Our Stories

In my 26 years at Rancho, 20 years in Casper and my time at Vincent Pieau, it has become obvious to me: God lives out His love on earth through people. My story contains almost nothing of sorrow or pain. It is mostly one of ongoing blessings. So great is His love for us that He calls us each by name!

As I look over my life, nearly all these blessings have been sent by God through people: family first and foremost. It includes relatives on both Dad’s and Mother’s side. We had annual reunions –- Dad, being one of 13 children — made for a sizeable gathering. More frequently, there were visits to relatives. We grew up knowing and loving cousins, uncles and aunts.

The same held true regarding our neighbors: wholesome, down-to-earth good people. We lived in eastern Nebraska, in an area of mid-sized farms. We would work together to bring the crops in or bale hay or mend fence lines to keep the cattle enclosed. Some of those hot and humid days made us sweat quite a bit. We were almost always glad to see it cloud up and bring on some rain. We depended on those rains to have a good crop production.

One job I inherited when I grew old enough was the daily grind of milking the cow. Too often, it seemed that while I sat on the stool to milk, the cow would attempt to swish the flies off her back with her tail, ending up whacking me in the head as she did so.

Meanwhile, back at the house people gathered for evening visits. This was still a time when TV was a luxury. Oft-times, after visiting, they’d sit down for a few games of pinochle. The evening would end with coffee and some goodies.

As the youngest of five, I was always observing my three sisters and brother. I was inspired by the kind attitude of my sister, Joyce. You’d say she had a heart of gold. In my brother I saw one always willing to work and help. He was a person who was fun to be with. My next-oldest sister, Elaine, was a ready helper, on the quiet side, but a person whose bright personality made her very popular through her years in high school. My oldest sister, Donna, was the one with whom I kidded around. It seemed that she’d be too particular about the way I was dressed, or that my hair was not combed just right. I, in turn, would give her a bad time just for the heck of it!

As you can see, with that goodness all around me, I wanted to do something to thank God for placing me into this wonderful family. That feeling was strong enough that I mentioned it to my parents. They didn’t say “yes” or “no,” but suggested that I give it some time. They sent me to Regis College in Denver, where my sister Joyce and her husband were.

During my year at Regis, I did gain a better appreciation of God’s saving ways, and a greater depth of understanding of God’s wonders on earth – thus coming to love Him all the more. At the end of that year, I still wanted to dedicate my life to Him.

Upon returning home, I let everyone know my wishes. I did not feel called to the priesthood and I was unaware of the various orders. The only ones I’d heard about, and that was in a very vague way, were more like monastic orders. So I turned to our pastor, Father Wolpert, to give me some direction.

The answer turned out to be Holy Cross Brothers. It turned out that he, himself, had been in our Novitiate, but dropped out after realized his call to be a priest.

So, with the help of Fr. Wolpert, I contacted Bro. Bartel Rufe. Not long after, I learned I would be accepted. My family was pleased, yet in a state of wonderment. For my part, I was delighted and looked forward to going.

I arrived in Watertown just prior to Thanksgiving of ’55 for two months of formation under Bro. Dominick. For sure, this was a new world for me, but I was ready and receptive.

If you were to ask me about my peak moment, when I felt I was being “touched” by God, I’d say it was about my third or fourth month at the Novitiate. Come my turn one evening to make a holy hour, I began by using the plea of the Apostles, “Lord, teach us how to pray.”

As I began to think about the response as coming from Jesus, Himself, I began to see the Father as so much more glorious than before. And I came to know more clearly the depth of love and degree of commitment expressed by Jesus toward the Father.

A sense of peace came over me as I’d never experienced before. I think I stayed for a second hour; I didn’t want to lose that feeling of peace.

All of these blessings allow me to better appreciate the Pascal Mystery and to realize just how deep and intimate is God’s love. This has made me more accepting of deaths, too: whether Cleophas Kelleher, Hugh Wray, my own parents… God’s mercy exceeds all things!

You can see why I depend so heavily on God’s love. In my 26 years at Rancho, 20 years in Casper and my time at Vincent Pieau, it has become obvious to me: God lives out His love on earth through people!

As long as I’m able, I’m willing to serve. God has been good to me.

I grew up in New Britain, CT. In my early formation years, we were released from public school for religious instructions. The Sisters in our parish introduced us to the idea of being a Brother as an ‘alternate vocation.’ It seemed to be a mysterious vocation, and I’ve always been drawn to the mysterious.

As my vocation began to grow, I investigated two orders, Brothers of Holy Cross and the Brothers of Sacred Heart. I contacted both, and made a deal with God: the one that answers first is the one I’ll choose.

Holy Cross answered first, and I’ve never been sorry.

When I entered the Congregation, I just wanted to be of service, although deep down I always wanted to be a missionary in Africa. Off I went, and loved every minute of the eight years I was there.

Coming back in 1973, I was assigned to high schools, in the role of teacher and then dean of students. At Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, I got interested in computers and helped set up the computer system. This was very early, back in the time of the classic Mac in the 80’s.

Eventually I was asked to help start a new mission, the Marie Smith Urban Street Academy in the Bronx, NY. It was something new, instructing young adults who had left traditional high schools to develop skills to lead them into getting jobs. We taught computer courses, math, history… and it was free.

Later, we moved to Harlem, helping young people get their GED. We expanded to include helping adults with job-hunting skills.

Now that I’m retired, I’ve been called to Valatie, to minister to other Brothers. As long as I’m able, I’m willing to serve.

Things have been very good. God has been good to me.

I love the work I’m doing; I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s meaningful in a moral sense: working for the planet and for the poor.

I grew up in rural southeastern Massachusetts, the fifth of 10 children, surrounded by nature: brooks, forests, and meadows. It was easy to see the spiritual in the natural world, and family life gave plenty of opportunities for acts of charity and generosity. With only one other Catholic family in the local community, a priest came to give us for religious education at home. Life was surrounded with religion.

In eighth grade we moved to the city, and I went to Coyle High School. I got to know the Brothers of Holy Cross very well. Their dedication and service stood out for me, and the way of life attracted me. I sought entry and was accepted. I taught high school for 10 years and loved every moment of it.

When I was asked to go to Valatie, NY to begin a center for spiritual life, I said ‘yes’ immediately. While there, I developed programs of spirituality and ecology, on food and agriculture. In the mid-1970’s, I was part of the Northeast Task Force on Food and Farm Policy which was hosting conferences on world hunger. I began a ministry of working with farmers and environmentalists and making connections between spirituality and earth consciousness.

I’ve worked on local and global levels. I’ve directed national Catholic efforts and ministered at the United Nations, both at the New York headquarters and in Rome at the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization. When I am true to this vocation, I am being most true to that to which I have been called by God. I can see the hand of God bringing me from a child in a rural setting to minister in a global setting. There are many in Holy Cross with whom I’ve felt close solidarity — priests, brothers and sisters.

Now, I am working in Rome as the only American on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security (CFS) I am on the coordinating and finance committees.

I am also a Senior Representative for Food & Water Watch, an organization that works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced.

I love the work I’m doing; I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s meaningful in a moral sense: working for the planet and for the poor.

Brother Joseph was drawn to teaching, and drawn to the Brothers.

I went to a Brothers’ high school in Cleveland, and found myself participating in a lot of extracurriculars. I got to know a few of the Brothers who were moderating them. I saw this group of men, a cross section of people, doing all kinds of work for a common good. Then I started thinking, “What am I going to do when I grow up?”

I was drawn to teaching, and I was drawn to the Brothers. There’s also always been within me this deep desire to get closer to God.

A line in our Constitutions on Mission reads:  “And, as in every work in our mission, we find that we ourselves stand to learn much from those whom we are called to teach.” I have always found that line profoundly true.

I learned a great deal from teaching high school. Initially an English teacher, later I taught religious education. I worked in the inner city, Chicago and Indianapolis. Then I undertook campus ministry. First I was at Wayne State University, then came ten years at our own University of Notre Dame.

After studying theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, I entered pastoral care training. I never, ever imagined I would later be working in a major trauma center in Los Angeles.

Every one of these movements – coming out of teaching of English into religious education, going into campus ministry and then pastoral care training — each of those junctures really was a significant moment of personal growth, and a deepening of my own spirituality.

The teaching focus in our Congregation and our definition as “Educators in the Faith” is broad indeed. I have been beneficiary of the largesse and wide interpretation of that focus at every turn of my life.

I learned far, far more than I ever taught, and am most grateful for all the experience the community afforded me in such a wide variety of ministries.

Teacher, Saint Joseph Secondary School, Kyarusozi, Uganda

In the District of East Africa, Brother John finds grace in the goodness of others.

I received my education from the Holy Cross Brothers in a minor seminary in 1986. Even when I left the minor seminary, I still went to another school, and was taught by a Holy Cross priest. He was the one who invited me. Eventually, I joined Holy Cross as a priest candidate. When I was in the novitiate, I had my own struggles about the priesthood, and I was more inclined to be a Brother. My spiritual director was a Brother Gerard Suddick. He showed me alternative vocations. I joined the formation program in 1992, and made my final vows in 2000. Since then, I’ve worked in three schools, as well as in the development office, healthcare and social ministry.

I was coordinating a Brother André dispensary in Dandora, Nairobi. It is a healthcare social facility in the heart of a massive slum with 50,000 very poor people living in a very small area. My main role was to see that the Masses were held and the midwives were there. I made sure patients were happy and well attended to. Seeing people helping others without prejudice was very wonderful. It was done in the spirit of Brother André. I thought that was a very special ministry.

I love my work. I cherish being a Brother.

Click here to find out more about the Brother André dispensary.

Director of Vocations, District of Brazil

Brother Edson comes from the District of Brazil, but his inspiration to pursue a life as a Brother of Holy Cross came from outside his homeland.

I was 18 years old when I decided to become a Brother of Holy Cross. At that time I was exploring the possibility of living a religious life. In particular, I was considering becoming a priest.

The first Brother I met was Brother Norbert Lengerich, C.S.C. I wasn’t very familiar with the religious life of Brothers so when I was introduced to him, it was eye opening; I became very interested. I wanted to be like just like him. Back then, I couldn’t understand his American-Portuguese accent, but I could easily understand his hospitality and zeal. I have learned that these are qualities of the congregation as a whole.

I joined Holy Cross and am very happy with the life it has provided. I enjoy being part of the congregation and helping fulfill its mission. When I visited the U.S., I immediately went to visit Brother Norbert and spent three days with him in Austin, Texas. It was a very inspirational and emotional time for me – I don’t know when I’ll be able to see him again. He played such an instrumental role in my decision to become a Brother, and for that, I thank him.

Technology Director, Holy Cross High School, Flushing, New York

Brother James was always willing to learn in order to teach.
It was in high school, after a retreat during my junior year, that I decided to look into the possibility of living a religious life. By December of my senior year, I received a letter that I had been accepted into the Holy Cross Brothers novitiate, which was very relieving, as I hadn’t applied to any colleges. I had thrown all of my interest into becoming a Brother.

Early on, I taught science and math, which was ironic considering I had a degree in English and history from Stone Hill College. The school needed a math teacher, so I had to learn on the fly. Eventually, I went back to school and earned my master’s degree in mathematics from Wesleyan University.

Around 1980, I was asked to teach computers. I had no knowledge of the device whatsoever. I decided to go to summer school at Boston College to learn how to work with DOS-based computers, and I’ve been involved with technology ever since.

One passage that always stuck out to me, from Acts of the Apostles, was when Peter and John are approaching the temple for prayer and they encounter a crippled man asking for silver and gold. They had no silver or gold, but gave him what they had. “Get up and walk, in the name of Jesus,” they said. I realized that this is what a teacher does, but it takes a little bit longer. The value is that you can help students get up and walk in a figurative as well as a real sense. This is what a teacher, a coach and any kind of mentor does. It’s their job to help people move in the direction they intend to move. I found that to be completely captivating.

President, Holy Cross College

Brother John was always willing to go where he was needed. Now the President of Holy Cross College reflects on his unpredictable journey.

I decided to become a Brother in high school. Discovering the Brothers was kind of an “Ah-Ha” moment for me. I recognized them as great teachers, coaches and friends, but I also liked their community life and the idea that some of them were going to be missionaries. I come from a pretty traditional Catholic family, but what the priests did was never much of an interest to me. I guess the “Ah-Ha” moment was discovering that there was a way to serve the Church while still doing things that I enjoy like science, math, athletics and working with young people.

My accomplishments as a Brother were never done according to plan. My only plan is to do what the community needs me to do with the talents that I have. This position as President of Holy Cross College is a more traditional apostolate and it brings me back to higher education and interacting and working with young people, which I’ve always loved.

One of the most satisfying memories as a Brother was when we announced Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville was going to become a coed institution. That laid the groundwork for a renewal and resurgence of Bishop McNamara as an excellent educational institution serving a minority population in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

I think my greatest contribution was my willingness to go where I was needed. I have to laugh and say that people don’t line up for positions like President of Bishop McNamara High School. People don’t line up to be Vicar General because it takes you out of your country and your life. People don’t line up to be college presidents, because it’s a challenging time for liberal arts colleges and universities. Basically, I’ve been blessed by responding to the needs of the Congregation. It’s given me wonderful opportunities to get to know people and to serve the Church in various parts of the world.

Guidance Counselor, Holy Cross of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas

Brother Michael understands better than most the indecision young men may feel in choosing religious life. After two years in the Novitiate, he chose not to renew his vows as a Brother of Holy Cross. He took a four-year hiatus working in education, living alone and dating before realizing there was something missing in his life.

Taking a break was the best thing that could have happened to me. But I missed the community, so I started a conversation with the Brothers about returning to the congregation and they welcomed me back.

Through the years, I have been fortunate to assist with programs that have helped young people to explore their own spirituality and for some, the possibility of pursuing religious life. At our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas, I helped to found the Collegiate Program to provide young men with a glimpse of what it’s like to live in community sharing meals, prayer, household duties, and day-to-day life in residence with Brothers of Holy Cross. Is religious life a good fit? I tell them it’s like a pair of shoes—you just need to go and spend time in a community and see if you feel comfortable.

I really enjoy working with students. When some have expressed a desire to become Catholic it is a booster for my own faith journey! Some of the students have powerful conversion stories that are full of God ’s grace, and those conversations are grace moments for me.

Guidance Counselor, Holy Cross High School, Flushing, New York

Brother Francis has served as an educator with the Brothers of Holy Cross for more than 50 years. His career has included serving as a teacher of French, as well a principal. Since 1989, he has worked with teens as a guidance counselor at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, N.Y.

“As a student at Monsignor Coyle High School in Massachusetts, I looked up to the Brothers of Holy Cross. They were excellent teachers and they inspired me. I’m now in my 54th year as a Brother and I have always taught and worked with young people in our schools.

Through the years, the students and the culture have changed so much. You have to know how to relate to students today because they’re so much more aware of everything. I think they respect me as a Brother, but they also trust me because of who I am as a person.

The Brothers have given me so many opportunities to grow spiritually over the years. I am fortunate to spend this summer in France at the Holy Cross Legacy Institute, which allows us to explore the history of the congregation and visit the place where it was founded. I’ve also been enriched by the many students I’ve met through the years. I’m honored that so many have kept in touch! Hopefully, I’ve helped them to be better persons.”

Proctor, Holy Cross High School, San Antonio, Texas

People assume that to live the life of a Religious, you must be “perfect” or super human.  Brother Daniel teaches us otherwise. A talented baker, he created a productive ministry from his love of feeding others that helps support the Brothers of Holy Cross missions in Brazil.

I entered the Brothers in January 25, 1950, and for the most part have been associated with food service most of my religious life. I think I came by it naturally… I had six sisters and four brothers and from the time I can remember, baking and cooking was very much a part of our lives. I think if you’re in a big family it calls for generosity and giving and I was taught to work for sure.

I’m usually in the kitchen from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. in preparation, and then I go over and sell [the day’s baked goods] to the kids. There’s a lot of love that goes into it. I say to the students, ‘If I was working at the biggest hotel in the world — and I was getting big money — I wouldn’t work any harder at making a good product than I do for you kids.’ If you love God then you love the kids and you are going to try very hard to put out a good product. And I’ve always been interested in the [school and social ministries] in Brazil and the street kids that our Brothers work with.

[Baking] is a gift. Every vocation is a gift. Being a father is a wonderful gift. Being a good priest is a wonderful gift. Being a good Brother is a wonderful gift. If God calls that’s where our greatest happiness will be.

http://www.vimeo.com/16100899 – A documentary short that explores the life of Bro. Daniel Durig, C.S.C.
– Written, Directed and Edited by Bro. Nich Perez, C.S.C.
– Director of Photography: John Sebastian Gutierrez

Assistant Director of Campus Ministry, St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas

Brother Larry has spent nearly two decades with young adults as a formation director, vocation director and now assistant director of campus ministry at St. Edward’s University. He offers this piece of advice to those who are considering religious life.

Holy Cross is a challenging, but rewarding life. It’s an opportunity to grow to your fullest potential in education, ministry and service. And it’s also the chance to work together with others for the mission of the Church with a group that has a history of education, and risk-taking in new parts of the world.

Of all the experiences I’ve had with the Brothers of Holy Cross I can’t pick a favorite. Each experience has been very positive and new. Rome was exotic. I was young and who wouldn’t want to live in Rome for four years? I’m not saying my life has been Pollyanna — there have been trials and difficulties, you work very hard and sometimes make mistakes. But these experiences have always encouraged me, given me a sense of self-confidence and led me to places I never expected to go. So it’s the work, it’s the community life and it’s the prayer. These are the challenges but these are the gifts that we offer.

Teacher, Faculty Member and Volunteer, St. Edwards University, Texas

At 95 years of age, Bro. Donard still teaches swimming to undergraduates as well as handicapped students in the “Go Project”. Students say he’s persistent. Here’s why:

When I committed myself to a job I considered it a moral obligation to do my absolute best. Also, I guess, I found myself becoming emotionally involved with my students. Their interests became my interests. This is still going on in my present swimming class.  The student that has problems has always had my special interest because in my own life, I have always been a student with problems.

There was no opportunity or facility to teach swimming in Liberia, where I spent five years teaching physics. That was one of the greatest “shots in the arm” of my life. I became involved with my students, as always, I found them to be respectful, well mannered with a great desire to learn. I also became deeply involved in Amateur Radio and furnished communication service for the missionaries. I taught teachers in the Liberian public schools and helped them set up radios in their schools.

Today, I live on campus. I have a swimming pool. I talk on the radio and I stay in touch with former students who are my friends. It’s been a wonderful, interesting and fulfilling life. If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing. Being a Holy Cross Brother was what I was meant to do. I owe a great life to the Brothers.

Director of Residence Life, Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN

Brother Chris never expected his first job out of college would lead to life as a religious Brother. Having recently taken final vows, he reflects on his unusual journey.

I wasn’t aware of Brothers of Holy Cross until I began substitute teaching after graduating from college and saw an ad for a Holy Cross school. I took the job thinking I would stay one year or two. Up until then I kind of had an outside view of religious life, but once I started working with the Brothers, I got an insider’s view of what goes on. And the more I began to build relationships with the Brothers, and even my lay co-workers, the more I began to appreciate it.

I was treated like a Brother long before I became one. I think… no… I know it was that camaraderie, that interaction that drew me closer. What surprised me was that they were real people in the sense that I saw them at their best and I saw them at their worst and through it all, they remained Brothers.

Joining was a big leap, but it isn’t as if you’re thrown into it. There are stages with time for reflection so you can see if this is a life you want to live and for the Brothers to see if you fit in too. By the time I petitioned to take final vows, it wasn’t a huge leap anymore— it just felt right.

Executive Director, Holy Cross Children’s Services

A Brothers of Holy Cross beauty salon may sound a little crazy, but as Bro. Francis explains, it’s all part of a plan to help Michigan kids in need.

We’re blessing a beauty salon — the first Holy Cross beauty salon. It sounds a little crazy, but it’s really not. We started Holy Cross Children’s Services to help the kids that others don’t serve. But to help poor kids in Michigan, you need to provide services that will help their mom get a job. So we’ve set up these incubator businesses where we provide the proper wardrobe for job interviews, 24-hour dialysis centers — so parents on dialysis can get to work — dental clinics, health clinics and yes, Charlatan’s Beauty Salon, where our moms can get their hair and make up done to go on an interview.

I’ve been at this for 45 years now. We now help about 2,000 people a day. What sustains me? It probably goes back to no matter where I go, some kid says, ‘thank you’. One of the most gratifying aspects of this work is actually being with people who are marginalized. There are all these stereotypes out there, but we have the privilege of meeting the person.

Doctoral Candidate, Microbiology, University of Texas

When Bro. Jesus completes his doctorate in microbiology, his dream is to help people in Third World countries.

When you encounter a group that is serving the Church, serving the poor and that’s their life, you think, ‘Wow. This is a pretty amazing thing that they do.’ And they do it together, so that was very attractive to me.

Right now, I’m a graduate student in microbiology. I study viruses like Ebola that only break out on the African continent. My dream is to work overseas and I was able to visit our Holy Cross community in Uganda last spring. It was an eye-opening experience because I learned a lot about the struggle Third World countries face when it comes to public health.

The way I see my work tying in to the mission of Holy Cross is that science can improve people’s lives. I may see these rare viruses, but I have a set of skills that I can use to help people. It’s an offshoot of me first,  choosing to be a Brother, and then my interest to be a scientist.

Teacher, Holy Cross High School, San Antonio, Texas

Feeling called to religious life can be a lot like surfing, Bro. Nich explains.

I am a filmmaker and had been looking for meaning in art. I tried a plethora of fields, but couldn’t decide where I belonged. I was looking for a sense of direction and the Brothers of Holy Cross gave me that. Our founder Father Moreau imparted on us a zeal that allows us to be who we are. So I completed a master’s degree in media and technology and now I teach videography at Holy Cross High School. One way I believe we can reach out and make God known, loved and served is through film, through media. There are ups and downs of course. That is what makes religious life fascinating and meaningful.

Thinking about religious life is a lot like surfing. You grab your board, you wait for the right wave, grab it, ride it, and once you are riding it, it is as if God made that wave just for you. Every day is an adventure. You may not know where you are going, but you have hope that you will reach your destination.

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