Richard Baumann, SJ
Richard Baumann, SJ

Amazement

Born September 1, 1946
Entered August 21, 1964
Resides Nairobi, Kenya


That’s the word which captures a great deal about my Jesuit life!


I’m amazed at the effort God has expended upon me, in terms of showing me compassion in my weaknesses and sinfulness, and in terms of calling me and fashioning me, nonetheless, to be an instrument for some good.


Amazement: when the power and goodness of God are experienced beyond what one thought could ever occur. Such amazement echoes in what Jesus says to Nathanael in John 1:50, “You shall see greater things than these.”

  
Indeed, I’ve seen greater things. I’ve been amazed at how God’s provident hand moved me along during my years at St. X High; amazed at the years of inexperience and first fervor atMilford; amazed at surviving trials throughout the middle years of formation leading to priesthood; amazed at the various jobs I’ve had throughout these fully apostolic years, and specifically amazed at the tiny voice that called me to offer what I could for the Society in Africa.

And now? I keep trying to sow well in order to reap well: sowing not doubt and discouragement (due to past mistakes and regrets vis-a-vis myself and others) but, rather, sowing hope in order to reap hope, and amazement.

So, I join the folks in Mark 7:37 who were astonished and said, “He has done all things well,” and also join those in Sirach 43:32 who confessed “Many things greater than these lie hidden, for we have seen only a few of God’s works.”


Amazement: knowing that the Creator has been and is now nearby, through it all!




CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
John Kleinhenz, SJ

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
R. Gerard Albright, SJ John Bernbrock, SJ Matthew Creighton, SJ
James O’Reilly, SJ   Ralph Talkin, SJ

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
William Bichl, SJ Leo Cachat, SJ Francis Canfield, SJ
M. Joseph Casey, SJ Anthony Dagelen, SJ Frederick Deters, SJ
Norman Dickson, SJ John Foley, SJ William Gerut, SJ
Justin Kelly, SJ George Lane, SJ Patrick Murphy, SJ
Richard Murphy, SJ Theodore Ross, SJ John Saliba, SJ
Charles Stang, SJ George Traub, SJ Richard Twohig, SJ
James Von Tobel, SJ James Warosh, SJ Robert Welsh, SJ

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN THE SOCIETY
Patrick Fairbanks, SJ Benjamin Jimenez, SJ Tuan Le, SJ
John Moriconi, SJ Renzo Rosales, SJ Charles Sim Teck Kim, SJ
  Neal Wilkinson, SJ  

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Vincent Hagarman, SJ William Kelly, SJ Edward Sthokal, SJ
  Earl Weis, SJ  

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Robert Bireley, SJ J. Peter Carey, SJ Gerald Cavanagh, SJ
John Chandler, SJ John Chandler, SJ J. Leo Klein, SJ
Richard Murphy, SJ Gerald Regan, SJ John Wambach, SJ