Halloween Fun!

Demons waiting to scare community members who came into the kitchen Halloween night!

The Holy Cross community at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY let out their "inner child" on Halloween and had some fun carving pumpkins.  Bro. Roger carefully cleaned all of the seeds which we roasted afterwards.  See some of the creepy creativity below!

"Exuding the Brotherhood of Man"

St. Joseph Center on Rt. 9 in Valatie, NY

The following story was written by Mr. James Breig of The Record in Troy, NY.  Mr. Breig captures well the unique ministry and community at the St. Joseph Center in Valatie, NY.

On a recent chilly morning, members of the Congregation of Holy Cross who live at St. Joseph Center in Valatie gathered in the chapel to honor one of their own: St. Andre Bessette. Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI last October, he became the congregation’s first saint.

St. Andre, a Canadian brother who died in 1937, was renowned for his humility and devotion to St. Joseph, so it was appropriate that the residents of the center named in the latter saint’s honor recently marked St. Andre’s feast day with prayers and reflections. As might be expected, statues and photos of the new saint are dotted throughout the facility.

People who drive south along Route 9, perhaps headed for Kinderhook or the Golden Harvest roadside farm stand, pass alongside the sprawling acres of St. Joseph Center, which is located off Maple Lane. As its website notes, the “property was given to the Congregation of Holy Cross by Mrs. M. Brady Farrell. It consisted of a house and 170 acres [since expanded to 400]. Brothers stayed in the house and farmed the land. The first Mass was celebrated on the property in 1935.”

Bro. John R. Paige, CSC, PhD, Inaugurated as President

Bro. John Paige, CSC (my former principal and novice director) was installed as the fourth President of Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana.  Read the following story from the Holy Cross College website and listen to Bro. John invoke the blessing of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, on the College and himself as he begins his ministry of leadership.

The "Year of the Brother" Begins!

In honor of the first anniversary of the canonization of Bro. André, the Congregation of Holy Cross will observe a special "Year of the Brother" to celebrate and promote the vocation to religious brotherhood in the Church.

Bro. Joel Giallanza, CSC, explains the theme of this year, "Lives Given to God, Love Given to All." . . .

Going Strong!

Meet Bro. Donard Steffes, CSC, a Holy Cross Brother!

Bro. Donard is not just an ordinary individual. He is 96 years old and still as energetic as a 21-year-old young man.

Bro. Donard has been a Holy Cross educator all his life, traveling around the world to educate hearts and minds. Currently, he is at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where he continues his ministry and hobbies.

He is also an athlete, an artist, an amateur ham radio operator, a volunteer for the Red Cross and a man of many talents, which he honed as a Holy Cross Brother.

He is not "just" a Brother. He is a Holy Cross Brother!

This is a short video of his story.

                                   Respond to the call.
                    Spread your wings. Anchor your soul.

Directed, Photographed and Edited by Bro. Nich Perez, CSC.
All Rights Reserved. Holy Cross Brothers 2011.
HolyCrossBrothers.org

Brother Donard Steffes - Not Just A Brother. from Nich Perez CSC on Vimeo.

CAMPing with the Brothers

The Brothers of Holy Cross recently hosted for dinner this wonderful group of young women and men from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. 

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, an important part of the St. Edward's University mission is providing an academically rigorous education to a culturally, economically and religiously diverse student body.   First offered in 1972, CAMP at St. Edward's is the longest continuously running migrant education program in the nation and has served more than 2,200 migrant students.   In addition to the Star Award, the University's program has been honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a national model and has been recognized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as a national model for multicultural teaching and learning.   CAMP has made national headlines -- the program was featured in a segment on ABC World News by former migrant worker and journalist John Quiñones.

Join us in praying for these new students as they begin one of the most exciting times of their lives.  May God bless them and their families.

Bringing HOPE to New Orleans

Watch Bro. Nich's newest video as he documents how Holy Cross students from around the United States gathered in New Olreans to bring HOPE to those in need. It was truly a life-changing experience. Join us in our work -- is God calling you to become a brother, priest, or sister in Holy Cross?

2011 Holy Cross Immersion: New Orleans from Nich Perez CSC on Vimeo.