In this issue•General Superior Brother Edwardwrites about the 175th Anniversaryof the Congregation and the “Yearof Consecrated Life”

• Brothers mark Jubilees

• The Xaverian Charism endures inXBSS programs

• Five Brothers pronounce PerpetualVows

•New website launched

• Call Fulfilled and new members toConcordia Society

Following the Xaverian Way

VOL. 16 NO. 1 | FALL 2014

WWW.XAVERIANBROTHERS.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/XAVERIANBROTHERS | TWITTER: @XAVERIANBROS

Dear Friends:

See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence;

see the stars, the moon and sun, how they move in silence…

we need silence to be able to touch souls.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Newness! Energy, enthusiasm, the liveliness of youth and th

e sense of community

are experiences I associate with the opening weeks of scho

ol. For the past forty-two

years, I always looked forward to renewing the life cycle of sc

hool. For me the renewal

of purpose and relationships enlivened our community and g

ave direction to our mis-

sion to bring our students to Christ and Christ to them. I reali

ze now how much I truly

value those daily experiences of mission. I was fortunate, ho

wever, to be with the fac-

ulty and staff of Xavier High School recently during their ope

ning of school retreat on

the Xaverian charism. I could feel the energy, enthusiasm an

d the renewal of commit-

ment these women and men expressed as they prepared to

meet the students. That

same experience took place in the other twelve schools spon

sored by Brothers.

Paradoxically as new life and energy usher in the beginning

of a new life cycle in

our schools, Nature, having born its fruit and fulfilled its purp

ose, brings its life cycle to

a glorious end with vivid colors—bright yellow, orange, red,

brown—the crispness of

cooler air and the scent of fallen leaves. Mother Teresa invites

us to take a few moments

of silence simply to behold all that is before us. We need silence in order to con

tem-

plate. We need silence to allow our souls to be touched by God’s gr

eat work. Let me

share a few thoughts with you.

Gratefulness. This year is very special. We celebrate the 175th Annivers

ary of our

Foundation of the Xaverian Brothers by Theodore James Ry

ken, a simple, faith-filled

and humble layman, whose soul was touched by God’s lov

e and the needs of the

world. Toward the end of this year Brothers, Associates and Co

llaborators in mission will

take time to remember our past with gratefulness. We remember the great contribu

tion

our Brothers made to the vitality and effectiveness of Catholic

education from the early

days in Belgium, England or the USA. With deep gratitude we also re

member our

Brothers whose faith and courage led them to establish scho

ols in Congo, East Africa

and Bolivia. Their souls too were touched and, indeed, they b

rought Christ to many stu-

dents and many students to Christ.

We draw inspiration and hope as we remember those Broth

ers who lived our

charism having touched many souls through their simple and

humble lives, In particular

we remember three of the Brothers who entered eternal lif

e since our last edition—

Brothers Giles Crowell, Thomas Crane (Servulus) and Peter

Walsh (Valens). We also

remember our first lay Associate, Gwen Costello, who passed

on to eternal life. Gwen’s

vision and inspiration gave new life to the Congregation. She le

d the Brothers to estab-

lish the Xaverian Associate Program. We are grateful for our past.

Something new, however, is happening. Our 175th Anniversar

y is also a time for us

Continued on page 2

Join us in celebrating both our175th Anniversary and the Yearof Consecrated Life with your

gratitude for the rich history of theBrothers, your prayers and supportfor how we live the Xaverian waytoday, and your prayers for thefuture of the Congregation. Followus on Facebook, Twitter andwww.XaverianBrothers.org whereyou’ll find further opportunities tocelebrate with the XaverianBrothers.

It is a well established tradition for each XBSS school to beginthe new school year with a day of reflection or retreat for allthe Faculty and Staff. This year, the Chief Administrators of the

schools and the XBSS Sponsorship Office agreed that the themeof each school’s retreat and formational activities for faculty andstaff at the schools would be the recently developed statementcalled, “A Description of the Xaverian Charism as lived byCollaborators.” The statement, which was created by a group ofadministrators and faculty members who participated inAssembly 2012 in Bruges, Belgium along with Xaverian Brothersand Associates. The “Description” was presented to groups of fac-ulty and staff members for their input and revision during thecourse of the 2013-14 school year. The Chief Administrators andSponsorship Office approved the final version of the Descriptionin the spring of 2014. This statement complements the state-ments that were developed for how the Brothers and XaverianAssociates are to live out the Xaverian Charism.

In order to understand how the statement calls all in theschools to the Xaverian way, the retreat begins with a reflectionon the personal educational mission which each teacher andstaff member brings to students and the school community. Theretreat process asks everyone to share a description of a com-mon, ordinary event which exemplifies their mission in educa-tion. The Charism statement also challenges Xaverian educatorsto live the balance of contemplation and action in their work. Asthe statement notes, “As ministers of education we are called toturn towards God and place ourselves in the service of God. Weintegrate prayer and contemplation with ongoing professionalformation as we seek to form communities of learning, faith andservice.” On the retreat, staff and faculty members were asked toshare how they are attempting to live out this challenge in theirdaily life as a teacher in a Xaverian school.

The retreats featured a video presentation of the Charismstatement produced by Chris Irr of the Generalate staff. The video

reflects on the “Description” using interviews and images of per-sonnel and activities in many of the Xaverian schools. Both thevideo and the actual retreat day conclude with the statement,“We affirm our commitment to ‘prayerfully reflect on the past,assess the present, and ponder the future with one another’ aswe respond to our call to minister in a Xaverian BrothersSponsored School.”

Continued from page 1

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Mr. Jim Stairs, a faculty member at St. Xavier HS, Louisville shares with hisfellow faculty and staff members at the opening retreat for faculty and staffat St. X.

to embrace the future, to believe, to trust and to foster new life in the Congregation, with hope. We will embrace new life by revitalizingour spirituality as a community on all levels. We will embrace new life in our Sponsored Schools as we work together to deepen ourunderstanding of the vision of life to which our charism calls us. We will embrace new life as we further develop our Associates Program.We will embrace new life as we work together to find ways to meet the needs of our Church and world in new ministries. We willembrace new life as we explore renewing our lay volunteer program. Together we will embrace the future with hope. With Saint Paul,we can say, I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) Christ is the source of our hope.

Our mission is clear—to be the eyes, the ears, the voice, the heart, the hands of Christ. And like Christ we are called to manifest God’scompassion to all whom we meet on the road of life. So we commit ourselves to living the present, the common, the ordinary and theunspectacular flow of life with the passion that Jesus had and the zeal of our Founder, Theodore James Ryken.

In Christ,

Brother Edward Driscoll, C.F.X.

Xaverian Educators Start the New Academic Year with Retreat Days

Associate Michael Buckley of Maryland and Brother Placide Ngoie, visit-ing from Kenya, pose for a photograph on the last day of the SummerRetreat.

Associates Alice Hession (Maryland) and Greg Mason (Pennsylvania) conversewith Brother Raphael Wanjala (visiting from Kenya) and Associate KevinShearer (Maryland, back to camera) at the retreat in June.

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Twenty Xaverian Brothers Associatesand twenty-four Brothers gatheredfor a weekend in June for a retreat

led by Sister Donna Markham, of theDominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan. Sr.Donna reflected on what she called “FiveOrdinary Mysteries—Vocation, Home,Displacement, Memory, and Joy”. Duringthe retreat she encouraged the group touse both personal and group discussionto explore the themes more deeply forthemselves, offering prompts for reflec-tion and dialogue.

On the morning of day one, Sr. Donnaspoke about Vocation as where our deep-est joy meets the world’s greatest need.After lunch, she explained that the ordi-nary mystery of Home is not about aphysical location, but, rather, a placewhere we share what matters most to us.The final three mysteries were discussedin a session on day two. The ordinarymystery of Displacement, Sr. Donna said, isabout our capacity to be available forMission, for living out the gospel. OnMemory, she said, “When we rememberthose things worth remembering, we

grow closer to the mystery of Godthrough our gratitude.” And finally, of Joy,she emphasized the message that truejoy comes from being available for God’swork.

The Five Ordinary Mysteries retreatwas a time for Associates from aroundthe U.S. to come together with Brotherswho also traveled from near and far.Associates came from New England, NewYork, Louisville, Virginia, Pennsylvania,and Maryland. And Brothers added repre-sentatives from Connecticut, Florida,Kenya and Congo.

The fellowship was greatly appreciat-ed by Associates and Brothers alike. Andall had very positive impressions of SisterDonna’s presentations and reflections.We see this as a great beginning to futurejoint retreats for Brothers and Associates.

Associate and Brothers Retreat: Five Ordinary Mysteries

Sr. Donna Markham, OP gives her final presen-tion on the ordinary mysteries of Displacement,Memory, and Joy to Xaverian Associates and

Brothers on Sunday, June 22

Brothers renewing their vows at the Jubilee Celebration atXaverian Brothers High School

On Saturday, June 7 at Xaverian Brothers HighSchool many Brothers and Xaverian Associatesgathered to celebrate the Brothers' anniversary of

entrance into the Congregation. The celebration beganwith the Vigil Mass for the Feast of Pentecost celebratedby Rev. Dan Magni, a former Brother and currentXaverian Associate. Fr. Dan is a priest of the Archdioceseof Boston. General Superior Brother Edward Driscollspoke during the liturgy, giving a beautiful reflection onthe Feast of Pentecost, the vocation of the Brothers andthe accomplishments of the jubilarians. After communion,Brother Robert Green spoke about each of the jubilarianswhile Brother Edward presented them with a gift from theCongregation. A wonderful dinner followed the liturgywhere the Brothers and Associates were able to enjoy adelicious meal, renew acquaintances and truly celebratethe fraternity that makes us Brothers. Thanks to BrotherPaul Murray and Xaverian Associate Jim Conley forpreparing the Liturgy and to Brother Dan Skala and theXaverian Brothers High School community for hostingthis annual celebration.

Marking their jubilees this year were: Brother BedeBenn - 75 years; Brothers Peter Donohue (Owen), John O’Brien(Brice) and Jozef Schamp - 70 years; Brothers Paul Cullen, ThomasFahey, Cornelius Hubbuch, and William Lyons – 60 years;Brothers James Connolly, George Donnelly, Kenney Gorman,John Hamilton, Richard Lunny, Brian Vetter and Placide Ngoie –50 years; and Brothers Crispin Kabange and François Musongo –25 years.

Proficiat to all the jubilarians!

Brothers Celebrate Jubilees and Renew Vows

Brother Bede smiles as he acknowledges being recognized for his 75thAnniversary as a Xaverian Brother

Brothers James Connolly (left) and Brother John O'Brien (right) - formerlyknown as Brother Brice - celebrate their jubilees with Bishop Frank Dewane,Bishop of Venice, Florida at a celebration hosted by the Bishop.

4

Brother Edward congratulates BrotherJohn Hamilton (VicarGeneral) who celebrateshis 50th Anniversary asa Brother.

5

During July and August, five Brothers made their PerpetualProfession for life as Xaverian Brothers. Making theirPerpetual Profession were Brothers Moses Barasa (Kenya),

Marc Kabwita Mufaka (DR Congo), Serge Lumbala Kachunga (DRCongo), René Mambwe Kiyiba (DR Congo), and Daniel Ongeso(Kenya). These Brothers have been members of the Congregationfor over nine years. They have gone through their initial stagesof formation, made their novitiate followed by first profession,completed their undergraduate studies, and have had differentexperiences of community life and ministry. Preceding their pro-fession of Perpetual Vows was a 30-day program of preparationand retreat directed by Brothers Richard Mazza and LawrenceHarvey. This program provided the young Brothers with theopportunity to integrate their life experience as Brothers with theperpetual commitment they were about to make. As part of theprogram, on some of the Saturdays the Brothers had the oppor-tunity to go on “pilgrimage” to those sites that were important inthe history of the Xaverian Brothers in East Africa. Each of thesepilgrimage days included some reflection on the life of Brotherswho had been missioned in either Kenya or Uganda, a chance topray in the chapels were the Brothers prayed, and an opportunityto talk about how the history of the Brothers informs our com-munity life and ministry today. Among the sites the Brothers vis-ited on pilgrimage were St. Joseph’s School in Kitale – the firstfoundation of the Brothers in Kenya, the cemetery whereBrothers Cyprian Ford and Godric are buried at St. Peter’s Junior

Seminary in Kakamega, as well as the site of the Brothers formerformation center in Tindinyo which now serves as a nationalseminary for Kenya.

Five Xaverians Make their Perpetual Vows in the Congregation

As part of the celebration, the Brothers present a cake to their families. HereBrother Daniel Ongeso (center) presents the cake with gratitude to hismother and uncle.

After completing their preparation program, the Brothers were given foot-ball caps from Xaverian Brothers High School. Here, from left to right, areBrothers René, Serge, Moses, Daniel and Marc showing off their new caps.

Brother Raphael Wanjala, Regional Coordinator and a member of theGeneral Council, received the vows on behalf of Brother Edward Driscoll,General Superior. In the back, on the left, Brother Richard Mazza called theBrothers forth for their vows.

Since a shared understanding of the tradition of the Brothersand the values that are at the heart of Xaverian education isessential to the continuation of our educational mission,

each year administrative leaders new to XBSS schools gather atthe XBSS Office at the Generalate in July. This orientation pro-vides an introduction to the Mission, Vision and Values ofXaverian Sponsorship for administrators new to Xaverian educa-tion. It also gives the administrators information on the role of theSponsorship office and how the Xaverian Brothers continue tosupport the work of the schools.

A central part of the orientation is a reflection on personalspirituality and Xaverian leadership. Using the FundamentalPrinciples of the Xaverian Brothers and the Collaborators Charismstatement, new leaders were asked to reflect on their leadershipstyle as well as their own call to the Xaverian mission. Thethemes of simplicity which frees the mind and heart, trust in God,compassion for self and others and a contemplative stance witha reflective heart were stressed. The new adminstrators wereasked to begin their work through the lens of servant leadershipas collaborative leadership.

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Administrators New to Xaverian Education Gather for Orientation

Denise Molina, Director of Multicultural Affairs and CommunityDevelopment, St. John’s Prep, Danvers, MA with Melissa Boyle, Director of Alumni Relations, Our Lady of Good Counsel HS, Olney, MD.

New Website LaunchedVisit the Xaverian Brothers Website(www.xaverianbrothers.org) whereyou will find the latest news aboutthe Brothers from around the world,the most recent and archived issuesof our Concordia Magazine, alongwith easy access to our socialmedia pages - Facebook, Twitterand YouTube– as well as ourSponsored Schools (XBSS) and

Living The Charism sites. Thesite has been designed so asto be more easily viewed ona variety of devices – desk-top, tablet or mobile phone.

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Brother Giles (Charles Crowell) died peacefullyon June 6, 2014 at 86 years old, his 68th year inReligious Life. For the past number of yearswhile living at Ryken House, Louisville he hadbeen suffering with the effects of emphysemaand chronic obsessive pulmonary disease.Brother Giles entered the Congregation in 1946,after completing school at St. Joseph’s Juniorate

in Peabody, MA. Hehad gone to theJuniorate after finish-ing up at TheWorking Boys Homein Newton Highlands,MA where he wassent as a young boyafter his mother haddied and his fatherwas not able to raise

him and his brother on his own. Brother Gileshad a long and fruitful career as a teacher,coach, counselor, mentor and friend to many.He began his teaching career at Flaget HighSchool, Louisville and then went on to work atthree of the boarding schools the Brothers ranat that time – St. John’s Prep in Danvers, MA, St.Joseph Prep in Bardstown, KY and Ryken HighSchool in Leonardtown, MD. He went on toteach at the relatively new Our Lady of GoodCounsel HS, (then in Wheaton, MD) before join-ing the faculty at St. Xavier High School,Louisville, his longest assignment. The XaverianBrothers’ attribute of “enduring personal rela-tionships” could have been written with BrotherGiles in mind. Long after he had taught someyoung men in high school he kept contact withthem throughout their lives. For many years hewould travel back to New England to play somerounds of golf with former students from St.John’s Prep. Although restricted in later years tolife with a walker or an electric cart/wheel chair,he continued his ministry as a Xaverian Brother– in these years his was a ministry of prayer. Hisclassmate and friend Brother Peter Fitzpatrick(Benedict) said in the eulogy he delivered atBrother Giles funeral, “St. Paul teaches thatChrist’s sufferings, though of infinite value, werelimited to and by his human nature. From St.Paul, Giles understood this, and with St. Paul hemade up in his body what was lacking inChrist’s sufferings. Christ never suffered old age,he never had emphysema or chronic obsessivepulmonary disease. So consciously, willingly,lovingly Giles let Christ grow old through him. ‘Imake up in my body what is lacking in the suf-ferings of Christ.’

Brother Thomas Crane (Servulus) passed awayon July 6, 2014 after a long and well fought boutwith cancer. He was 76 years old and had beena Xaverian Brother for 58 years. A native ofBrooklyn, Tom entered the Brothers’ Juniorate inPeabody, MA after graduating from Holy NameSchool. As a young Brother, Tom began to learnthe art of teaching during his first assignment as

an elementary school teacher at Holy CrossSchool in Brooklyn. He would perfect the art ofteaching over the next decade and a half inother elementary schools: Holy Name inBrooklyn, Leonard Hall, Leonardtown, MD,Mother Catherine Spalding in SouthernMaryland and in elementary schools in Floridaand in Louisville, Kentucky. He later taught at St.Mary’s Ryken High School, Leonardtown,Nazareth HS, Brooklyn, NY, and St. Xavier HS,Louisville where he served as Assistant Principalfor Discipline. AsBrother Edward saidin the eulogy that hedelivered at BrotherTom’s funeral, “Tomhad great empathy.He could sense whatkids feel, what theyexperience and gothrough. He couldconnect quickly witha student and he always treated the “man” con-tained in the boy with great respect as ourManual of Customs and Advice counseled us todo. He could also hold them accountable. Tomgenerally knew about things before they everhappened. His colleagues on the faculty calledhim ‘the New York cop.’” When learning that hewas diagnosed with cancer, Tom accepted itwith faith and trust. As Brother Edward wrote,“the ‘New York cop’ surrendered himself trust-ingly into the arms of his Father. He went tochemo every month with a positive attitudeeven when the treatment was obviouslypainful.” May he rest in peace.

Brother Peter Walsh (Valens) was a few monthsshort of completing his 91st year (his 72nd as aXaverian) when he passed away on September5, 2014. Peter enjoyed a long history with theXaverian Brothers having had them as teachersat Saint Teresa’s Elementary from where heentered Saint Joseph’s Juniorate (Peabody, MA)in 1937. Peter received the habit and religiousname Valens on August 15th, 1942. He trulyloved his life as aXaverian Brotherespecially the rela-tionships he builtwith students andstaff. He truly lovedteaching, especiallybuilding lasting rela-tionship with his stu-dents. He oftenspoke fondly of for-mer students and the Brothers with whom hewas missioned at Malden Catholic, Saint Xavier,Saint Mary’s Ryken, and Nazareth, Brooklyn. Hiscompassion and deep sense of mission led himto join our Brothers at the Rosebud Reservationwhere he served the Lakota people for fouryears. In addition, Brother Peter also taught atWorking Boys Home, Newtown Highlands, MA,

St. Joseph’s School, Somerville, MA, and St.Joseph Prep in Bardstown, KY. In retirement, hecontinued his ministry and showed great loyaltyand compassion by his daily visits to theBrothers, Sisters and lay people who wereinfirmed and residing at Nazareth Home,Louisville. May he enjoy the peace of Christand eternal rest.

Xaverian Associate Gwen Costello passed awayon Thursday, August 7, 2014 just two weeksafter having been diagnosed with cancer thathad metastasized in her liver. The XaverianBrothers and Xaverian Associates have so muchto be grateful for in Gwen’s beautiful life as itintersected with ours. For many years as herhusband Rich was our Director ofDevelopment/Advancement, Gwen was work-ing quietly behind the scenes using her gifts asa writer and editor to improve our publications.Later, as she reduced her workload as Publisherof Twenty-Third Publications, she and Richdevoted even more time to improving Concordiaand our many appeal letters. In addition, shegraciously agreed to serve with Rich andBrother Cosmas as the first co-directors of theXaverian Associates Program. She made a last-ing contribution to our way of life by initiatingthe Associates pro-gram, planning andorganizing the firstgatherings and com-mitment ceremonies,and serving as aguide and compan-ion to many discern-ing their call to be aXaverian Associate.She and Rich wereamong the Associates who gathered withBrothers and XBSS Collaborators at theInternational Assembly in Bruges, Belgium in2012. Her writing and editing skills were put togood use once more as she assisted in draftingand revising the “Description of the XaverianCharism” that was a result of that Assembly.Gwen was a friend, prayer partner, and sourceof encouragement to many. She was also a per-son of great faith. She wrote in an email on July21st after learning of her new diagnosis, “I havealways believed that I am in God's embrace andI believe that now.” There is no doubt that shemore fully experiences God’s all-loving embracenow and brings to that embrace her love andconcern for Rich and their son, Kevin; as well asfor her mother, her, siblings, her aunts andmany family members, friends, co-workers fromTwenty-Third, as well as Xaverian Brothers andAssociates. Gwen’s newest publication whichshe completed earlier in the summer, “Walkingwith Pope Francis” is available now fromTwenty-third Publications.

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Concordia Society

Tony Zupo, a 1959 graduate of St. Michael’s Diocesan HighSchool in Brooklyn, NY has included the Brothers in hisestate plans because, as he says, “The Brothers have been

a tremendous influence in my life. The foundation that they gaveme both morally and spiri-tually has given me happi-ness in my life.” Tony notesthat in his high schoolyearbook he specificallymentioned Brother Ephrem(Brother Edward Keefe) asbeing a continual inspira-tion to him. “I was fortu-nate enough to be success-ful in the business world;now, I want to say ‘thanks’with my planned gift to theBrothers.” The XaverianBrothers are grateful toTony for remembering usin his estate plans andbecoming a member of theConcordia Society. Itshould also be noted, that

Tony is president of the St. Michael’s Alumni Association whichhosts several events a year, always including the Brothers. This isremarkable for a school whose last graduating class was 1960!

Jerry Klasmeier graduated from Mount St. Joseph High Schoolin Baltimore, MD in 1958. He explains the reason for his join-ing the Concordia Society with a planned gift to the Brothers:

“I have contributed to the Brothers over the years because I felt itappropriate to give back to them in recognition of what they didfor me while I was a student at the Mount. I am particularly grate-ful to men like Brothers Robertus Duffy and Julius, as well as oth-ers. They were great teachers and motivators. They made me

perform and pressed meto learn, to be interestedin the subjects theytaught. They created anenvironment of excel-lence of which I wantedto be a part. They con-veyed a sense of caring--motivating me and myclassmates to always dobetter, work harder. Ihave never forgottentheir interest and dedica-tion. So that makes iteasy to give back...’

We invite you to joinTony and Jerry as a mem-ber of the XaverianBrothers Concordia Society. This Society and its benefits acknowl-edge those who have remembered the Brothers in their estateplans. When you remember the Brothers in this way, you auto-matically become a member of the Concordia Society.

Your generous bequest will help us defray some of these escalating costs:

• Care and support for our growing number of aged and infirm Brothers

• Our educational efforts through our Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Office

• Our missionary activities and the growth of the Congregation in some of the poorest areas of our world.

For a list of benefits and other information, or if you havealready included the Brothers’ in your plans, please contact RayAlcaraz at the Xaverian Brothers Development Officeralcaraz@xaverianbrothers.org.

Brother Edward Driscoll, General Superior(right) presents Jerry Klasmeier withConcordia Socety coin at the Generalate.

Brother Jim Smith, St. Mike’s ’60 (left) and RayAlcaraz of the Generalate present Tony Zupowith his coin during the St. Mike’s reunion.