Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Rex Hennel, CSC

Dec. 12, 1918 - April 15, 2008

South Bend Tribune 4/17/2008
SOUTH BEND - Brother Rex (Charles) Hennel, CSC, 89, died at the Helen D. Shubert Villa, Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. Brother Rex was born December 12, 1918, in Evansville, IN, the fourth of six children. His parents, John and Ollie Mae (Willett) Hennel, though strapped financially, saw to it that the children attended Catholic schools, such as St. Mary's and Reitz Memorial High School. After his elementary and secondary education, Brother Rex joined Holy Cross, whose brothers had taught him at Memorial. After his novitiate training and years devoted to earning both bachelor's and master's degrees, Brother Rex was ready to accept an assignment in his preferred field of Holy Cross mission, Bangladesh (then East Bengal). But it was to be several years before Rex was sought for overseas duty. In 1941, on his way to Bengal for that purpose, WWII met him and other Holy Cross missionaries in Manila and they were taken to an internment camp where they spent the duration of the war. In an interview some years later, Rex reflected on one aspect of being a prisoner. He was asked, "Did being a religious brother make any difference in the way you were treated?" Rex replied, "Yes, it did. The Japanese wanted the cooperation and support of the Filipinos who were 80% Catholic and they had a great respect for religious and priests. Consequently, we were allowed to have a chapel for some 50 priests to say Mass and where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved for worship. It was a tremendous blessing." (Brothers James Moroney and Rex Hennel, BROTHERS, 1993, A Prisoner of War Remembers). Rex felt he had learned a tremendous amount about himself during those four years. No doubt at least part of that time assisted him in developing the marvelous self-discipline he retained throughout his life. There is no question his hours of prayer in that chapel prepared him to be at home with his God for hours where he finally was able to take advantage of his incredibly strong attraction to contemplative prayer and the strengthening of the moral virtues - prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

Brother Rex taught at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago from 1945-1948, then was made superior and principal of Notre Dame H.S. in Biloxi, MS, from 1948 to 1954, and then he was given another overseas assignment as assistant headmaster at Notre Dame International School in Rome, the congregation's boarding school for children of parents working abroad. It was then, in 1957, that he was approached by the provincial with the request to be the superior/headmaster in St. John's School, Sekondi. He filled that role from 1957-1963, as superior of the brothers in Ghana. He was asked by the provincial to be superior and headmaster at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, OH. He held this post from 1964 to 1968, then he became assistant provincial from 1968-1973, along with lighter duties as provincial secretary, and further time as assistant provincial from 1973-1975. Rex's deep love for Ghana and his complete willingness to return there for as long as his health permitted, found him assisting Archbishop Kodwo Amissah of Cape Coast directly as Chancellor of the diocese. After several months of rest and medical advice, Rex moved back to Ghana to take up supervision of a health program which he administered under the title of Chancellor. Then, from 1983-1985, Brother Rex became associate director of the Holy Cross Mission Center. Apart from his administrative capabilities, Brother Rex positively impacted the brothers' community life wherever he went.

Brother Rex's funeral will be held on Friday, April 18, at St. Joseph's Chapel, 54515 State Road 933 in the center of the brothers' campus. Viewing is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. on the 18th, at which time the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated and with its conclusion burial will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery of the Brothers. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.