Rev. Bernard Lickteig, O. Carm.

Reverend Bernard (Fabian Phillip) Lickteig, O.Carm., died at the age of 91 on November 26, 2012, in Olathe, Kansas. Fabian was born to (the late) Francis Joseph Lickteig and (the late) Elizabeth (Wolken) Lickteig on January 7, 1921, in Greeley, Kansas. His given name at baptism was Fabian Phillip Lickteig. He is pre-deceased by his sisters; Beatrice (Lickteig) Gilner, Agatha,(Lickteig) Meyers, and Irma (Lickteig)Miller, and Brothers; Alfred, Raymond, Lester, Dominic and Reverend Fergus Lickteig, O.Carm. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth (Lickteig) Gellhaus, and brother Francis, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Fabian attended Saint John the Baptist Grade School, before entering Mount Carmel Junior Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. He joined the Carmelites and received the habit on August 14, 1939, taking the religious name Bernard. He made first vows on August 15, 1940 in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania. He entered Mount Carmel College and pursued a degree in Philosophy which he received in 1943 before professing solemn vows with the Carmelites on August 15, 1943 in Washington, DC. Moving to Whitefriars Hall there, he continued his education at Catholic University of America. In 1946, he received his degree in Science-Education. Brother Bernard Lickteig, O.Carm., was ordained a priest on June 8, 1946 at Saint Clara Church in Chicago, Illinois. Father Bernard continued his studies earning advanced degrees in Math/German from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, in 1949; and Education-Chemistry at University of Chicago, in 1952. He also studied Counseling in 1974, at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Father Bernard's first assignment was at Mount Carmel High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he served as teacher for the next four years. Moving to Hamilton, Massachusetts, Father Bernard joined the Our Lady of the Scapular Carmelite Community and the staff of the Carmelite Retreat house in Hamilton. During the nine years he served in retreat work, Father Bernard also served as a teacher at the Carmelite Junior Seminary there. In his last year of retreat work, Father Bernard worked to promote their newest ministry, which was building the Saint Therese Chapel located in the North-Shore Mall Shopping Center, in Peabody, Massachusetts. In 1960 Father Bernard moved south to the state of Texas, where he served as a teacher at Mount Carmel High School in Houston. After three years there he moved to Englewood, New Jersey, where he became pastor of Saint Cecilia Parish. During this time he was also elected as second councilor for the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, an office he held for the next three years. After nine years as pastor of Saint Cecilia's in Englewood, New Jersey, Father Bernard moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to serve as associate pastor of Saint Agnes Parish. While there he also served in provincial administration, assisting with provincial goals and parish coordination. In 1978, Father Bernard returned to New Jersey and became pastor of Saint Therese Parish in Cresskill. After two years as pastor, he returned to Arizona, becoming pastor of Saint Raphael's Parish in Glendale; a position he held for the next nine years. In 1989 he returned to Texas to serve at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Houston, where he served as associate pastor. Staying in Houston he also served as associate pastor at Saint Albert Parish, before moving back to his home state of Kansas. In 1991 Father Bernard moved to Saint Boniface Parish and Priory in Scipio. There he assisted in parish work. After three years there, he joined the Saint Joseph Community in Leavenworth, and became associate pastor for Immaculate Conception/Saint Joseph Parish. In 1996, after 50 years of ministry Father Bernard Lickteig, O.Carm., began a well-deserved retirement staying in his home state of Kansas, and returning to the Saint Boniface Community in Scipio. After five years there, in 2001, he moved to Saint John the Baptist Community in Greeley. He later moved back to Houston, Texas, to the Casa Santa Teresita Community where he was in residence until March of 2007. When Casa Santa Teresita, the pre-novitiate community in Houston, relocated to Chicago, he returned to Kansas, and resided at Villa Saint Francis, in Olathe, where he lived until his death. Father Bernard loved to travel throughout Europe and the United States. He was interested in all phases of life, which he enjoyed very much. Father Bernard had a deep love for his brothers and sisters, maintaining a close bond throughout his life. May he rest in peace. Visitation for Reverend Bernard Lickteig, O.Carm., will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Saint John the Baptist Church, 427 S. Prairie, Greeley, Kansas 66033, beginning with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place also at Saint John the Baptist Church on Monday, December 3, 2012, at 10:00 AM with interment immediately following at Saint Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Scipio. Donations in honor of Reverend Bernard Lickteig, O.Carm., may be made to: the Society of Mount Carmel, 1317 North Frontage Road, Darien, Illinois, 60561. For further information on the Reverend Bernard Lickteig, O.Carm., or the Order of Carmelites contact Carmelite Media at (630) 971-0724 or visit the Carmelite website at www.carmelnet.org .