| Rev. Joseph A. Graham, O.S.A. (1916-1980) |
| Posted by TomCleary |
2007-05-20 |
Rev. Joseph A. Graham, O.S.A. entered eternal life May 23, 1980.
Joseph Aloysius Graham was born September 12, 1916 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Joseph A. and Mary (McKeon) Graham. He was Baptized September 24, 1916 at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Bryn Mawr. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation September 14, 1925 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Rosemont, Pennsylvania.
Joseph received his elementary education at St. Thomas of Villanova School, Rosemont. He began his secondary education at West Catholic High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After one year there, he transferred to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, which granted him a high school diploma in 1935.
He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1935. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1936 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1939. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1940. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1940 to 1944. He was ordained a Priest May 29, 1943.
Father Graham did graduate studies in Sacred Scripture at Catholic University of America, Washington, and at the Biblicum and the Angelicum, both in Rome, Italy. He did further studies in Greek, Latin, German and Mechanical Drawing at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois; at Columbia Technical Institute, Arlington, Virginia, and at St. Xavier College, Chicago.
In 1944 Father Graham was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a Teacher. He taught at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, from 1951 to 1956. He also served as Vice-Principal at Mendel. He was Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, during 1956 and 1957.
Father Graham was engaged from 1957 to 1960 in Sciptural studies, first at Catholic University of America, Washington, and then at the Biblicum and the Angelicum, both in Rome.
When he returned to the United States in 1960, he taught at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. He also served as Director of Studies and Disciplinarian there. He was then assigned to teach at Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri, from 1961 to 1965.
He was elected Secretary of the Province in 1965. He resided at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, and taught part-time at the College until 1968. He relocated to the Augustinian Provincialate, Evanston, Illinois, in 1968, continuing to hold the office of Secretary until 1971. He taught at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, from 1971 to 1973.
From 1973 to 1977 Father Graham was Assistant Pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Parish, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also served as Prior of the Augustinian community there. In 1977 he volunteered to serve in the Augustinian Missions in Peru. He ministered in Lima and in Chulucanas. He died suddenly May 23, 1980 in Lima.
Father Graham is remembered for his loyalty, good humor and dedication to the Augustinian Order. His humorous antics showed people that one must never take things too seriously. That life is to be enjoyed as one of God's creatures was surely at the heart of his life.
He is buried in Chulucanas, Peru.
Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.
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