Bro. Dennis Michael McCarthy, OSB
July 12, 1947 - November 26, 2004

Brother Dennis Michael McCarthy was born on July 12, 1947, in New York, NY. He was the only child of John and Eileen McCarthy. After completing elementary school at his parish school in New York City, the family moved to Florida where Dennis went through four years of high school in Sarasota.

In the next twenty-five years, he finished three years of college at the University of South Florida, spent months as a novice in two different religious orders, worked as an x-ray technician, taught religion in a Catholic high school, sold shoes, became a certified nursing assistant, worked as resident manager of a home caring for Alzheimer's patients, and many other things. On his 1991 application to be a candidate for Saint Leo Abbey, he listed his trade or profession as: "Caregiver - certified in Florida." He said he was experienced in many fields, open to learn whatever, and "my best work is that which I do best." Brother Dennis' intelligence and wit made him comfortable with almost any task and comfortable with almost any person.

Already in high school he began to be aware of an attraction to the priesthood, which moved from conscious to subconscious time and again during the next forty years. In 1991 he wrote: "I want to share the life experience of my Christian spirituality with other Christians." After his monastic profession in 1993, he continued to demonstrate his multi-talent ability by serving as food service director, retreat director, participant in Catholic Charities' HIV/AIDS ministries, student (finishing his college degree at St. Leo), prior, Oblate director, among other things.

In 2003, after counselors in the Guest House program to cope with dependence on prescription drugs once more blew the dust off that old attraction to the priesthood, Brother Dennis finally got the opportunity for one more school career at the Florida Regional Major Seminary of St. Vincent de Paul in Boynton Beach. He eagerly began his first year theology studies with many classmates only half his age. His passion for preparing for the ministry was whetted by his many experiences of ministry in past decades. The Lord's plan to use him in yet another way began to go into effect when Brother Dennis' heart stopped beating early on November 26, 2004.

The Community of Saint Leo Abbey will receive the body of Brother Dennis at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 29. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 30, 2004. Burial will be immediately afterward in the Abbey cemetery. We request you to remember our brother to the Lord.

Fr. James Tingerthal, OSB, and the monastic community Saint Leo Abbey - 33601 State Road 52 - Saint Leo, Florida 33574 -Ph#(352)-588-8624