A unique gathering of the Brothers of the San Francisco New Orleans District (SFNO) took place on July 25 at Mont La Salle in Napa, CA. In a combined ceremony, the Brothers welcomed four young men who are in initial discernment of their vocation to the Brothers’ life, witnessed two young Brothers professing their first and final vows, and joined 19 Brothers in marking milestones in their years of service in District ministries and Communities.
The day was a celebration of, clockwise from bottom left, young Brothers professing vows, Aspirants, Postulants, and Brother Jubilarians.
“It is not often,” remarked SFNO Brother Visitor Donald Johanson, FSC, “that we are able to celebrate at the same time all of the different stages of our lives as Brothers. This, plus the fact that this our first time together in well over a year, made this a wonderful day.”
Planning for the day was led by Brother Auxiliary Visitor James Joost, FSC and Brother Assistant Visitor Nick Gonzalez, FSC. It centered on a special Mass that incorporated the various recognitions and vow ceremonies. The main celebrant was Father Miguel Briseño, OFM, Conv. from El Paso, TX. Father Tom McElligott from Saint Mary’s College of California was concelebrant. Brothers and Aspirants assisted in the liturgy as servers, lectors, cantors, and musicians. The mothers of Brothers Javier Hansen and Rafael Rodriguez served as gift bearers.
While in-person attendance was limited, due to COVID restrictions, to the Brothers and immediate family members, Saint Mary’s College High School’s YouTube Channel hosted a livestream of the Mass, allowing many persons to join and send their prayers and best wishes virtually.
Much of the day’s focus was on those who are in what is known as initial formation. These are young men who have discerned, usually as a Contact and/or Aspirant, to formally enter the Institute. They begin the initial formation process as a candidate (Postulancy) followed by the canonical year of preparation for first vows (Novitiate). At the end of the Novitiate year, Novices pronounce first vows and are now professed Brothers. Several years of annual vows come next (Temporary Profession), leading to the pronouncing of final vows (Perpetual Profession). Though commonly referred to as “vows,” the commitment is called by the Brothers a “profession” to emphasize the consecration to God that is lived out in the context of the vows.
Members of the FSC Contact Program on their retreat with Brothers David Caretti (2nd from left) and Chris Patino (right).
Earlier in the week, SFNO Vocation Ministry Director Brother Chris Patiño and Vocation Team members Brothers David Caretti and Iñigo Riola led retreats at Mont La Salle for young men in this year’s Contact Program, as well as for this year’s Aspirants, Zach Brittain, Daniel Ramirez, and Hermes Ruiz. Brittain is assigned to the San Miguel Community in Tucson, AZ, Ramirez to the Cathedral High School Community in El Paso, TX, and Ruiz to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Community in San Francisco, CA.
Speaking about the retreats, Br. Chris said, “It only took a short while for everyone to get used to being gathered here again. Having the retreats at Mont La Salle offers an experience that other retreat locations really can’t. The participants consider being able to interact with the Brothers here to be the highlight of the retreats.”
At the celebration, young men welcomed as Postulants for the upcoming year were Matthew Chiantella, Halen Gamino, Carter Powers, and Andrew Wozniak. Chiantella is assigned to the Saint Mary’s College High School Community in Berkeley, CA, Gamino to the Cathedral High School Community in El Paso, TX, Powers to the Joseph Alemany Community in Moraga, CA, and Wozniak to the Cathedral High School Community in El Paso, TX.
Professing First Vows was Brother Rafael Rodriguez, FSC. He is assigned to the Cathedral High School Community in Los Angeles, CA. Professing Perpetual Vows was Brother Javier Hansen, FSC. He is assigned to the Saint Paul’s Community in Covington, LA. Also, Brother Donald presented Brother Javier’s parents with a traditional letter, signed by him and Brother Superior General Robert Schieler, FSC, thanking them on behalf of the Institute for sharing their son with the Brothers.
The Brother Jubilarians during their Pious Renewal of Vows.
Jubilee years mark particular dates since a Brother received the habit of the Brothers and follow increments of years traditional to the Brothers. At the celebration, two groups of Brother Jubilarians were honored, those whose anniversaries were in 2020, and those whose anniversaries are in 2021.
The 2020 Brother Jubilarians are Brother James Meegan (50 years); and Brothers Arthur Carroll, Duane Gregory, William Hughes, Alphonse LeBlanc, Charles Miller, and Mark Murphy (60 years).
The 2021 Jubilarians are Brother John O’Neill (75 years); Brothers Jonathan Cord, Gale Condit, and Bill Ray (60 years); Christopher Brady, Paul-Andre Durham, Richard Lemberg, John Mai, Joseph Pham, and George Van Grieken (50 years); and Brothers Fred Van Haaften and Martin Vu (25 years).
Offering a perspective on his 75 years in religious life, Brother John O’Neill said, “I am aware of the extraordinary mentorship that living/being in a faith-based community of Brothers and Lasallian Partners can and does provide for all in the community…for this achievement I am most appreciative.”
Following Mass, the Brothers, Lasallian Sisters, and guests enjoyed a social distanced luncheon on the Mont La Salle grounds. That evening, the Brothers commenced their annual District Retreat, a week of prayer and reflection that takes place between academic years. This was the Brothers’ first in-person annual retreat since summer, 2019.
All in all, the day came as welcome opportunity for the many Brothers in attendance to reaffirm their lifelong bonds in Saint John Baptist de La Salle. They were able to reminisce about their Lasallian journey together as well as look forward to the new chapters being added to their shared story. Above all, they were able to express as one their great pride and joy in being Brothers of the Christian Schools.
