Submitted by: Dan Rich
Fr. John W. Lubbers CSC
May 23, 1917 - March 12, 2005
South Bend Tribune 3/15/2005
Fr. John W. Lubbers, CSC, died Saturday, March 12, in Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., of natural causes. Fr. Lubbers was 87 years old and in his 48th year of priesthood in Holy Cross.
Born John William Lubbers on May 23, 1917, to William and Rose Lubbers, in Louisville, Ky., he attended St. Boniface Grade School and then St. Xavier High School, both in Louisville. After high school, he went on to the University of Louisville and graduated in 1939 with an A.B. in Economics-Commerce. Prior to joining Holy Cross at Notre Dame in January 1950, he worked in business and industry, and served in the U.S. Army (1942-46).
In August of 1950, he entered Sacred Heart Novitiate in South Bend. He took his first vows on Aug. 16, 1951, and went to Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., for theology. On Aug. 16, 1954, he made his perpetual profession and was ordained to the priesthood in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 9, 1957.
Fr. Lubbers had taught at the University of Notre Dame and was assistant superior at Holy Cross House and assistant pastor of Sacred Heart parish, Notre Dame. He served as chaplain at Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, and at Holy Cross High School, River Grove, Ill. He did postgraduate studies in economics at the Catholic University of America in Washington and at Notre Dame and earned a master's degree by the latter in 1968. From 1975 until 1981 he assisted in the marriage tribunal of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, and was chaplain for the Holy Cross brothers at St. Edward's University. From 1981 until 1997, he was involved with Campus Ministry as well as the Executive Assistant to the President of Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas. From 1997 until 1998, he was a Chaplain at the St. Joseph Hall Community, St. Edward University, Austin. For a brief period to follow, he was Chaplain for Holy Cross Brothers in San Antonio and in 2001 was in residence at Bro. Vincent Pieau Residence in Austin. Due to declining health, Fr. Lubbers entered Holy Cross House on April 5, 2003.
Fr. John was a quiet and very prayerful man. He took seriously the vows he made as a religious and his obligations as a priest. He was much sought after as a confessor and spiritual director noted for his gentleness and kindly manner. While serving in the Army he saw some heavy action in the Aleutian Islands fighting against the Japanese Imperial Forces. He often commented on his fellow soldiers and how they stuck together through some difficult moments. "I knew God had a plan for me. It took me a bit to figure it out and I joined Holy Cross."
God's plan was wonderfully fulfilled through Fr. Lubbers' life as a Holy Cross priest and religious. He will be greatly missed. Fr. Lubbers is survived by two sisters, Christina Evers of Louisville and Regina Lubbers of New York, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. Fr. Lubbers was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Tekla Flashman.
A Wake Service will be held for Fr. Lubbers in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, today, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Wednesday, March 16, at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home in South Bend, Ind., is in charge of arrangements.