In Remembrance Fr. Charles J. Sweeney, S.J.

Reflections by Fr. Francis Canfield, S.J.

Fr. Charles J. Sweeney, SJ, died March 8, 2009, at Colombiere Center, Clarkston, Michigan.

Charlie was a "Teacher."  The best of what a teacher could hope to be. Generations of chemistry students revered him. Many of those who went on to become physicians have claimed they were completely "ready" for any chemistry course in pre-med, thanks to Father Sweeney.  Even in his twilight years in the classroom, he annually in the summertime revised his course, according to what he "had learned" the previous year from his teaching experience.  He was an icon in the classroom -- and beloved.

Beyond the consummate teacher, Father Charlie was an ever-willing man to help pastorally.  His answer was a predictable "Yes" when asked if he could/would help with weekend masses at a parish or convent. Charlie was a strong, quiet man.  Yet his enthusiasm for the apostolate of teaching never ceased.  After a "lifetime" of teaching in secondary education, he went to the University of Detroit and loved teaching undergrads, and I witnessed on occasion their loving, respectful, response to him.

When he was missioned to the Colombiere Health Care community, his zeal to pastorally minister, he hoped to help out on weekends at a nearby parish, never diminished.  Father Sweeney was an admirable teacher, pastoral man, and a faithful Jesuit.

Biographical Information

Fr. Sweeney was born November 1, 1927, in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  He entered the Society of Jesus on August 8, 1951, at Milford, Ohio.  He was ordained on June 14, 1962, at Colombiere College, Clarkston, Michigan.  He pronounced final vows at St. John’s Jesuit High School, Toledo, Ohio on June 17, 1977.

Father Sweeney attended St. Catherine Elementary School and Catholic Central High School in Allentown, Pa.  He graduated from St. Ambrose High School in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Detroit in 1951; studied philosophy at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; earned a master’s degree in chemistry from St. Louis University in 1958; and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from West Baden College, West Baden Springs, IN (1963.)  He also participated in summer programs in chemistry at Michigan State University, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME and the University of Toledo.

He taught at Loyola Academy, Wilmette, IL (1958-59); University of Detroit High School, Detroit, MI (1964-67); St. John’s High School, Toledo, OH (1967-82).  In 1982 he attended a CEP Hospital work program at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Massachusetts.  After a one year sabbatical at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA he returned to St. John’s High School in Toledo to continue teaching from 1983-2005.  From 2005 2007 he served as teacher and tutor at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) before going to Colombiere.

Mass of Christian burial took place on Thursday, March 12, 2009 and followed by the burial at Colombiere Center.