Father Thomas Herbert Stahel

STAHEL Father Thomas Herbert Stahel, S. J., a member of the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province, died at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at Ignatius Residence in New Orleans. He was 68 years of age; a Jesuit for 46 years and a priest for 35 years. Born in New Orleans, Father Stahel attended elementary and secondary schools in Greenwood, MS. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC in 1959 with a B.S. Degree, followed by a Master's Degree from Yale University in 1960. He joined the Society of Jesus College in Grand Coteau, LA on August 14, 1961. Following his Philosophy studies at Bellarmine College in St. Louis, MO, he continued his education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD receiving at PHD in English in 1968. He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1971 at Jesuit High School Chapel in New Orleans, LA, after completing his Theology studies at Woodstock College in Maryland and New York. Following his ordination, Father was the Managing Editor for America Magazine from 1972-1977. He then answered the call of Father Arrupe and became the Provincial of the New Orleans Province from 1977-1983. He then became the Novitiate Socius in Paraguay from 1983-1985. From 1985-1988, he returned to America Magazine as the Associate Editor and again from 1989-1994 as the Executive Editor. He worked with the Novices as the Assistant Director and then the Novice Master in Nigeria, Africa from 1995-1999. Father Stahel then returned to the New Orleans Province as the Provincial Socius from 2000-2004. His last assignment was as pastor of the two Jesuit Parishes in New Orleans, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Holy Name of Jesus Church. In September, 2005, he began medical treatments in New York City for the cancer which eventually brought him back to Ignatius Residence, where he died. Survivors include his brother, Henry C. Stahel of New Orleans and his sister, Mary Nancy Fontenot of Baton Rouge, LA. His parents, Helen Byrne Stahel and Harry F. Stahel, preceded him in death. Visitation will be at the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Jesuit), 130 Baronne Street on Sunday, July 9, 2006 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Wake Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue on Monday, July 10, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation at Holy Name of Jesus Church after 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Jesuit Cemetery, Grand Coteau, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Jesuit Seminary Fund or Retirement Fund, 710 Baronne Street, Suite B, New Orleans, LA 70113, preferred. Arrangements by Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home. Guest book may be signed on line at www.legacy.com.