at Fairfield Prep in Fairfield CT
Fr. Martin G. Shaughnessy, S.J
Fr. Martin G. Shaughnessy, S.J, teacher of Theology at Fairfield Prep, was born in South Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Boston College High School and then entered the Society of Jesus in 1951 after spending two years at Boston College. He studied the liberal arts and philosophy at Weston College where he received an A. B. from Boston College and an M.A. in Philosophy. He taught at Boston College High School from 1957 until 1960. He then studied theology at Weston College and was ordained to the priesthood in 1963. In 1965 he received an M.A. in Education from Boston College and was assigned to the Shadowbrook Novitiate to help in the training of future Jesuits. After three years at Shadowbrook he was assigned to Fairfield Prep in 1968 and he has spent the last 28 years at Fairfield Prep. In 1970 he completed a Masters in the Art of Teaching at the University of San Francisco.
Fr. Shaughnessy has been involved in the world of Prep activities as priest, religious, and teacher. The art of teaching religious education is difficult at any time and during the post Vatican era it has demanded creativity, great energy and openness to change. Fr. Shaughnessy has served as Chairperson of the Theology Department during some of the challenging years of changes at Prep and elsewhere. He is currently involved in other activities such as moderator of the Senior Key Club and the Current Events/Weather Club.
Pastoral duties have always been an important aspect of Fr. Shaughnessy's life here at Prep and during the school year he helps at Notre Dame Parish in Easton, CT especially with the children's training and liturgies. He also helps in the other parishes in the diocese. He has spent many summers doing pastoral work in parishes and hospitals in such places as: Alaska, several times in California, Washington, North and South Carolina, the New England States, Florida, Utah, the Bahamas, and the Island of Jamaica. He spends his spare time checking the fortunes of the Red Sox and Celtics, swimming and walking, reading a good book, and cheering for the many Prep teams.
