Father Leo Kennedy was born on June 16, 1930 in Worcester, Massachusetts to John and Doris Clark Kennedy. He has three brothers and two sisters and attended St. Stephen’s Grammar and High School. Leo was inspired by films on mission and by reading books and pamphlets given to him by Father Reilly. He entered Maryknoll at Brookline, Massachusetts on September 7, 1949 and was ordained on June 13, 1959.

After ordination, Father Kennedy was assigned to the Maryknoll Mission Region of Africa, and upon completion of language studies he worked in the parishes of Busanda, Mwanangi and Mipa in the Shinyanga Diocese of Tanzania. In July 1976, Father Kennedy was assigned to the Development Department for three years, working in the Detroit area , and was re-assigned to Tanzania in July 1979. Upon his return to Tanzania, he worked in the Nassa area, then moved to Old Maswa parish, and in 1985 was assigned as full-time pastor at Nyalikungu, working with newly ordained priests. The main thrust of Father Kennedy’s work has been teaching catechumens.

Father Kennedy retired on July 1, 1997, continuing to reside in Tanzania, working at the Ndoleleji Parish in the Shinyanga Diocese, saying Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing, and helping the poor and the sick. He joined the Retirement Community on October 1, 2000, but continues his residence in Tanzania.

Leo's Reflections             Leo's Ministry

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