Delaney, Michael V.

Fr. Michael V. Delaney, SJ, died on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Fusz Pavilion in St. Louis, Missouri. Fr. Delaney was 67 years old, had been a Jesuit for 47 years and just celebrated his silver jubilee as a priest.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 1, 1943, Fr. Delaney grew up in Kansas City and attended Rockhurst High School. He arrived at Florissant as a postulant brother on January 30, 1963, and formally entered the novitiate on July 30, 1963. Two years later he pronounced his first vows on July 31 and immediately began the Brothers’ Juniorate program at Milford, Ohio. His first assignment was as a mechanic and plumber at St. Stanislaus Seminary from 1967-1970. Between 1970 and 1972 he worked as custodian of the grounds at St. Stanislaus Retreat House in Cleveland and at Rockhurst University in Kansas City. While in Kansas City he began to take courses toward an undergraduate degree. He completed his undergraduate study at Regis University and later received a Master’s degree in Spanish from Saint Louis University. He taught Spanish both at Rockhurst High School and De Smet Jesuit High School.

In 1979 Fr. Delaney requested and received a change in grade from brother to scholastic and began theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, in 1982. During his time in theology his culinary skills were much appreciated by the Jesuit community; no one could grill a steak quite as well.

Following his ordination on June 7, 1985, he taught religion at De Smet Jesuit High School for two years. He moved into full-time pastoral work at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Denver where he served from 1987 to 1991. After being made available to the Archdiocese of Denver for pastoral ministry, Fr. Delaney received a one-year assignment at St. Joseph’s parish in Fort Collins, Colorado, that turned into a 14-year stay. Fr. Delaney loved celebrating Mass and his homilies were simple and straightforward. During his time in Ft. Collins, he volunteered as a chaplain to the police and fire departments. Mounting health problems necessitated dialysis and required him to move back to the Xavier Jesuit Community in Denver and, eventually, to St. Louis. In early June of this year he was diagnosed with colon cancer that had metastasized to the brain. Soon after that, he entered hospice care.

Fr. Delaney’s sincere and simple desire was to be a good Jesuit. May he now rest peacefully in God’s loving presence.