austraLasia #2773 Remembering our mothers; and an Economist in
Quetzaltenango
23 December 2010 -- The two headline topics are not
strictly connected! It's just that there is a tiny
link.
As we approach Christmas, we know that two confreres in our
region (and possibly others) are suffering the loss of their
mother at this time, and it would be good to remember them
in prayer: Fr Nick Castelijns, long time missionary in
Samoa, was able to assist his mother's final days in
Holland, with his other brothers and family members. Bro
Hilario Seo, Korea, was able to spend the last two months
often at his mother's side, after concluding his service as
webmaster for sdb.org. Both mothers are now with the Lord
for Christmas.
The 'tiny link' comes from a quite
unexpected source. Was recently reading the story of Brother
Joe Keckeissen SDB, who will spend Christmas in hospital
after a serious stroke that has brought him near to death,
though he is making a slow recovery now, it seems. The
'link' is twofold: Joe was with the US Army in Korea as a
parachutist in the early 1950s, and I just happened to come
across his story in a Spanish economics magazine as we heard
of Hilario's mum's death; but I also met Joe in Guatemala in
or about 1988. But let the article 'An Economist in
Quetzaltenango' fill us in on the rest of the story.
At a time when ANS and sdb.org are promoting short video
clips of vocation testimonials in preparation for (and they
will continue throughout) the 2011 Strenna, Joe Keckeissen's
story is fascinating.
Joseph Edward Keckeissen, better known as
'Don Joe' (though he is a Brother, not a priest), by his
students, was born in Brooklyn, New York (USA), on 14
January 1925. His parents were George Wilfred Keckeissen and
Rita Grace McNally. When he was 12 his parents decided to
send him to study at the “Salesian School” in Goshen, a
boarding school 70 miles from New York. There he got to know
Salesian Brother Nicolás Pierro, with whom he struck
up a friendship and of whom he has very happy
memories. He also knew Fr Ambrose Rossi, Provincial in
the US at the time and whom he would also deal with later in
Central America.
He spent just a year at Goshen, then
opted for “Don Bosco College” Newton (New Jersey), where he
spent what he calls “seven happy years” (1938-1945). After
completing High School, he entered the novitiate, and made
his first profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco” then began
philosophy (Baccalaureatus Artium). He did his practical
training at Marrero (1946), Tampa (1947) and New Rochelle
(1948-1949).
Because of health problems, he decided at
this point, not to continue, and left the Congregation. At
some point he went into the Army: did his military service
from 1950 to 1953, playing his part in the Korean War as a
parachutist and became a Lieutenant Colonel. He remained in
the Reserves until 985. Doctor in Economics
ck in the US he finished his Higher education at the
Graduate School of Business, Columbia University, New York
(1954-1955), with a Masters of Business Administration
(Management). He then worked for a time with the Humble Oil
and Refinig Company (Pehima, Baltimore), as accountant,
auditor and programmer for the new computer section
(1955-1962). meanwhile he was pursuing a Doctorate at the
Graduate School of Business Administration, New York
University, and gained his Ph.D in Economics. It was then
that he thought of writing to Fr Ambrose Rossi, who was by
now in San Salvador (El Salvador), and who suggested he
return to the Salesians. On 27 December 1962 he came to San
Salvador, and placed himself at the disposition of Fr.
Segundo De Bernardi, Provincial in Central America.
He entered the novitiate once more at
(Ayagualo, El Salvador), and then helath once again forced
him to withdraw. He went back to the US but in 1971, better
again, he went back to Central America to work with the
Provincial Economer, this time, of course, not as a
Salesian. Humanising the market place
Some time later he was invited to Guatemala, to teach
Economics at the nascent Universidad Francisco
Marroquín, and headed up the Economics Department
there from 1973. He continued in this role in fact, with
love and dedication, even until recently. He was a convinced
teacher of the philosophy of freedom. In New York he had sat
at the feet of Ludwig Von Mises who encouraged him, with a
critical sense, to humanise the market especially through
Catholic Social Teaching. He wrote many articles and gave
many conferences. His students very much appreciated him. In
1989 The Marroquin Uni gave him a "Doctor honoris causa” in
Social Sciences. But 'Don Joe's' love for Don Bosco was by
no means quenched. One day he said: “I always had the desire
to be a Salesian; I have tried to live out his spirit and
cooperate with Salesian work in a thousand ways. So in 1986,
after a retreat, I had the idea of asking if I could once
again return to the Congregation. My former novice master
supported my application; so did many other Salesians. So on
8 September 1990, I once again made my vows, after so many
years away”. (And it was around that time that we met, in
Guatemala, I recall).
Bro Joe has spent the last 15 or so years
in Queltzaltenango, in the Salesian community there.
He is now a ripe old age, and will be struggling to recover
from his stroke, so no doubt, even though he knows nothing
of this news item, he will appreciate our prayers.
And may this little story be an
encouragement to anyone else who might be struggling out
there, including trying to discern where the Lord is really
calling them to be! _________________
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