1912 – 1995 (March 11)
Cornelius Raymond Lehane, son of Jeremiah Lehane and Helena Donovan, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on September 28, 1912. He had four sisters and five brothers, one of whom, John, was also a member of our Order. Conny, as he was known among the Augustinians, was baptized on October 13, 1912 at Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence. He was received into the novitiate on September 11, 1930, professed simple vows on September 12, 1931, and solemn vows on September 12, 1934. He attended Villanova College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in June, 1935, and after completing theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1938 in Washington.
Father Lehane’s first assignment was to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, from 1939 to 1946. For the next 20 years, he ministered in the educational apostolate. From 1946 to 1950, he was assigned to Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, IL., and in August 1950 he returned to Saint Rita High School. From August 1959 to 1962, Father Lehane ministered to the students at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago.
In 1962 Father Lehane served in the missionary apostolate, as Mission Superior to the Augustinians working in the Japanese Missions from 1962 to 1963. With the founding of the Midwest Mission apostolate in Peru, he was sent there as the Mission Superior from 1963 to 1965. Father Lehane returned to Saint Rita High School during the middle of the 1965 academic year. In 1967, he entered into parochial ministry, serving as associate pastor of Saint Clare Parish, Chicago until 1971. He then took up residence at Saint Rita Monastery, Chicago while serving as Province Counselor from 1971 to 1974. In August, 1973, he was transferred to Tolentine Center where he served the community as prior from 1975 to 1983.
He served as Personnel Director from 1971 to 1979. From 1979 to 1985, he was Director of Internal Ministry. On September 11 1985 the senior members of the Province elected Father Lehane to be the Chairman of the Senior Status Commission. He resided in retirement at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery until he suffered a stroke in February, 1995. Father Lehane died on March 11, 1995 following a period of suffering and debilitation. He was a sincere and sympathetic person by nature and was willing to extend himself to the needs not only of his fellow Augustinians but also their parents and families. His enthusiasm and concern for others are the hallmarks of his ministry.
Father Lehane is buried in the Augustinian plot at Saint Mary’s parish, Lawrence, MA.
