Memorial - Rev. John J. Foley, SJ

Before entering the Society, John graduated from Fenwick High School (in Oak Park) in 1944 and entered the United States Marine Corps. In the Marines, he served at Eniwetok and saw action at Okinawa in the last battle of World War II. While in the Society, John earned a Bachelor's Degree in Latin from Loyola University Chicago (1951). During and after formation, he attended summer courses and earned a Master's Degree in Speech from St. Louis University (1959) and a Master's of Religious Education from Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies (1972). In 1982, after a year's sabbatical at the Graduate Theological Union's School of Applied Theology in Berkeley, California, he earned a Master's Degree in Applied Theology.

 

During Regency, John taught English and speech at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati (1953-1956). After ordination and Tertianship, he taught English and Religion at Loyola Academy (1961-1964). He was an instructor of speech (to Philosophers) and homiletics (to Theologians) at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois (1963-1967). In 1967, John returned to the secondary education apostolate when he was missioned for two years to St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati where he was minister for the Jesuit community, taught religion in the high school, and taught speech to novices at Milford Jesuit Novitiate. John returned to Chicago in 1969 where he taught religion at St. Ignatius College Prep for a year before being missioned to Loyola Academy for over a decade. At Loyola Academy, John was the Director of Development (1970-1973; 1975-1976), taught religion (1970-1975), and was Director of Parent Activities (1975-1981).

 

After a well-earned sabbatical at the School of Applied Theology in Berkeley, California, John was missioned to Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois, where he was the assistant director (1982-1983) and director of the retreat house (1983-1987). He was also superior of the Bellarmine Jesuit community from 1982-1987. John then was a chaplain to dental students at Loyola University Medical Center and was also the superior of the Loyola University Medical Center Jesuit Community (1987-1993).

 

When Gonzaga House (just off campus of Loyola University Chicago) became a Jesuit Community in 1993, John was missioned to live in and be the minister of the community (1993-1996). [At this time he also became the director of the Chicago Province Jesuit Seminary Association. He was director of the Seminary Association from 1993-2009.] In addition to his duties as minister, John was acting president (1994-1995) and a special assistant to the president of Loyola Academy (1996-1998). At the age of 73, John left Loyola Academy to become pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Chicago (1998-2000). John returned to Loyola Academy in 2000 and spent over a decade as an assistant to the president (2000-2013). While at Loyola Academy, John was the chaplain for the football team where he often led the team's pre-game and post-game prayers and celebrated the Eucharist for the team over the years. In 2013, John left Loyola Academy and focused on providing pastoral ministry (2013-1019) until he was missioned to pray for the Society at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2019.

 

John was a devoted priest who loved the Society of Jesus. He was a gentleman to all and was generous with giving praise to others. He was able to engage and, when needed, disarm others with his smile. He was willing -- and able -- to go wherever the need was the greatest. He did not ask "Why do I have to do this?" but rather "What more can I do for Christ and his people?"

 

John celebrated weekend Masses at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wilmette, Illinois for many years and the pastor who worked with him has this to say about John:

 

John's superior at St. Camillus, Fr. George Winzenburg, writes: