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Meet our Seminarians

Vocation Voices
Br. Larry Finn, CP
Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP
Fr. John Schork, CP

Thank you for being part of our Passionist Family!  I am eager to be of assistance to you as we share the vitality of our Passionist Charism.  As always, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!”

Fr. John Schork, CP
Province Vocation Director
Email:  [email protected]
Cell:  502-544-7808

A Passionist vocation includes those who answer God’s call to become a Passionist Brother. Our brothers lead a vowed life of prayer, community and ministry, engaging in a wide range of services and ministries. Some brothers work with their hands as tradesmen, cooks or landscapers, while others work in art, medicine, social services or academics. Many do both! 

Meet our Passionist Brothers in Holy Cross Province.

Brother John Monzyk, C.P.

In my early discernment with the Passionists, I felt called to academics and teaching as a priest. However, as my formation progressed, I became more aware of the ministry of brother and came to see it as more compatible with my desire to serve in the classroom or science lab.

For over thirty years, I have thoroughly enjoyed my life of teaching and tutoring in the fields of science, math, chemistry and physics. My commitments as a teacher blended well with my religious life. The Passionists have spoiled me, and I have never looked back. 

Now, as the leader of a community of our senior Passionists, I am still a teacher at heart but committed to caring for our men and offering them a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for them to spend their senior years. If I had to do it over again, I would!

Brother John is a member of Sacred Heart Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Br. Raymond Sanchez, C.P.

I have known of the brother’s vocation since childhood. The Passionist Community has been instrumental in my growth and development as a person and as a Catholic. For this, I am indebted. 

A wonderful part of my ministry as a brother was learning to cook and practicing this skill. It was my privilege to be taught by highly experienced and excellent brother-cooks. Subsequently, our Provincial allowed me to return to school for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, followed by a Master of Theological Studies in Ministry. The Passionists enabled my education, and I remain grateful. 

Working for twenty years with incarcerated detainees has been a highlight of my vocation, as well as a challenge. As the chaplain for the Cook County Department of Corrections in Chicago, where, on any given day, sixteen jails housed 11,000 detainees, I found myself in an overtly anti-Catholic environment. Even though I was subjected to disrespect and insulting remarks, I regard it as a good experience, as I could be of service and bring Christ to men in need.

Brother Raymond is a member of St. Paul of the Cross Community in Detroit, Michigan.

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Brother Carl Hund, C.P. 

I can honestly say that my sixty years of life as a Passionist Brother have been exciting, challenging, full of change and spiritually life-giving. Seldom has there been a dull moment.

Consecrated life is all about “brotherhood,” which may be news to many of our lay friends who often live with the mistaken belief that all religious men are priests. Priesthood, while very important, is only one of many functions within most men’s religious orders. Simply put, all religious are ordinary men and women.  They, individually and collectively, have committed themselves to embody a charism passed down by their founders that emphasizes some aspect of the life of Jesus Christ that reveals the love of God our Father for us. 

Sixty years ago, I took a special vow as a Passionist Brother to promote the love of God as revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I give thanks to God for the thousands of lives I have affected over these years, and I look forward with anticipation to the continued fraternity with my fellow Passionist Brothers and lay friends who have so generously supported me in my endeavors.

Brother Carl is a member of Christ the King Community in Citrus Heights, California.

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Brother Kurt Wernert, CP

Having attended an Xaverian Brothers high school in Louisville, Kentucky, I was aware of the ministry of brothers from my earliest days. However, I first began studies for ministry as a diocesan priest, until I visited the Passionist Community in Chicago, Illinois, and immediately felt welcomed and at home.

Attracted to the Passionist way of life and seeing the example of men living the core of that life, I chose to serve as a brother. It is a choice that requires effort and work, but it is one of service — first exampled to me by my mother, who served as a nurse — and prayer, which continues to challenge and enrich me.

After years in retreat ministry, I was invited to serve our senior Passionists in health care, assuring their well-being, good health and safety. I am blessed and affirmed in this work, and feel I contribute significantly and positively to the individual lives of our priests and brothers of Sacred Heart Community and The Passionists of Holy Cross Province. 

Brother Kurt is a member of Sacred Heart Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Brother John
Rockenbach, C.P.

I was born in Los Angeles, attended my first retreat in high school, and, after secular work and military service, I was accepted and professed vows to the Passionists. Since 1980, I have lived in community as a lay brother, and in my service to Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center and its retreatants, I put my God-given gifts to use.

From our Passionist Constitutions: “Our involvement in the apostolic flows directly from our life in community.” Hospitality motivates me to welcome guests on retreats and perform services to make their retreat experience beneficial. The mechanical aptitude I inherited in my youth helps me perform the maintenance of the facility. And along the way, I relate with people and experience challenges with my work. 

Brother John is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California.

Statement on the Texas Elementary School Tragedy

The Passionist Family in the United States extends our deepest care and concern for all those affected by the tragic mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We are with you in prayer and support.

We encourage and need steps be taken by our leaders in government to prevent further death and violence in our country, especially among the most vulnerable, our children.

    1.        Pass stronger background check legislation now.

    2.        Ban assault and military-type firearms now.

    3.        Increase funding for mental health initiatives.

    4.        Declare a national emergency and initiate an urgent national dialogue on gun violence.

We support all those who are willing to take steps and sensible measures to protect people from gun violence.

The Passionist Family in the United States is committed to peace and non-violence. We stand together at the foot of the Cross with all who are suffering from the scourge of violence in any form. We pray that our leaders will act now.

General Description

The Director of the Passionist Solidarity Network facilitates justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC) commitments for the Passionists of North America – Holy Cross Province and St. Paul of the Cross Province.

Download or print a PDF document of the Job Description.

Classification and Compensation

• Part-time; 12-months; 10-19 hours per week (negotiable) 
• Work hours are flexible
• Work from anywhere
• Starting wage is commensurate with experience, education and geographical location
• Computer is supplied

Reporting Responsibility

• Appointed by the provincials of the two provinces upon recommendation by the PSN Board
• Supervised by the Chair of the PSN Board

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops JPIC-related programs for the Passionist Family.
• Motivates and resources Passionists (vowed and lay), Passionist organizations and ministries to act on JPIC issues.
• Networks with Passionist organizations involved in JPIC concerns, such as Passionist International at United Nations, Thomas Berry Place and Passionist Earth & Spirit Center.
• Acts as JPIC liaison to both provincial councils.
• Advocates on behalf of JPIC issues with province and congregational committees and entities, such as province assemblies, province chapters, retreat center boards, and other Passionist ministry sites.
• Networks and collaborates with national JPIC organizations such as the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) and Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR).
• Works with PSN Board.
  • Schedules and meets semi-monthly with the PSN Board to develop strategic and mission-based goals.
  • Manages and reports the PSN budget as approved by the provincial councils.
• Manages communication for PSN.
  • Creates content and works with the province communication office to produce and distribute monthly e-newsletters.
  • Creates content and works with the province communication office to maintain PSN website.
  • Develops digital social media presence.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Experience and commitment to the range of JPIC issues
  • Experience in delivering formation programs
  • Experience facilitating groups and formation activities

Qualities, Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Resonance with and commitment to the Passionist charism (see below)
  • Strong work ethic, ability to self-motivate, manage time well, work independently, and meet deadlines
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Ability to relate well and enjoys collaborative work
  • General understanding of budgets and the ability to steward PSN financial resources prudently

Preferred (negotiable)

• Experience with website maintenance and content posting
  • Experience with the publication of e-newsletters (MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.)
  • Experience working with Google Drive and document editing

Application Process

• Application for the position is open from May 1, 2022, until filled.
• Submit a resume and one-page cover letter expressing your interest in the position via email to Patty Gillis at [email protected].
• All applications will be acknowledged and reviewed.
• Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview via Zoom.

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Passionist Charism and Mission

Passionists proclaim God’s love for the world revealed through the Passion of Jesus Christ.

The Passionists – a family of priests and brothers, sisters and nuns, lay women and men – reach out with compassion to the crucified of today. We keep alive the memory of Christ’s Passion through our commitment to community, prayer, ministries of the Word, and service to those who suffer. We welcome all who seek renewed life through the power of the Cross and the hope of the Resurrection.

Passionist Solidarity Network of North America

Objectives

• Promotes — The Passionist Solidarity Network communicates and promotes the existing social ministries of the Passionist Community in North America.
• Advocates — The Passionist Solidarity Network advocates on a variety of social issues that are of concern to our local and international community as well as to those with whom we minister.
• Educates — The Passionist Solidarity Network develops resources and programs to educate ourselves and the broader community on issues that concern our wounded world and ways to address them with compassion and hope.

February 25 is the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion

Dear Friend of the Passionists,

This Friday, February 25, is the Solemn Commemoration of the Passion.  It is the title feast of our Passionist Congregation.   In preparation for the sacred journey of Lent, we invite you to join the Passionists in prayer on Friday and share this reflection with you by Fr. John Schork, CP:

“Today we join the world in glorifying God through the vivid story of Love Personified in the Passion of Jesus. 

We Passionists follow in the footsteps of Jesus Crucified and share in the contemporary Passion so evident in our world.  We are called to share in the suffering of our sisters and brothers worldwide as they struggle with violence and war, as they strive for justice and a share of the basic goods of the earth, as they deal with natural disasters of earthquakes and floods and fires, and as they bear the cross of sickness and loneliness. 

We find meaning and a new perspective in Jesus’ “greatest love”, and pray with St. Paul of the Cross:  “…when you feel yourself on the cross, stripped of everything, gently stir up your faith in God’s presence, and abandon yourself in the immense sea of God’s love.” 

In union with Jesus Crucified, we boldly proclaim God’s Love in the Passion of Jesus.  St. Paul of the Cross speaks to our hearts:  “…the world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus.  We must arouse the world from its slumber.  His Holy Spirit will teach us how.”  Amen!”

Yours in Christ’s love,
Fr. Michael Higgins, CP
Spiritual Director

February 2, 2023

Dear Friends,

I invite you to join in celebrating the 2023 World Day for Consecrated Life on Thursday, February 2, 2023.  The celebration continues in parishes the following weekend, February 4-5.

This celebrates honors the lives of consecrated women and men who are called to reflect the presence and light of Jesus to all people.  Our worldwide Passionist Family includes women and men who have consecrated their lives to Jesus, living out their call as priests, nuns, religious sisters and brothers dedicated to prayer, community life, and ministry.

May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire many women and men to generously respond to God’s call to a priestly or religious vocation, especially as Passionists.  I invite your continued prayerful support, and encourage you to join in promoting vocations to Passionist consecrated life; the following video and resources will be of assistance to you.

Vocation Resources

English
Novena
Prayer Service
Prayer card
Brochure
Poster

Spanish
Prayer Card
Brochure
Poster

Video
Meet our Seminarians

Vocation Voices
Br. Larry Finn, CP
Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP
Fr. John Schork, CP

Thank you for being part of our Passionist Family!  I am eager to be of assistance to you as we share the vitality of our Passionist Charism.  As always, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!”

Fr. John Schork, CP
Province Vocation Director
Email:  [email protected]
Cell:  502-544-7808