Carl A. Bonk , S.J.

"To borrow from the wit and wisdom of an actor"

To borrow from the wit and wisdom of actor, Woody Allen, "I was born at a very young age."  To this, add that I was born in the upper flat of a Polish meat market in Detroit.  I am the last of eight children, all of us born at home via midwives.  My oldest sister still has vivid memories of my birth on October 27, 1941

I attended public schools all of my life.  My fascination and interest in God and the Church began before high school.  During my sophomore year I felt a strong call to priesthood or religious community life.  I wanted to do something "noble" with my life that required sacrifice and generosity.

Growing up in a Latin speaking Church, before Vatican II, I had the need to learn Latin if priesthood was to be a possibility.  At the time, was not able to do that, so my priesthood dreams turned to life as a brother in a religious order.

When I first applied to the Jesuits, that turned me down, but recommended for me to continue seeing a Jesuit if the desire persisted.  I did this and entered the Jesuits as a brother (non-ordained member) on September 10, 1960.

In time, I was among the first brothers to be prepared to teach in Jesuit high schools. During my first 19 years as a Jesuit, thoughts and desires for priesthood continued, and in l979 I received permission to study theology that would end in ordination.  I was ordained on June 19, 1982, at the age of 40.

My ministry in the Society has included teaching in highs school, coaching freshman baseball, doing retreat and spirituality ministries in various kinds of retreat programs with groups and individuals, and being a pastor in a downtown Detroit parish.

Over the years, I also spent eight summers in Montana at Native American parishes staffed by Jesuits, and received training to be a bi-ritual priest with the Byzantine Catholic churches among Slavic people.

My life in the Jesuits has required me to be stretched and to do things, and grow in ways, that would never had happened if I had not prayed for, and received the grace of a Jesuit vocation.  I am deeply grateful for that, and the preparation for a life of prayer, and deep knowledge of the Scriptures.

The ministry of the Society of Jesus is the ministry and mission of Jesus Himself.  I treasure having had the opportunity to become a companion of Jesus and to serve the People of God.

Peace!
Fr. Carl A. Bonk, S.J.

< Back to Living Witness home