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An actor who performed here this past summer described Saint Vincent Theatre as “actor heaven.” Fr. Tom Devereux, O.S.B., gave him a ride, and was along with several other recent Saint Vincent also going to Pittsburgh that day. That car ride graduates, founded Saint Vincent Summer prompted Fr. Tom to offer the bright young man a Theatre. The next year after fulfilling his Army job on the tech crew for his upcoming production duty, Joe joined them. Joe Reilly and Pat Carney of “West Side Story.” And the rest as they say is were married by Fr. Tom on a Tuesday so they history. would not disrupt the The chance encounter Summer Theatre schedule. with Fr. Tom led to a Their daughters Colleen and life-long friendship and a Annie were baptized by Fr. professional relationship Tom and were raised with between him and Joe. This a strong passion and love encounter sparked other for the theatre. Joe worked pivotal elements of Joe’s as an actor, director, and story. producer of the Theatre until Before entering the draft, the very day that he died. Joe had been discerning Joe was a great presence Joe with cast members from his call to priestly ministry at Saint Vincent who a production of Godspell. and was being drawn to a influenced four decades of different path. If he was students, whether he was unsure prior to “West Side Story,” he may have directing them on stage or teaching them in his been more convinced that priestly life was not great acting and film courses in the classroom. He for him when Fr. Tom introduced Joe to the lead loved life, even while encountering serious health actress and singer, Seton Hill student Patricia problems throughout the last several years. Carney. He also loved Saint Vincent and embraced the In 1969, Fr. Tom and Patricia Carney, Benedictine charisms throughout his life.
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