I am Hal (Halbert) Weidner, the Catholic Chaplain at Wesleyan University in Middletown CT. I was ordained for the Oratory of St Philip Neri in 1974. You can find out more about that in thevirtualoratory.com
I was educated at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina and Catholic University in Washington, DC where I got my bachelor’s degree in philosophy. I took two years off and worked for vocational rehab at George Washington University where we trained (in 1969!) homebound clients in computer programming, microfilm equipment operation, and data retrieval. A year later I taught all three grades at San Joaquin Middle School with a great community of San Rafael Dominicans.
I got an MA and an MDiv at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and later a doctorate in theology from Oxford University.
I was a campus ministry, director of religious education, provost, and parish priest in South Carolina. I took a sabbatical year to explore houses of prayer in other countries like India and Israel. I spent from 1991 to 2007 back in my home diocese of Honolulu. I had a sabbatical as chaplain to Benedictine Sisters in Idaho and then came here.
My main interests are literature, music, dogs, and pigs…and old movies especially if they have dogs and pigs in them and nobody dies.
Thanks for mentioning Charles de Foucauld. He has been a campanion of mine for almost 40 years. I have spoken of him and have done “Foucauld” retreats. I will be in NC for Christmas and say Mass at St Philip Neri Church in Fort Mills, with John Guiliiani. He is the most welcoming and warm man guy. Blessed Christmas.
Dear Fathe Hal–Your blog is wonderful! I must copy this–somehow. Now I have found out that you were in North Carolina. I went to Averett University in Danville, Va.–graduated in “54,so I know a little about the south, and love it, and still have friends there.
Glad you got my Christmas “donation”. Wish it could be more. This has been a horrible year for all of us! By the way, How is Father David? Send him my best regards,please.
Keep in touch–I will do the same.
Miss you at HTC. Mele Kalilimaka!
Eileen
Just checked out your blog on a snow day in Rock Hill
Keep up the good writing
talk to you soon
aloha
dv
Fr. Hal, so glad I came upon this website/blog. Have been wondering what you’re up to these days. I love the east coast; hopefully it’s warming into spring. HT is alive and well, but you are missed!
Aloha, Mary H
Hal,
Am happy, I just stumbled upon your blog. Haven’t seen you for so long. Keep the Spirit alive at Weslayan.
Ted Vierra
Welcome to New England, Hal! Bill Kamai told me you were at Wesleyan when he called this week to ask about our class reunion (can’t attend, it coincides with Betsy’s). What a journey, literally and figuratively! As you know, it was from here that that the Congregational missionaries set out to “save” the Native Hawaiians. These were the sampe people who referred to Boston as the Hub of the Universe. You’ve found your way back. Can we plan a visit? We’re only 2 hours apart. By the way, there is a surprisingly large Punahou community in the area.
Aloha, Ced