| A native of Lake Charles, T. L. Herlong Jr.
entered St. Joseph Seminary, St. Benedict, La. on graduating from Lake
Charles High School. After nearly two years of discernment, he entered the
Society of Jesus at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau and later studied at
Spring Hill College, Mobile and St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s Kansas. He
was ordained at Spring Hill College in June, 1958 by Archbishop Thomas
Toolen.
As a Jesuit, he taught chemistry, math , speech, theology and Latin in
Dallas and Houston. He coached tennis and a speech team. He directed a glee
club and choral groups as well as a high school marching band. His glee club
staged "Pirates of Penzance;" one of his debate teams won a National Cherry
Blossom Tournament at Georgetown University. He directed the first
Shakespearean production ("My Friend, Mr. Shakespear") at Strake
Jesuit, Houston. He has served at three Jesuit retreat houses, Lafayette
Charity Hospital and one year as a layman at DeQuincy High School. He has a
B.S. in chemistry from Spring Hill, an S.T.L. from St. Louis University and
an M.S. in psychology from U. S. L. He has published a number of articles in
local and national periodicals.
In 1968, he left ministry as many priests did at the time. Unlike most,
he returned to vowed life, officially in 1970. He ended his Jesuit career as
guidance director of Jesuit High School, New Orleans 1974-78. He left the
Society in 1978 and returned to his home diocese where he served as
associate at Sacred Heart, Ville Platte, administrator at St. Raphael's in
Iowa, pastor at Immaculate Conception, Jennings (where he acted as diocesan
director of scouting and founded both a KC Council and a Catholic Charities)
and St. Mary of the Lake, Big Lake (where he founded another Council, and
CDA Court).
He retired in 1996 from administrative duties, but continued active in
various education and worship ministries, including chaplain of Council 1207
and director of men's cursillo as well as director of Radio Maria. Having
been slowed down by a heart operation in April 2001, he took up residence at
Villa Maria Retirement Center in August, 2002 and has resumed helping out in
various ministries in the area.
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