b'THE MYSTERIOUSUNFOLDING OF A MARIANIST VOCATIONMarianist Father Gene Contadino never planned to become spiritual director at the Marianist Mission, but just beyond view, Mary always has been there guiding his path.By LeeAnn MeyerI was at St. Joseph High School, a former Marianist boysve never had a plan in my life, says MarianistFather Gene Contadino, reflecting on hisschool (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School) inMarianist career path. With Mary as his model, Cleveland. He recalls, with humor, when his mentorhed always found himself responding, Ill do it, and first principal, the late Marianist Brother Stanand accepting whatever position he was asked to fill. Matthews, asked him: What do you know aboutThat began with his first assignment as a high school the newspaper?religion and English teacher, followed by service posi- Well, I read one, was Father Genes response,tions as a pastor, basketball team and with that he became the moderator of the schoolALL PHOTOS: BEN ROBINSONchaplain, campus minister, university newspaper. rector and fundraiser. Each assign- With this same opennessand promptings fromment added to his repertoire of expe- the Holy Spirithe attended seminary and was riences, combining his creative gifts ordained in 1970. In the following years, he served aswith his deep desire to genuinely pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish in Dayton for sixknow and serve Gods people.years, as campus minister and other roles at UniversityLooking back, God has usedof Dayton for 26 years and as pastor of St. Francis deFather Genes life experiences as the Sales Parish in Cincinnati for 10 years.perfect training ground for his role Initially, he had agreed to go to UD for one year,today as spiritual director for the thinking he would not enjoy the academic setting.Marianist Mission in Dayton, Ohio. On my first day as campus minister, I asked, So,He is well-suited for this job, says what do I do? They told me just go around and talkLinda Hayes, director of the Mission,to people.because he understands people and As he got to know secretaries and dining servicewhat they encounter in their lives. workers, professors and custodial staff, the job evolved.We are thrilled to have Father Gene I celebrated baptisms, funerals and whatever elsejoin our Mission team and provide people needed. In addition, he visited colleges aroundFather Gene Contadino, SM, spiritual direction for this special ministry. the country as chaplain for the mens basketball team. spiritual director, Marianist In 1990, Marianist Brother Ray Fitz, then presidentMission Led by the spiritone step at a time of UD, asked Father Gene to serve as rector, respondingFather Gene first professed vows as a Marianist in to issues of Catholic identity in higher education.1959 while attending University of Dayton. I grad- My task was to incorporate the theory of being auated in 1962, and all I wanted to do was be a high Marianist into practical behaviors, like hiring processes.school teacher, he says. His first teaching assignment It was the most challenging, yet fun, job I ever had. 10 Call 1.800.348.4732'