With jubilation and thanksgiving, the Congregation of Holy Cross announces the Ordination of two men to the priesthood. The ceremony will occur on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus. The Most Reverend Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C., Bishop of St. Cloud, Minnesota, will confer the Order of the Presbyter through the ancient Christian sign of the laying on of hands and the prayer of the Church to Rev. Mr. Thomas James “T.J.” Groden, C.S.C., and Rev. Mr. Christopher Nicholas Mulholland, C.S.C.
“T.J. and Chris are generous and compassionate men whose lives already reflect the heart of Christ in service to others. In these somewhat uncertain times, their witness gives us hope. We are grateful to welcome them into the brotherhood of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and confident that their faith, humility, and zeal will help make God known, loved, and served wherever they are sent,” said Provincial Superior Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C.
Rev. Mr. Thomas James “T.J.” Groden, C.S.C.
Hailing from Glenview, Illinois, he is the youngest of three children of the late Louis and the late Susan Groden. His home Parish is Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Archdiocese of Chicago. While at the University of Notre Dame, he earned a B.B.A., Finance and Medieval Studies, M.Ed., and M.Div.
While in formation, he served as Assistant Rector in Dillon Hall at the University of Notre; served at Our Lady of the Road in South Bend, Indiana; supported Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry Short Course (OCIA) Program; provided chaplaincy care at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana; and led youth ministry at St. Joseph’s Parish in South Bend, Indiana. His summer placements included parish ministry in Jalchatra, Bangladesh; Spanish language study in Puebla, Mexico; an internship with University Relations at the University of Portland; service at My Brother’s Keeper in Easton, Massachusetts; and pastoral ministry at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, Indiana. Following Final Vows, he has served rector of Baumer Hall.
“At the time, being a Notre Dame graduate and an ACE teacher, Holy Cross was just the most natural place for me to discern,” shared Groden on why he chose Holy Cross. “Looking back on it, though, I truly believe that our patroness, Our Lady of Sorrows, drew me to Holy Cross. I have known sorrow in my own life and so felt a draw to accompany others – with Mary – in their own sorrow. I was also drawn to our commitment to true community life, our focus on education, and the opportunity to minister in a variety of locations and apostolates. As I’ve spent more time in Holy Cross, I am drawn more and more to Fr. Moreau’s spirituality.”
Rev. Mr. Christopher Mulholland, C.S.C.
From Atchison, Kansas, he is the second of six children of Edward and Valerie Mulholland. His home parish is St. Benedict, Archdiocese of Kansas City. Studies at the University of Notre Dame earned him a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.Div. degree.
During formation, he assisted with religious education at St. Mark Parish in Niles, Michigan; volunteered with Catholic Charities and the Marian House in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a winter placement at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas; served in youth ministry at St. Adalbert Parish in South Bend, Indiana, and later continued at the same parish, assisting with the Spanish language Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA); provided pastoral care through Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame; and served as the Assistant Director of Old College, the Congregation’s undergraduate seminary. Following Final Vows, he has served at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish.
“Once I knew that I would be a religious, I had to know which one. Holy Cross was the religious order that I knew the best at the time when the Lord invited me to take a deeper look. I didn’t really look very far; I just followed God’s lead. I did consider monastic life for a time, but eventually I saw that the apostolic life was where I flourished the most,” shared Mulholland on what drew him to Holy Cross. He moved around quite a bit growing up and never connected with a home diocese. “What I love about Holy Cross is how diverse we are. You will find Holy Cross religious with all sorts of personalities, devotions, and political leanings. I believe this makes us a community that the world needs right now, men who can unite around what is most important, and that is Jesus Christ and the hope of his cross.
All are welcome to attend the Mass. Those unable to visit can view a live stream of the event at livestream.holycrossusa.org
Provided by the Communications Office, March 2026
