First Profession

Basilian Novices Take First Vows in Colombia

The Basilian community welcomed five new Basilian scholastics on January 2, the feast day of its patron saint, St. Basil. Sergio David Gil Isaza, Edilson Belesario Gómez, Luis Alberto Suárez Giraldo, Wilson Tovar Cabrera, and Anderson Fabian Usuga Giraldo professed their first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience at the novitiate in Santa Marta, Colombia. The vows were received by Father John Huber, CSB, Third Councillor of the General Council. On January 1, four Basilian Scholastics renewed their vows. Javier Higuera Orjuela CSB, Eduard Alberto Padilla Moncada, CSB, Carlos Arturo Rodriguez, CSB, and Nelsón Andrés Timiná Colorado, CSB will be doing a year of Pastoral Ministry at La Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Cali. Read more

Vocation Retreat

A Chance to Explore God's Call in your Life

Join the Basilian Fathers for a restful and reflective weekend and a chance to explore your vocation. The Basilian Fathers will be hosting a Vocation Discernment Retreat open to men who are high school seniors or older and are interested in exploring a vocation to religious life. The retreat will take place from Saturday, February 13 at 11:30 a.m. to Sunday, February 14 at 1 p.m. at the Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson, Texas. Read more

New Publication

by Basilian Scholastic, Kevin Mannara, CSB, on Parish Mergers

Congratulations to Basilian scholastic, Kevin Mannara, CSB on the publication of his book, That All May Be One: Consolidating Church Buildings When Parishes Merge. In it, Kevin attempts to answer very timely questions regarding how to use churches and their religious/liturgical contents as opportunities for healing and rebirth during parish consolidations. The book is based on Kevin’s final thesis project for his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. It brings relevant research in consolidations into dialogue with Church documents related to liturgy and the place where it takes happens, as well as to recent scholarship on theories of space and place. The book includes practical suggestions to those leading a parish consolidation. Read more

Annual Retreat

for Members of Houston Scholasticate

Father Joseph Pilsner, CSB led the members of the Houston Scholasticate in an exploration of the Spirituality of the Congregation’s patron, St. Basil the Great, at the annual retreat from January 4-8 at the Cenacle Retreat House in Houston, Texas. The retreat was attended by members of the house including Father David Bittner, CSB and Father Richard Wahl, CSB and scholastics: Oscar Carbajal, CSB, Steven Huber, CSB, and Eduardo Rivera, CSB. As specified in the Basilian Way of Life and Basilian Customs, the annual retreat is important for spiritual growth and development for members of a religious community. It is a chance to enrich prayer and to “Come away to a deserted place and rest a while,” as Jesus instructs his disciples to do in the Gospel. The retreat kicks off the scholastics’ spring semester of studies as they continue their priestly formation in the Congregation of St. Basil.

Assumption University

Father Walsh Heads Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute

Since its opening, the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute at Assumption University (CCBI-A) has sought to be a leader in issues of Catholic bioethics in the Windsor/Essex community. Assumption University launched this Institute of Catholic Bioethics, which is affiliated with CCBI (Toronto), though independent financially and in administration, in November 2014. It is headed by Father Leo Walsh, CSB, Professor Emeritus, Moral Theology, in the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College. He was appointed to Assumption University as Vice President Academic. He serves as a staff member for the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute at the University of St. Michael’s College. He saw the need for a similar Institute in Windsor to address local issues. “In Windsor, Toronto can seem like a world away,” he said. Read more

St. Joseph's College

Father McDonald Secures Arrival of Syrian Refugees in Edmonton

St. Joseph’s College eagerly welcomed Syrian refugees as they arrived in Edmonton. Three parish groups from the College raised enough money to sponsor three families and two single men from Syria. The logistics of the sponsorship was overseen by university Chaplain, Father Glenn McDonald, CSB. The refugees’ journeys were not without complications. One family’s arrival was delayed due to a problem with paperwork leaving them stranded at the airport. One of their families spent their first month living at the newly constructed St. Joseph's College Women's Residence. All three families are now in their permanent accommodations and becoming accustomed to their new lives in Canada. To read the Globe and Mail article on the Dalaa family, please click here. 

Hill Connections

Father Holmes Featured as Inspirational Person

Father Robert Holmes, CSB was featured on Hill Connections, an online ministry that links contemplation and social justice, faith with action. Father Holmes’ s pastoral, education, and social justice initiatives earned him a profile under the website’s inspirational people section. The article was written by Father Gordon Judd, CSB. To read, please click here.