The Power of "Yes"

Br. Stephen Quense looked around Annunciation Church in Orlando, Florida, filled with great encouragement and joy. Br. Logan Murray and Br. Ray Morris knelt at the altar about to profess their perpetual vows. This joyous occasion would bring to 20 the number of Brothers who have consecrated their lives to the Lord perpetually. As Br. Ken Apuzzo prayed over the two new members, the community stood on either side, arms held aloft in prayer, while Brothers in the choir lifted their voices in praise.



“I could see in that moment the next generation of Brothers and how generous God has been to us over the years,” said Br. Stephen, who along with Fr. Paul Helfrich were two of the first men to join Fr. Philip Merdinger in 1980 to form a new community of Brothers.

Br. Stephen often says he wasn’t sure if any new Brothers would follow after he professed his perpetual vows in 1985. He recalls Fr. Philip telling him, “You’re not making your vows so someone follows behind you. You’re making them because it’s God’s will for you.”


Each Brother’s “Yes” and perpetual vows are powerful signs of both our past and future. But there’s another powerful “Yes” in our Brotherhood; it’s the one made by friends and supporters like you. Because of your “Yes” expressed through your generosity, prayers and so much more, the Brothers continue to attract men to our life who are willing to say “Yes” and follow the Lord’s will.


To witness the power your “Yes” has on our life, please read Br. Logan’s and Br. Ray’s heartfelt reflections on making a perpetual commitment to the Lord.
 

Br. Logan Murray

God is good, ALL THE TIME!

As I try to unpack the privilege of professing perpetual vows in the Brotherhood of Hope, I’m filled with gratitude, joy and peace. I am incredibly grateful for all my family, friends and members of the Body of Christ who supported and encouraged both Br. Ray and me leading up to our vows.

Almost 10 years ago, the Holy Spirit stirred my heart with the desire to give my entire life back to God for the gift of Christ Jesus on the Cross. With that end in mind, I prepared for professing my vows with the knowledge that this was not only my desire, but the Lord’s as well. God has desired this from all eternity. This truth brought great peace to my heart knowing that I’m in the Lord’s will for my life and I can trust His grace to be always sufficient for me.

January 2nd was truly a blessed day, from the beautiful Church of the Annunciation, to the incredible worship music, to the moment of profession. I’ve experienced profound joy flowing from the fulfillment of this desire to give all to Christ for the rest of my life. Never being outdone in generosity, God even exceeded my expectations by the privilege of professing my perpetual vows alongside my good friend and fellow Rutgers alum, Br. Ray.

All the time, GOD IS GOOD!

Br. Ray Morris

My vocational story can be summed up by a prophetic word a Brother spoke during my first year in Florida, “Try me,” says the Lord, “and see if I am not enough.”

Nine years later, I am a living example that the Lord is enough!

I first met the Brothers during my sophomore year at Rutgers University when Br. Ken offered me a job as a front desk worker at the Catholic Center. For over a year I sat behind the desk but never in the church. I eventually decided to give the “church thing” a try. I never would have thought that God would use that one decision to lead me to this vocation!

Leading up to perpetual vows I was confident and calm. I knew that this was God’s will for me. Sometime during the homily, however, my heart began to race. I became full of excitement and could not wait to stand before the altar and make the profession! To do so was a great joy!

I continue to experience the grace of perpetual vows. There’s a new level of peace and stability in my life. Furthermore, it’s been encouraging to hear others share about the impact my “Yes” has had on them. I’ve also heard many stories of people being inspired by the vows. It’s edifying to hear this because it shows that the gift of being a Brother is not just for me, but for the whole Church. There’s nothing I want more than to inspire others by witnessing to this with my entire life: Jesus Christ is All-Sufficient for the deepest needs of the human heart!

Trust Him, and He will never let you down. Glory to God!