“Lift your eyes often to Heaven; and see that this life is only a passage to eternity.”
St. Francis de Sales
Living the Legacy
Their Work Lives On: The legacies of deceased Oblates live on through the parishes and schools where they serve. Other Oblates’ legacies are more formally acknowledged through organizations, scholarships, publications, and awards. Please find these illustrated in the profiles below.
Fr. William Keech, OSFS, 1926-1923
Teacher, pastor, artist, counselor, veteran
Salesianum Veteran Alumni Association
Keech Service Award, Salesianum School
Salesian Service Award: Honoring Rev. William Keech, OSFS - Feb 2021
“View from the Pew” DeSales World Summer 2021
"Unhappy is death without the love of Christ; unhappy is love without the death of Christ!”
St. Francis de Sales
Fr. William A. Guerin, OSFS, 1929-2017
Teacher, counselor, networker, fundraiser
Fr. Bob Brown, OSFS, 1934-2012
Pastor, teacher, counselor
SOAR (Supporting Our Aging Religious) Fr. Bob Brown, OSFS Good Samaritan Award. This spotlights individuals who serve by the motto, “the measure of love is to love without measure.” (St. Francis de Sales)
Award winners:
2023 Sr. Mary Bader, DC, CEO, St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families
2022 Michael F. Curtin, Jr., CEO, DC Central Kitchen
2021 Recipient Terry O’Hare Lavoie
"We must live a dying life, and we must die a living death in the life of our Lord.”
St. Francis de Sales
Fr. John Nees, OSFS, 1924-1996
Teacher, psychologist, crusader for the physically challenged
1992: Fr. Nees receives Man of the Year award from Grand Knight, William Quinn, Knights of Columbus (Fr. Sandy Pocetto, OSFS on right)
The Fr. John Nees, OSFS, Picnic for the Physically Challenged, was started by Fr. Nees in 1969.
The tradition continues each summer in Warrington, PA.
Honoring Oblates in our Schools
Each year at Commencement, graduates of schools connected to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales receive awards named in honor of deceased Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Additionally, DeSales University has established multiple endowments honoring Oblates.
DeSales University
Student Life Awards
Fr. James Finnegan, OSFS Community Service Award for Outstanding Individual
Fr. James Finnegan, OSFS Community Service Award for Outstanding Organization
Scholarship Endowments
Fr. Bernard Donahue, OSFS Scholarship
Fr. J. Stuart Dooling, OSFS Scholarship
Fr. James P. Finnegan, OSFS Scholarship
Rev. William Guerin, OSFS Scholarship
Fr. Daniel G. Gambet Scholarship
Fr. Aloysius J. Gaffigan, OSFS Scholarship
Programmatic Chair Endowments
Fr. Thoms J. Furphy, OSFS Chair in Economics
Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS Chair in Moral Theology
Academic Program-Directed Endowments
Fr. Thomas J. Furphy, OSFS Memorial Lectureship in Catholic Political Thought
Salesianum School
Bl. Louis Brisson Social Justice Award: Advanced understanding of the global nature of the Body of Christ and solidarity. Exemplified through innovative service work that exhibits a keen understanding of social justice issues or a student that has taken the goals and values of the Christian Service and/or BRIDGE program beyond the confines its requirements.
The Rev. James B. Donovan, OSFS Memorial Medals for excellence in ENGLISH
The Rev. Robert D. Kenney, OSFS, First President of Salesianum, BRONZE MASTER AWARD for the student ranking third highest over a four year period.
The Rev. George J. Konstanzer, OSFS, Memorial Medals for excellence in MATHEMATICS
The Rev. Thomas A. Lawless, OSFS, GOLD MASTER AWARD for the student ranking the highest over a four year period
Rev. John Naulty, OSFS Memorial Award: Recognizes the value of musical education
Rev. John T. Spragg, OSFS, Memorial Medals for excellence in DRAMATICS
The Very Rev. Canon J. Francis Tucker, OSFS, Memorial Medals for LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE to the Salesianum Community as a member of the STUDENT COUNCIL
Father Judge High School
The Fr. Louis Brisson, OSFS Award for Academic Excellence is given at graduation to a student from the learning center who has shown the most growth and improvement in his studies
The Fr. John Hurley, OSFS Award is given at the honors convocation in May to the senior who has demonstrated leadership and skills in the Model United Nations program (founded in Oblate schools by Fr. Hurley).
St. Francis de Sales High School
In honor of Fr. John Lehner, OSFS, The Chappuis Mother’s Club gives $1000 to a graduating senior for college.
Bishop Ireton High School
The Fr. Al Smith, OSFS Scholarship recognizes and encourages participation in the BI Swim and Dive Team. The scholarship is need-based and provides partial support for a Bishop Ireton student.
Father Al was a former Bishop Ireton teacher and moderator. He taught biology at Bishop Ireton from 1965 to 1979 and moderated and coached the swim and dive team.
"In heaven, we shall fulfill and perfect eternally the good and Christian friendships we have only begun in this world."
St. Francis de Sales
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