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Interviewer - As a native New Englander, would you
share with us some of your family background and how you came to
know and become an Assumptionist?
Fr. Ted - Though I was born in Hartford, CT, I really
grew up in Rumford, ME where my father was the county tax
collector. Having had three sisters and one brother, I am blessed
today to have many nieces and nephews scattered all over the
country. During my elementary school years, the Assumptionists
recruited students for the Prep as they traveled to parishes in
northern New England to celebrate Sunday Masses. That is how I got
to know them.
- Where did your formation in the
congregation and subsequent studies take you from there?
- From the Prep, I attended Assumption College
and entered the congregation is my sophomore year and went to
Quebec for my novitiate. Later after graduation, I returned to
Canada for theological studies and was ordained in December of
1953. I taught philosophy and theology at the college for
twenty-six years until 1980 having done further graduate work in
Quebec where I earned a PhD in philosophy.
- Where have your ministerial assignments
taken you?
- I was in Israel for two years from 1980 -1982
and then went to the Congo for two years at the seminary. While
there I saw the great work that was being done by the Sacred Heart
Fathers in training catechists who were most effective in their
ministry. The Fathers preached and labored among the people making
bricks and tiles, giving powerful witness to Christ and the
gospel. When I came back to the U.S., I did parish work in Quincy,
MA for seventeen years. That was followed by an assignment in
Athens, Greece for seven years where a minor seminary was
established in St. Theresa's parish. I did social work with the
English speaking immigrants, mostly from the Philippines and
Nigeria. I also worked with the Missionaries of Charity and the
Sisters of Charity at their catechetical center, celebrating
childrens' Masses in English. While there I was especially
impressed and enriched by working with the laity when it came to
organizing the various liturgical groups of ministers in planning
celebrations.
- How have your experiences continued to
shape your life today?
- Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed
reading which continues to sustain me in many ways. As a young man
I was skier, especially during those years in Canada. But for
medical reasons, I recently returned to the U.S. and since coming
to St. Francis Home I celebrate Mass regularly and do anointings.
I have also begun to develop 'the Camelite' in me which began in
Athens when I was teaching courses to the sisters in French. Now I
have the time to pursue these interests.
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