Winter 2026 Denver Province Snapshots
In Remembrance:
Fr. William Cleary, C.Ss.R.: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. William (Bill) Cleary, C.Ss.R., who died at the age of 89 on December 29, 2025 while hospitalized in St. Louis, MO. A beloved Redemptorist missionary of 68 years, Fr. Bill was kind and generous, a collaborative leader who mentored generations of Redemptorists. He will be especially remembered for leading the small group of confreres from the former Oakland Province who established a Redemptorist foundation in Nigeria.
Michael and Wilma (Duffy) Cleary welcomed William Michael, their second child, on March 21, 1936 in Portland, OR. The family – which grew to include five children – lived one block from Holy Redeemer Church and was well acquainted with the Redemptorists. They welcomed the confreres into their home and generously supported the parish and their social life revolved around it. Young Bill admired the Redemptorists and his heart was set on joining their ranks from the time he was an altar server.
After graduating from Holy Redeemer Grade School, he joined several of his neighborhood buddies at the former Oakland Province’s West Coast minor seminary, Holy Redeemer College in Oakland, CA. Although he found the courses difficult – especially Latin – he remained diligent and was accepted into the Redemptorist Novitiate at Mount St. Clement College in DeSoto, MO. He professed temporary vows on August 2, 1957 and proceeded to Immaculate Conception Seminary in Oconomowoc, WI. As a seminarian, he enjoyed working in the garden and was quite a successful gardener. When a nearby resort closed an old greenhouse and donated the discarded building material to the seminary, he volunteered to lead a team to construct a smaller greenhouse that provided much of the landscaping greenery for the property. He professed perpetual vows on September 2, 1960 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 1962. Three months later the Second Vatican Council convened.
Fr. Bill returned to Holy Redeemer College for his pastoral year in 1963 and began a series of parish ministry appointments during these tumultuous years of Church history. He was assigned at St. Thomas Parish in Coeur d’Alene, ID from 1964 until 1966, served briefly at St. Alphonsus Parish in Fresno, CA, and returned to Holy Redeemer College in 1967. After a year, he was assigned to the team of confreres that fulfilled an agreement with the bishops in Alaska to provide spiritual care for several parishes in the former Diocese of Anchorage. He enjoyed the beautiful, rugged countryside and spent the next six years serving in parishes in Anchorage, Kodiak, Seward, Homer and Kenai. He returned to the Lower 48 in 1978, when he was appointed superior of the local community and pastor of his home parish in Portland. After six years, he was elected Provincial Consultor of the Ordinary Provincial Council and relocated to San Francisco, CA in 1984.
Toward the end of his three-year term in leadership, the Superior General of the Redemptorists in Rome asked the Oakland Province to begin a mission in the African country of Nigeria. Fr. Bill – 51 years old and celebrating his 25th jubilee of ordination – agreed to serve as superior of the small group of confreres chosen for the mission: Fr. Bill Peterson, Br. Daniel Hall, and Br. Rick Fischer.
Undaunted by the climate, the culture and the conditions in Africa, they began a new parish at Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic Church in Satellite Town, Lagos on September 30, 1987. They started to minister across a large portion of the country, and within three years they opened formation houses and were accepting 12 men per year to establish native clergy. By 1993 the “Mission of Nigeria” had evolved into a Region, and by 2008 it had become the Vice Province of Nigeria, boasting more than 100 Nigerian Redemptorists. Fr. Bill served in Nigeria for 21 years, and considered it the highlight of his entire Redemptorist ministry.
Fr. Bill returned to the United States in 2008 and was assigned at Sacred Heart Parish in Seattle, WA. Although he officially retired in 2010, he continued to minister at the parish and help out throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle until last September, when health issues necessitated his move to the St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community in Barnhart, MO. Fr. Bill had never wanted to be anything other than a Redemptorist missionary, and often said that his life had been more than blessed with happiness and fulfillment.
Top Story:
The Remarkable Missionary Legacy of Redemptorist Fr. Harry Thiel
On Sunday, 23 November, the Hmong Catholic community of the Diocese of Chiang Mai joyfully celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their Catholic faith. This milestone commemorated the remarkable missionary spirit of American Redemptorist Fr. Harry Thiel, C.Ss.R., who answered God’s call to evangelize the Hmong people five decades ago. Through his dedication, compassion, and steadfast service, countless Hmong families embraced the Catholic faith and found a spiritual home in the Church. The celebration took place at the Holy Redeemer Chapel and was presided over by Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira, the Archbishop of Bangkok, together with many priests including representatives of the Redemptorists, Province of Thailand, who have played a foundational and vital role in accompanying the community throughout their faith journey. Today, the Diocese of Chiang Mai continues to render its services pastorally and spiritually to the Hmong Catholics. Before the Mass, Archbishop Vira blessed a newly constructed memorial building dedicated to Fr. Harry, honoring his life and missionary legacy. The event was graced by a large gathering of the faithful, religious, and guests who came together in gratitude and joyful remembrance.
And More!
Community Celebrates Blessings at Mercy Endeavors Senior Center: In a heartwarming community gathering on “Mercy Day,” Mercy Endeavors Senior Center marked a special occasion on September 24 with a blessing of its newly completed walkway, fountain and gardens. The blessing ceremony marked the official opening of the outdoor space, designed to offer peace, beauty and accessibility for senior members. Fr. Aaron Meszaros happily opened the ceremony with a prayer and he joyfully sprinkled holy on the new additions, as well as all of those in attendance. Gathered under sunny skies, seniors, staff members, and guests attended the event, celebrating a vision made possible through the generosity of donors, community supporters and volunteers. Sr. Monica Ellerbusch, RSM, shared her reflections on the longtime legacy of the Sisters of Mercy serving in New Orleans since 1869. Fr. Chung Tran offered prayers and blessed the new water fountain, saying “We bless this fountain, and this path, not only for the physical well-being of all who walk here, but for their spiritual renewal as well, and in the loving memory of Marion Bruno.” Following the blessing, a staff member of the center shared a prayer for all those who use this new walkway. Sr. Jane Briseno, RSM, director of Mercy Endeavors, thanked all of the donors and supporters who helped create the beautiful outdoor space for the senior members. Sr. Jane recalled seeing birds enjoying a drink of water from the fountain earlier in the week, and said, “This new space serves as a place of peace, comfort, and reflection, and it invites us all to take a stroll and to connect with God and the beauty of nature in an enjoyable environment. It’s a place where we can sit, talk and pray.” Following the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees gathered in the senior center for a reception and shared their appreciation for the newly enhanced grounds. The center plans to host regular gatherings in the garden area for senior members and guests. — Sue Higginbotham, Parish Secretary
Colloquium on Migration in the Americas: A group of bishops, moral theologians, ethicists, researchers and service providers for migrants and refugees met at Ibero Jesuit University in Tijuana for a “Colloquium on Migration in the Americas” on October 9-11. The conference was presented in connection with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Fr. Ako Walker, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Mike McAndrew, C.Ss.R., represented the Redemptorists at the event, and the Denver Province sponsored transportation of the participants to the border wall for a prayer service as part of the colloquium. A highlight of the colloquium was the presence of Dr. Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Her keynote address focused on the social moral teaching of the Church on migration. She was appointed to the Curia by Pope Francis, and as a moral theologian, she is fond of St. Alphonsus and Redemptorist international initiatives in migration ministry. Fr. McAndrew also gave a 20-minute presentation in which he called attention to the importance of providing retreats, support and spiritual care for caregivers in migrant services.
Prospects Come & See: Fr. Chuong Cao, Vocation Director hosted a Come & See event that coincided with the Seelos Healing Mass in New Orleans in October. In addition to participating in the Mass, the prospects joined Redemptorist confreres on a tour of the Seelos Shrine led by Fr. Aaron Mezaros, Provincial Vicar and Director of the Shrine.
Seelos Healing Mass Celebrated: The St. Alphonsus community, friends and guests celebrated the Feast Day of Blessed Seelos with a Healing Mass at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in New Orleans on October 11. Fr. John Collins, Provincial Superior of the Baltimore Province, served as the main celebrant, with concelebrants Fr. Aaron Meszaros, Director of the Shrine, Fr. Tim Watson and Fr. Steve Benden, Chaplains of the Shrine, Fr. Andy Thompson, Associate Pastor, Fr. Michael Thien Hoang, and Deacon Steven Urban. Approximately 350 people attended Mass, and many received the Anointing of the Sick.
St. Clement Cemetery Blessing: Every November our Redemptorist family joins the faithful worldwide in remembering, honoring and praying for the deceased. For the sixth consecutive year, the St. Clement community welcomed the Provincial Superior, Fr. Kevin Zubel, to preside at the annual Mass and blessing of the gravesites at the Redemptorist Cemetery. Some special friends of the Redemptorists also participated in the gathering on November 6.
Pet Therapy at St. Clement: Special thanks to Julie Hurst, activities director at the St. Clement Redemptorist Mission Community, for sharing a photo of Br. Dan Korn, C.Ss.R., enjoying some “pet therapy.” Julie periodically brings her dogs to work, brightening the spirits of the entire community.
Liguori Studios: Liguori Publications continues to expand its digital mission through the growing work of Liguori Studios. Fr. Gary Lauenstein recorded an eight-part series on Teach Us to Pray, a continuation of the program hosted on the Holy Redeemer YouTube channel (India) and soon to appear on the upcoming international OTT platform. Alongside this, the studio is producing major courses by Dr. Richard Johnson on the Spiritual Strengths Profile and Healing Circles, as well as Fr. Thomas Santa’s series on managing scrupulosity for the upcoming Alphonsian Institute. —Submitted by Fr. Charles Vijay Kumar, Liguori Publications Director of Media
Snapshots adapted from Denver Link; special thanks to Kristine Stremel.
