We asked our jubilarians to share something surprising about themselves that others, including their fellow friars, might not know.
Fr. John Bok, OFM
60 Years Priesthood
Fr. John Bok’s nephew, Troy Apke, is a free safety for the Washington Commanders. Photo by a family member.
My brother, Jim, and I have a great-nephew who is on the Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins) football team. He just finished his four-year rookie contract and signed a one-year new contract to play this coming season. His name is Troy Apke and his number is #30. He played safety at Penn State and was drafted by Washington in 2018 in the fourth round, the 109th pick of the draft. He was on the roster as a safety during his first three seasons, but was asked to move to cornerback last season. Most of his playing time is with the special teams during punts and kick-offs. He is very fast, and usually is the first player downfield. His father, Steve, is our sister’s son and played football at the University of Pittsburgh and played three games with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the strike during the 1987 NFL season. His mom, Sue, ran track for Pitt. Troy got his speed and athleticism from his mom and dad, not from Jim and me.
Br. John Carey, OFM
65 Years Profession
Br. John Carey, OFM
It was the luck of the Irish! During my vacation to Michigan in 2020, my luck was winning $2,500, which encouraged me to give the money to the poor, the Poor Clares, a province staff member and to Covenant House. I was happily lucky!
Br. Vincent Delorenzo, OFM
50 Years Profession
Br. Vince Delorenzo, OFM
I don’t know how many folks know that until the time when I went to Jamaica in 2003, I did stained glass work. One of my biggest projects was the windows for the Poor Clare Monastery here in Cincinnati for their prayer room. I also did the door for the tabernacle there. John Schreck, OFM, made the cabinet.
I am not sure how many folks know that I played the accordion for many years. I was getting ready to be teacher, but then I went to Sacred Heart College Seminary in Detroit to study for the diocesan priesthood and then entered the formation program for the friars at Duns Scotus.
Stained glass window created by Br. Vince Delorenzo for the Poor Clare Monastery. Photo by Sr. Vickie Griner, OSC
Fr. Harold Geers, OFM
70 Years Profession
Fr. Harold Geers, OFM
Fr. Blane Grein, OFM
60 Years Priesthood
Fr. Blane Grein, OFM
This is something that might surprise people: I eat very little fresh fruit! In my 86 years, I do not think that I have ever eaten a raw orange, pear, apple, grapes, etc. right off of the tree or out of the fruit basket in a store. That is why my grandfather liked it when I was picking fruit in the orchard on his farm; he knew every piece went into my basket and none in my mouth. You put those fresh apples in a pie and cook it, and I will eat the whole pie; or make apple sauce, and I will eat that whole bowl. A banana was one of the very few fresh fruits that I would eat. Then, when I was over in the Philippines, I would eat fresh pineapples or a fresh mango, but not much more.
Fr. Bryant Hausfeld
65 Years Profession
Fr. Bryant Hausfeld, OFM
I spent 60 years of my ministry in the Southwest (Arizona and New Mexico) among the Navajo and Pueblo Indians and Hispanic people. It might be surprising to people to know that much of my priestly life was spent helping young people, especially those in the penitentiary. I started a ministry called Ten for the Pen, where people would send me $10 a month and I would give it to the inmates to call their husbands, wives or kids. It helps them feel as though they’re not alone and have someone to turn to. It’s been good for me to stay in contact with people I care about.
Fr. Bert Heise, OFM
65 Years Priesthood
Fr. Bert Heise, OFM
I have 20/20 vision, although when reading, I do have to use my old glasses to keep from tiring. Most of my life, I’ve had to wear glasses, so what is the miracle now? A number of years ago, you were able to get lenses in your eyes that would give you perfect vision. My implant slowly weakened and I had to get glasses and I forgot about having it done. Something in the past year caused the film to dissolve. Ergo…
Br. Tim Lamb, OFM
25 Years Profession
Br. Tim Lamb, OFM
In 1972, the age to vote was lowered to 18, and that was me. Not only was I able to vote, I was also eligible to run for political office. I was beginning my freshman year at the University of New Hampshire and was asked to run for the New Hampshire state legislature. I was unopposed in the Democratic primary, so I ended up on the same ballot as George McGovern in the November general election. As we know, McGovern lost in a big way to Richard Nixon. (We all know what happened to him.) I lost by 26 votes. I am not sure how my life would have changed if I won. It is important to know that at the time, New Hampshire had one of the largest legislative bodies, some 400 plus people; one representative for every 2,000 people.
Fr. Fred Link, OFM
60 Years Profession
Fr. Fred Link, OFM
This may come as a surprise. One of my greatest joys as a friar has been directing choirs. At both Bishop Luers in Ft Wayne, and at Roger Bacon in Cincinnati, I directed three choirs of high school students. At Holy Rosary in Houma, it was a choir of adult women and men, including our brothers Paul Desch, Edwin Deane and Lou Bartko. At the cathedral in Cincinnati, I directed a choir of more than 100 men and women religious, singing in a packed cathedral to celebrate the International Year of Consecrated Life. Even now, in retirement, I am directing a small group of our junior high students who lead the singing at St. Clement’s weekly school Mass.
But of all my choir experiences over the years, my favorite memory is of starting a “swing choir” at Bishop Luers, called “the Minstrels,” and beginning the first competition in the country for such choirs. The contest was seen on PBS stations in all 50 states and had students competing from a number of states throughout the Midwest. The First Annual Bishop Luers Swing Choir Contest was held in 1975. Not too long ago I received an invitation to return to Luers for the 48th Annual Luers Midwest Show Choir Invitational. The Luers Invitational is an amazing story; perhaps I will have the opportunity to write about that in another News Notes.
In the meantime, if there are any retired friars who would like to start a choir, I’m game! At Holy Rosary, our brother, Edwin, said it was the highlight of his week!
Br. Dominic Lococo, OFM
65 Years Profession
Br. Dominic Lococo, OFM
My parents were Sicilians, and married in 1926. They had six children. All but one survived to adulthood; my little sister died at birth. The five were all boys. I was the middle one, born in 1932. Most of my religious life was with St. Anthony Messenger, soliciting sales for 42 years. I was a chef for nine years following the novitiate. I also served as spiritual assistant to various fraternities of the Secular Franciscans in Ohio and Kentucky for many years. I enjoyed reading to the blind over a carrier of WGUC here in the Queen City for close to 30 years. Guideposts magazine was one of the favorites with the listeners. In 2012, I retired to Mercy Community at Winton Woods, our former seminary. My hobbies are pencil drawing, jigsaw puzzles and rosary making.
Fr. John Quigley, OFM
50 Years Priesthood
Fr. John Quigley, OFM
In high school, I played right defense tackle for the Crusaders, our school’s (Catholic Central, London, Ontario) senior football team. It was hard work and a terrific opportunity to build team spirit. Twice I won awards for most spirited player.
Fr. Giovanni Reid, OFM
60 Years Profession
Fr. Giovanni Reid, OFM
It’s always been very important to me to work with the poor and I’ve been really blessed in my assignments, which included the Southwest, Africa and Shreveport, La., at the Christian Service Program. The Lord has always blessed me with how much He has guided me and led me.
Fr. Maynard Tetreault, OFM
70 Years Profession
Fr. Maynard Tetreault, OFM
When I was 13 years old, I kept seeing what I thought was an abandoned bakery truck in a parking lot that I passed going back and forth to school. I grew up in Detroit, where there were a lot of “chop shops.” One day, I took the carburetor and the manifold off the truck to have it as a mechanical token. I was kind of interested in how it worked and wanted to take it apart to see. My dad saw it and asked where I got it. He yelled, “What’s that thing doing on the porch?” When I went back to look at the truck again, somebody opened their apartment window and yelled, “Get off that guy’s truck!” I felt bad about it and was able to get the part back on. I took parts from abandoned vehicles before and it’s the one time I got caught. I was very fascinated by those things, even then, and thought I would become a car mechanic.