Father Jack Dennis Says Goodbye
By: Katherine Bigley
The recent announcement was made to the Loyola community that Father Jack Dennis will be leaving at the end of the academic year. Although many are sad for his departure, a great opportunity as principal awaits him at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.
Father Jack Dennis has been leading Loyola’s Campus Ministry for years as the director. Campus Ministry is an organization that focuses on empowering Loyola’s staff and students to create a unified community in faith and to integrate that faith into daily experiences. With this mission in mind, Father Jack has improved Loyola’s community significantly through leading retreats and community service trips.
“I’m not leaving until June. Everybody thinks I’m leaving at the end of this semester…at my age if I didn’t do this now, and I’m going to do that for about seven or eight years, it wouldn’t get done,” Father Jack explains. “It’s been such a wonderful opportunity for me to meet so many students that don’t come through Campus Ministry.”
Through being the leader in service and faith, Father Jack Dennis has been an integral part of Loyola’s community. He has been a spiritual leader and role model for many students during his time as Campus Ministry director. He will be leaving the Campus Ministry in good hands, but staff, students, and the rest of Loyola will truly miss his presence.
Megan McHale, student of the class of 2013 and member of the campus ministry says, “I’m upset Father Jack is leaving. He is great guy and he has done amazing things for our program, but he is going to do even better things in Indiana.”
According to the online newsletter Loyola sent home to parents, Reverend Brian D. Linnane said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for Fr. Dennis. At the same time, I will miss Fr. Dennis’s exceptional leadership of Loyola Campus Ministry. In his time at Loyola, Fr. Dennis has had a remarkable impact on the growth and development of our already-strong Campus Ministry programs.”
Father Jack Dennis will be leaving at the end of the academic year. The Loyola community wishes him the best of luck as he pursues the position of being the principal of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.
