Oblate School of Theology establishes Vance Chair of Systematic Theology

Oblate School of Theology establishes Vance Chair of Systematic Theology

Oblate School of Theology (OST) has established the Louis G. Vance Chair of Systematic Theology and appointed Father Ken Hannon, OMI, PhD, as the first faculty member to hold this professorship. Father Hannon will deliver the inaugural lecture of the Louis G. Vance Memorial Lecture Series in the fall of 2015.

Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI, president of Oblate School of Theology, said the establishment of the new chair is an important milestone in the School’s history. “This is a happy day for all of us in the OST community. In the long history of this school, this is only the second endowed teaching chair to be established. It will enhance Oblate School of Theology’s position as a national and international Catholic educational institution,” he said.

“The Vance Family’s generosity and leadership in the Catholic community are well-known and widespread, and this endowment will benefit the whole faith community,” Father Rolheiser said

Louis Vance, who died in January 2011, had visited the Oblate Lourdes Grottooften with his wife, Vivian, over the years. When their son Paul Vance began studies at OST, his parents became acquainted with several Oblate priests and learned about the variety of ministries conducted by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Paul, who earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology at the School in 2010, is a doctoral student at OST and Director of Adult Education at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish

“My father experienced a definite spiritual renewal in his life around the year 2000, and soon began his active leadership role in ACTS Missions’ retreat ministry. ACTS was a very big part of Dad’s life. Since ACTS Missions has always been based at OST, the obvious link between the mission of ACTS and that of the Oblates was always present,” the younger Vance explained.

“When Dad died and we were thinking about an appropriate way to memorialize him, there was a need for an endowment at Oblate School of Theology. We believed that an endowed teaching chair not only would reflect the importance Dad always placed on education — and particularly education in faith — but would be a permanent memorial. That was very important for us.”

He added that the family is very happy with the selection of Father Ken Hannon, OMI, as the first holder of this professorship. “Father Ken has been deeply involved in ACTS for a long time.  He has made videos, given talks and provided spiritual direction for many people in ACTS, so he is a logical choice for this chair,” Vance said.

The Vance Family, longtime members of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in San Antonio, have been active in evangelization efforts and numerous other kinds of outreach, including Guadalupe Radio, St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, Catholic Charities, the Cordi-Marian Sisters, the Incarnate Word Retirement Center and the Pilgrim Center of Hope.

Louis and Vivian Vance often recited the rosary and other prayers together at the Oblate Lourdes Grotto on the OST campus, and he organized a group of men and women to pray the Stations of the Cross there as well. Louis began his leading role in ACTS retreats in 2001. After leading numerous retreats in San Antonio, he helped take the ministry to Massachusetts, New Mexico and Virginia, his son said.

Father Hannon, 68, was born in San Antonio and grew up in an Army family. After professing his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1967, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University in 1969, graduated from Oblate School of Theology (then known as the Oblate College of the Southwest) in 1972 with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 8, 1972.

During the next two years, he was in parish work at two Oblate parishes, Mary Immaculate Parish in Dallas and Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, Colo. In 1974, he returned to San Antonio and joined the OST faculty. He earned a Master of Arts degree in 1979 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1985, both from the University of Notre Dame.

Father Hannon, professor of Pastoral and Liturgical Theology, has taught Sacramental Theology, Systematic Theology (Christology and Ecclesiology) and Liturgical Studies. He also has been a visiting professor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and at St. Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, South Africa.

Besides his teaching duties, Father Hannon has served as member and chairman of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, board member and president of the Southwest Liturgical Conference and board member of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. He has served as a consultant for church building and remodeling projects and has given frequent presentations on topics of Sacramental Theology, Worship and Ministry.