Father Maurus Schenck, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1922-1975)

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Born Joseph Xavier Schenck on November 16, 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of William and Juila Higgins. He attended Weaver High School, Hartford; Central Connecticut State College in New Britain, Connecticut; and St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Connecticut. He came to know the Passionists by way of the laymen retreat movement in West Springfield, Massachusetts. In September 1943 he entered Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York. He professed his vows on August 15, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His religious name was Maurus. He was ordained on February 28, 1952 at St. Michael’s Monastery, Union City, New Jersey by Bishop James McNulty. His first assignment was assistant parish priest at St. Gabriel’s, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada from 1954 until 1957 where he was also local Confraternity of the Passion director. For a short time he was a preacher of parish missions and then was assigned to St, Joseph’s Parish, Union City. He was popular among the young. He was a preacher again and then was assigned to St. Mary’s, Dunkirk where he also was Confraternity Director. This was until 1963. From 1966 until 1967 he was a preacher for Sign Magazine. From 1967 until 1969 he was editor of the Province Newsletter and Director of Provincial Public Relations at Union City. For one year he was Confraternity Director at Holy Family Monastery, West Hartford, Connecticut. From 1970 until his death he was a member of the St. Gabriel’s community, Brighton, Massachusetts. He died of a massive hemorrhage while he was visiting West Hartford.