Message to QU Community on the passing of Fr. Daren Zehnle

From Fr. John Doctor, vice president for mission & ministry:

There are moments when words fail, and the unexpected and sudden death of Fr. Daren Zehnle on November 27, at the age of 47, due to a massive stroke, is one of those moments. Sister Death has gently welcomed him into the fullness of life toward which we all journey. We can imagine him greeted by the words of the Gospel: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Fr. Daren’s deepest passion was following Christ as an ordained priest—through his preaching, his celebration of the sacraments, and his faithful companionship with all who sought to grow in their relationship with God.

Fr. Daren found a true home within the Quincy University community. The University offered him a place to live out his vocation as a teacher and mentor, guiding young adults as they deepened their faith and discovered Christ in new ways. As Director of Campus Ministry, he devoted himself to creating opportunities, programs, and experiences that nurtured spiritual growth across the campus.

Arrangements to celebrate and give thanks for the life of Fr. Daren are as follows:

• Vigil and Visitation
  Monday, December 8, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Quincy University Chapel
• Mass of Christian Burial
  Tuesday, December 9, at 12:00 p.m.
  St. Francis Solanus Church
  A dinner will follow in the Parish Center after the burial.

As faculty, staff, and students, we grieve the loss of Fr. Daren from our midst, yet we also remember with gratitude the blessing he was to our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family, friends, brother priests of the Diocese of Springfield, former parishioners, and colleagues at the Catholic Center.

In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Daren may now be reminding us: “Christ taught me what I was to do. May Christ now teach you what you are to do.”

Fr. Bob Barko, OFM, Associate Director of Campus Ministry, and Fr. John Doctor, OFM, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, are available—along with our Success Coaches—to pray with you or speak with you as we navigate this profound loss together. Support is available individually or in groups.