Fr. Arthur Sullivan (1910-1995)

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Father Arthur Sullivan passed away August 21, 1995.

Arthur Sullivan was one of four Sullivans, none related, in our community. The others were Malachy, Otho, and Terence.  He taught chemistry for almost 40 years at St. Benedict’s College and was the Prefect of Seniors for many years in what was called Freshman Hall, now Elizabeth Hall.  Later he was master of brothers and subprior of the community.  On weekends he usually supplied at Sacred Heart in Bonner Springs, Kan.  For many years he cared for the chemistry of the College swimming pool. 

When Father Arthur lived on the second floor of the Abbey his room was directly across from the hall telephone, the only phone on the floor, but for the Abbot’s.  He must have answered that phone a thousand times and got plenty of exercise notifying the monks who lived there of a call.

Father Arthur was a very conscientious person in every way, especially when assigned to offer the Abbey community Eucharist.  On the day in which he was to celebrate you could hear him practicing his homily in his room.  Father Arthur had a sly and dry sense of humor much appreciated by his confreres.