Father Eugene C. Renard, SJ, died September 25, 2023, at St. Ignatius Hall in Florissant, Missouri. He was 93 years old, a Jesuit for 76 years, and a priest for 63 years. Fr. Renard spent a significant part of his ministry in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Pueblo.
A priest of unfailing kindness, Fr. Renard donated his body to science in a final act of generosity. For anyone in the area, his Memorial Mass will be celebrated in the Jesuit chapel at St. Ignatius Hall at Garden Villas North in Florissant, Missouri, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. A visitation will precede it beginning at 10:00 a.m.
For those in Colorado, the Mass will be live-streamed and found at bit.ly/Fr-Renard-Memorial or through a YouTube search for “Memorial Mass for Fr. Gene Renard, SJ.”
Father Eugene C. Renard’s Obituary
Eugene C. Renard was born in Richmond Heights, Missouri, on October 29, 1929, to Eugene C. Renard, Sr., and Louise Janes Renard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Louise Berglund and Anne Smith. He is survived by his sister, Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Renard, RSCJ, and numerous nieces and nephews.
After graduating from St. Louis University High School, he entered the Society of Jesus at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant on August 8, 1947. He pronounced first vows on August 15, 1949, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1960, at St. Mary’s College in St. Marys, Kansas. He pronounced final vows in the Society on September 9, 1978, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis.
Father Renard’s first apostolic mission as a priest was as socius, or assistant, to the master of novices at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant from 1962 to 1964. He then taught at Regis High School in Denver until 1973 before beginning a ministry as director of the nursing community, first at the Regency Nursing Inn (1973-74) and then at Grand Manor (1974-79), both in St. Louis.
Following a brief sabbatical, Fr. Renard turned to direct pastoral work, serving as associate pastor and then pastor and superior at parishes in Colorado: Sacred Heart Parish in Denver, 1980-88, St. Joseph Church in Pueblo, 1988-89, and Holy Trinity Parish in Trinidad, 1989-2006.
From 2006 to 2015, he served as a retreat and spiritual director at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis.
In 2015, he was missioned to Jesuit Hall as a pastoral minister but was assigned to a ministry of prayer in 2018. He moved with the rest of the community to St. Ignatius Hall in January.
Following humanities studies in the seminary, Fr. Renard earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Saint Louis University. He earned a Master of Arts in Latin and a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from Saint Louis University.
Though retiring naturally, Fr. Renard embraced assignments that challenged and stretched him. His sweet disposition and pastoral sensitivity shone through his illness to the very end.
We remember with gratitude all that God has done through his life of service to God and God’s people.
Memorial gifts may be made to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus at 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108, or online at www.JesuitsCentralSouthern.org.