Charlie Callahan was one of the most colorful Maryknollers in Tanzania.  He was
a wonderful raconteur, but when someone tried to lay it on too thick Charlie
would say, "Don’t try to BS a BSer."  His version of the "principle of good
faith" when dealing with urgent pastoral problems at the far end of Shinyanga
Diocese was:  "Use your head, follow your conscience, and leave the bishop in
good faith."

    "Cal," as he was often called, was very playful and a great kidder.  The
Apostolic Nuncio in Eastern Africa didn’t know English very well.  When he came
to the Maryknoll Society House in Nairobi for practice in conversation, Charlie
enjoyed talking to him.  The nuncio followed the principle of "when in doubt,
say yes."  So to Charlie’s questions such as "How is your house?" and "How is
the food" the archbishop would answer "Yes, Yes."  When Charlie went on with
questions such as "How is your wife" and ‘How are your children" the nuncio
would continue to answer "Yes, Yes." 

    When the
vicar general of the Discalced Carmelites stayed overnight at the Nairobi house,
Charlie asked him many questions about the monastic vocation and said that he
himself might even have a contemplative vocation.  When the visitor said the
Carmelites get up at 4 a.m. to pray, Charlie expressed great interest and then
said in a causal way, "Well, I get up at 3 a.m. every morning.  Very impressed,
the vicar general asked Cal what he did at such an early time.  Charlie said:
"Take a pee."   
          

   
During the last
few months of Charlie’s life, his classmate George Egan took special care of him
in Nairobi.  When another Maryknoller praised George’s kindness and devotion,
Charlie "pooh-poohed" this dedicated service saying, "Now if the helper was a
beautiful young nurse, that would be different."  Cal wanted to die with
his boots on and a smile on his lips.  He preferred a joyful Irish wake to a
solemn burial.  During the last week of his life Charlie pointed to his liquor
cabinet and said: "When I go, make sure that the Maryknollers have a good time."