With joy and thanksgiving, the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated the final profession of vows of ten men in formation on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C., provincial superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, presided at the Mass and received the vows of Br. Jacob Eifrid, C.S.C., Mr. Peter Puleo III, C.S.C., Mr. Stephen Jakubowski, C.S.C., Mr. Edward Dolphin, C.S.C., Mr. Michael Ryan, C.S.C., Mr. Nicholas Guiney, C.S.C., Mr. Ryan Kerr, C.S.C., Mr. Tyler Kreipke, C.S.C., Mr. Brian Vetter, C.S.C., and Br. Matthew Rehagen, C.S.C.
Puleo, Jakubowski, Dolphin, Ryan, Guiney, Kerr, Kreipke, and Vetter were ordained to the Order of the Deacon on Sunday, August 27, 2022, in the Moreau Seminary Chapel by Most Reverend Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
According to the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the ten men profess perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. For the past several years, they have been in a period of temporary vows, which they renewed annually. On August 26, they committed their lives and work to the communal life and ministry of Holy Cross.
Deacon Edward J. Dolphin, C.S.C., was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the second of three children of James and Tina Dolphin. His home parish is the Church of the Holy Child in Wilmington. He attended Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) from 2004 to 2009, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. After working as a software engineer for Siemens Healthcare and as a development operations engineer for Comcast, Dolphin entered formation in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2017. He earned his Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2023.
During formation, Dolphin served as a hospital chaplain, high school theology student teacher, and assistant director of the undergraduate seminary (Old College). He ministered at André House in Phoenix, Arizona, aiding people suffering from homelessness and food insecurity. He also worked at Springs in the Desert and Hope for the Journey, where he walked with couples experiencing infertility. Following his profession of perpetual vows, Dolphin will serve as rector of Dillon Hall, a men’s residence hall at Notre Dame.
Br. Jacob Eifrid, C.S.C., is the second of five children of Joseph and Maria Eifrid. His home parish is Saint Charles Borromeo in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Theology/Liberal Studies from Holy Cross College, Eifrid entered the Moreau Seminary Postulant Program in 2017. He received his Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2021, followed by a Master of Arts in French in 2023.
As a brother scholastic, Eifrid has served the faithful in various ways. He has volunteered at homeless shelters and food pantries, assisted the sick and homebound as a visitor and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and worked in the Office of Vocations, helping men discern God’s call. He has served as a teacher, catechist, and youth camp assistant, educating young people and adults in the faith. He has also ministered as a pastoral assistant and sacristan at Notre Dame. Following his profession of perpetual vows, Eifrid will serve as an assistant rector in Stanford Hall at Notre Dame. He will also be a visiting teaching professor of French language and culture.
Deacon Nicholas Guiney, C.S.C., is the only child of Liam and Alice Guiney. He grew up in Hudson, Ohio, where he attended St. Mary Catholic Church. He entered the Old College Undergraduate Seminary in 2014, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Liberal Studies from Holy Cross College in 2018. He received his Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2023.
During his time in formation, Guiney ministered to people of all ages. He has served as a CCD teacher, a Life Teen camp counselor, and an RCIA instructor. He worked as a media intern in Campus Ministry at Holy Cross College and at the Grotto Network at Notre Dame. More recently, he served as assistant rector of Siegfried Hall at Notre Dame. Other ministries have included caring for the sick as a hospital chaplain in Colorado Springs, Colorado, helping those struggling with homelessness in South Bend, Indiana, and assisting at St. Patrick’s Parish in Soho, London, in the United Kingdom. After professing perpetual vows, Guiney will serve at the University of Portland in Campus Ministry and Residence Life.
Deacon Stephen Jakubowski, C.S.C., is the third of five children born to Michael and Susan Jakubowski in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His home parish is Immaculate Heart of Mary in Grand Rapids. After enrolling at the University of Notre Dame in 2013 as a first-year student, Jakubowski entered the Old College Undergraduate Seminary Program in 2015 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Philosophy in 2017. He received his Master of Divinity from Notre Dame in 2023.
While in Holy Cross formation, Jakubowski served as assistant rector of Fisher Hall at the University of Notre Dame, as assistant rector of Old College, and as a multicultural intern for Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry. He also worked as a hospital chaplain and as an instructor of the Common Good Practicum and Seminar at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He has ministered with Holy Cross communities in Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as with international communities in Peru, Mexico, Uganda, and Chile. After professing perpetual vows, Jakubowski will serve at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas.
Deacon Ryan Kerr, C.S.C., is the youngest of four children to William and Patricia Kerr of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The family now lives in Ada, Michigan, where they attend St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church. Kerr attended the University of Notre Dame from 2013 to 2017, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and English. He entered formation in 2017 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame in 2023.
Since entering Holy Cross, Kerr has served in various roles, including catechesis, college instruction, campus ministry, hospital chaplaincy, homeless outreach, and pastoral assistance. He has ministered as an instructor of the Common Good Practicum at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana; spent a summer at André House in Phoenix, Arizona, assisting underserved populations; accompanied couples preparing for marriage at St. Pius X in Granger, Indiana; taught and worked at Fe Y Alegria and Yancana Huasy in Lima, Peru; and, most recently, served as assistant rector of Keough Hall at the University of Notre Dame. After final vows, Kerr will work in Campus Ministry and serve as a pastoral resident at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.
Born in Zionsville, Indiana, Deacon Tyler Kreipke, C.S.C., is the youngest of two children of Donald and Christine Kreipke. His home parish is St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in Zionsville. From 2007-2011, Kreipke attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Bioengineering in 2017 from the University of Notre Dame. That year, he entered the Postulant Program at Moreau Seminary, and in 2023, he received his Master of Divinity from Notre Dame.
While in formation, Kreipke has served as pastoral associate at five different Catholic churches: Parroquia Nuestra Madre Santísima de la Luz in Monterrey, Mexico; Holy Rosary Chapel and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Cascade, Colorado; St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana; Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon; and Christ the King Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana. He has also taught religious education and RCIA and worked as a faculty instructor for the College of Engineering and Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Departments at the University of Notre Dame. After professing perpetual vows in Holy Cross, Kreipke will teach in the Shiley School of Engineering and assist with campus ministry at the University of Portland.
Deacon Peter Puleo, C.S.C., was born to Pete and Melissa Puleo in St. Louis, Missouri. The family attended St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Brentwood. He attended Missouri University of Science and Technology as an undergraduate, graduating in 2016 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 2017, he entered the Moreau Seminary Postulant Program and graduated with his Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2023.
During his time in formation with Holy Cross, Puleo has served in many teaching and pastoral roles. He ministered as a catechist at Holy Cross Parish and a high school teaching assistant at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana. He also served as an instructor of the Common Good Practicum and Seminar at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He has served the sick as a hospital chaplain and worked with Alzheimer’s patients in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Over the last two years at Notre Dame, he has assisted in Baumer Hall as a pastoral associate and Sorin Hall as an assistant rector. After his final vows, he will serve as a deacon at St. Joseph Parish in South Bend, Indiana.
Br. Matthew Rehagen, C.S.C., was born the youngest of four children of Mark and Susan Rehagen in Jefferson City, Missouri. He grew up attending St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City, and in 2014, he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. In 2015, he entered the Old College Undergraduate Seminary. He graduated with degrees in Theology and Philosophy, then went on to receive his Master of Arts in Theology in 2021, as well as his Master of Education in 2023.
While in formation, Rehagen served in a variety of catechetical ministries for both children and adults, including CCD, RCIA, and sacramental preparation for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In addition to roles serving the poor, assisting pastors, leading retreats, and ministering as a hospital chaplain, Rehagen has taught elementary school and coached a variety of children’s sports. Most recently, he has served as a fifth-grade teacher and athletic director at St. Adalbert’s Catholic School in South Bend, Indiana. After final vows, he will teach math at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Deacon Michael Ryan, C.S.C., born in Columbus, Ohio, is the ninth of eleven children of Robert and Mary Ryan. His home parish is St. Catharine of Siena in Columbus, Ohio. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2012, Ryan worked as an engineer and superintendent of Clark Construction Group in Chicago, Illinois, until 2016. While there, he earned his professional engineering license. He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross as a postulant in 2017 and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame in 2023.
As a seminarian, Ryan has served as assistant rector of Dunne Hall and as a pastoral associate in O’Neill Hall at the University of Notre Dame. He has ministered to young students as a catechist, has served the sick and homebound as a hospital chaplain, and has facilitated faith-sharing and other Catholic study groups. He assisted at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and Patrick Peyton Center in Lourdes, France, at Notre Dame’s Facilities Design and Operations, as well as ministries to people experiencing poverty and to parishes. Following his profession of perpetual vows, Ryan will serve as rector of O’Neill Hall.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Deacon Brian Vetter, C.S.C., is the youngest of three children of John and Patty Vetter. He attended St. Brigid of Kildare Parish in Dublin, Ohio. From 2013 to 2017, he attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine and Theology. He entered the Moreau Seminary Postulant Program in 2017 and received his Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in 2023.
While in formation, Vetter has served in multiple parishes, including Holy Cross’ Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during his novitiate year. He has assisted in grade school instruction at Holy Cross and St. Adalbert grade schools in South Bend, Indiana, and he has served people experiencing poverty as part of the Common Goods Cooperative at Our Lady of the Road, also in South Bend. Additionally, he has ministered to college students as assistant rector of Baumer Hall at the University of Notre Dame. After final vows, Vetter will return to St. Adalbert Grade School as a middle school science and religion teacher.
