Holy Cross Vocations: United States Province // Holy Cross Vocations: United States Province

Come and See Weekend for High School Seniors

2011-09-07T08:00:00-04:00

The Holy Cross Office of Vocations is hosting a Come and See weekend on November 3rd - 5th, 2011 for high school seniors discerning a vocation to religious life and the priesthood. The weekend offers an opportunity to spend time at Old College, the undergraduate seminary program on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Participants and their parents will join the seminary community for daily Mass and prayer, learn about the Congregation of Holy Cross and its mission, and tour both the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College campuses.

For more information.

Profession of Vows

2011-08-24T13:50:00-04:00

On Saturday, August 27, 2011, Mr. Matthew C. Kuczora, C.S.C. made his final profession of vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross. Matt professed forever the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the midst of a celebration of the Eucharist in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. In taking these vows Matt committed the rest of his life to living and serving in the Congregation of Holy Cross as an educator in the faith.

For more information about Matt and this celebration of his life in Holy Cross, please see the press release and visit our Photo and Video Gallery.

Holy Cross is Inviting High School Seniors to a Come and See Weekend

2011-06-21T08:00:00-04:00

The Holy Cross Office of Vocations is inviting any high school senior men thinking about a vocation to the priesthood to a Come and See Weekend. The weekend gives high school seniors the opportunity to spend a weekend at Old College, the undergraduate seminary program at the University of Notre Dame, and learn what life in the seminary is like.

The next Come and See Weekend for high school seniors is: September 22nd - 24th, 2011

For more information about the Come and See Weekend.

Holy Cross Ordains Two Priests

2011-06-21T07:00:00-04:00

With joy and thanksgiving, the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross announces the ordination of two new priests. On Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, the Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria in Illinois, conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Rev. John Britto Antony, C.S.C. and Rev. Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C.

"The international Holy Cross community is blessed to welcome these men who will bring hope and joy to many people through our ministries," says Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., Provincial Superior for the Congregation of Holy Cross, Indiana Province. "These ordinations are a time of gratitude and celebration for us."

Congratulations Rev. John Britto, C.S.C. and Rev. Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C.!

Learn more about these two men here and visit the Photo and Video Gallery.

Upcoming Retreat for College Graduates

2011-06-03T08:05:00-04:00

The Office of Vocations for the Congregation of Holy Cross is offering a summer retreat on June 24 - 26, 2011 for men who are college graduates under the age of 35 and considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. The weekend retreat is intended to provide some quiet time away from the busyness of daily life to pray about how God may be calling you to learn about the Congregation of Holy Cross, and to ask God to show you the way. The retreat will include formal and informal time for prayer, sessions on prayer, discernment, and seminary life, quiet time for reflection, and opportunities to talk individually with a priest. Participants should plan to arrive at Moreau Seminary by 2:00 pm on Friday, June 24th. The retreat will conclude on Sunday, June 26th at 1:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Vocations at (574) 631-6385 or vocation.1@nd.edu.

For more information about the retreat

Graduate Discernment Retreat registration

Congratulations on the Ordination of Fr. Paul Ybarra, C.S.C. and Fr. John Britto Antony, C.S.C.

2011-06-03T08:00:00-04:00

Congratulations Rev. John Britto, C.S.C. and Rev. Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C.!

Learn more about these two men here and visit the Photo and Video Gallery.

Congratulations to the 2011 Jubilarians

2011-05-27T13:02:00-04:00

The Indiana and Eastern Provinces of the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrate the jubilees of our men reaching major anniversaries of religious profession or priestly ordination. Jubilee Weekend is a weekend of great hope for Holy Cross and the wider Church. The witness of these men who have been faithful for so many years in living out their religious vows and priestly ministries gives hope to all of us that we too, with God’s grace, may be faithful to the vocations the Lord calls us to in service of His name.

This year’s class of Jubilarians has offered the Church and the world over 1,110 years of faithful, selfless service! We invite you to join your prayers with ours in thanksgiving for these men.

2011 Jubilarian Booklet

Upcoming Retreat for College Graduates

2011-05-16T09:38:00-04:00

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Vocations at (574) 631-6385 or vocation.1@nd.edu.

For more information about the retreat

Graduate Discernment Retreat registration

Holy Cross Ordains Two Priests

2011-05-16T02:01:00-04:00

Congratulations Rev. John Britto, C.S.C. and Rev. Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C.!

Learn more about these two men here and visit the Photo and Video Gallery.

2011 World Day of Prayer for Vocations

2011-05-14T16:03:00-04:00

Today the Church, as she does every Fourth Sunday of Easter, celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The timing this year is God’s Divine Providence because there are few better ways for us to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday than to pray for the future priests, brothers, and sisters who will shepherd the Church.

There are many things we can do – and need to do – to help young people today discern their vocations, especially if their hearts are moved with a desire to serve the Church and the world as a priest, brother, or sister. However, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations that the most important thing we can do is pray:

“The work of carefully encouraging and supporting vocations finds a radiant source of inspiration in those places in the Gospel where Jesus calls his disciples to follow him and trains them with love and care. We should pay close attention to the way that Jesus called his closest associates to proclaim the Kingdom of God (cf. Lk 10:9). In the first place, it is clear that the first thing he did was to pray for them: before calling them, Jesus spent the night alone in prayer, listening to the will of the Father (cf. Lk 6:12) in a spirit of interior detachment from mundane concerns. It is Jesus' intimate conversation with the Father which results in the calling of his disciples. Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life are first and foremost the fruit of constant contact with the living God and insistent prayer lifted up to the ‘Lord of the harvest,’ whether in parish communities, in Christian families or in groups specifically devoted to prayer for vocations.”

Today, on the 48^th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we in the Congregation of Holy Cross invite you today, to join us in praying the following prayer for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Lord of the Harvest,
through the intercession
of Blessed Basil Moreau and Saint André Bessette
we pray that you may raise up more priests, brothers, and sisters,
especially in our local diocese and in the Congregation of Holy Cross,
to serve as shepherds after your heart.
May our prayers and the witness of our vocations faithfully lived
grant those young people who you are calling today
to religious life and priesthood
the courage and the faith to respond with their “yes”
to your summons in their lives.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

If you or someone you know is feeling a call to religious life or priesthood, please visit our Vocations webpage at: www.holycrossvocations.org

2011 World Day of Prayer for Vocations

2011-05-09T09:29:00-04:00

On May 15, the Church, as she does every Fourth Sunday of Easter, will celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The timing this year is God’s Divine Providence because there are few better ways for us to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday than to pray for the future priests, brothers, and sisters who will shepherd the Church.

In this week leading up to the 48^th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we in the Congregation of Holy Cross, invite you to join us in praying the following prayer for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Lord of the Harvest,
through the intercession
of Blessed Basil Moreau and Saint André Bessette
we pray that you may raise up more priests, brothers, and sisters,
especially in our local diocese and in the Congregation of Holy Cross,
to serve as shepherds after your heart.
May our prayers and the witness of our vocations faithfully lived
grant those young people who you are calling today
to religious life and priesthood
the courage and the faith to respond with their “yes”
to your summons in their lives.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

If you or someone you know is feeling a call to religious life or priesthood, please visit our Vocations webpage at: www.holycrossvocations.org

Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

2011-04-23T21:59:00-04:00

Resurrection for us is a daily event. We have stood watch with persons dying in peace; we have witnessed wonderful reconciliations; we have known the forgiveness of those who misuse their neighbor; we have seen heartbreak and defeat lead to a transformed life; we have heard the conscience of an entire church stir; we have marveled at the insurrection of justice. We know that we walk by Easter's first light, and it makes us long for its fullness.

– Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross

The Congregation of Holy Cross wishes everyone a blessed
and grace-filled Easter season. In walking by Easter's first light, may we all be men and women with hope to bring in
our world.

Holy Cross to Ordain Two Priests

2011-04-18T09:43:00-04:00

With joy and thanksgiving, the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross announces the ordination of two new priests on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria in Illinois, will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Rev. Mr. John Britto Antony, C.S.C. and Rev. Mr. Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C.

Learn more about these two men here.

Tours of Moreau and Old College Now On-Line

2011-04-05T09:44:00-04:00

One of the main questions that young men discerning the priesthood and religious life ask is: What is life in the seminary like? To help young men answer that question, the Holy Cross Office of Vocations has posted picture tours of both Moreau Seminary and Old College on its website. These virtual tours give a great glimpse into what life in the seminary literally looks like for our seminarians in Holy Cross. The tours also help remove the veil behind two of the most asked about buildings on the Notre Dame campus. Check out these two new features to the Holy Cross Vocations Website at:

Moreau Visual Tour

Old College Visual Tour

You Have Redeemed the World

2011-03-08T02:41:00-05:00

The holy season of Lent begins March 9^thon Ash Wednesday, calling Christians to prayer, penance, and almsgiving. As we begin these 40 days of Lent, it is a time to accept the call of Jesus to “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).

One of the traditional devotions for the Lenten Season has been the Stations of the Cross, which invites us to join Jesus on the steps that led him to die for us on Calvary. This year, Holy Cross has published a new set of stations through Ave Maria Press , entitled You Have Redeemed the World, which draws on the insight of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. He wrote, “Human life is like a great Way of the Cross. We do not have to go to the chapel or church to go through the different stations. This Way of the Cross is everywhere and we travel it every day, even in spite of ourselves and without being aware of it.” In addition to the English version, this is the first book ever published in Spanish by Ave Maria Press.

This book of prayer and meditation, compiled and edited by Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C. and Kevin Grove, C.S.C., draws on the ministerial and life experiences of Holy Cross religious from around the world. With them, we are invited to enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Cross according to the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross: “Ave Crux, Spec Unica” (Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope).

Read the interview with Fr. Kevin Grove, C.S.C. about this new book in the March 6^thissue of Today’s Catholic.

Fr. Neil Wack, C.S.C. Receives Distinguished Pastor Award

2011-03-07T08:25:00-05:00

Fr. Neil Wack, C.S.C., was named a Distinguished Pastor by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) for his "outstanding support of Catholic Education.” Fr. Neil is pastor of Christ the King Parish in South Bend, IN, which is the parish he grew up in as a child. Under his leadership, Christ the King School has continued to be one of the flagship schools in the Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend. A 1984 graduate of the school and now a local celebrity, Fr. Neil, said of the Holy Cross education the parish and school provide: “Our mission and the mission of all Catholic schools is that very basic mission of what Father Basil Moreau said, ‘Educate the mind and the heart, but never educate the mind at the expense of the heart.’ Everything we do is geared towards that, and every decision I make should be looking to that.”

Calling all High School Juniors - Come and See

2011-02-15T08:16:00-05:00

The Holy Cross Office of Vocations is hosting a Come and See weekend on March 24^th – 26^th, 2011 for high school juniors discerning a vocation to religious life and the priesthood. The weekend offers an opportunity to spend time at Old College, the undergraduate seminary program on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Participants and their parents will join the seminary community for daily Mass and prayer, learn about the Congregation of Holy Cross and its mission, and tour both the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College campuses.

For more information.

Catholic Schools Week

2011-02-01T15:23:00-05:00

The last week in January – January 30 to February 5 – the Church in the United States celebrates Catholic Schools Week, recognizing the essential contribution that Catholic schools make to our Church and our country. Since our founding, the Congregation of Holy Cross has been committed to Catholic Education as an essential part of the Church’s mission of spreading the Good News and establishing God’s Kingdom in this world. To mark Catholic Schools Week, along with all the celebrations in our parishes and schools, Spes Unica, our vocations blog, has a series of posts highlighting the work of Holy Cross in this important mission field. As Fr. Timothy Scully, C.S.C., the Director for the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame, notes in his post, “You will see many of signs and pathways to hope in this blog this week. The Congregation of Holy Cross, especially in our K-12 schools and in our universities’ commitment to providing continued talent and leadership for Catholic schools, remain ‘men with hope to bring’ as we confront the challenges of the 21st century.”

Welcome David Halm and Stephen Barany

2011-02-01T07:44:00-05:00

The Christmas season has come to a close and so now we look to the beginning of a new semester. As a part of the preparation for the new semester, we would like to welcome two new men into the Holy Cross seminary programs.

David Halm, from Dublin, Ohio, will be entering into formation at Moreau Seminary.

Stephen Barany, from South Bend, Indiana, will be transferring into Old College.

While it is not normal for seminarians to start in at the beginning of the spring semester, we are blessed with programs that are flexible enough to accommodate the wonderful ways in which the Lord calls. Christ’s call does not always come according to our timetable, yet if we are serious about being His disciples, we find ways to answer when that call comes.

Welcome David and Stephen! Thank you for answering the call.

Meet David Halm and Stephen Barany on our "Meet the Seminarians" page!

Notre Dame Celebrates Holy Cross Week

2011-01-19T12:43:00-05:00

Thursday, January 20^th, 2011 marks the beginning of the fourth annual Holy Cross Week at the University of Notre Dame. This week long celebration of the contributions and heritage of the Congregation of Holy Cross begins on the feast day of the community’s founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. This week of events, titled Holy Cross: Faith of Our Future, will also honor Saint André Bessette, the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to be named a saint! Saint André Bessette was canonized October 17, 2010 in Rome by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. View pictures from the Canonization.

Celebration Schedule:

Thursday, January 20^th: Mass for the Feast of Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C
5:15 pm, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Sunday, January 23^rd: Vespers Prayer for Vocations
7:15 pm, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Monday, January 24^th: Third annual Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. Lecture
7:30 pm, at Andrews Auditorium in Geddes Hall

Tuesday, January 25^th: God’s Doorkeeper: Saint André Bessette documentary film
7:30 pm, at Andrews Auditorium in Geddes Hall

Wednesday, January 26^th: The Spirit of Holy Cross: Celebrating a Saint
                                                     Steven Scardina's Holy Legacy in Photos:
                                                     Saint André Bessette's journey from doorkeeper to Saint
                                                     5:30 pm, at the Main Building Rotunda

For More Information