Fr Shaun Carls SJ, RIP
Fr Shaun Vincent Carls SJ
(16 May 1964 – 11 June 2018)
It is with great sadness that the Society of Jesus in South Africa (Jesuits) notifies of the tragic, sudden and unexpected death of our brother, Fr Shaun Vincent Carls SJ, in the early hours of Monday, 11 June 2018.
Fr Shaun was 54 years old and had been a Jesuit for 25 years, a milestone which he was due to celebrate next month.
He entered the Society on 1 July 1993 and professed his first vows in 1995. He did studies at St Joseph’s Theological Institute at Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Heythrop College in London and at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. He was ordained a priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 September 2006. He professed his final vows in the Society of Jesus on 29 June 2016.
After ordination, Fr Shaun worked at St Martin de Porres in Orlando West, Soweto and then at St Kizito’s Orientation Seminary in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
At the time of his death he was the community superior of St Ignatius House in Auckland Park, Johannesburg and also the Vocations Coordinator for the Jesuits in South Africa.
We ask you to remember him, his family and the Jesuits in South Africa in your prayers at this difficult time.
The funeral mass will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Braamfontein, Johannesburg at 11h00 on 23 June 2018
with interment afterwards at West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg.
MAY FR.SHAUNS SOUL RIP.WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD
Two years ago I did my first confession with Fr Shaun. I had tried several other of the Jesuits at their Auckland Park house. Fr Shaun was the one for me. He was an excellent confessor and I began to consider him in the light of a Spiritual Director. He got me. Fr Shaun was able to hear my confessions as though the two of us were trailing our toes in a pond or stream while conversing or is that “confessing?”. I didn’t see Fr Shaun as often as I would have liked to…however when I did it was with a sense of bonhomie without it being cavalier.
His insights into my life were gifted with “knowledge”. He could see right into the grubby windows of my soul. By the end of my confession those windows were clear and transparent again.
Fr Shaun helped me with the accelerating condition that my mother currently suffers…Alzheimer’s. Truly he was a gentle and companionable soul on this journey of my life. I will miss him and pray for him. He deserves my time and attention as he was willing to give me. Rest in Peace Fr Shaun.
Beautiful, thank you ❤️
Thank you for expressing this so well Mary-Ann.
This was my experience too when Fr Shaun heard my confession as part of the Spiritual Exercises.
I am grateful for the insight that ‘got me’ within one short meeting, and the scripture he gave me that continues to speak to me with compassion and deep love from God.
May Shaun be rejoicing in Peace in the Palace of Nowhere.
Our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of Fr Shaun Carls and SJ community. May the Lord grant him eternal life and peace to all.
Thank you❤️
Two years ago I was blessed to be introduced to Fr Shaun as my confessor. At the time I was struggling with the acceleration of my mother’s condition of Alzheimer’s. Fr Shaun did more for me in the confessional than all of the medical and nursing fraternity had ever done for me and my family. He guided me in my thinking and he journeyed with me in my grief, sorrow and resentment.
He was a big hearted man and a merciful Jesuit priest. He had remarkable insights into my character and was merciful in his understanding of my behaviour. He was the one Jesuit at Auckland Park that I felt I could really go to when I least felt in a state of grace. I will miss him and his giftedness as a priest more than words can express. I am truly grateful that our paths crossed at a time in my life when few cared to take this journey with me.
May He truly Rest In Peace.
Rest In Peace,Shaun
Such a sad and tragic loss. We are keeping all of you in our prayers.
Really sad. I know Fr Shaun for many years in fact the entire family of his .He used to play football for my team and I was a player /coach. My kids are very fond of him and always kept in contact with him
May his soul rest in Peace.Morgan Davis
Je n’ai pas connu le Père Shaun, mais j’ai perçu à travers le message du décès de sa mort qui m’a été transmis par un de ses proches, la grandeur et la profondeur de l’âme de cet humble serviteur de Dieu! Qu’ il trouve place auprès de Dieu pour la vie éternelle!
Mes sincères condoléances aux jésuites, à sa famille biologique, et aux nombreuses personnes éprouvées par cette tragique disparition!
I did tertianship with Shaun in the US back in 2011-2012. He was a wise soul with a delightful sense of humour! My prayers go out to his family, friends and all the Jesuits of the South Africa region.
Fr. Shaun has always been a kind, humble and God serving individual. We studied teaching together in the 80 ‘s at the Rand College of Education and retained contact over the years. It is with great sadness that I hear about his passing. He did what he wanted to do and that was to serve the Lord. His deep spirituality helped me in my growth as a Deacon. My sincerest condolences to his family and brother Jesuits. Rest in Peace my friend.+ Dcn Mario Da Costa
Fr Shaun was one of the most inspiring priests l have met. He will be sorely missed
MAY HIS DEAR SOUL R.I.P.
It is with such great shock that I have learnt of the passing on of Fr. Shaun. In 2014 he arranged my first visit to the Jesuits House and started helping me on my journey for late vocation into Priesthood. I had a number of meetings with him and today I still refelct on the materials that he shared with me and and continue my journey to find my discernment. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.