"This Vocation is Vital to the Church"

From L to R: Bro. Nich Perez, CSC, Bro. Jesus Alonso, CSC, Bro. John Paige, CSC, and the late Bro. Joseph Umile, CSC; Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana

By Beth Griffin
Catholic News Service

RYE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Religious brothers say they are an invisible group in the church, but that it's not such a bad thing because it allows them the freedom to be ordinary men performing an extraordinary ministry.

That's the view of brothers and other participants at a think tank convened last fall to examine their vocation.

"Our vocation is one of the church's best-kept secrets," Holy Cross Brother Paul Bednarczyk, Executive Director the National Religious Vocation Conference, told Catholic News Service. "We are vowed religious who commit ourselves to a particular ministry, live in community and share prayers.

A Courageous Man of God!

Today is the 175th anniversary of the death of Fr. Jacques Dujarié, the founder of the original Brothers of St. Joseph who later became the first brothers within the Congregation of Holy Cross. Read below a reflection on his life written by Steven Scardina, a photographer, who visited the birthplace of this remarkable man. Fr. Dujarié, pray for us!

8 New Brothers!

Bro. Binoy  Gomes, CSC, Novice Director for the Holy Cross community in Bangladesh, has sent us great news!  Read more to find out the details.

Outstanding Holy Cross Educator!

Mr. Hector Garza, Art Instructor at Holy Cross of San Antonio, was recently recognized as an "Outstanding Leader in Catholic Education."  This "Teacher of the Year" is an accomplished artist who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Masters of Education from the University of Notre Dame. His art exhibits include the First Friday Art Show, numerous exhibits through Centro Cultural Aztlan, and his work has been featured as the cover artwork for publications.  Mr. Garza is pictured below with his newest creation, the Three Arches of Life, modeled on the bronze altarpiece found at Basilique Notre-Dame in Montréal, Québec. 

To see more of Mr. Garza's artwork, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hector-Garza/141064689294813

Carving a Prayer

Saint Brother André Bessette, CSC

Brother James Kane, CSC, currently serves as the Director of Technology at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY.  He is also an accomplished artist, working in a variety of mediums including watercolors and wood.  His photographs of New York City line the main hallway of our community residence.  Read below his insightful reflection on how an ordinary piece of wood becomes his prayer.

Bro. James carves a pumpkin for Halloween

This is my basswood carving of the face of Brother André Bessette, C.S.C. It is a work in progress; there is no timeline for completion. While carving – or while doing any artwork, like drawing or watercolor painting - I become part of a timeless interlude where my attention becomes sharply focused and a creative spirit controls my hands. Brother André has always been an inspiration to me. Carving his face is a very intimate experience. I find myself imagining that Brother André is with me, almost looking at me. I am reminded how he often repeated that what he did was the work of God and of St. Joseph, not his own. I quickly find myself thanking God for the eyes to see and the hands to create. If the image emerging from this piece of wood can help to raise the spirits of another, can inspire another, can bring hope to another, then I will consider it to be a prayer.

Answering the Call

Bro. Larry, second from left, with former members of the Moreau House community.

Gregory J. Scott of St. Edward's University in Austin, TX recently interviewed Bro. Larry Atkinson, CSC, for the Spring 2012 edition of St. Edward's University Magazine.  Bro. Larry, a graduate of this Holy Cross school, currently serves there as an assistant director of Campus Ministry and director of the Moreau House program where young men can explore their own calling by God.  

Celebrating Our Vocation to Religious Brotherhood

Bro. Harold

Bro. Harold Hathaway, CSC was recently interviewed by Linda Andrade Rodrigues of the Standard-Times in New Bedford, MA.  Read about what attracted Bro. Harold to religious brotherhood in the Congregation of Holy Cross.