A Good, Good, Good Legacy of Service and Presence: Revs. Ray Allender, S.J., and Greg Goethals, S.J.

At St. Ignatius College Prep, we celebrate the last Sunday of the liturgical year—the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—by conferring the Christ the King Award. It is the highest honor the school can bestow upon an alum. The recipient is someone who has "distinguished themselves in their profession, demonstrated a commitment to the S.I. community, and best exemplifies the ideal of service to God and others. This year’s honoree, Rev. Ray Allender, S.J., is a man who has time and again “risen up to the best ideals of being an Ignatian.”

“It is the most important decision the St. Ignatius Alumni Board makes each year,” said S.I. Alumni Director Tom Hsieh ’83. After attending both the Mass and the reception that followed, I understand why. At the gathering, an alumni parent told me that she and her husband come to the Christ the King celebration every year because it’s important to honor a person during their lifetime. “Sadly, I go to many funerals where we remember someone after they’re gone,” she said. “But this event gives us a chance to say, ‘Thank you. I love you.’” Her wise words stayed with me—made all the more poignant when, on Monday morning, I learned that Rev. Greg Goethals, S.J., had died. Greg retired as President of Loyola High School in June; he was 70 years old.

Greg would not have received SI's Christ the King Award because he was a member of Loyola High's class of 1973. His leadership during his tenure at SI however, was quite distinguished. As written by SI President, Joe Vollert, "He served as a rector, teacher, campus minister, counselor, chair of the Board of Trustees, and as the Superior of SI's Jesuit community. His lasting gift to SI was to start and fund the Adult Spirituality Program, a gift to so many of us today."

I came to SI in the Fall of 2003. I immediately found a home in this large and vibrant community thanks to the work of Adult Spirituality. As written on our website, 

St. Ignatius’ Office of Adult Spirituality provides a spiritual formation program for faculty, staff and parents rooted in the Jesuit and Ignatian tradition and grounded in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. 

The future fidelity and commitment to the Ignatian charism and the Mission and Identity of Jesuit Secondary Education depends on the formation of our Ignatian Partners. Those partners, “are willing to deepen their own Ignatian spirituality and assume greater responsibility for the institution’s Jesuit Identity. ” (Responding to the Call of Christ: Provincials Letter, 2008).

SI, like every Catholic school, has a mission. As an apostolate of the Society of Jesus, our mission is shared with Jesuit schools throughout the world. As an educator in a Jesuit secondary school, I am called to bring that mission to life—in the classroom, on the field, and as a Catholic witness. I firmly believe that if we do not abide by our mission, we should close our doors. Our lived mission is a gift to students, their families, and the community we serve.

The Office of Adult Spirituality seeks to form and inform educators in this mission. We do this through faculty retreats, ministry mornings, Ignatian evenings, Advent and Lenten lunches and in offering the Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. New teachers attend formation sessions during their first five years in the community and  retreats with other Jesuit educators. All are invited to apply for grants to make a personal retreat. Truly, I am not only the teacher I am today but the person I am because of what Greg brought to SI. This office has been a spiritual home for me and my colleagues, enriching not only our lives but, by extension, the faith and spiritual experiences of our students.

I sent Father Greg a Christmas card every year for the past fifteen years. After three years at another school, I returned to SI to work in the Office of Adult Spirituality; I could NOT wait to share the good news in that seasonal greeting. I will admit, part of me enjoyed sending those cards because I just loved receiving a card from him. I would catch a glimpse of that Crane's paper, replete with the return address of 1901 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90006 and await the beauty inside. Anyone that knew Greg is aware that he enjoyed the finer things in life—his stationery was just one example of that.

We taught together in the Religious Studies Department. After he left S.I., the next time I saw him was at the Ignatian Family Teach-In in Fort Benning, Georgia. We stood for a few hours at an outdoor prayer vigil, reciting the names of the Jesuit martyrs, their housekeeper, and her daughter in a solemn call and response. It was freezing cold, and the mood was appropriately somber. Greg made his way over to our group to say hello, and that’s when I noticed his Burberry plaid wool scarf. I won’t mince words—a high-end designer scarf wasn’t exactly typical for that gathering and yet, I had to comment on it. We laughed. He loved it as much as I did. That memory is a great snapshot of Greg. He was present—he showed up and did so with style—his style.

But my most meaningful encounter—and memory—of Greg occurred in June 2010. My mom and I took a mother/daughter road trip down Highway One to visit Hearst Castle and two Presidential museums. Along the way, we stopped in Santa Barbara for the night. We decided to go to the Ritz Carlton for an afternoon cocktail and snack. Who did we run into at the bar  but Greg and his lovely cousin. Our time together was so spirited, I can recall our conversation fifteen years later and the photo here reminds me of that.

If you go on Greg's Facebook page, all you will see are photos of him with family, friends, colleagues, former students, other Jesuits...oh and Barbara Streisand.

This is an important memory for me because what I didn't know at the time is that two short weeks later, my life would change dramatically. I was running and my heart underwent an extensive episode of ventricular tachycardia. Call my lucky or call me blessed, but, the fact that I survived is still difficult to think about today. I spent a week in the hospital and was implanted with an ICD. Somehow, Greg caught word and reached out with prayers and warm wishes. He didn't forget. Six months later he added a personal note on his Christmas card, recalling our time together and inquiring about my health.

Greg was energetic and enthusiastic. Forever on the go, he gave you his undivided attention— even if was for just a minute. He listened intently and would bring the conversation to a close with the words "good, good good." The last time I saw him was at the funeral of Tony Sauer, SJ. I had hoped to see him in August at the mass of remembrance for Eddie Reese, SJ but he may have been traveling as part of his sabbatical. I always thought we would have more time to connect and catch up, laugh, reminisce and remember. This is where death has its sting. It also reminds us to celebrate each other when we can and where we can with our presence, time and our talents.

RS Dept circa 2005

For some reason, I have never been to the Christ the King celebration. I attended on Sunday as the representative from the Office of Adult Spirituality. I was happy to do so because I got to know Father Ray when I was a parishioner at St. Agnes in the Haight. I knew he was beloved and I have always thought he has a wonderful voice—a gift for a preacher. I left that gathering believing what the alumni association pitched was true: Fr. Ray Allender ’62 – "a Jesuit who has facilitated spiritual curiosity, connected parishes across San Francisco to the Ignatian tradition, and fundamentally changed our school forever." 

What might have made the greatest impression on me was what I saw transpire during the Mass. Yes, the homily—given by Mario Prietto, SJ was tremendous, the music was remarkable, and I loved the procession of past honorees. The CTK medal is just regal, accented by red and blue ribbon. SI's communications department put together and outstanding video that chronicled the life of Ray past and present. But it was the nearly 400 people in the church—attentive, smiling, clapping and standing time and again in support, gratitude and love for this  Jesuit priest, pastor, educator and spiritual director that expanded my heart and left me truly inspired.  Indeed, the gathering was what an alumni parent said, "a true tonic for the times."

Furthermore, I served as a eucharistic minister. I finished from my post on the side of the church and moved to the center aisle; Ray was sitting in the front row, right side. The line should have been double—but it became a singular affair as the congregation wanted to touch, hug and reach out to Father Ray before communion. I've never seen anything quite like it and yet I understood it completely. 

Whether it be in life or in death, it is a gift for US to celebrate those men and women who lead by service to others, who show up time and again in places likely and in places unexpected. Greg's death was sudden, and still— I have a feeling that when Saint Peter saw him, there's only one thing he could have said, "good, good, good!" Eternal rest, grant unto Him, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him! And continued blessings to you, Father Ray. We are so grateful for your presence.

Photo Credits
CTK photos
Greg Goethals Loyola

Tale of Two Teammates: Triumph and Tragedy

Classmate is not a word I use lightly. It carries weight—more so as I get older. To call someone a classmate means we shared a chapter of life: the same hallways, common experiences, mutual struggles, and collective victories. I may not know every classmate well—for instance, at Notre Dame, I had about 1,800 of them—but there’s something intangible that connects us. Recent events, both triumphant and tragic surrounding the University of Virginia Class of 2029 made me reflect on the classmates we never get to meet.

My niece and God daughter Grace is headed to Charlottesville this fall. She will join approximately 4,000 other undergraduate students in pursuit of furthering their education and their dreams. She knows her roommate, her dorm and what classes she will be taking. She doesn't need to declare a major until Sophomore year but is looking to pursue a degree in Biology. Grace is not the only student from her high school going to UVA, but no doubt she will be meeting new men and women—her classmates who hail from all over the US. However, two of them won't be there for two very different reasons.

A tale of triumph
Although Novak Djokovic remains on the tour, the retirement of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal ushered in a new era for men's tennis. A youth movement has taken surge and for now Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are leading the pack. But one up and coming player is an 18-year old from Rio de Janiero, João Fonseca. The Brazilian had committed to play NCAA tennis at UVA, but after reaching the quarterfinals of the 500-level tournament, Fonseca decided forgo his college plans and pursue tennis professionally.

According to a statement posted on his Instagram account, “It was an incredibly tough decision for me and my family as I have been dreaming about living a college life in Charlottesville, playing the sport that l love with a wonderful team and coach, but, in the last months, professional tennis called me in a way that I simply couldn't say ‘no’.” 

He added, “Although I will not be attending school, I think it is an extremely valuable and viable path for young tennis players (on) their way to professional careers.”

You wouldn’t have seen him in UVA’s blue and orange or Brazil’s green and gold—Wimbledon’s strict dress code wouldn’t allow it—but perhaps you caught a glimpse of João on the grass courts this summer. He made it to the third round, becoming the youngest man to do so since Australia's Bernard Tomic in 2011. Can I get a Cavalier "Wah-hoo-wa!"

A tale of tragedy
The 2025 JSN Colloquium on Jesuit Education at Creighton University was moving, memorable, affirming and challenging. Over 425 educators from Jesuit schools across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico gathered for keynote speakers, panel responses, small group sharing and experiences of prayer in June. 

Jamal Adams, the new President of Loyola High School in Los Angeles, led our first communal Ignatian Reflection. He spoke candidly about the profound challenges his school community faced in 2025. Many families lost their homes in the LA wildfires. In response, the school became a hub of support—a gathering place for those displaced and in need of essentials. The weight of what they carried was palpable, knowing that friends, families, and neighbors were forced to evacuate, relocate, and rebuild their lives. Others on staff felt called to bear witness to this hardship. One teacher said "this semester was like swimming through glue." That image has stayed with me.

I came to find out that a senior named Braun Levi and his family relocated to Manhattan Beach after losing their home in the Palisades fire. On Sunday, May 4, 2025 Braun was killed by a drunk driver. I couldn't process all that I had heard. Losing a home? Losing a life? A son? A student? A friend? I had no words. Another Loyola teacher said "we were just surviving." Given a string of tragedies we had at St. Ignatius about ten years ago, I'm sad to say, "I understand."

Braun was a nationally ranked player, a four-year varsity starter at Loyola, and the Cubs' team captain. Essentially Sports writes,

His coach, Brian Held, spoke to The Los Angeles Times on May 5, saying Levi was “probably the most decorated player to ever play for the school.” Loyola High School’s athletic department echoed that sentiment in a moving tribute on Instagram: “His lovable personality, infectious smile, and boundless energy made him a beloved member of the Loyola community. He was a true Man for and With Others, and we will miss him dearly.”

He was also committed to play at the University of Virginia, starting this fall. When I shared this news with my niece, she pulled up the United States Tennis Association's remarkable tribute Live Like Braun Levi: The Bright Legacy of Loyola High School’s Tennis Star. Together, we both read the entire post. 

I wonder if Grace and Braun would have been friends. His younger sister Adelle said she was his best friend. Their father Dan, said he was and then added, "he made everyone feel that way." I mourn for the Levi family, for the Loyola school community, his former classmates and those who could have been.

Let Us Remember

The 25 year reunion for the Class of 1996 took place in June of 2022. Because of COVID our celebration took place one year later but this did not deter my classmates from showing up. (In fact people are still talking about us. That's right the Class of 1996 came, saw and conquered). One of the most memorable gatherings that weekend was a class mass in Cavanaugh Hall. After the eucharist, a classmate shared a slide show featuring the names and pictures of over 40 classmates who had died. Several were friends. A few were surprising to me. It was both beautiful and difficult, but necessary. We belong to each other, whether we share the journey in practice or in theory, in chronos or kairos, here and now or in our dreams. 

Thinking about both João and Braun and in remembering my own classmates and teammates, I cannot help but realize to know and call another person by either title—sometimes both!—is a blessing. It is a gift, defined by time and space—both ordinary and sacred. Blessed be.

Photo Credits
Lions tennis
Fist bump: Joao
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