Meet the Brothers : The Brothers of the Christian Schools: United States & Toronto Region : Brothers Today

Br. Michael Livaudais, FSC

I joined the Brothers shortly after high school. I was very impressed with the Brothers we had, who gave their lives to teaching us when we were in school. They were imperfect and flawed saints, to be sure, but they were also outstanding men who seemed to be in love with what they were doing--and very effective at it.

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I believed then, and still do, that true educators are in a position to actually change the world. It was a romantic notion, I know, but it grabbed me in the heart and the gut. What greater platform is there than the classroom, or, in my case, the theatre, to challenge and grow students, to inform and discuss with them issues of the day, to inspire kids with great thoughts and ideas, to provide for them a platform for thought, insight, and understanding of themselves--and eventually take aim at transformation! That' s what the Brothers are supposed to be all about!

I earnestly believe that worthy teachers are in an unparalleled position of influence. By exploring the world with students, by growing kids through adolescence to thoughtful maturity, the Brothers seize the cliché: to touch the future. And THAT is what attracted me to the life, and still does. I didn't just want to teach; I wanted to continue God's work of creation, and I believe the Brothers give their lives to do just that.

On the seventh day, "God did not rest as one weary, but as one well pleased." As a Brother I am called to continue His work on day eight.

Br. Michael is currently a teacher in Theater Arts at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, TN.

Br. Mark Brown, FSC

When I am asked, “why did you become a brother?” I find it difficult to provide the nicely packaged answer people want to hear.

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But the brothers fit for me, and I fit the brothers. It is not something that is easy to explain. And for me, it is not something that I need to explain; it is something I experience each day. Good days and bad days, and every day in between. And like my Biblical hero Job, I accept it all and praise the Lord!

Br. Mark is currently teaching at St. John’s College High School in Washington D.C. In addition to teaching classes in Hebrew Scriptures and History of American Music, he is the moderator of the school’s music department.

Br. Victor Kenneth, FSC

When I walked through the doors of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I was met by Brother Dunstan Jeremy, Principal, and Brother Edwin Anthony, Dean of Students.

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Throughout my four years there, The Brothers of The Christian Schools became known to me more each day. These were wonderful men with improbable names like Maurice of Mary, Gerardus William, and Gregorian, who became guiding forces in my young life. Here were men who dedicated themselves to classroom instruction and who lived their Catholic faith boldly and on a daily basis. They always had time for their students outside of the classroom, as well. I knew I wanted to follow their example of lived Religious Life and education, and so, I did just that. My call was, is, and continues to be an incredible gift! I have served as teacher, Dean, and Principal over the years and I have enjoyed it immensely! So, watch and listen carefully -- That same gift may be yours.

Brother V. Kenneth is currently a full-time teacher at Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, California, and Director of the Brothers’ community there.

Br. Frank Byrne, FSC

During my college years the thought of a religious vocation had crossed my mind on several occasions.

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I attended Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey and admired the Brothers and their dedication their students. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I decided to take a year off and went to live and work with the Brothers at Saint Raymond High School in the Bronx. My experience there living in the community, and teaching and coaching in the school, led me to my decision to enter the Brothers. The past twenty-nine years have been rewarding ones for me as I have ministered as a teacher, coach, principal, vocation director, and Provincial of the New York District. It all began with accepting God’s invitation to explore the life of the Brothers, and has resulted in almost thirty great years of serving Him through the ministry of educating young people.

Br. Frank is currently the Provincial of the New York District.

Br. James Joost, FSC

Over the years, students have told me, “I’m glad the Brothers, like you, have been a part of my life, being there when I needed you even after I graduated.”

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Early on in my life as a Brother and into today, I have tried to practice the availability and presence that the Brothers showed to me and initially drew me to the life. I saw that availability and presence in the way the Brothers treated each other, also and know now how much our community life, especially our prayer, supports those I have been called to serve.

Br. James Joost, FSC is currently teaching and serving as Principal of La Salle High School in Yakima, WA. He enjoys cooking for the community, photography, and working on glass and wood projects around the house.

Br. Brendan Kneale, FSC

More than 72 years ago, I was at Cathedral High School with a lot of impressive Brothers as teachers and as other faculty members.

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I began to believe that I should serve the Church, but that being a priest (doing liturgies, hearing confessions, make house calls, etc.) was so unappealing to me that the alternative of being a teaching Brother (especially because I liked classroom learning) was worth trying out. I went to the Novitiate with exactly that tentative approach—trying it out. The rest is history.

Br. Brendan taught for most of his life in the Brothers at Saint Mary’s College of California. He is currently “retired” at Mont La Salle in Napa. He works in the Archives, edits a newsletter, and remains very active, including a passion for Jeopardy.

Br. Robert J. Wickman, F.S.C.

I am a native of New York City so I get straight to the point. The Brothers have been men who lift me up and are great companions for the journey.

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I have felt that way since first meeting them as a high school student in Queens, N.Y. The Brothers have shown me the face of God and they give religious faith a good name. They are men who are alive with energy and vitality. Wherever I have served — east coast, west coast, New York, Washington, D.C., New England, California — I have tried to serve young people in ways that reflect what the Brothers have done for me. We work to develop individuals who are thinkers, people with heart, men and women who tend to their souls, and folks who care about others and stand with the poor. We do this together, exploring and celebrating the embracing presence and love of Jesus in and through our communities and schools. What a life!

Brother Robert serves as the President of Justin-Siena High School, Napa, California. He belongs to the Long Island-New England District of the Brothers. He has been a teacher of Religion, History, and Government and moderator of Debate, Mock Trial, Student Council, Lacrosse, and Soccer. He has also served as a Campus Minister, Vice Principal, and Principal. He loves to read, walk, play racquetball, and listen to Broadway show tunes.

Br. Dominic Berardelli, FSC

Once I entered the Brothers' High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to be one of them! They were good religious men and great educators.

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After graduation I entered and during my College years one Brother came to speak with us about his experience as a missionary to the Philippines. That impacted me so that I wanted to go there as a missionary as well. I was assigned to the Philippines after my first year of teaching and worked in the Brothers' schools in Manila and Mindanao as teacher and Principal, and also in the slums of Manila with parent volunteers. I served for eleven years and returned home to the States, this time to California, and served in a variety of work from teacher to Superintendent of Catholic Schools in Orange California and then on to the Provincialate. I was then assigned to the Mission Office in Rome for the Asia Pacific sector of the world which provided tremendous and varied experiences of the work of the Brothers in these many countries, especially in Burma, Thailand and India. After eight years I returned to the States. Being a Brother has given me a great breadth of experiences and much contact with students and young people in so many parts of the world!

Br. Dominic is currently at Saint Mary’s College of California as Special Assistant to the President

Br. Gregory Wright, FSC, Ph.D.

The Brothers had no school in my home town of New Orleans between 1900 and 1949.

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But I learned about them through my father, a member of the class of 1900, who always spoke well of his former teachers. So maybe that is why when a Brother visited our elementary school and gave a vocation talk, I felt an attraction to their life. In 1941 I entered the Juniorate through which I encountered many Brothers who encouraged me to join in their work. Since I began my apostolate in 1948, I have encountered and at times worked with Brothers in Rome, the Holy Land, Egypt, France, Spain, England, Ireland, and now the Philippines, as well as in the United States. Everywhere I felt welcomed as a Brother in an impressive and active world-wide religious family.

Presently Br. Gregory is a Visiting Professor at De La Salle University in Manila where he teaches in the History and International Studies Departments while also finding time to do some Lasallian research and writing.

Br. George Van Grieken, FSC, PhD.

I grew up in Holland and moved to the U.S. when I was ten.

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During high school, I went to a Brothers’ school and was impressed with the character of the Brothers who taught me. Pretty soon I was thinking of joining them. And then I did. Over the years, I’ve never regretted that decision. I’ve taught in grammar schools, high schools, and been able to teach in places like the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia. It’s great to be part of an international family that keeps the same spirit no matter where you are. The Brothers continue to impress and inspire me every day.

Br. George is currently the Director of Vocation Ministry for the District of San Francisco and resides in Napa, CA. When he’s not traveling as part of his job, he enjoys reading, writing, playing the piano, and listening to good music