Father Thomas Kavanaugh, CM

1914 – 2005

The following obituary is composed of excerpts from two reflections circulated by email, addressed to the confreres of the Southern and Midwest Provinces. We share them here for the benefit of others who may have known Father Tom Kavanaugh, CM, (or “TK” as he was known to many.)

Reflections From Father Dan Borlik, CM:

Born in Chicago at the end of January, 1914, TK began as a young priest at St. John Seminary in San Antonio right after his ordination as a Vincentian priest in 1941. He split his apostolic zeal between being a missionary priest and evangelizer on the one hand (especially among our Spanish speaking Catholics in Texas) and an instructor in seminaries preparing young men for ministry as priests among those same poor. TK is well remembered and beloved in San Antonio.

His wake and funeral at St. Matthew’s Parish Church took place that following Thursday evening and Friday morning (December 1 and 2.) As both Father Lou Franz, CM, and I can attest, both celebrations were very well attended and filled with stories celebrating our confrere’s life and accomplishments. But probably more appreciated, were those endless little anecdotes recalling Tom’s human, quirky side and his genuine ready compassion to those who sought his counsel as priest confessor and his practical wisdom as weekday Mass celebrant, especially during these last few years. May the Lord receive him with open arms!

Reflections From Father Carl Schulte, CM:

Fr. Tom Kavanaugh was the last surviving member of the Class of ‘41. At the time of ordination, he was one of three assigned to China. World War II prevented his going there; so he turned to work among the Spanish — he was a real missionary at home. For all his priestly life, except for a couple of years in Mexico while securing degrees in Spanish, and for a year as Pro­curator of the Houston Seminary and a year or more as Pastor in Cotulla Texas, he was stationed in San Antonio: a living icon of Vincentian spirituality.

He saw the future and was preparing clergy for service among the Hispanics. As a seminary professor, he also held pastorates of several mission parishes (Von, Ormy, Lytle, Lasoya, Devine) and assisted in numerous city parishes. More wonderful was the life he lived with us as a confrere. And over the years, his former students kept him as confessor, advisor and FRIEND. As the last survivor of Class of ‘41, he was also the last survivor of Vincentian seminary professors in San Antonio. Over the years, he also kept an active apostolate with confreres and former students. He has piled up a tremendous record and I’m confident Vincent and he are having a great conversation on the far reaching influence Tom has had not only in Texas, but the other states whose bishops sent men for Spanish education among the clergy. A great man!