The Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated the Final Profession of Vows of three men on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., provincial superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, presided and received the vows of Mr. Christopher William Brennan, C.S.C., Mr. Brendan Joseph McAleer, C.S.C., and Mr. Timothy Robert Weed, C.S.C.
Mr. Brennan, Mr. McAleer, and Mr. Weed professed the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience according to theConstitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
They were ordained to the Order of Deacon on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in the Moreau Seminary Chapel by the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
Christopher Brennan is the youngest of four sons of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Granger, Ind. He graduated with a B.A. in philosophy and theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2012, where he also earned a M.Div. in 2017. Christopher entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008 as an Old Collegian. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 3, 2013.
During his formation, Christopher served in music ministry at Holy Cross House (2008-2009); SSLP at André House, Phoenix, AZ (Summer 2009); sixth grade CCD at Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2009-2010); SSLP at Project Hospitality, Staten Island, NY (Summer 2010); Our Lady of the Road Drop-in Center (Fall 2010); music ministry and hospitality at the American College in Belgium (Spring 2011); tutoring and aid at St. Adalbert’s School, South Bend, Ind. (2011-2012, Postulant Year); St. John Vianney Parish, Avondale, AZ (Summer 2012); sixth grade CCD, Our Lady of the Woods Parish & Spiritual Care, Penrose-St. Francis Hospital, Colorado (2012-2013, Novitiate Year); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Winter 2013); volunteer, Logan Industries, South Bend, Ind. (2013-2014); Bangladesh (Summer 2014); Assistant Center for Global Perspectives, Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Ind. (2014-2015); District of East Africa (Summer 2015); preparing couples for marriage at St. Pius X, Granger, Ind. (2015-2016); St. Peter Claver Catholic Worker House (Summer 2016); followed by assistant rectorship at Dunne Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. (2016-2017).
Christopher will serve his diaconate year at Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore.
Brendan McAleer is the fifth of ten children of Michael and Patricia McAleer of Mount Prospect, Ill. He graduated with a B.A. from Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Ind., in 2011, and earned his M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame in 2017. He entered Holy Cross in 2009 as an Old Collegian. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 6, 2013.
During his formation, Brendan served as ND Vision Mentor (Summer 2009); Ministry of hospitality at the American College of Louvain (Fall 2009); Catholic Worker volunteer, South Bend, Ind. (Spring 2009, 2010); volunteer, St. Mary’s Convent (2010-2011); ND Vision Master Mentor (Summer 2011); landscaping, La Porte, Ind. (Summer 2012); CCD, Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2012-2013, Postulant Year); teaching faith class, OLW Parish, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Winter 2013); chaplain, Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2013-2014, Novitiate Year); bible study teacher, Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2014); volunteer, Logan Industries, South Bend, Ind. (2014-2015); teaching English/Religion in Mizoram, Northeast India (Summer 2015); followed by marriage prep for couples at St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Ind.
Brendan will serve as a deacon in Campus Ministry at Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, Penn., as well as at Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, Penn., near the campus.
Timothy Weed is the eldest of three children of Robert Weed and the late Mary Weed, and stepson to DeAnna Pierce. He graduated with a B.S. in geography and history from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2007, and earned his M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., in 2017. He entered Holy Cross in August 2011 as a Postulant after employment with Kay Pharmacy and Spectrum Health, Butterworth Hospital, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 3, 2013.
During his formation, Timothy served in Campus Ministry, Confirmation Program, University of Notre Dame (2011-2012); St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin, TX (Summer 2012); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Novitiate Year, Winter 2013); Holy Cross Parish – St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, South Bend, Ind. (2013-2014); Stonehill College, My Brother’s Keeper, North Easton, Mass. (Summer 2014); preparing couples for marriage, St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2014-2015); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2015); United States Province Chapter, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2015); Campus Ministry, Christ for the Curious Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. (2015-2016); André House of Hospitality, Phoenix, AZ (Summer 2016); Assistant Rector, Sorin College, University of Notre Dame (2016-2017).
Timothy will serve as a deacon in Campus Ministry and in residence at Shipstad Hall, University of Portland, Portland, Ore.
