Father Lawrence J. Lewis

Born: January 16, 1947
Ordained: May 17, 1975
Died: November 28, 2024

Father Lawrence J. Lewis died on November 28, 2024 at University Hospital, Syracuse, New York. He was 77 years old and a Maryknoll priest for 49 years.

Lawrence Joseph Lewis, son of Joseph and Mary Louise Diodato Lewis, was born on January 16, 1947, in Utica, New York. He attended Clinton Elementary and Clinton Central High School and studied for one year at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He entered Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn, Illinois in September 1966, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. As a seminarian, his overseas training was in Taiwan. In 1975, he earned a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling from St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Canada. Father Lewis earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1975 from the Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, New York and was ordained a priest on May 17, 1975.

He is remembered by friends and classmates as a kind and caring friend who shared so much in his ministry. His candor and humor touched so many people. His happy laugh always was a joy to the ears. He was a great speaker, who moved others to have more zeal for their own mission! Larry touched the hearts of people all over the world!

In July 1975, Father Lewis was assigned to the Taiwan Region where he was the Director of the Youth Department at the Hua Ming Counseling Center in Taipei. He served as a counselor and, together with the Chinese staff, conducted training sessions in listening and empathy. In 1977, Father Lewis was assigned to the United States and began studies for a Doctorate in Spirituality at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. His research and dissertation concerned how the experience of waiting affects human and spiritual development. He received his doctorate in 1984. During his studies, Father Lewis was assigned to the Formation-Education Department in 1982 where he taught at the Maryknoll School of Theology and served as a spiritual director for Maryknoll seminarians and Brother candidates. In August 1988, he was assigned to the Hong Kong Region with a teaching position at Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China, where he taught writing, American literature, family psychology, film and speaking.

In 1992, Father Lewis was reassigned to the U.S. Region and the Formation-Education Department. He taught for one year at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and then became Director of the Formation-Education Department from 1993 to 1996. He was appointed Rector of Maryknoll seminarians from 1993 to 1999. His “integration year” program provided an extraordinary opportunity for candidates to look deeply into themselves and their missionary vocations.

Father Lewis coordinated the Chinese Seminary Teachers and Formators Project for twenty years, from 1993 to 2013. In cooperation with bishops in China, the Project receives priests, Sisters and laity from China to study for advanced degrees and return to serve the Church in China. For Father Lewis, the Project was more than an academic exercise; it was an instrument of ongoing conversion to Christ and the Gospel. He saw the importance of forming Project participants into a learning community and created an atmosphere of trust, friendship and joy wherein all participants were given space to be themselves and grow.

In 1997, Orbis Books published Father Lewis’ The Misfit. Set in China, it is an exploration of how the foreign missioner’s vocation is intimately connected to the human spirit. As one classmate wrote, if you haven’t read Larry Lewis’s autobiographical “The Misfit” you will want to. It is a stunning and revealing work. Larry was that rare combination of sensitivity and earthliness; of authenticity and humor; of gentleness and candor; with a deep appreciation for the arts and a vivid way with words. He had a passion for film which began with a film festival at Glen Ellyn and continued through his life. He was fascinated with how film was able to share the presence of grace in the ordinary, the beautiful and the difficult. He arranged many film festivals and was a frequent contributor to the Maryknoll Mission Institute.

Father Lewis was elected Second Official Chapter Delegate for the Hong Kong Region to the Eleventh General Chapter in 2002. He served as Second Assistant on the U.S. Regional Council from October 2012 to 2015.

In June 2013, Father Lewis began serving as a full-time member of the Ministry Team of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Ronkonkoma, New York. He offered retreats and spiritual direction to the faithful of the Rockville Centre Diocese, as well as serving as Chaplain to the Cenacle Sisters. He was appointed to the Office of Society Personnel in October 2018, and took up residence at the Society Center. In March 2021 he was appointed Spiritual Life Minister and worked with the Office of Pastoral and Spiritual Life, facilitating weekly scriptural reflection and prayer for Residents at the Maryknoll Center. He also continued an active retreat ministry outside of Maryknoll. In September 2023, Father Lewis began serving full-time at Cormaria Retreat Center, Sag Harbor, New York. He served as spiritual director and offered retreats to laity and men and women religious.

Larry was seen by his brothers and sisters in Maryknoll as a deeply spiritual person who could mentor and guide others. His compassion for the struggles of the human spirit attracted many to seek his direction and accompaniment in their own journeys on the road to holiness. He also enjoyed a warm and trusting relationship with the Maryknoll Sisters over the course of many years.

Father Lewis is survived by his two sisters, Joyce (Glen) MacGregor and Jude Lewis, as well as his nephew Scott MacGregor, and his niece Tracy (Hasan) Alam and two great nieces, Mayah and Aliya.

Wake services were held on December 18, 2024 in the Holy Spirit Chapel and the Queen of Apostles Chapel at the Maryknoll Society Center. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. and was concelebrated in the Queen of Apostles Chapel. Father Edward Phillips was the Celebrant and Father Scott Harris was homilist. Father James Kroeger read the biography and Father John Sivalon read the Oath. Burial followed in the Maryknoll Society Cemetery with Father Timothy Kilkelly presiding at the graveside prayers.