Picture provided by the Gryp family. Pictured are Tom and Patty Gryp.
A Q&A with Cross and Anchors Guild members Tom and Patty Gryp.
What and when was your initial contact with the Congregation of Holy Cross?
Tom grew up in South Bend and attended Holy Cross Parish & School, as did his mother and maternal grandparents. He also attended St Joseph High School and the University of Notre Dame. Consequently, the Congregation has been a very important part of his life even before he was born!
Patty’s first contact with the Congregation was through her friendship with Rev. Tom Zurcher, C.S.C., when they both lived in Phoenix, and then the connection deepened further when we moved back to South Bend in 2010 and became active at Holy Cross Parish.
Was there something about that contact that was unique compared to other encounters you may have had with Catholic clergy?
We would say that there is definitely something special about Holy Cross clergy. On a personal level, there is such a strong sense of personal intention and sincerity that seems to draw the person into the warmth of Christ. As a congregation, there is a very deep and consistent commitment to encourage people to take their faith and bring it to life by putting it into action in the world. The theme of social justice and being the “hands and feet” of Christ is brought to life, first in the curriculum taught in grade school, high school, college, and into the liturgy celebrated weekly with the faithful.
Since your initial contact, has your exposure and experience with Holy Cross expanded/grown (parish life, education)?
Definitely, since our return to South Bend, we have participated in activities such as serving as a lecturer, participating in School Board activities, and donating to the parish St. Vincent DePaul food pantry.
Have there been any particular members of the Congregation of Holy Cross with whom you’ve had a special or enduring relationship? If so, can you describe what makes the relationship special?
Probably too many to mention, but here is the short list:
Fr. Tom Zurcher, C.S.C. (a dear friend beginning when Tom was in high school in the 1970’s through today)
Fr. Jim Fenstermaker, C.S.C. (our current pastor at Holy Cross Parish)
Fr. Mark Thesing, C.S.C. (was on the Board at Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, where Tom is the President/CEO)
Fr. Don McNeill, C.S.C. (through the Center for Social Concern when Tom attended Notre Dame)
Fr. Richard Conyers, C.S.C. (Tom’s rector at Keenan Hall during all four years Tom attended Notre Dame)
Sr. Barbara Kleck, C.S.C. (a lifetime family friend who met Tom’s mother when she was discerning a vocation with the Sisters of the Holy Cross)
Has your relationship with Holy Cross contributed to your formation as Catholics, as a Catholic family? If so, how would you describe that?
Our relationship with the Congregation definitely taught us that being active in our worship lives is important, but it is not enough. The Congregation showed us that we are to take our faith and put it into action by doing all we can to make our world a better place by serving those less fortunate. The ultimate manifestation of being Catholic is when others experience the living Jesus through our actions. That epiphany is the true gift given to us by the Congregation of the Holy Cross.
You’ve supported the work of Holy Cross for more than 20 years and have been monthly donors since 2009. What motivated you to start giving, and what factors contributed to you starting a monthly gift?
Everything we are discussing here has inspired us to support the Congregation through support of Holy Cross Parish, St. Joseph High School, Holy Cross College (where our son attended and was very positively influenced), Holy Cross seminarians in Mexico, as well as direct support of the Congregation itself.
Other stories or insights you’d like to share?
We lived in Phoenix from 1980 – 2010, and it was there that we raised our family. As a family, we regularly volunteered at the André House (another Holy Cross ministry) and at St. Joseph the Worker, which provided real-life exposure for our young children to experience the plight of Phoenix’s homeless and the importance as a Catholic to serve them.
The solid foundation in our Catholic faith provided through the shepherding of the Congregation solidified our commitment to provide a comprehensive Catholic education for our children and our desire to donate our time and treasure to a myriad of other Catholic causes.
Provided by the Office of Mission Advancement, March 2026.
