by Daniel Gallio

The seminary and archdiocese mourn the passing of Fr. Paul Berg (1921-2009), a priest for sixty years, a philosophy professor for over fifty years, shown teaching a class in 2006 in his famous green sweater.

"He was an academic, an athlete, a priest concerned for the well-being of seminarians," recalls Msgr. Edward Baldwin, emeritus professor of Latin, about his colleague of over fifty year, Fr. Paul Berg. "But most of all, I remember him by himself in the chapel praying before the Blessed Sacrament."

Resident priest and emeritus professor Father Berg passed away of natural causes on January 26, at the age of eighty-seven. His influence on three generations of archdiocesan priests is considerable, having taught philosophy at the seminary since 1955 while coaching the Sacred Heart Lions basketball team for nearly as long, right up until the current season.

He is remembered as a quiet and modest man—"a man of a few, well-chosen words"—said his nephew, John Berg, at the funeral Mass held at the seminary on January 30. Despite being an academic, he was a man of action and held strong convictions about the social justice ministry of the Church. He organized a pilgrimage of seminarians and participated in the 1965 Selma, Alabama, civil rights march, sometimes called "Bloody Sunday." After the 1967 Detroit civil disturbance, he helped to found with Fr. William Cunningham the influential vocational training and social support organization, Focus: HOPE.

The expression, "If you love me, show me," summarized Father Berg's character, said long time friend Fr. Robert Morand during the funeral Mass homily, quoting a line from the movie My Fair Lady.

Father Berg was ordained in 1948 and is an alumnus of the former Sacred Heart Seminary High School (1940). Until his recent and sudden decline, he was assisting at three archdiocesan parishes, teaching philosophy at the seminary, and according to Monsignor Baldwin, golfing at least twice per week. The figure of Father Berg practicing his golf swing on the seminary grounds, wearing his well-worn Kelly green sweater, white raincoat and fishing hat, is fondly remembered. 

The Walsh Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Irish Catholic fraternal organization, bestowed on Father Berg its Man of the Year award in October. Father had served as chaplain to the order for many years. He was a fan of all things Irish, especially the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Sacred Heart's seminarians have for years called their lounge "O'Berg's" in his honor.