Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Donald R. Matthys, SJ, who died on January 30, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin. He was 87 years old. May he rest in peace. Don is survived by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Lorraine Marten. Don was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Before entering the Society, he studied at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He entered the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus on August 17, 1955 at the Jesuit novitiate in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1968 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and pronounced final vows on December 8, 1983 at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While in the Society, Don earned a bachelor's degree from Spring Hill College (1962), a master's degree in physics (1964) from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (1964), and a licentiate degree in theology from Saint Louis University (1969). Don earned a doctorate in physics from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri (1975). The title of his dissertation was: "An Experimental Approach to the Uncertainty Principle." During regency, Don taught Latin and math at Marquette University High School (1964-1965). After earning his doctorate, he was a professor of physics at Marquette University (1974-2013) before becoming a professor emeritus. In 2019, Don was missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community to pray for the Church and the Society. Don was a dedicated scientist, scholar, and professor. He was observant, curious, and always wanted to "figure out" how things work. He researched and published in the area of lasers (e.g., Optical Measurement Techniques for Remote Sensing of Displacements and Strains in Structural Elements) and holographic/fiber optic systems. He also was a leader in his field: he was chair of the Optical Methods Division and vice president of the Applied Optics Group of the Society for Experimental Mechanics. Don was a consultant to AT&T on deformations in microcircuit modules. He also was awarded summer faculty fellowships at NASA and received the Space Act Tech Brief Award from the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board. Fr. George Winzenburg, SJ, has these memories of Don: Don was quiet, thoughtful, kind, and extremely intelligent. His intellectual passion was mathematics, but he also excelled in the classics. He quoted lines from Latin and Greek literature that he learned in the juniorate. His graduate studies were in physics, and he taught courses at all levels at Marquette University, where he earned the rank of professor, and upon retirement was named professor emeritus. His specialty was optics. He collaborated with professors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and wrote computer programs for research projects. Altogether, he co-authored 35 articles. His hobbies were chess and Go, the abstract strategy board game developed in China that pits two players whose aim is to surround more territory than the opponent. He had a large heart for people in need. For many decades, he befriended a woman with multiple sclerosis and helped her almost every day. Don lived simply. He was a faithful Jesuit priest. He accepted his diminishment with equanimity and chose to enter hospice so he could enjoy the friendship of his companions and pass peacefully to the Lord. 

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. James J. King, SJ, who died on January 30, 2024 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin. He was 94 years old. May he rest in peace.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. M. John Wymelenberg, SJ, who died on January 18, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin. He was 97 years old. May he rest in peace.

In times of joy and sorrow, our cards let loved ones know that you care.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. Gene M. Donatelli, SJ, who died on November 29, 2023 at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. He was 73 years old. May he rest in peace.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. Hubert G. Boschert, SJ, who died on November 25, 2023 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin. He was 86 years old. May he rest in peace. Bert was born in Saint Charles, Missouri. He graduated from Saint Louis University High School before entering the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus on August 8, 1955 at Saint Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri. He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1968 at Saint Louis Cathedral in Saint Louis, Missouri, and pronounced final vows on August 15, 1974 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Mankato, Minnesota. While in the Society, Bert earned a number of degrees from Saint Louis University: a bachelor's degree in philosophy (1961), Licentiate Degrees in philosophy (1962) and Theology (1969), and a master's degree in theology (1969). During regency, Bert taught history and math at Red Cloud Indian School (1963-1965). After ordination, he returned to Red Cloud where he was the assistant prefect of studies (1969-1970) and principal (1970-1972). Beginning in 1972, Bert spent almost 50 years performing pastoral ministry. He began as the associate pastor of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Mankato, Minnesota (1972-1981), and then ministered for 27 years as a pastor at: Saint Gabriel Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (1981-1993; 2002-2008); Saint Stephen Parish in Bridgewater, South Dakota (1994-1996); the Church of Saint Joseph Parish in Owatonna, Minnesota (1996-1998); and Saint Edward Parish in Austin, Minneapolis (1998-2002). He was a senior associate pastor at Christ the King Parish in Omaha, Nebraska (2009-2010; 2013-2016). Bert also was the assistant to the rector (2010-2013) and performed pastoral ministry at Creighton University (2016-2019). In 2019, Bert was missioned to Saint Camillus Jesuit Community to care for his health. Bert was very close to his Jesuit classmates who entered at Florissant in 1955. He loved being a Jesuit and a priest. He spent most of his years of active ministry in parishes, thoroughly enjoying sacramental ministry and parish administration. Being approachable and easy to like, there was a simplicity about Bert that drew parishioners to him. He found immense joy in being a pastor.   When Terry Brennan was minister of the Saint Camillus Jesuit Community, he and Bert played cribbage every evening after supper. They went to the living room in the guest area to play cards. Bert also enjoyed playing sheepshead, bridge, and hearts. Novice Jon Jue-Wong, nSJ, who did his hospital experiment at St. Camillus had this to say of him: "Bert's gentle, peaceable nature was such a blessing to be around." In the last two years of his life, Bert found it difficult to express himself. He also became physically weak. He stayed in his room and listened to classical music. The aides who cared for him appreciated his gentle demeanor. They admired his courage in diminishment.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. Eugene J. Carmichael, SJ, who died on November 21, 2023 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 82 years old. May he rest in peace.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. M. Dennis Hamm, SJ, who died on November 19, 2023 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin. He was 87 years old. May he rest in peace.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. George A. Lane, SJ, who died on November 12, 2023 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 89 years old. May he rest in peace.

On this episode of the AMDG podcast, Fr. Jake Martin, SJ, a priest and standup comedian, shares how he integrates his identities as priest and comedian.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. R. Gerard Albright, SJ, who died on September 22, 2023 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 97 years old. May he rest in peace.

The USA East Province of the Society of Jesus has announced a matching $2 million per year contribution over the next five years with Georgetown University to benefit the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation.