Terence Austin Leonard Dosh died of Parkinson’s Thursday, April 7, 2016, believing: “Whether in life or in death we belong to God.”
Terry was born in St Paul on Nov 22, 1930, the sixth of seven children born into the loving family of Charles M and Lilly Olson Dosh.
He was nurtured in Catholic parishes and schools (St. Helena Mpls.) until he moved to St John’s in Collegeville (1944) for Prep School and University. An avid sportsman and curious, passionate student, he applied his scholarship as a social justice activist. He became a Benedictine Oblate Nov 21, 1945 (Gregory). On July 11, 1950 he joined the monastic community, receiving the name Leonard. He was ordained a priest June 1, 1957 and taught at St John’s Prep and University and St. Ben’s in St. Joseph, MN. He shared his enthusiasm and vast knowledge of history, geography and art with his students being mentored by Fr Walter Reger. He served as prefect, Oblate director and publisher of the Oblate newsletter.
PhD in European History was granted by the U of MN (1971) after a year of research in Paris (1966-67).In 1969, Terry took a leave from St John’s U, moving to Manhattan Beach, CA to teach at Cal State Dominguez Hills for five years. He received a permanent leave from the monastic community in 1971, but remained an Oblate.
On Aug 13, 1971, Terry married Millicent Adams of Minneapolis. Their sons, Martin Luther King Chavez (1972) and Paul Gandhi Joseph (1974) were born in California. Terry and Millie returned to Mpls. in 1974 to raise their sons among family. Terry established a teaching/consulting business, teaching in over 100 churches and synagogues the next five years. He helped parishes learn about changes in the church following 2nd Vatican Council through scripture and history classes. In the 1980s, following travel to Central America, he gave 50 free lectures on church history and U.S. military intervention in the region. In 1980-81, he was adult educator at Risen Savior Church, Apple Valley. In 1981-83, Terry served Lake Country Montessori School as administrator. In 1983, founders of CORPUS (Corps of Reserved Priests United for Service) hired Terry as first National Coordinator and publisher of CORPUS Reports. For six years, he traveled the U.S., Canada and Europe encouraging married priests to organize to end mandatory celibacy in the Roman rite. There were groups of married priests all over the world, and Terry helped empower them to publish and act for change. From 1990-2014, Terry published Bread Rising, a newsletter for over 2000 subscribers about injustice and reform in the Catholic Church. For eight of those years he published a newsletter for Priests and People for a Married Priesthood called Around The Table. In all his work, he built and nurtured community. When one door shut, he found another through which he could walk and continue his ministry. He aspired to “preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”
Terry took great pride in Martin’s career as a musician and Paul’s work as a professor, attending their concerts and lectures even at age 84. He treasured their wives and children.
Terry was an activist or board member of church reform organizations such as ARCC, WOC, CCCR, Call to Action, PPL, DISAL, Catholic Worker, Bread for the World, Federation of Christian Ministries. He organized several National Conferences for CORPUS and FCM.
Terry retained an abiding love for his brother monks and St John’s, his home for 30 years. Fr Don Talafous, who shared Terry’s first Europe trip in 1963, was especially attentive in his final years. Fr John Kulas preceded him in death.
Terry was a liberator through storytelling. With short vignettes, which sprang from his brilliant grasp of history and love for people, he could free a listener to see the present in the context of the past with hope for the future. His baptism and the Rule of St Benedict guided his life. He lived with joy and optimism.
Terry’s parents and five siblings (Chuck, Jane, Patty, Tom and Stan) welcomed him home. His attentive and beloved brother Rev. Mark B Dosh survives him.
His wife Millie of 44 years, Martin (Erin), Paul (Andrea Galdames) and four grandchildren (Tadhg Bolen, Naoise Dosh, Araminta and Mateo Dosh Galdames) will miss the gentle love and intelligent guidance of Terry, who loved them so much.
All gatherings are at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 1500 Franklin Ave. SE, Mpls. [Please carpool to ease limited parking.] Visitation from 11 to 1 and 4-6:30 on Friday, April 15 with Vespers at 6:45. Eucharist of Christian Burial on Saturday, April 16 at 10:30, Fr. Michael Tegeder presiding. Lunch follows. Two-hour drive to New Richland at 2 .pm.
Terry’s body will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, New Richland. He is now a son of the Resurrection. Alleluia!
No flowers please. Memorials preferred to Building Dignity, Lake Country Endowment, Cabrini Matthew fund or others in need.