Age Quod Agis - Jesuit High School

Twenty-Five Years in Society of Jesus for Father J.K. Adams
Fr. J.K. Adams, S.J. presides at the annual mass of the Holy Spirit at Jesuit
High School in fall 2009. Photo by Kate Bernard ‘10.
Father Ed McTighe Turns 80 - Happy Birthday!
An early family photo: father ed (“mac”), sister Pat Halpin, mother
maybelle, brother Denny, brother ron (deceased), brother Tom, and Fr. ed
mcTighe, S.J. outside the family home in Spokane.
Father Edward McTighe, S.J. celebrated his 80th
birthday on July 30, 2010. Fr. McTighe arrived at Jesuit
High School in 1963 when tuition was around $250/year
and the all-male student body numbered about 350. He
taught Religion and English to underclassmen (mostly
freshmen) and directed Glee Club. He held his teaching
position until he went on sabbatical to Harvard in 1975-76.
When Fr. McTighe returned to Jesuit after sabbatical,
the Glee Club was no longer. He taught English for juniors,
American Literature and a writing class in 1976. During his
20 years in Jesuit’s classrooms he was also in charge of the
upkeep of the grounds and and planted all the trees along
Mary’s Way and the South Wing, which are his pride and
joy.
• 14 •
Always known as “J.K.,” Fr. Adams entered the Society
of Jesus after beginning his apostolic labors as Director of
Religious Education for St. Jude’s Parish in Havre, Montana.
After twenty-five years, he is well and fondly remembered
there as he is by past students and alumni at Gonzaga Prep
and Jesuit High. He is once more at Jesuit High School where
he taught before ordination. He teaches theology and also
serves as superior of the Jesuit community. (Oregon Province
“Jesuit Jubiliarians 2010” brochure. More information and
stories can be found at www.nwjesuits.org.)
“We are proud to be co-laborers at Jesuit High with
so many excellent and dedicated faculty, staff, and
administrators,” says Fr. Adams. “It is a privilege to take
part in the education of young men and women who are
destined, we hope, for great things in service to God and
others as they mature into adulthood.”
Fr. McTighe was transferred to
Bellarmine High in Tacoma during
1983-86, where he taught an English
program for special-needs youngsters.
In 1986 he began a full-time Pastoral
Service position at Providence St.
Vincent Hospital and returned to
residence at Jesuit High.
Fr. McTighe is still in residence
at Jesuit and is a substitute teacher in
Fr. Conroy’s Theology classes. He also
participates in weekly mass at school
and sings with the musicians. “What
a delight to keep young around our
young people,” says Fr. McTighe.
“They’re very special!” Fr. McTighe
celebrates mass in Canisius Chapel
at 7:15 a.m. and helps out at various
parishes.
“One of the most impressive
things about Fr. Ed McTighe is his
efforts to do priestly work at both
St. Pius and Arch Cape and other
churches when he is asked to fill in,”
says Fr. Bill Hayes, S.J. “He does this
despite his physical ailments and
limitations. Ed always has a smile for
everyone. He loves to sing and does
so with the Friday Liturgy group. Two
of his favorite sayings are, ‘I was just
going to say...” and ‘they tell me...’”
Fr. mcTighe - from high
school senior to priest
to integral part of the
Jesuit HS community.