Mr. McManus Leaves a Legacy for Students and Teachers

by William Clew for  The Catholic Free Press

Many of those who knew Charles McManus and many who worked with him expressed their respect and fond memories this week. Bishop Reilly remembered Mr. McManus as a professional educator and as a friend.

“Charlie McManus was a very special man, a true professional who knew, promoted and served Catholic education from the local, the diocesan and the national level. Being superintendent of Catholic schools here in Worcester was not a job for him, but a true calling that he embraced with his faith and ability as a way to serve God and the Church,” Bishop Reilly said.

“He was also a down-to-earth man whose friendship I enjoyed in all the years I knew him. May the Lord strengthen Beth, his dear wife, and all the members of his family on their great loss, and God grant Charlie his well-deserved eternal reward.”

When Mr. McManus retired in 2004, Bishop Rueger, a former diocesan superintendent of schools himself, said that Mr. McManus treated his work as a ministry. “Charlie is a good role model for (lay Catholics) no matter what ministry they chose,” the bishop said, adding that the superintendent was a man of “great fidelity and very balanced judgement.”

First Lay Superintendent in the Diocese

This week, Bishop Rueger said that Mr. McManus “was a man who was well focused and did not hesitate to move toward important goals in Catholic education. Mr. McManus leaves a legacy for students and teachers. He worked on the national level, too, and traveled extensively for new ideas that could be used here.” He noted that Mr. McManus not only was the first lay superintendent of schools in the diocese, he also was the first lay headmaster at Holy Name Central Catholic High School.

In a time of transition at Catholic schools when the role of priests and religious was growing smaller and lay involvement was growing larger, Mr. McManus was very respectful of every priest and every bishop. When he retired, Mr. McManus said his greatest accomplishment as superintendent was a commitment to maintaining Catholic identity in diocesan schools. Much of the professional development the department allots teachers goes to religious enrichment, he noted. This focus on the Catholicism of the diocesan schools is necessary since most schools are now staffed by lay people. “We need to be able to assure everybody that we still are a Catholic school system committed to a strong, religious education in our schools,” he said.

A True Champion of Catholic Education

In a memorandum to teachers and administrators in the diocesan school system, Superintendent Delma L. Josephson said, “With the passing of Charlie McManus last Friday, Catholic education lost a true friend and champion.” She said those in the Catholic Schools Office who had worked with Charlie for years said, “He was always there no matter what. He didn’t think twice about helping others. Nothing was an inconvenience for him.” They said, “He was a take charge person who
did it with love.” Those newer to the office recognized that, “leaders like Charlie don’t come often enough,” Mrs. Josephson said. “The Catholic Schools Office staff is very grateful for Charlie’s legacy to our students. Thousands have benefited from his dedication and
service,” she said.

Initiated the Adopt-A-Student Program

Owen Coogan, former diocesan director of development and a long-time friend of Mr. McManus, worked with him in funding-raising, especially for the Adopt-A-Student program. “Charlie McManus was truly a man among men. His was the unusual ability to lead quietly and effectively while having us feel effective! He was one of a kind and will be truly missed,” he said. Michael Coogan, former associate diocesan director of development said his dad, Mr. McManus and William O’Brien, under Bishop Harrington, initiated Adopt-A-Student and the Catholic Schools Annual Appeal.

“Even after retirement, Charlie remained strongly committed to the Adopt-A-Student
program,” Mr. Coogan said. “Our working relationship evolved into a friendship. I’m proud to have worked with him and to have called him a friend.”

Robert Pape, current chairman of the Adopt-A-Student program, said Mr. McManus was one of
the people who recruited him for the program. “Charlie was a guiding force in the Adopt-AStudent
program. There were many chairmen, but Charlie always made sure things happened. We referred to him as the ‘Energizer Bunny.’ He just kept on going. “He had many contacts and friends whom he enlisted to support the Adopt-A-Student program and this was all driven by his commitment to Catholic education and helping those less fortunate achieve a Catholic education.”

Servant Leadership

“Charlie McManus was for me, an example of servant leadership,” said Patricia Halpin, former associate superintendent of schools from 1984 to 2004. “He not only set the agenda, he set up the chairs, brought the coffee and turned out the lights; all done with a light heart and a generous spirit. “One didn’t work for Charlie, we worked with Charlie. Charlie encouraged us to try new things, to expand our horizons and if the outcome wasn’t quite what we had hoped it was OK because Charlie was loyal and you knew he had your back. For the almost two decades I was privileged to work in the Catholic School Department, Charlie was the light, his door always open, he taught us to welcome all and serve with love and compassion.”