Over the course of each year, he meets with every Jesuit to receive an “account of conscience” to discern prayerfully the spiritual, physical, and ministerial development of each man. During his annual visitations to Jesuit communities, he presides at community liturgies, directs community meetings, meets with the local superior and consults with the local Bishop. The provincial also helps guide the apostolic works of the province – the educational institutions, parishes and retreat ministries – and meets regularly with the directors of works.
the first provincial of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus. He entered the Jesuits through the New England Province in 1976. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and went on to receive advanced degrees from Fordham University and the Weston School of Theology in Weston, Mass. He was ordained a priest in 1986. After completing an Ed.D. in education from Harvard University, Fr. O’Keefe became a member of the faculty at Fordham University, and then at Boston College, where he also served as dean. He was a visiting professor at Georgetown University as well. Most recently he served as the rector at Ciszek Hall and superior of Spellman Hall, both at Fordham University, overseeing and mentoring the Jesuit scholastics who live and study on campus. During that time, he also taught at Fordham’s Graduate School of Education. Fr. O’Keefe was a delegate to the Jesuits’ 36th General Congregation in Rome in 2016.
The provincial has a leadership staff whose responsibilities are divided into the following areas:
Ministry | Name |
|---|---|
Socius | Fr. John Swope, SJ |
Vocations | Fr. Patrick Nolan, SJ |
Formation | Fr. John Hanwell, SJ |
Senior Jesuits | Fr. Brendan Lally, SJ |
Treasurer | Fr. Richard McGowan, SJ |
Higher Education | Fr. Michael Tunney, SJ |
Justice and Ecology | Nicholas Napolitano |
Ministry | Name |
|---|---|
Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education | Fr. Mario M. Powell, SJ |
International Ministries,
Assistant for Safeguarding | Fr. Thomas Benz, SJ |
Pastoral Ministries | Fr. James Casciotti, SJ |
Spirituality Ministries | Br. Christopher Derby, SJ |
Advancement | Loual Puliafito |
Communications | Michael Gabriele |
