Brother Michael Worry, FSR
When he was known as Brother Michael, he taught at Bishop Manogue during the period 1974-1978. Father George Wolf was the Principal, and a student named Chuck Durante, now Father Chuck Durante, matriculated as a student. Brother Michael taught Religion and Journalism at Bishop Manogue. He also worked at the Reno Diocese, directing the CYO program for two years while living in the religious community of the Brothers of the Most Holy Rosary.
Interestingly, Brother Michael left Reno to begin a journey toward ordination to the priesthood. Now known by the name of Father Benedict Worry, Father Benedict studied Philosophy at Seton Hall in New Jersey, Theology at St. Vincent’s in Pennsylvania, and was ordained a priest in the Benedictine Order in 1987.
As a priest, Father Benedict continued his work in education. He worked some 18 years at St. Mary’s Abbey Prep/Delbarton in Morristown, N.J., serving as the Business Administrator and teaching Algebra, Geometry and Theology. It should be noted St. Mary’s is a highly regarded school whose tuition is some three times more than Bishop Manogue’s.
From St. Mary’s, Father Benedict moved to Princeton where he became the Chaplain at Rider University, a private institution. In the year 2000 he was named pastor, and presently serves as the pastor of St. Elizabeth’s in Linden, N.J., near Newark. As pastor he remains involved with education, as he has responsibilities to Saints Mary and Elizabeth Academy.
When speaking with the gregarious and joyful Father Benedict, he had just returned from a visit to the Holy Land with a cadre of Bishops including Bishop Daniel Walsh, formerly Bishop of Reno/Las Vegas. Father Benedict, although a Benedictine, has been granted Papal honors designating him the equivalent of a Monsignor.
When asked what he remembers about Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Father Benedict remembered “great camaraderie among the faculty, and an excellent relationship with the Principal, Father Wolf. The faculty was extremely dedicated, even though the years were lean.” He remembers students having a great deal of pride in the school. One Homecoming at which he served as the Sophomore Moderator, Bertha and Tina, the John Ascuaga owned elephants, pulled the sophomore float around the field. Did he have happy memories? “God yes! I loved the place!”
Source: Bishop Manogue Alumni Magazine… Open as PDF
