b'Father Joseph in the Marriage Encounter movement, aRoncalli High School in Pueblo, Colorado.Rasky, SM, 89, died retreat-based ministry. In 1991, he brought In 1969, he entered the Marianist NorthJune 8, 2021, in San his love of Marriage Encounter with him American Seminary in St. Louis and wasAntonio. Beginning when he joined the guidance counseling ordained in 1973. During this time, he alsoin 1954, he taught staff at Central Catholic High School in San earned a masters degree in English fromEnglish and Latin at Antonio. While serving at Central Catholic Northwestern University. Fr. Ralph returnedseveral high schools for the next 22 years, Fr. Joe also served on to St. Louis in 1973 to teach and serve asin the St. Louis area: the national board of Marriage Encounter. chaplain at St. Marys High School, hisAssumption (EastFr. Joe retired from high school ministry in alma mater. Six years later, he earned aFather Joseph Rasky, SM St. Louis, Illinois),2013 and moved to the Marianist Residence doctoral degree in pastoral counselingSt. Marys and Chaminade College Prepara- Community in San Antonio. However, his from Andover Newton Theological School.tory. In 1960, he began seminary studies in work with Marriage Encounter continued He was called in 1980 to serve as assistantFribourg, Switzerland, and was ordained until 2018, at which point he estimated that rector and rector at the North Americanin 1965. Following ordination, Fr. Joe was he had taken part in more than 500 Marriage Marianist Seminary in Toronto, Ontario,named associate pastor at Holy Rosary Encounter weekends through the years.and returned to St. Louis in 1982 to serveParish in San Antonio and served there the former St. Louis Province as assistantuntil 1978. During this time, he earned a Father Ralph for Religious Life. In 1987, Father Ralph wasmasters degree in religious education Siefert, SM, 76, called to serve as president of Chaminadefrom St. Marys University. For the next died Aug. 20, 2021, College Preparatory in St. Louis, a positionthree years, Fr. Joe served as chaplain at in St. Louis. He he would hold for the next 33 years. He isMarianist schools in Callao and Lima, began his ministry credited with putting the school on firm Peru. He returned to the United States in as a Marianistfinancial footing and with building its 1981, becoming a hospital chaplain educator in 1968, reputation for excellence in academics. first at St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood, first as a teacher at He also will be remembered as a caringMissouri, and later at St. Joseph HospitalChaminade College shepherd, a quick wit, a voracious readerin St. Charles, Missouri. While serving as Father Ralph Siefert, SM, Preparatory inand a gourmet cook.\x00hospital chaplain, Fr. Joe became involved St. Louis, followed by an assignment atMemorial: To make a memorial donation in the name of a Marianist, use the envelope enclosed and provide the name of the brother or priest you wish to honor, or go to marianist.com/donate.HELP CARE for ELDERLY MARIANISTSM arianist brothers and priests dont retire, but they doPHOTO: ROBIN JERSTADleave full-time ministry for quieter lives of prayer. Today,half of the brothers and priests are 70 years old, andmany require health assistance.To serve this population, the U.S. Province operates care centersin California, Texas and Ohio where priests and brothers receive awide range of health care services. But escalating costs are impactingthe ability to provide that care. Join our St. Josephs Legacy Club! We invite you to help us carefor our elderly Marianists by becoming a member of St. JosephsLegacy Club, a monthly giving club. Funds are used for medicalcare not covered by insurance as well as general operations. Say thank you! For more information about St. Josephs LegacyClub, contact us at marianist.com or call 800.348.4732. Or mail yourdonation by using the enclosed envelope.marianist.com/donate 23'