St. Meinrad College, where he served for 10 years. He has also served as chairman of the Archabbey Liturgy Com-mittee and master of ceremonies II.
In 1984, he was appointed associate director for the St. Meinrad Seminary Alumni Association. A year later, he was appointed alumni director, serving for eight years. In 1995, he was named to his current position as director of the Benedic-tine Oblate program.
Father Guerric, of Jamaica, N.Y., made his profession of vows on August 6, 1981, and was ordained on May 4, 1986. Father Guerric has a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, a Master of Div-inity from St. Meinrad Semi-nary and School of Theology, and a doctorate from Indiana University.
From 1985-89, Father Guerric served as vocation director for the monastery. From 1986-89, he taught English literature at St. Meinrad College. He also served as associate dean of students and dean of college seminarians.
Currently, he serves as subprior and novice and junior master for the monastery. He is also director of Hispanic ministry and associate professor of homiletics for the Seminary and School of Theology, as well as formation dean for the monastic students.
Father Harry is a native of Louisville. He made his profession of vows on August 24, 1972, and was ordained on September 20, 1986. Father Harry has a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Meinrad College, a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad School of Theology, a Master of Arts in religious studies from Indiana University, and a licentiate and doctorate in sacred Scripture from Pontifical Biblical Institute.
Father Harry joined the faculty of St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1979, where he has served as associate dean of students, dean of students and provost-vice rector. He also served as novice and junior master in the monastery. He is currently an associate professor of Scripture in the Seminary and School of Theology.