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Fr. Larry Jonas served as Associate Pastor at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee for over 12 years.

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Fr. Jonas' words of gratitude speak for all the men at St. Camillus Jesuit Community. "We're very grateful. It’s wonderful that we’re coming home to be with each other. We’re of one heart and mind here and they take good care of us."
A Jesuit's Journey:
Fr. Larry Jonas, SJ

Born:  March 5, 1921
Died:  June 5, 2015


July 26, 2012 - Fr. Jonas was born in Stevens Point, Wis., and after serving in World War II, he attended Marquette University on the GI Bill and graduated in 1949 with a degree in accounting.  After entering the Jesuits that year, he was ordained in 1959.

Over the years Fr. Jonas has taught at Creighton Prep and Marquette University High School and served in school administration at Holy Rosary Mission and Creighton University.  He served as a retreat director for more than 15 years. and since 1986, he has been involved in pastoral ministry. For the last 12 years, he has been at Gesu Church in Milwaukee, where he is known as the “Minister of Presence” due to his enthusiasm for meeting and greeting his parishioners.   

He recently joined other World War II veterans on a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington DC for a guided tour of the WWII monuments. The experience provided a wonderful insight for him of what Heaven must be like.  (See “My Idea of Heaven”)

“My Idea of Heaven”
 
Fr. Jonas shared the following reflection of his Honor Flight trip experience. 

"It felt like family. I figure that’s what heaven is like – everybody is of one mind and heart. We felt the togetherness even though we (the veterans) didn’t serve together.  And the people at the airports just amazed us. They were really grateful for our service, and showed it in the way they were cheering. The unity, friendship, family spirit – the joyous welcome and happy homecoming – that’s my idea of heaven." 

 

Fr. Lawrence A. Jonas, SJ, was called to eternal life on June 5, 2015.