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Eulogy
for
Brother
Stephen rban Minogue
January 19, 1920 - September 8, 2003
EULOGY for BROTHER STEPHEN URBAN
MINOGUE
delivered by Brother Philip Robert Ouellette:
As I stand before you this morning, nothing would give
me greater pleasure than to listen to everyone
'
s
thoughts and feelings concerning our Brother Stephen.
What an inspiring sharing that would be
.
That not being
possible
,
I feel privileged in attempting to put together a
sketch of a very holy
,
gentle
,
lovable and wise man of
God
.
When we were young Brothers in formation we had to
study the lives of our first Brothers. The book we used was entitled: Our Models In
Religion
.
Some stories were inspiring, some were humorous, some showed the
human side of the Brother and all were meant to encourage us in our vocation to
be Brothers
.
These days as I have reflected on the life of our Brother Stephen, I
could not help but feel that his life belongs in that book
.
He truly has been a model
for us; all of us, family, friends, co-workers, students and Brothers.
When Steve visited our Provinces as General Councillor in the early 1980s with
Brother Charles Howard, at the end of the visit they gave us each a card with a
personalized message paraphrasing St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. In part it
read
:
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of
mine for you all, ..
..
thankful for your partnership in the Gospel from the
first day. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring
it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this
about you all because I hold you in my heart for you are partakers with
me in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my
witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus
.
And it
is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with
knowledge and all discernment to the Glory and Praise of God
.
"
These sentiments reflect and capture Steve's own feelings towards his Brothers
and loved ones, friends and co-workers. Steve had a big heart and he carried all of
us in it. It was a heart full of love
.
He had learned early on in life that God is love
and where love exists
,
there is God. And wherever Steve was
,
God was present.
Steve was truly one of those people we admire who sparkle with the graciousness
and love of God.
STEVE GAVE US ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD
Steve left home early in life - in fact it was 1934 when he entered the Juniorate in
Poughkeepsie
.
Through all those early formative years of long separation from his
family, he never lost his attachment love and devotion for his parents and siblings.
That love, care and concern grew and spread to all his nephews, nieces, grand-
nephews and grand-nieces. He took a keen interest in all of their lives. What
wonderful stories they can tell of the joy, fun, the warmth and inspiration that was
his gift to them.
STEVE GAVE THEM ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD!
Friends of Steve, and he had many, and co-workers speak of the warmth of his
personality, his sense of humor, the depth of his prayer life, the attention he gave
each person he happened to be with. When Steve engaged in a conversation with
someone, you knew that his attention and focus would be totally on that person.
Often young Brothers spoke of how much they looked forward to meeting him after
hearing stories from those who had him as teacher and director in the Juniorate. At
gatherings he was sought out because of his joyful and upbeat spirit. This attitude
was particularly attractive and appreciated by our more staid and serious
European Brothers during his many visits to their communities as a General
Councillor. He helped loosen them up a bit with his candor, wit and his singing.
Over the years, Steve developed and cultivated a ministry of retreats to several
Sisters Congregations. His gentleness and prayerfulness, his gift for spiritual
direction, his talent for listening and his inspiring conferences, all were appreciated
and sought after by many. Those retreat connections led to deep spiritual
friendships which often elicited some kidding from the Brothers which Steve
accepted with great humor and quick repartee. Steve will be sorely missed by his
friends and co-workers.
HE TRULY GAVE THEM ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
As for his students, one needed only to watch Steve surrounded by them to realize
how much he loved and cared for them. From his first students at St Ann's and the
Mount in the 1940s to the young men studying in the Esopus Juniorate in the late
40s, the 50s and 60s to the students at Marist Bayonne in the early 70s and more
recently with his students here at Archbishop Molloy, one could easily attribute to
him a saying of Father Champagnat: "/ cannot see a young person without wanting
to tell him how much God loves him." Just as Steve knew how much he was loved
by God, so also did he show that love for his students.
These last few year, despite the incredible generation gap, Steve as always was
able to adjust his thinking to the young person in front of him because he was truly
open minded and an excellent listener. Even though there might have been times
he did not approve of someone's behavior, he was able to challenge while at the
same time fully accepting the person. His warmth, gentleness, wit, his spirit of joy,
concern, his love, all reflected God's love for the young.
STEVE MOST CERTAINLY GAVE HIS STUDENTS A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
And for us Marists, there is so much we can say about Steve, but first and
foremost -- he was truly, our Brother. Steve was a combination of the Active and
the Contemplative. He was full of energy ..... dynamic in the classroom .... energetic
on the ballfield .... a master at directing Minstrels ... .full of fun at a
gathering ... regaling us with his harmonica or a rendition of "Granada" and other
melodies .... active on student retreats and Encounters .... traveled the Marist World
with enthusiasm .... and always he was young at heart.
In 1988 while he was Superior of the Generalate in Rome, I watched him dashing
up the stairs two steps at a time. He was busy about God's work. His service to the
Institute spanned the Marist globe. He was Director of the Marist Second Novitiate
in Switzerland from 1961 - 1967 which was attended by Brothers from around the
world. He is fondly remembered by the participants for his spiritual counseling. As
a result Steve has friends wherever there are Marists today.
For eight years he was Councillor General to Brother Basilio Rueda, traveling
extensively and visiting most Provinces where French and English are spoken.
This was probably one of Steve's most daunting assignments.
In 1985, Steve returned to the States determined to slow the pace of his life, only
to be asked two years later to return to Rome as Superior of the Generalate
community .... a community composed of Brothers from many countries. What a
challenge! As always, when asked to accept a new assignment, Steve considered
it in the light of his Vow of Obedience and as expected, said "yes".
There was a single mindedness about Steve .... to love God and make him known
and loved. It was his desire and hope to deepen his relationship with the Lord and
to help others accomplish the same. That was the contemplative side of Steve. He
never hesitated to talk about spiritual matters. Prayer, meditation, spiritual reading
were all second nature to him. No matter what community he lived in, he was
comfortable sharing his faith life, his spiritual insights, his intimacy with the Lord.
Steve loved to prepare conferences, to direct retreats and to give spiritual
direction. It was his opportunity to share his own beliefs and spiritual values. And
his own example of prayerfulness was an inspiration to others.
Those who lived with Steve know how much solace he found in quiet time before
the Blessed Sacrament.. .. even at times in the middle of the night. But that was
personal and his humility would keep him from talking about it.
Our Constitutions remind us that "Mary is our model in prayer". We cannot talk
about Steve's faith life without talking about his devotion to Mary, a love affair with
Our Good Mother. A true son of Champagnat, he found much joy and consolation
in praying to her and honoring her. One of the Juniors of the late 1940s recalls
how in his first year in the Prep, Steve came to class the first day and the first thing
he did was give a lesson on the Blessed Virgin and the importance for future
Marists to have devotion to Mary. A profound impression was made that day.
TO HIS MARIST CONFRERES, STEVE GAVE US A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
It is clear that Steve's relationship with God and Mary, was a great source of
strength and peace during his last illness. There is no question to those who were
with Steve during his sufferings that he had experiences of God. The Brothers and
family members who accompanied him during these last weeks were inspired and
uplifted by his patience, faith, trust and prayerful acceptance of his sufferings.
Steve never complained nor felt sorry for himself. Rather , he thought of others. He
accepted all that came, the good days and the bad, offering it all for others,
namely, his family, the brothers, faculty and students and all those he had been
associated with throughout his life.
Steve passed away on September 8th the feast of the Birthday of Mary and is
being laid to rest today, the 12th, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, a feast of
special significance to the Marist Brothers who were named after Our Lady. It was
also on this date in 1934 that Steve first joined the Marist Brothers in
Poughkeepsie, NY. Our Lady has certainly looked down fondly and blessed her
"faithful servant."
There are many people who sparkle with the graciousness and love of God and
Steve was one of them
.
HE TRULY GAVE US ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD
.
IN MEMORIAM
Brother Stephen Urban Minogue (to the
left
,
in the picture) died in New York
September 8 at 83 years of age. He was a
member of the Province of the United
States
.
Following intense dedication in the
educational and pastoral field
,
he directed
in Fribourg, Switzerland, the Second
Novitiate from 1961 at 1967
.
He was
General Councillor, during Brother Basilio
Rueda's second term of office, from 1976
at 1985
.
From 1988 to 1990 he was Superior of the community of the General
Administration in Rome. He was always a model of fidelity, dedication and
sensitivity in his treatment of others.
Brother Sixtus Victor Liuzzo (to the right, in the picture) died in New York July 14 at
84 years of age. He was responsible for the transformation of the centre at
Manziana, Italy, being administrator there from 1989 to 1995. He is remembered
for his dedication and dynamism.
(Reprinted from
:
Fratelli Maristi Marist Bulletin 96 - October 15
,
2003-
http
:
//www
.
champagnat.org/)
Eulogy
for
Brother
Stephen rban Minogue
January 19, 1920 - September 8, 2003
EULOGY for BROTHER STEPHEN URBAN
MINOGUE
delivered by Brother Philip Robert Ouellette:
As I stand before you this morning, nothing would give
me greater pleasure than to listen to everyone
'
s
thoughts and feelings concerning our Brother Stephen.
What an inspiring sharing that would be
.
That not being
possible
,
I feel privileged in attempting to put together a
sketch of a very holy
,
gentle
,
lovable and wise man of
God
.
When we were young Brothers in formation we had to
study the lives of our first Brothers. The book we used was entitled: Our Models In
Religion
.
Some stories were inspiring, some were humorous, some showed the
human side of the Brother and all were meant to encourage us in our vocation to
be Brothers
.
These days as I have reflected on the life of our Brother Stephen, I
could not help but feel that his life belongs in that book
.
He truly has been a model
for us; all of us, family, friends, co-workers, students and Brothers.
When Steve visited our Provinces as General Councillor in the early 1980s with
Brother Charles Howard, at the end of the visit they gave us each a card with a
personalized message paraphrasing St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. In part it
read
:
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of
mine for you all, ..
..
thankful for your partnership in the Gospel from the
first day. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring
it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this
about you all because I hold you in my heart for you are partakers with
me in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my
witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus
.
And it
is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with
knowledge and all discernment to the Glory and Praise of God
.
"
These sentiments reflect and capture Steve's own feelings towards his Brothers
and loved ones, friends and co-workers. Steve had a big heart and he carried all of
us in it. It was a heart full of love
.
He had learned early on in life that God is love
and where love exists
,
there is God. And wherever Steve was
,
God was present.
Steve was truly one of those people we admire who sparkle with the graciousness
and love of God.
STEVE GAVE US ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD
Steve left home early in life - in fact it was 1934 when he entered the Juniorate in
Poughkeepsie
.
Through all those early formative years of long separation from his
family, he never lost his attachment love and devotion for his parents and siblings.
That love, care and concern grew and spread to all his nephews, nieces, grand-
nephews and grand-nieces. He took a keen interest in all of their lives. What
wonderful stories they can tell of the joy, fun, the warmth and inspiration that was
his gift to them.
STEVE GAVE THEM ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD!
Friends of Steve, and he had many, and co-workers speak of the warmth of his
personality, his sense of humor, the depth of his prayer life, the attention he gave
each person he happened to be with. When Steve engaged in a conversation with
someone, you knew that his attention and focus would be totally on that person.
Often young Brothers spoke of how much they looked forward to meeting him after
hearing stories from those who had him as teacher and director in the Juniorate. At
gatherings he was sought out because of his joyful and upbeat spirit. This attitude
was particularly attractive and appreciated by our more staid and serious
European Brothers during his many visits to their communities as a General
Councillor. He helped loosen them up a bit with his candor, wit and his singing.
Over the years, Steve developed and cultivated a ministry of retreats to several
Sisters Congregations. His gentleness and prayerfulness, his gift for spiritual
direction, his talent for listening and his inspiring conferences, all were appreciated
and sought after by many. Those retreat connections led to deep spiritual
friendships which often elicited some kidding from the Brothers which Steve
accepted with great humor and quick repartee. Steve will be sorely missed by his
friends and co-workers.
HE TRULY GAVE THEM ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
As for his students, one needed only to watch Steve surrounded by them to realize
how much he loved and cared for them. From his first students at St Ann's and the
Mount in the 1940s to the young men studying in the Esopus Juniorate in the late
40s, the 50s and 60s to the students at Marist Bayonne in the early 70s and more
recently with his students here at Archbishop Molloy, one could easily attribute to
him a saying of Father Champagnat: "/ cannot see a young person without wanting
to tell him how much God loves him." Just as Steve knew how much he was loved
by God, so also did he show that love for his students.
These last few year, despite the incredible generation gap, Steve as always was
able to adjust his thinking to the young person in front of him because he was truly
open minded and an excellent listener. Even though there might have been times
he did not approve of someone's behavior, he was able to challenge while at the
same time fully accepting the person. His warmth, gentleness, wit, his spirit of joy,
concern, his love, all reflected God's love for the young.
STEVE MOST CERTAINLY GAVE HIS STUDENTS A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
And for us Marists, there is so much we can say about Steve, but first and
foremost -- he was truly, our Brother. Steve was a combination of the Active and
the Contemplative. He was full of energy ..... dynamic in the classroom .... energetic
on the ballfield .... a master at directing Minstrels ... .full of fun at a
gathering ... regaling us with his harmonica or a rendition of "Granada" and other
melodies .... active on student retreats and Encounters .... traveled the Marist World
with enthusiasm .... and always he was young at heart.
In 1988 while he was Superior of the Generalate in Rome, I watched him dashing
up the stairs two steps at a time. He was busy about God's work. His service to the
Institute spanned the Marist globe. He was Director of the Marist Second Novitiate
in Switzerland from 1961 - 1967 which was attended by Brothers from around the
world. He is fondly remembered by the participants for his spiritual counseling. As
a result Steve has friends wherever there are Marists today.
For eight years he was Councillor General to Brother Basilio Rueda, traveling
extensively and visiting most Provinces where French and English are spoken.
This was probably one of Steve's most daunting assignments.
In 1985, Steve returned to the States determined to slow the pace of his life, only
to be asked two years later to return to Rome as Superior of the Generalate
community .... a community composed of Brothers from many countries. What a
challenge! As always, when asked to accept a new assignment, Steve considered
it in the light of his Vow of Obedience and as expected, said "yes".
There was a single mindedness about Steve .... to love God and make him known
and loved. It was his desire and hope to deepen his relationship with the Lord and
to help others accomplish the same. That was the contemplative side of Steve. He
never hesitated to talk about spiritual matters. Prayer, meditation, spiritual reading
were all second nature to him. No matter what community he lived in, he was
comfortable sharing his faith life, his spiritual insights, his intimacy with the Lord.
Steve loved to prepare conferences, to direct retreats and to give spiritual
direction. It was his opportunity to share his own beliefs and spiritual values. And
his own example of prayerfulness was an inspiration to others.
Those who lived with Steve know how much solace he found in quiet time before
the Blessed Sacrament.. .. even at times in the middle of the night. But that was
personal and his humility would keep him from talking about it.
Our Constitutions remind us that "Mary is our model in prayer". We cannot talk
about Steve's faith life without talking about his devotion to Mary, a love affair with
Our Good Mother. A true son of Champagnat, he found much joy and consolation
in praying to her and honoring her. One of the Juniors of the late 1940s recalls
how in his first year in the Prep, Steve came to class the first day and the first thing
he did was give a lesson on the Blessed Virgin and the importance for future
Marists to have devotion to Mary. A profound impression was made that day.
TO HIS MARIST CONFRERES, STEVE GAVE US A GLIMPSE OF GOD.
It is clear that Steve's relationship with God and Mary, was a great source of
strength and peace during his last illness. There is no question to those who were
with Steve during his sufferings that he had experiences of God. The Brothers and
family members who accompanied him during these last weeks were inspired and
uplifted by his patience, faith, trust and prayerful acceptance of his sufferings.
Steve never complained nor felt sorry for himself. Rather , he thought of others. He
accepted all that came, the good days and the bad, offering it all for others,
namely, his family, the brothers, faculty and students and all those he had been
associated with throughout his life.
Steve passed away on September 8th the feast of the Birthday of Mary and is
being laid to rest today, the 12th, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, a feast of
special significance to the Marist Brothers who were named after Our Lady. It was
also on this date in 1934 that Steve first joined the Marist Brothers in
Poughkeepsie, NY. Our Lady has certainly looked down fondly and blessed her
"faithful servant."
There are many people who sparkle with the graciousness and love of God and
Steve was one of them
.
HE TRULY GAVE US ALL A GLIMPSE OF GOD
.
IN MEMORIAM
Brother Stephen Urban Minogue (to the
left
,
in the picture) died in New York
September 8 at 83 years of age. He was a
member of the Province of the United
States
.
Following intense dedication in the
educational and pastoral field
,
he directed
in Fribourg, Switzerland, the Second
Novitiate from 1961 at 1967
.
He was
General Councillor, during Brother Basilio
Rueda's second term of office, from 1976
at 1985
.
From 1988 to 1990 he was Superior of the community of the General
Administration in Rome. He was always a model of fidelity, dedication and
sensitivity in his treatment of others.
Brother Sixtus Victor Liuzzo (to the right, in the picture) died in New York July 14 at
84 years of age. He was responsible for the transformation of the centre at
Manziana, Italy, being administrator there from 1989 to 1995. He is remembered
for his dedication and dynamism.
(Reprinted from
:
Fratelli Maristi Marist Bulletin 96 - October 15
,
2003-
http
:
//www
.
champagnat.org/)
