A Band of Brothers

Bro. George and a student from a local school.

Read this wonderful reflection given by Bro. George Schmitz, CSC, a member of the Holy Cross community at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  Bro. George, Director of Afterschool Partnerships at the college, serves on the General Administration of the Congregation of Holy Cross.  His past ministries have included mission work in Chile, formation, teaching, and leadership.  Who has been "brother" to you in your life?

Bro. André -- A Personal Reflection

St. Joseph holding Jesus

Bro. Thomas Dziekan, CSC,  reflects on the life of Bro. André and his own calling to become a Holy Cross Brother. 

When I was about 5 years old, my mother and some of her friends went on a bus trip sponsored by our parish in Connecticut to the shrines of Quebec.  One of the things that I remember vividly is the story my mother told us about Brother André, his devotion to St. Joseph and all that he did during his long life. 

Meet an Outstanding Young Brother!

After five grueling years of study at the University of Texas in San Antonio, Holy Cross Br. Jesus Alonso will earn his doctorate in microbiology next summer. He plans to use that degree to investigate viruses and help develop vaccines for some of the world’s most lethal and persistent viruses, like those that cause AIDS, hepatitis, dengue fever and other diseases that ravage large areas of the planet. “Microbiology is a difficult area of study,” said Alonso, an articulate, soft-spoken man of 31, “because there’s so much to learn and new developments are happening all the time.”

Bro. Robert Sylvester, CSC Takes Final Vows

On Saturday, August 21, Brother Robert Sylvester, C.S.C., 64, took his final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at St. Joseph Chapel in Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. Brother Chester Freel, C.S.C., Provincial Superior of the Midwest Province, received Bro. Robert’s vows. Rev. Thomas Lemos, C.S.C., former Novice Master of the Holy Cross Novitiate, Cascade, CO., was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass. The choir was composed of Brothers, Sisters, Sister Novices of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, along with residents of Holy Cross Village.

New General Administration

Every six years, members of the Congregation of Holy Cross from around the world gather in Rome to choose new leadership and to discuss the needs and challenges of the worldwide Holy Cross community.

"It's Contagious!"

Bro. Mark with Bros. Richard and John

Bro. Mark Knightly, CSC the Director of Aging and Health Care for the Holy Cross Brothers of the Eastern Province recently shared his experience of working with his elder brothers in community.  Click the link below to read more.

What is a Religious Brother?

Listen to Bro. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC a Holy Cross Brother explain the vocation of "brotherhood" in the Catholic Church.  Bro. Paul is currently the Executive Director of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC.net).

Holy Cross Goes to Montreal!

Holy Cross pilgrims, St. Joseph's Oratory Gardens

The following reflection was written by Bro. Carlos Parrilla, CSC the Vocation Director for our Midwest Province of Brothers, South Bend, Indiana -- 

2010 Pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

A total of sixteen students and eleven adults from our various Midwest Province, Eastern Province of Brothers, and the South-West Province schools made the tenth annual pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal from July 19 to July 23. The pilgrims were representatives from Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY; Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, CT; Holy Cross High School in San Antonio, TX; Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, OH; as well as the vocation directors from the Midwest, the South-West, and the Eastern Province of Brothers. The pilgrims roomed and took most of their meals at the nearby Collège Jean de Brébeuf, about half a mile from the Oratory.

Spiritual Reading

Too often I find myself distracted by the everyday happenings in my life -- going to the grocery store, returning phone calls and emails, remembering to stop by the pharmacy.  The list can seem endless.  My thoughts become anxious and resentful.  I am losing focus. 

Pope Gives Secret to Vocation

The following article appeared on Zenit.org.  The Holy Father shares his knowledge and wisdom with us about how we come to know our "vocation" or true calling in life.  Read more for his insights. . .

"This is my body. . . "

Daily Eucharist is central in the life of a Holy Cross Brother.  Our Constitutions remind us that, "We find ourselves especially close as a brotherhood when we share this greatest of all table fellowships." 

Bro. Richard Kelly, CSC, of Austin, Texas reflects on this gift . . .

So Others Might Eat (SOME)

Bro. John Gleason, CSC, a Holy Cross Brother and former Novice Director is no novice himself when it comes to serving others.  He does this every day as the Director of Elder Services for SOME, an interfaith social service agency in Washington, DC.  “The needs of the poor and homeless in our community are at an all time high,” said Brother John Gleason. “The fact is, this is a serious situation for people on fixed incomes. These are our community’s elders, yet they are forced to make impossible choices—between paying their rent or utilities, or purchasing groceries.”  Listen as he shares about his work. . .



The Congregation of Holy Cross believes strongly in social justice.   Are you involved in similar work?  Do you have a desire to join us in our ministries to the poor and oppressed?  If so, write to me at holycrossvocations@earthlink.net.                                                    

~  Bro. Jonathan Beebe, CSC

Anticipating Bro. André's Upcoming Canonization (click here for video)

Continue to pray with us as the Congregation of Holy Cross makes preparations for Bro. André's upcoming canonization in Rome in October 2010!

Congrats to Bro. Joe!

One of the brothers in my community, Bro. Joseph Zutelis, CSC celebrated 60 years as a religious brother in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Bro. Joe is 88 years young and is very active, volunteering at a local nursing home and playing piano every night. He is a master English teacher, having studied at Oxford. He taught for many years at Notre Dame International School in Rome, Italy. All of this from a man whose first language was Lithuanian and whose father owned a local pub in his native New Philadelphia, PA. (Bro. Joe
is to the far right in the picture.)

Requiescat in Pace, Bro. Maurus O'Malley, CSC

On Sunday, May 9, Mother's Day, Bro. Maurus O'Malley, CSC, ("M.O.M") the eldest Eastern Province Brother of Holy Cross, passed away.  Bro. Maurus was one of our community "giants," having been one of the founding brothers of Holy Cross High School in Flushing, New York as well as the first Novice Master at St. Joseph Novitiate in Valatie, New York.

My first memory of Bro. Maurus was when I had just entered the community.  I was preparing a liturgy and asked him to do a reading.  He was seated and I was standing over him.  He looked up at me, saw my age, and said in his commanding voice, "Kneel."  I dutifully knelt and then asked my favor -- and he happily did the reading!  May he rest in peace.  His obituary from the Albany, New York paper is copied below.

Run 4 Vocations

See Jon run. See Roger run. See the Holy Cross Brothers "Run 4 Vocations!"

Celebrations

Feast days and religious celebrations are an integral part of the life of a Holy Cross Brother.  We were very fortunate this year in that we celebrated both the Solemnity of St. Joseph and Easter within a few weeks of each other. 

Ad Multos Annos (To Many Years!)

Bro. Ralph in Flushing, NY celebrated his birthday for 4 days in a row! This clip shows his third party - with over 100 women at the annual "Supper is Served" dinner. Lots of hugs and kisses that night. Congratulations, Bro. Ralph!

Retreat Days at St. Edmond's Academy

On March 1 and 2, Bro. Mark and I traveled to St. Edmond's Academy in Wilmington, Delaware to give a retreat to the 7th and 8th grade classes.  St. Edmond's is distinguished among our other sponsored schools in that it is our only school for boys in grades K through 8.

The theme of this year's retreat was "Making God, Known, Loved, and Served."  Blessed Fr. Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, urged his young community to be both prayerful and zealous with the burning desire to share the Gospel message.  The students at St. Edmond's, as part of the Holy Cross tradition, learned that prayer is the language of the heart and a way to experience the presence of God in their lives. 

Finding New Life in South America

Bro. Tom Giumenta, CSC of New York writes -

I was really feeling  quite comfortable and content just as I was on that day he brought it up.  I had exclusive use of a new car, I had a very good job which I liked a great deal, I had friends around and I was living in the great city of New York. 

Superior General Announces Canonization of Bro. André

Dear Religious of the Family of Holy Cross,

This morning, our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, held a consistory of all the Cardinals in Rome to obtain their votum on the canonization of Blessed André Bessette, C.S.C.  The Cardinals affirmed the Pope's decision and so he announced that Brother André will be canonized in Rome on October 17, 2010. Members of the Congregation representing our sisters, brothers and priests were present with other invited guests of those who will be canonized with Brother André.  I would like to take this joyful occasion for our Holy Cross Family to thank everyone for your prayers leading to this momentous day for Holy Cross and for the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI Announces the Canonization of Bro. André Bessette, CSC!

The Holy Father has announced that Blessed Bro. André Bessette, CSC, a Holy Cross Brother known as the "Miracle Man of Montréal," will be canonized in Rome on October 17, 2010.  What a glorious day for the Congregation of Holy Cross and the entire Church!

Video of the Pope's Announcement

Men with HOPE to Bring

Bro. Joel Giallanza, CSC  of Texas writes -

“We must be men with hope to bring.” That simple statement from the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross sums up a lot of what I believe and what the Brothers of Holy Cross believe. We can be men with hope to bring because we stand on solid foundations. Actually, those foundations are truths that have shaped who we are since Holy Cross began more than 170 years ago. They are truths lived and passed on by Blessed Basil Moreau who founded Holy Cross.

An Invitation

Bro. Renatus Foldenauer, CSC of New York writes -

After graduation from St. Mary’s High School in Michigan City, Indiana, I received a position as a teller in Citizen’s Bank in town. I was excited and well accepted by the other employees. However, there was something missing in my life that needed to get attention and touch my heart.

A Change in Plans

Bro. Raymond Papenfuss, CSC of Indiana writes -

When I went to Ghana in 1959 my idea was to spend the rest of my life working in Africa. I fell in love with the people, the country—everything! I even got to like the hot weather and above 90% humidity. As far as I was concerned the course of my life had been set and I was quite happy with it, thank you.