A Lifetime of Community Ministry Bro. Roger A. Shondel, O.P.

June 1, 1944 - June 10, 2022

Early in his life, Bro. Roger Shondel, O.P., the youngest and fifth child of Stephen and Melvina (Balint) Shondel of Indiana, knew he would follow the path of religious life. In the third grade he became an altar server. His education began at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grammar School in Hammond, IN 195058; followed by Servite Preparatory Seminary, 1958-61, (Hillside, IL); Bishop Knoll High School 1961-62 (Hammond, IN); and Holy Cross Minor Seminary, 1962-December ‘62 (LaCrosse, WI).

At age 15, he was deeply impressed by the Servites, years later recalling, “There was a vocation weekend given by the Servites. I was so impressed and knew in my heart a vocational life is what I wanted.”

He entered the novitiate at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, IL from 1963 to 1964 with the St. Albert the Great Province. He professed Simple Vows at the Dominican House of Studies on August 5, 1964 and professed Solemn Vows at St. Catherine of Siena in Hammond, IN on August 5, 1970. Bro. Roger joined the Province of St. Martin de Porres when it was established December 8, 1979, as a response to the rapidly growing Catholic population in the Southern United States.

An accomplished tailor, Bro. Roger made the habits and vestments for his community and was the Provincial Tailor for St. Peter Martyr Novitiate in Winona, MN (1965-70). One year, he had to prepare for at least 75 novices, each one who needed two habits! Bro. Roger welcomed these assignments and shared his creativity in preparing altars for Holy Days and designing sets for numerous theatrical and music productions at the schools where he taught. The finished works were unique and memorable.

At St. Vincent Ferrer Priory, Parish, and School in River Forest, IL (1970-75 he was on the parish staff, a religion teacher, and Syndic for the Dominican Friars Community. Assigned to Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX (1975-82), Bro. Roger taught American History and Theatre Arts, was Assistant Principal, Dean of Discipline/Students, Guidance Counselor, Theatrical Director/Producer, and Syndic for the Dominican Friars Community. In 1982, he came to St. Dominic Priory and Parish in New Orleans, his community for the next four decades. He taught religion at St. Dominic Junior High School (1982-83), was Parish Liturgical Decor Coordinator (1982-90), and Parish Home Visitator(1982-90). He served on the Education Committee for Our Lady of Wisdom Health Center (1990-2000) and for Our Lady of Holy Cross College Education Committee (1983-2000). Since 2000, he was curator for the Dominican Friars Cemetery in Rosaryville (LA).

At Dominican, his tenure began in 1983 as a Guidance Counselor. He was School Tutoring Program Coordinator (1983-2015), National Honor Society/Mu Alpha Theta Service Program Coordinator (1983-2015), Archdiocesan College Fair Hospitality Chairman (19832010), Lecturer of Suicide Prevention Program (19942019), and Administrative Assistant since 2019.

He held several degrees: Liberal Arts from Triton Junior College (IL); BA in Sociology, Rosary College (IL); Master of Education, Guidance Counseling, Loyola University Chicago (IL); and Philosophy credits at Aquinas Institute of Philosophy in River Forest (IL). A National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor, the accolades he received over the decades included Presidential Service Award and the John F. Kennedy Award – Faculty Member of the Year honor from Bishop Lynch High School and Counselor “Emeritus” Recognition from Dominican, that also presented him 25th, 30th , and 35th Year Service Awards.

In 2017, the Dominican Friars of St. Martin de Porres Province honored Bro. Roger with the St. Martin de Porres Award at the Southern Dominican Province Gala. The award salutes the recipient’s lifetime of recognizing the spiritual needs of the New Orleans community. Reflecting on receiving the honor, Bro. Roger shared, “To be listed among past recipients such as Gayle and Tom Benson, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Harry Connick, Sr., and Harry Connick, Jr., to name a few from the past 30 years, certainly humbles me. This great honor named on behalf of St. Martin de Porres, Patron Saint of mixed-race people, public health workers, and all those who seek racial harmony, and the Patron Saint of the Southern Dominican Province, reflects what it means to be a person of perseverance, patience, happiness, and joy. St. Martin de Porres certainly exemplified all of these qualities. He was a man of great humility, who righted wrongs and injustices whenever confronted by them. To be recognized in my lifetime as a person who has tried to recognize both the spiritual and temporal needs of those with whom I have worked and collaborated, I thank God for the continued blessings which allow me to continue working on behalf of others for the last 35 years at St. Mary’s Dominican High School.”

Throughout his life, Bro. Roger touched countless lives – fellow Friars, colleagues, students, alumnae, parents. His lifetime of ministry was a blessing to all.