Fr. Michael Carroll (1903-1971)

Bernard (Barney) Carroll is among the many vocations from old St. Benedict’s Parish, Kansas City, Kan., because of the influence of Father Francis McDonald.  As Father Michael he was visiting in Burlington, Iowa, where he had a fatal heart attack that followed three previous.  He was, at the time, pastor of St. Joseph’s, Wathena, Kan. 

Bernard had attended St. Benedict’s High School and College and graduated from College in 1929.  He had joined the community, did his novitiate as Frater Michael at St. Vincent Archabbey and made first vows July 2, 1927.  For ten years he was a dorm prefect at St. Benedict’s College, assistant treasurer and moderator of athletics.  He was even head football and basketball coach when the laymen on the staff went into the service in 1943.

His first venture into parochial work was at Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca where he was also coach of all sports.  The parishioners there still have his coach’s whistle on display in they trophy case in the gymnasium.  He was assistant at St. John’s, Burlington and later pastor at St. Ann’s Effingham, St. Mary’s at Valley Falls and later at Wathena.

Father Mike, as he was known, was a boon companion and loved being with his fellow priests.  He was good-natured, optimistic and loved his community.