Fr. Francis Broderick (1909-1998)

William Broderick was born in Omaha, Neb., did some education there but finished up the last years of elementary, all of secondary and college in Atchison.  He graduated from St. Benedict’s College in 1933 with a bachelors in English.  He had joined the community as Frater Francis in 1931 and completed his theological studies in 1837.  He was ordained simplex May 30, 1936. 

Father Francis taught at Maur Hill School 1937-42 and was principal 1947-48 following a stint in 1942-47 at Lillis High School, Kansas City, Mo.  He returned there from 1966-73, and taught at O’Hara High School, Kansas City, Kan., from 1975-84. 

Francis was teacher, Vice President and Chaplain at Mount St. Scholastica College, Chaplain to the Benedictine Sisters in Glendora, Calif., and the Sisters of Charity, Leaven-worth.  He also had been novice master at the Abbey from 1959-62.  He assisted at several churches in Kansas City, Mo. He was longest stint was at St. Francis Regis 1975-82.  From 1984-97 he was assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca, Kan.  He retired to the abbey in 1998 and died at a hospital in Overland Park, Kan.

Father Francis was a zealous monk, knew his faith and preached it without hesitation.  He threw away all his sermons after giving them and most were handwritten.  He was a spiritual director, advisor and friend to many.