Fr. Allen Retiring

[townie67]

Pasted this from TodayatFairfield site. We will miss him at Fairfiel[/font]d.

Farewell Parade for Fr. Allen
Date: 05-05-2020
Time: 02:00 PM
Please join us for a vehicle parade on Tuesday, May 5 to send Fr. Allen off in true Stag style. In the current environment, we want to do this safely and following state and federal guidelines. Therefore, please follow the instructions below.
Arrive on campus by 2 p.m. via the North Benson Road main entrance
You and anyone in your vehicle must be wearing a mask
Upon entering campus, you will be directed where to line up by Public Safety officers
You cannot leave your vehicle at any time
No stopping along the route wr. Allenill be permitted
Have fun, but be safe![/font]

[townie67]

This is pasted from previous retirement announcement. He is quite a guy.

Father Charles Allen, S.J., Fairfield U Chaplain And Special Assistant To The President, Retiring In May
April 28, 2020
FAIRFIELD—Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., has been integral to the life and spirit of the Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep community for more than 40 years. A beloved figure on campus, he has also served as a spiritual mentor and friend to a host of non-profit and civic organizations throughout the Bridgeport and Fairfield area, including his role as chaplain to the Town of Fairfield’s Emergency Services.

Father Allen’s Jesuit service began at the age of 17. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in philosophy from Boston College, and master’s degrees from Gregorian (Rome), Brown, and Columbia Universities in theology, mathematics, and educational administration. In addition to his work at Fairfield University, he served as headmaster of Fairfield Prep from 1985 to 1998.

Noting that he has only had the privilege of knowing Father Allen since his own arrival at Fairfield University three years ago, President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, said, “We have bonded over many things—our love of Boston, our love of the Red Sox, but most of all, our love of Fairfield. Through his many years of service, Fr. Charles Allen has embodied all that makes Fairfield special: his intelligence, his wit, and his authentic interest in others.”

Although a good-bye celebration is not possible at this time, Father Allen will be recognized, in person, when he returns for the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality’s benefit dinner, which has been postponed until a future date. At the dinner, Father Allen will be honored with the Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., Award.

“I leave Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep with a tremendous bundle of happy memories,” said Father Charlie Allen, S.J. “May God continue to bless Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep. You will all be in my prayers. I hope to see you again soon.”

Please read Father Allen’s farewell reflection on the University’s ThinkSpace blog.

Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic university rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe are pursuing degrees in the University’s five schools. Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values. The University is located on a stunning 200-acre campus on the scenic Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.

[FU73]

Transitions
Rev. Charles Allen, S.J.
Fairfield University Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President

It was the spring of 1966 and I had just completed my studies in philosophy at Weston College. Along with a group of my classmates, led by Mr. John Reboli, S.J., a Fairfield University graduate, we set out to see the world beginning with Fairfield. I still remember my first walk across the campus on that beautiful June afternoon. What a great arboretum! I thought to myself, but where are the school buildings?

We stayed in Gonzaga Hall with a group of Jesuits – Bellarmine Hall was far too small to hold the 70 or so members of the Jesuit community. We had a wonderful time, visiting NY City to see The Man from La Mancha and dining at the Three Bears Restaurant in Westport. At the end of that wonderful week, I set out for The Cranwell School in Lenox, Massachusetts where I would teach Math and live in a residence hall for the next three years.

In 1969, I moved to Providence, Rhode Island to study Math for a Master’s Degree at Brown University. It was then off to Rome for three years of Theology at the Gregorian University. And finally back to Cranwell to teach Math and Theology. When Cranwell closed in 1975, I decided to get another Master’s Degree at the Teacher’s College in New York City.

Degree in hand, I was assigned at the request of the principal, Fr. Jim Bowler, S.J., to teach Math at Fairfield Prep. I also asked the president, Fr. Fitzgerald, S.J. if I could live in a prefect’s room on Campion III. I remember Fr. Fitzgerald asking me if I would mind living on a women’s corridor. “No” I quickly responded with great enthusiasm. This would be one of the best years of my life.

The rest is history. In 1982 I left Fairfield to complete Tertianship in the Philippines. When I returned I was sent to BC High. At the end of the second year there and at the request of Fr. Kelley, S.J., I was asked to return to Fairfield Prep as the headmaster. After four years, he said that it was my time to go, and so I headed off to BC for a five year stretch in the Admission Office which I loved.

Then came another call from Fr. Kelley asking me to return to Fairfield as his executive assistant and here I am to this day. Now, after a number of falls and some heart work, I am going back to Campion Center (aka Weston College) where I started out some forty + years ago.

I leave Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep with a tremendous bundle of happy memories. May God continue to bless Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep. You will all be in my prayers. I hope to see you again soon.

[FU73]

Fairfield University Alumni

It's a gorgeous day in Stag Country for a farewell parade! Join us today, Tuesday, May 5 on campus for an auto parade in honor of Fr. Charles Allen, S.J. and help us send him off in true Stag style!

All interested participants must arrive on campus by 2 p.m. via the North Benson Road main entrance and abide by the following rules and regulations:

1. You and anyone in your vehicle must be wearing a mask
2. Upon entering campus, you will be directed where to line up by Public Safety officers
3. You cannot leave your vehicle at any time
4. No stopping along the route will be permitted

We hope to see you there! Wear your red!