The Society of Jesus is celebrating seven Jesuits who reached jubilees this year and spent time enriching the lives of students, faculty and staff at Marquette University.
“I couldn’t be happier to celebrate the jubilees of my six Jesuit brothers who served the Marquette community at some point in their Jesuit lives,” says Rev. John Thiede, acting vice president for mission and ministry. “The Jesuit community is integral to Marquette’s mission of fostering personal and professional growth, and my fellow Jesuits celebrating their jubilees this year have played an instrumental part in many Marquette students’ lives across generations.”
Rev. Thomas A. Caldwell, S.J.
Father Caldwell is celebrating 80 years since his entrance into the Society of Jesus. A native of the Marquette neighborhood, Father Caldwell was a longtime theology professor on campus; he also twice served as minister of the Marquette Jesuit Community. Always having fun on campus while donning his trademark colored socks, Father Caldwell was also an Old Testament Scholar.
Rev. Thaddeus J. Burch, S.J.
Father Burch is celebrating 75 years since his entrance into the Society of Jesus. After arriving on campus in 1976, Father Burch’s career has included serving as professor and chair in the Department of Physics, acting vice provost, dean of the Graduate School, and director of special projects. The Burch Scholarship commemorates his commitment to championing graduate education at Marquette.
Rev. Patrick J. Burns, S.J.
Father Burns is celebrating 60 years since his ordination. At Marquette, he began his career as a theology professor. He was named Wisconsin Province Socius (assistant provincial) in 1978 and was then named provincial in 1983; he served through 1989. Father Burns oversaw the building of two small Jesuit communities: Arrupe House in Milwaukee and Ignatius House at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Father Burns also served as corporate vice president, secretary and assistant to then-president Rev. Robert Wild, S.J.
Rev. Frank A. Majka, S.J.
Father Majka is celebrating 60 years since his entrance into the Society of Jesus. Before his time at Marquette University, Father Majka was a teacher and principal at Marquette University High School. Once on campus, he was a hall minister in McCormick and O’Donnell residence halls for a combined 15 years. He worked in Campus Ministry as associate director from 1977 to 1978. He also penned the books “God Isn’t the Hurricane, Quick Reads on Faith and Life” and “One Cup Reflections,” which was written based on his so-called “coffee shop ministry.”
Rev. Richard P. Abert, S.J.
Father Abert is celebrating 60 years since his entrance into the Society of Jesus. A fluent Spanish speaker, Father Abert is a longtime pastor and current associate pastor at St. Patrick’s and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishes. Father Abert served as chaplain in McCormick Hall and at the former YMCA (now Straz Tower). He also worked in Campus Ministry from 1977 to 1983.
Rev. George E. Winzenburg, S.J.
Father Winzenburg is celebrating 60 years since his entrance into the Society of Jesus. A former pastor at the Church of the Gesu, Father Winzenburg was the director of Campus Ministry from 1977 to 1983. He was also the principal of Marquette University High School and worked for many years at Holy Rosary Mission in South Dakota.
Rev. T. Michael McNulty, S.J.
Father McNulty is celebrating 50 years since his ordination. Father McNulty arrived at Marquette in 1973, living in the small community on Kilbourn Avenue while working in Campus Ministry and teaching classes as a professor of philosophy: his specialty was Ludwig Wittgenstein. After 30 years of teaching, he left Marquette to become Peace and Justice director for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Washington, DC. Since 2015, Father McNulty has served as scholar in residence at the Center for Peacemaking. Notably, he has also taught at the UCA in San Salvador and ministered in Peru. In Milwaukee, he has lived at the Miguel Pro Community and provided pastoral assistance to St. Patrick’s Parish on Milwaukee’s south side.
