Xaverian Brothers

Today we celebrate All Souls’ Day. On this day, our Brothers at Xaverian House, MA and Treyton Oak Towers, KY as well as our other community houses around the world remember the faithfully departed. Click the link below to include the names of your loved ones to be remembered.

https://buff.ly/3AhuAR1

On Tuesday, October 22nd, the Theodore James Ryken Society Luncheon was held at the Sheraton in Needham, MA. Stephanie Stricker welcomed Brothers, Associates, Partners in Mission and generous donors. Kevin Abdo, XBSS Formation Director, led the group in a prayer. Dr. Patrick Slattery shared an optimistic outlook of Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools. Brother Daniel Skala spoke about the growth of the Brothers' missions worldwide. Guests enjoyed catching up with friends and Brothers, some of whom were their teachers and mentors.

Brother Gabriël Vanderjeugt, CFX entered eternal life peacefully Wednesday, October 24th.

Brother Ivo, C.F.X. (Brother Gabriël Vanderjeugt) - Xaverian Brothers Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, …but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4, 7-8)

Brother Joseph Mlinzi, Regional Coordinator for Congo, attended an assembly October 13-18 held by the Conference of Major Superiors of Congo, in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 118 religious from all corners of DR Congo took part in meetings which resulted in selecting a new national committee. Brother Joseph is pictured (right) in the second photo.

Last week Brother Ananie Kazadie completed a course he taught to Salesian philosophy students. At the end of his course, one of the Salesian Sisters offered a word of thanks for the work of Brother Ananie.

Thanks to a generous donor to the Xaverian Brothers, the St. Xavier, Bungoma basketball team recently received brand new uniforms. The students are grateful for this generous gift. Brother Raphael Wanjala, Director of St. Xavier, Bungoma, is pictured (left) in the second photo picking up the uniforms from the post office.

On Friday, October 4th, Brother Ghislain held an off-site planning retreat with the teachers of Collège Tutazamie. The faculty reflected on their role as teachers in a Xaverian school and planned for the activities for this academic year.

On October 4th, during the celebration of Mass of St. Francis of Assisi, our four first year Postulants were welcomed by the Brothers at Xaverian Centre in Nairobi. They received the cross as a symbol of their commitment to follow Christ in their formation and their vocation in the Xaverian Community. Pictured left to right: Gabriel, Shadrack, Father Saviour, Robert and James.

Brother Ghislain recently stood for the official photograph with the students in the rhéto class (6th year secondary). He had presented them with school ties as a symbol of their responsibility and maturity among the student body at College Tutazamie in Likasi.

On Saturday, September 21st, Brother Placide Ngoie celebrated 60 years of religious life as a Xaverian Brother. 13 Brothers with temporary vows also renewed their vows.

New England Associates met on September 15th at Xaverian House in Danvers. They received an update and had a discussion based on the meetings at the Assembly held in July in Rome. Left to right: (standing) Gail Dennig, Joanne Tavanese, Steve Smoot, Brother Joseph Pawlika, (seated) Brother Richard Mazza, Mary Driscoll, Brother Paul Feeney.

On Friday, September 13th, Brothers in Louisville gathered with the St. X Community for the interment of Brother Rodney Sulzer's cremains. The alumni office hosted a reception for members of Brother Rodney's class of 1956 and the Brothers. They then gathered in the St. X Chapel with student members of the Society of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Associates, friends and a cousin of Brother Rodney, as well as St. X administration and faculty.

The Funeral for Brother Daniel will take place on Monday, Sept 30th at the St. Xavier High School Chapel with a viewing at 10am and Funeral Mass at 11:30am. The livestream of the Funeral Mass can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/yGiqNEfOB4E

Brother Daniel Conaghan, C.F.X. (Brother Rian) - Xaverian Brothers Daniel - God be my judge, God guides me, God loves me. Amen! Dan was the child of Irish immigrants John Conaghan and Grace Curran Conaghan. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on May 16, 1940. He is survived by his sister Mary Ryan (John), Patricia Gorman (+Jim) and Charles (Frannie).

Don't forget to sign up! The next class begins on October 2nd.

Boston College Crossroads will once again offer a six-week online program entitled ‘Mission and Spirituality: A Xaverian Journey’ aimed at supporting the formation for those within the Xaverian Brothers community and ministries. The course explores Xaverian history, charism, values and calls through weekly readings, videos by Brothers and XBSS leaders, and conversation with course participants. All are welcome!

The next course begins on October 2nd. To learn more visit: https://bostoncollege-stm.catalog.instructure.com/courses/mission-and-spirituality-a-xaverian-journey-fall-2024

Brother Daniel Conaghan, CFX entered eternal life peacefully Saturday, September 21st.

Brother Daniel Conaghan, C.F.X. (Brother Rian) - Xaverian Brothers Daniel - God be my judge, God guides me, God loves me. Amen! Dan was the child of Irish immigrants John Conaghan and Grace Curran Conaghan. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on May 16, 1940. He is survived by his sister Mary Ryan (John), Patricia Gorman (+Jim) and Charles (Frannie).

The funeral Mass will take place on Monday, September 23, at 10am. The livestream can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/-DTfdGLNMdI
We also encourage you to share your memories of Brother Tom in the comments.

Brother Tom Ryan, CFX entered eternal life peacefully Saturday, September 14th. https://buff.ly/3XIVw52

As we remember Brother Ryan's life of faith, service, and dedication, we encourage members of the Xavier community to share personal reflections to honor his legacy and ensure his spirit remains a lasting part of the Xavier family.

🔗 https://bit.ly/BrRyan

Brother Tom Ryan, CFX entered eternal life peacefully Saturday, September 14th. https://buff.ly/3XIVw52

August 16-21, young men aspiring to join the congregation attended a "Come and See" program in Bungoma. They had the opportunity to visit several missions, where they learned about the various ministries of the Xaverian Brothers. The aspirants visited the Ryken Centre of Hope and spoke with the young boys at the center. Brothers Stephen Obara and Bernard Mujibi who are the Vocation Directors of the Kenyan region led the program.

On August 30th, Brothers in the Bungoma community, along with contractor Mr. Dipak Varsani and his team and Fr. Sebastian Mang'oli the Parish Priest at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Kabula gathered in the chapel Mass. Thereafter, they proceeded to the construction site of the Brothers Residence for a blessing and groundbreaking. Then, they officially handed over the site to the contractor.

Recently, the Deputy County Commissioner and Assistant County Commissioner of Bungoma made a courtesy visit to the Ryken Centre of Hope. During their visit, they toured the facility and had the chance to speak to residents. They were pleased with the progress the center has made since its opening in 2017. Francis Masicha, Co-Director of the Center, is pictured in the first photo with the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

Brother Tom entered eternal life yesterday, September 2nd.

Brother Thomas Patrick Cully, C.F.X. (Brother Russell) - Xaverian Brothers Thomas Cully entered eternal life peacefully on September 2, 2024, after a long illness. Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 3, 1937 to Peter and Katherine (O’Donnell) Cully. Both parents were from Donegal, Ireland. Thomas is predeceased by both parents, his older brother, Peter, an...

The three construction projects in Congo are nearing completion. (First photo) The new primary school constructed on what were part of the playing fields used by Frère George behind the formation house in Kikula will be ready for the opening of the school year. (Second photo) Similarly, the newest classroom block at the Complexe Scolaire Rijken in Kipushi is nearing completion. (Third photo) Finally, the newly constructed Brothers residence in Kasenga will provide the safety and conducive living environment for the Brothers in Kasenga.

Brothers in the Kenyan region held their retreat at Bishop Pastoral and Animation Centre beginning on August 8th. The first day was animated by Father Joseph Likule, who was a teacher of Catechism to Brothers Bernard Mujibi and Alex Musoke. This retreat was unique in that each day was animated by a different Brother who shared their reflection on the kind of pastoral, community life and their general thoughts on how they are living the Xaverian Charism today. On the last day of the retreat, temporary professed Brothers renewed their vows. The Mass was led by Father Joseph who encouraged Brothers to be confident and resilient in their way of life. Regional coordinator Brother Bernard Juma was the delegate of the General Superior who received the renewed vows.