Br. Michael Schain

Upon graduation, Andrew began a nine year stint at Roncalli High School in Manitowoc, WI. Coming to Roncalli in its third year of existence, he taught social studies and religion and also directed the school band. It was in Manitowoc where he professed his final vows in 1972. Andrew was known for his outreach to the young men (Roncalli was co-institutional at the beginning of his time there) who were most “at risk”, even though the term was not in use at the time. One of Andrew’s former students, and for whom he was confirmation sponsor, eventually became the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Beginning in 1976 Andrew felt a call to the missions and so began his journey on the continent of Africa. Here begins a pattern where he alternated between ministry in the US and two African countries. He began as an administrator and band director at St. Joseph School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After seven years there he returned to the US serving at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, MN. In 1984 he resumed his Ethiopian ministry this time at the Gebre Mikael Center in Addis Ababa. Upon his return to the US in 1986 he began to use his baptismal name of Michael. He served in three District ministries from 1986-1992: Pacelli HS in Stevens Point, WI, Dunrovin Retreat Center in Stillwater, MN and the Guadalupe Area Project in St. Paul, MN. In 1987 he made a session at Sangre Retreat Center in New Mexico and earned a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1992. Feeling a call to return to Africa, he served in the De La Salle Postulancy in Rongai, Kenya from 1992-1998 and in the Scholasticate in Nairobi from 1998-1999. Still not finished with his mission in Africa, he returned to the Gebre Mikael Center in Addis Ababa from 1999-2002. Upon his return to the US he served in the Twin Cities: Saint Mary’s University from 2002-2005 and in the Media Center at Cretin-Derham Hall from 2005-2015. In his later years he assisted in the library and tutored students. A quiet, unassuming man, Michael appreciated working quietly and diligently, making his presence felt when needed. A pattern of reaching out where needed and to the most in need developed throughout his life as a Brother. Parkinsons Disease took its toll during the final years of his journey. He passed away quietly at Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis on September 29, 2016 having completed 52 years as a Lasallian educator.