Notre Dame, Ind. – The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers joyfully celebrated the Final Profession of Vows and ordination to the Order of Deacon of Rev. Mr. Matthew C. Kuczora, C.S.C., on the weekend of Aug. 27 and 28.
When Kuczora professed his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, he committed to live the rest of his life in communion with the life and the work of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He will focus his discipleship through a life of making God known, loved and served across all borders.
Provincial Superior Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., accepted Kuczora’s vows and presided at the celebration of the Eucharist on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. On Sunday, Aug. 28, at Moreau Seminary, the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, ordained Kuczora to the Order of Deacon.
The oldest of five children born to Paul and Pamela Kuczora, he grew up in Marion, Ind., where he and his family were members of St. Paul Catholic Church. Deacon Kuczora attended Marion High School where he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts of America. He attended Notre Dame and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accountancy graduating cum laude in 2005. Prior to entering Moreau Seminary in 2006, Deacon Kuczora worked as a volunteer with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition in Coachella, Calif., through the Holy Cross Associates Program. Deacon Kuczora professed his First Vows in August 2008 and went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Our Lady’s University this past May.
When asked about his calling to join the priesthood and what drew him to Holy Cross, Deacon Kuczora responded “I had Holy Cross priests as my professors, rectors and in-residence priests during my undergraduate years at Notre Dame and I was impressed by the work they were doing, but maybe more attracted by the joy they had doing it.”
Deacon Kuczora has served in a number of Holy Cross ministries during his seminary years, including: a financial advising program at St. Adalbert Parish in South Bend, Ind.; RCIA at St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Ind.; and as a volunteer with RCIA at St. Andre Bessette Church (Downtown Chapel) in Portland, Ore. As a student, he participated in the international service class and immersion program in Bangalore, India sponsored by the Center for Global Perspectives through Holy Cross College. Deacon Kuczora has also worked as a spiritual care intern for the Farm of the Child Orphanage in Trujillo, Honduras.
Deacon Kuczora has been assigned to serve at Nuestra Madre Santisima de la Luz Parish in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. In addition, he will serve as Director of Postulants (a program to provide candidates with an introduction to the history, spirituality, charism, life, and work of the Congregation of Holy Cross).
Deacon Kuczora will be ordained to the priesthood in April 2012.
This summer has been a joyous time for the United States Province. On two continents, five men have made their Final Profession of religious vows with Holy Cross, Deacon Kuczora became the sixth. Six have made their First Vows.
Visit our photo and video gallery to see past Ordinations to the priesthood and Final Vows.
