About

Francis L. Markey was ordained a priest in 1937. In his occasional musings entitled, Reveries and Recollections, he states, soon after his ordination an “Archbishop targeted me as a reserve army chaplain.” He interned in the Civilian Conservation Corp (C.C.C.) – a program established in 1933 and jointly overseen by the Army and the US Interior Department. The C.C.C. was designed to “douse unemployment among young Americans, and a try at directing idle youth towards refurbishing a mean outdoor.” He notes many of those in the ranks had limited education and opportunity. The C.C.C. provided structure, housing, the ability to complete education, and pay. In short, dignity. Read more.

Marge Webb envisioned possibilities. A conversation with her was filled with excitement and anticipation. Her personal journey took her through discernment of religious life as a Dominican sister as she completed her bachelor’s degree at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, and was further developed with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Mary and Jesus in Oakland, earning her MA in Social Work. Her curiosity enabled her to keep pace with her cousin, Fr. Francis L. Markey, in working to raise the visibility of women and the laity in Church, in furtherance of the direction of Vatican II.  Upon his death, she was named the executor of Fr. Markey’s estate. Marge turned to Santa Clara University as a partner in ongoing formation of women, as well as the laity. She said “Like her cousin, the Jesuits are dreamers who make a real difference in the world, she says. “They’re not afraid to express their vision.” Read more.