Funeral Mass was held July 18 at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, Okla., for Benedictine Father Matthew (Joseph) Brown, 91, who died July 12. He had been a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey for 70 years and an ordained priest for 64 years.Born in Fletcher, Okla., he entered the novitiate of St. Gregory’s Abbey after two years studying at St. Gregory’s College. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 19, 1949.Father Brown served in many roles of ministry and leadership during his life as a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey. Besides ministering in many roles at the abbey, including abbey subprior, he served in numerous pastoral appointments. Locally, he served at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in East Los Angeles as associate pastor (1949-53) and pastor (1969-76). Returning to St. Gregory’s Abbey permanently in 2008, he was the eldest and senior monk of the community at the time of his death. Memorial gifts may be made to the St. Gregory’s Abbey Church Restoration Fund, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK 74804-2404.
