Br. Theodore Letendre

Brother Theodore Letendre, FIC A much beloved chaplain, Br. Theodore (Fr. Ted) died on May 5, 2023 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a lengthy period of declining health. He was born in Fall River, MA on January 18, 1940, the only child of Rodolphe and Alice (Surrette) Letendre. In 1953 he began his formation as a religious brother on the campus of Notre Dame Institute in Alfred, ME. On August 15, 1958, he became a Brother of Christian Instruction. He professed the perpetual vows of religion on August 22, 1964. Br. Ted began his teaching career in 1960 at Denis Hall Junior High School in Alfred, Maine. This was followed by years as a high school educator serving as guidance counselor in Fall River, MA, first at Msgr. Prevost H.S. (1964-68) and then at Bishop Connolly H.S. (1968-78). He was deeply committed to C.L.C. Sodality Movement, locally and nationally. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Bridgewater State College he relocated in 1978 to North Canton, Ohio to work in admissions for his undergraduate alma mater - Class of ’67 - Walsh College (now University). As Advisor to International Students, his open door and listening skills helped students cope with stress, tension and anxiety. Beginning in 1985 he enjoyed very successful years in pastoral work as founding member of WU’s campus ministry program. Brother Ted was very active in the WU chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Other projects included Walk for the Hungry, Fast for a World Harvest, and support for Amnesty International, Oxfam, Catholic Relief Services and Food for the Poor. He worked closely with WU President Brother Francis Blown in creating the Institute of Peace and Justice on campus. As team chaplain he was especially proud of the successes of various sport teams. He did not often travel with the teams but spent a good deal of time preparing prayers that would be uplifting: may the quality of your play bring glory to His name. Daily he prayed on waking up, “May I be the instrument best suited to the promotion of the Good News on the Walsh campus.” Not surprisingly, we was voted by the Senior Class the Outstanding Educator of the Year in 1989. Throughout his life in community, he was energetically active in highlighting birthdays and anniversaries, holidays and holydays. There was always a little something decorating the dining room and chapel. The festive atmosphere provided a religious feeling that permeated the entire community with joy. In 1996, Br. Ted became Director of the Brothers’ Mission of the Risen Lord in Maysel, Clay County, WV. There he was actively engaged in a well-established college volunteer program that gave hundreds of students from across the country hands-on ministry experience with the economically disadvantaged. In 1995 he was chosen by his religious confreres to be their ordained Brother to serve the chaplaincy needs of their community and to direct the N.D. Spiritual Center on the Notre Dame campus in Alfred, ME. After his seminary studies at Boston College and the Western School of Theology (MA), he was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 9, 1997 by Bishop Joseph Gerry of Portland. Ted lived the mandate the bishop gave him “Go where called and give where needed”. As the ordained brother, he rendered a great service to the Alfred Brothers offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each and every day. He presided compassionately over Brothers’ funerals and jubilee celebrations, preparing the program booklets for each occasion. Occasionally he made himself available to local parishes as a “supply priest” in the event of the absence of the local pastor. In 1997 Ted became director of Notre Dame Spiritual Center on the Alfred campus. He was greatly attached to this ministry. It put him in touch with thousands of people of varying ages, who were seeking clarity in their lives in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. His years of ministry to his confreres on Shaker Hill and to their worshiping neighbors manifested remarkable endearing qualities: great sympathy, sensitivity and thoughtfulness. For several years, Brother Ted served as Catholic Chaplain at the University of New England in nearby Biddeford as well as Chaplain of the York County Jail in Alfred. He paid weekly visits to the inmates who asked for his services. He was saddened to have to cancel chapel services during the Covid-19 months. The curtailment of the sacraments and home visitations was a great loss. At 78 with various health issues and diminished energy, Br. Ted “retired” to the Brothers’ facility in Alfred in 2017, continuing to offer highly appreciated chaplaincy services to the very end. Local pastor of St. Therese in Sanford Fr. Wilfred Labbe will preside over the prayers at the reception of Brother Ted’s body in the Brothers’ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Alfred at 3:00 on Thursday, May 18. A wake service will be held at 6:30 that evening. Both ceremonies are open to the public, the wake hours being from 3:00 to 7:00 and prior to the 10:30 funeral Mass to be celebrated Friday by the Most Rev. Bishop Robert Deeley of Portland. All are welcome. Burial will take place immediately in the Brothers’ Cemetery on Shaker Hill. Those unable to attend BRother Ted's Mass of cCHristian Burial in person are invited to attend via livestream through the Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service Facebook page which can be found by clicking the link below. Brother Ted will be greatly missed not only by his religious confreres and a few distant cousins, but especially by his many friends and “parishioners” who found his services and advice very motivating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Fr. Ted’s favorite charities, the Brothers’ newest mission school of O.L. of the Assumption in South Sudan. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.