Father Robert Sears, SJ
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Fr. Bob was born in Evanston, IL on Apr 22, 1934, the Feast of Mary: Mother of the Society of Jesus. He is the third child of Weyland D. and Elizabeth Ann (Beth) Sears, coming after John W. and Annabeth (Kirchner) and before Sally (Daniels). After a time in Minneapolis, Woodstock, IL and Woodridge, the family moved to Highland Park where he finished sixth grade at Immaculate Conception Parish, and high school at Loyola Academy when it was on the Loyola north shore campus.
He entered the Jesuit novitiate at Milford, Ohio in 1953, and then studied philosophy at West Baden College, Indiana. He taught one year at St. Ignatius HS, Cleveland and then taught Jesuit Collegians for two years at Colombiere in Clarkston, MI. He studied theology at Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt/Main, West Germany and was ordained priest in Munich, July 31, 1966. After the traditional Tertianship (Third Year Novitiate) at Colombiere, he studied theology and psychotherapy at Fordham University and received his doctorate in 1974. While at Fordham, he got involved in the Catholic charismatic renewal, and when he came to Chicago in 1972, he began a prayer group at Longwood Cenacle, which continues today at St. Bernadette’s Parish near 95th St. Beginning in 1972, he taught systematic theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago, and when it closed in 1981, he joined the faculty at Loyola University’s Institute of Pastoral Studies as adjunct professor. He does part time teaching, writing, pastoral counseling and spiritual direction, and gives workshops and retreats around the country. He is superior of Gonzaga Jesuit Community at Loyola University. He is a past member of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), and since 1981 a member of ACTheals (formerly Association of Christian Therapists, ACT) where he is currently chaplain of their Board. He enjoys playing guitar and singing, and likes a good round of golf. |
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