Fr Mike Cronogue, Superior General Of SSE Guest Priest Sunday

In Father Rome's absence while he is visiting his family in Nigeria, St. Luke's was priviliged to have as a guest priest this past Sunday, Father Mike Cronogue, Superior General of The Society Of St. Edmund. He officiated at our oldest daughter Lynn's wedding back in 1984, and I knew when I walked into church I had seen him somewhere, so I did my usual and asked him who he was. Fr. Mike was elected to Superior General of the Society of St. Edmund back in June, 2006.

For those of you who might be interested, below is a little more information on him:

Father Mike’s Newest Role

A big part of life is just showing up to be present for others, Rev. Mike Cronogue, SSE told congregants at Sunday Mass in Saint Michael’s Chapel of the Archangel on August 13.

This past June at the Society of St. Edmund’s chapter gathering in Burlington, Fr. Cronogue’s brother priests honored his valued presence among them by picking him to succeed Rev. Richard Myhalyk, SSE ’67 as their Superior General.

The new leader’s homily at Mass reflected the engaging way that Fr. Cronogue has been present to his religious, college and wider communities for more than 25 years. He worked with and led Edmundite Campus Ministry through challenging change and renewal in the 1980s, and has always campaigned doggedly for social justice through his activism and teaching.

Because of his new position, Fr. Cronogue said, he officially will have no affiliation with the college outside of what happens for the Superior General’s office relating to Saint Michael’s — though informally, he fully expects to continue a close bond with students, faculty and staff.

His election also means that the primary on-campus arena for peace and justice activities, which had centered on the seminars Fr. Cronogue taught through last year, will shift to the Edmundite Center for Peace and Justice, which he helped found and hopes to stay involved with.

“The center is an important part of Saint Michael’s College and very consistent with our mission, and we look forward to planning for its continued growth in the future,” he said, adding, “We certainly look forward to our longstanding relationship with Saint Michael’s College.

–Mark Tarnacki