Volunteer Update

Members of the Xaverian Volunteer Committee met with Brother Matthew Burke, Superior General, on Sunday, January 21, for a full-day reflection on the Xaverian volunteer experience. The place of the volunteer program in the life and mission of the Brothers, the goals of the program, and the dynamics and processes needed to insure its effectiveness received attention. Enthusiasm deriving from the outstanding contributions and considerable personal enrichment Jonathan Dohanich and Brian Tripp rendered and experienced in their respective involvements enlivened the discussion.

Brother Stephen Strausbaugh identified several instances in the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers that provide endorsement and encouragement of the volunteer initiative. Founder Theodore Ryken’s global vision, zealous desire to bring all persons to Jesus Christ, and search for Christian laypersons to help realize his vision and desire were emphasized. Brother Matthew positioned the volunteer experience as a response to the Calls of the most recent General Chapter: With lives rooted in Gospel values, the example of St. Francis Xavier and the vision of Ryken, we are called personally and congregationally to a contemplative stance in the world and to mission among the poor and marginalized. The need to creatively grow and foster our already significant collaboration with our lay brothers and sisters was the focus of the presentation by Brother Bonaventure. This aspect also received strong endorsement by Michael Naccarato, Chair of the Committee, in his emphasis on the ever-increasing need for generous and dedicated lay collaborators with the Brothers in the works of the Xaverian Congregation.

In February students from Good Counsel High School in Wheaton and Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore shared their experience of service with Brian Tripp, recently returned from his experience in Bungoma, Kenya. This sharing linked the involvement of students in Xaverian Sponsored Schools with that of the Xaverian Program. This exchange of personal experience added depth to the reflection on his experience in Bungoma that Brian was conducting with Xaverian leadership.

Those interested in learning more about participation in Xaverian life and mission will find below the names of appropriate people to contact:

For Life Commitment Program Contact:

Bro. Jim Connolly, CFX
609 Cornwell on the Gulf
Venice, Fl 34285
Email: xavbrosv@yahoo.com

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For Volunteer Program Contact:

Bro. Bonaventure Scully, CFX
7513 Jackson Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Email: broboscully@aol.com