Bro. J. Stephen McKenna, OSA., affectionately known to all as "Steve" or "Bro." Steve was born in Santa Monica, CA on September 9, 1952 and grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA. While in high school, Steve lived in Germany as a foreign exchange student for a summer and continued his relationship with his German "family" through the rest of his life.
Steve was a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. While there he became interested in the Order of St. Augustine, (known as the Augustinians). Steve entered the Pre-Novitiate Program at the Cole Street house in San Francisco, CA. in 1975. Steve made his Novitiate in St. Louis, MO.,professing his Simple Vows on August 29, 1977 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, CA. After earning his Masters of Divinity at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., he professed Solemn Vows at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA in 1981. Steve did not seek Ordination, deciding to serve God's people as a Brother.
Bro. Steve's first teaching assignment as an Augustinian was at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA from 1981 to 1987. There he taught religion and speech, was Moderator of Student Activities, Dorm Proctor and Campus Minister. He was named a "Villanova Angel" for his dedication and involvement in campus life.
Bro. Steve spent the next eighteen years teaching at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. He taught subjects including religion, Spanish, and American History. Bro. Steve's ability to teach Spanish grew out of time spent in Mexico City while studying theology and later in Ensenada, Mexico, during summer vacations while teaching as an Augustinian.
Bro. Steve's college major was American History. He supplemented his academic knowledge with reenactment activities, including the Civil War, WWI and WWII. He passed this knowledge on to his students who gained from both Steve's academic knowledge and his reenacting experience. Bro. Steve took part in the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on the actual battlefield and served as a technical advisor to many programs on the A&E Network and History Channel.
Bro. Steve was very involved with the Augustinian Volunteer Program as the San Diego Coordinator. In August of 2005, Bro. Steve began a sabbatical in Washington, D.C. in preparation for ministry at both the Villanueva Apartments, a low income housing project in San Ysidro, CA and Hogar Infantil la Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico, both sponsored by the Province of St. Augustine.
In September 2005, Steve returned to San Diego for a lung biopsy and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The disease progressed very quickly, culminating in his death at an all too early age. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA., with his Augustinian brothers, his family and numerous friends and former students in attendance.
Steve is survived by his brothers Kevin of New York City and Tim of Reno, NV. As well as Sisters-In-Law Laura (Kevin) and Kellie (Tim) McKenna. Nieces Courtney, Zoey and Felicity and nephew Matt. Preceeded in death by both his parents.
Bro. Steve touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. He truly was a friend to all he met. His memory will live on in our hearts. It was my pleasure and honor to have known Steve for 18 years. Never a day passes that I don't think of him. Rest easy my friend. You humbled us all by your example of faithfulness and unconditional love. Steve is still a part of the family; he is just apart from the family.
The photo section has additional pictures of Steve. Please click on them to read the captions.
Steve was a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. While there he became interested in the Order of St. Augustine, (known as the Augustinians). Steve entered the Pre-Novitiate Program at the Cole Street house in San Francisco, CA. in 1975. Steve made his Novitiate in St. Louis, MO.,professing his Simple Vows on August 29, 1977 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, CA. After earning his Masters of Divinity at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., he professed Solemn Vows at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA in 1981. Steve did not seek Ordination, deciding to serve God's people as a Brother.
Bro. Steve's first teaching assignment as an Augustinian was at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA from 1981 to 1987. There he taught religion and speech, was Moderator of Student Activities, Dorm Proctor and Campus Minister. He was named a "Villanova Angel" for his dedication and involvement in campus life.
Bro. Steve spent the next eighteen years teaching at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. He taught subjects including religion, Spanish, and American History. Bro. Steve's ability to teach Spanish grew out of time spent in Mexico City while studying theology and later in Ensenada, Mexico, during summer vacations while teaching as an Augustinian.
Bro. Steve's college major was American History. He supplemented his academic knowledge with reenactment activities, including the Civil War, WWI and WWII. He passed this knowledge on to his students who gained from both Steve's academic knowledge and his reenacting experience. Bro. Steve took part in the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on the actual battlefield and served as a technical advisor to many programs on the A&E Network and History Channel.
Bro. Steve was very involved with the Augustinian Volunteer Program as the San Diego Coordinator. In August of 2005, Bro. Steve began a sabbatical in Washington, D.C. in preparation for ministry at both the Villanueva Apartments, a low income housing project in San Ysidro, CA and Hogar Infantil la Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico, both sponsored by the Province of St. Augustine.
In September 2005, Steve returned to San Diego for a lung biopsy and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The disease progressed very quickly, culminating in his death at an all too early age. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA., with his Augustinian brothers, his family and numerous friends and former students in attendance.
Steve is survived by his brothers Kevin of New York City and Tim of Reno, NV. As well as Sisters-In-Law Laura (Kevin) and Kellie (Tim) McKenna. Nieces Courtney, Zoey and Felicity and nephew Matt. Preceeded in death by both his parents.
Bro. Steve touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. He truly was a friend to all he met. His memory will live on in our hearts. It was my pleasure and honor to have known Steve for 18 years. Never a day passes that I don't think of him. Rest easy my friend. You humbled us all by your example of faithfulness and unconditional love. Steve is still a part of the family; he is just apart from the family.
The photo section has additional pictures of Steve. Please click on them to read the captions.
Bro. J. Stephen McKenna, OSA., affectionately known to all as "Steve" or "Bro." Steve was born in Santa Monica, CA on September 9, 1952 and grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA. While in high school, Steve lived in Germany as a foreign exchange student for a summer and continued his relationship with his German "family" through the rest of his life.
Steve was a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. While there he became interested in the Order of St. Augustine, (known as the Augustinians). Steve entered the Pre-Novitiate Program at the Cole Street house in San Francisco, CA. in 1975. Steve made his Novitiate in St. Louis, MO.,professing his Simple Vows on August 29, 1977 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, CA. After earning his Masters of Divinity at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., he professed Solemn Vows at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA in 1981. Steve did not seek Ordination, deciding to serve God's people as a Brother.
Bro. Steve's first teaching assignment as an Augustinian was at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA from 1981 to 1987. There he taught religion and speech, was Moderator of Student Activities, Dorm Proctor and Campus Minister. He was named a "Villanova Angel" for his dedication and involvement in campus life.
Bro. Steve spent the next eighteen years teaching at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. He taught subjects including religion, Spanish, and American History. Bro. Steve's ability to teach Spanish grew out of time spent in Mexico City while studying theology and later in Ensenada, Mexico, during summer vacations while teaching as an Augustinian.
Bro. Steve's college major was American History. He supplemented his academic knowledge with reenactment activities, including the Civil War, WWI and WWII. He passed this knowledge on to his students who gained from both Steve's academic knowledge and his reenacting experience. Bro. Steve took part in the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on the actual battlefield and served as a technical advisor to many programs on the A&E Network and History Channel.
Bro. Steve was very involved with the Augustinian Volunteer Program as the San Diego Coordinator. In August of 2005, Bro. Steve began a sabbatical in Washington, D.C. in preparation for ministry at both the Villanueva Apartments, a low income housing project in San Ysidro, CA and Hogar Infantil la Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico, both sponsored by the Province of St. Augustine.
In September 2005, Steve returned to San Diego for a lung biopsy and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The disease progressed very quickly, culminating in his death at an all too early age. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA., with his Augustinian brothers, his family and numerous friends and former students in attendance.
Steve is survived by his brothers Kevin of New York City and Tim of Reno, NV. As well as Sisters-In-Law Laura (Kevin) and Kellie (Tim) McKenna. Nieces Courtney, Zoey and Felicity and nephew Matt. Preceeded in death by both his parents.
Bro. Steve touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. He truly was a friend to all he met. His memory will live on in our hearts. It was my pleasure and honor to have known Steve for 18 years. Never a day passes that I don't think of him. Rest easy my friend. You humbled us all by your example of faithfulness and unconditional love. Steve is still a part of the family; he is just apart from the family.
The photo section has additional pictures of Steve. Please click on them to read the captions.
Steve was a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. While there he became interested in the Order of St. Augustine, (known as the Augustinians). Steve entered the Pre-Novitiate Program at the Cole Street house in San Francisco, CA. in 1975. Steve made his Novitiate in St. Louis, MO.,professing his Simple Vows on August 29, 1977 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, CA. After earning his Masters of Divinity at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., he professed Solemn Vows at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA in 1981. Steve did not seek Ordination, deciding to serve God's people as a Brother.
Bro. Steve's first teaching assignment as an Augustinian was at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA from 1981 to 1987. There he taught religion and speech, was Moderator of Student Activities, Dorm Proctor and Campus Minister. He was named a "Villanova Angel" for his dedication and involvement in campus life.
Bro. Steve spent the next eighteen years teaching at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. He taught subjects including religion, Spanish, and American History. Bro. Steve's ability to teach Spanish grew out of time spent in Mexico City while studying theology and later in Ensenada, Mexico, during summer vacations while teaching as an Augustinian.
Bro. Steve's college major was American History. He supplemented his academic knowledge with reenactment activities, including the Civil War, WWI and WWII. He passed this knowledge on to his students who gained from both Steve's academic knowledge and his reenacting experience. Bro. Steve took part in the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on the actual battlefield and served as a technical advisor to many programs on the A&E Network and History Channel.
Bro. Steve was very involved with the Augustinian Volunteer Program as the San Diego Coordinator. In August of 2005, Bro. Steve began a sabbatical in Washington, D.C. in preparation for ministry at both the Villanueva Apartments, a low income housing project in San Ysidro, CA and Hogar Infantil la Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico, both sponsored by the Province of St. Augustine.
In September 2005, Steve returned to San Diego for a lung biopsy and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The disease progressed very quickly, culminating in his death at an all too early age. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church in San Diego, CA., with his Augustinian brothers, his family and numerous friends and former students in attendance.
Steve is survived by his brothers Kevin of New York City and Tim of Reno, NV. As well as Sisters-In-Law Laura (Kevin) and Kellie (Tim) McKenna. Nieces Courtney, Zoey and Felicity and nephew Matt. Preceeded in death by both his parents.
Bro. Steve touched the lives of so many people in so many ways. He truly was a friend to all he met. His memory will live on in our hearts. It was my pleasure and honor to have known Steve for 18 years. Never a day passes that I don't think of him. Rest easy my friend. You humbled us all by your example of faithfulness and unconditional love. Steve is still a part of the family; he is just apart from the family.
The photo section has additional pictures of Steve. Please click on them to read the captions.
