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Rev. Luke M. Powers, O.S.A. (1887 - 1970)

Rev. Luke M. Powers, O.S.A. entered eternal life June 16, 1970.

Luke Michael Powers was born October 12, 1887 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Luke and Briget (Burke) Powers. He was Baptized October 15, 1887 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Northampton.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate July 4, 1905. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine July 5, 1906 and solemn (permanent) vows July 6, 1909. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1909. He pursued theological studies in Rome, Italy. He was ordained a Priest July 25, 1912.

Father Powers was Assistant Pastor of St. Rita Catholic Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1913 to 1917. He taught at Villanova College, his Alma Mater, from 1918 to 1920, while also serving as Sub-Prior (assistant local superior) of the Augustinian community there.

From 1920 to 1926 Father was assigned to parish ministry in Detroit, Michigan. In 1926 he became Assistant Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he also served as Sub-Prior.

Father Powers was transferred in 1929 to St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Flint, Michigan, where he was Pastor for the next 37 years. He also served several terms as Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community in Flint.

Because of ill health, he retired in 1966. He died June 16, 1970 of congestive heart failure and a pulmonary embolism.

When a new centralized Catholic high school, replacing seven smaller Catholic schools, was opened in Flint in the Autumn of 1970, it was named The Luke M. Powers Catholic Education Center in recognition of his long ministry to the people of Flint.

He was originally buried at St. Mary's Hall Cemetery, Villanova. When that cemetery was relocated to the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Father Powers' body was moved there.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.