"And be Thankful"

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Dear Friends in Christ,

I can almost hear St. Paul with an uncompromising tone exhorting the new Christians in Colossae to be thankful. This is the first scripture passage that comes to my heart as I begin to write this letter to all our friends and donors to the Brotherhood. 

Since our kickoff event on Pentecost, our lay team has sent us updates on the gifts and pledges from our friends who have graciously offered their support to the Brotherhood and the mission entrusted to us. Some names that I see have been very dear friends for over 40 years, while others are brand new friends that are participating in this campaign with tremendous generosity, even though they just met us. 

As I write this letter, more than 200 generous families have donated $2.5 million towards our $3.5 million goal. St. Paul’s exhortation rings in my ears, “And be thankful!”

One tangible way we express our gratitude is in our morning and evening prayers. We pray by name for all our donors and their families and intentions. It can be moving to hear the heartfelt cry from our friends who have loved ones who are sick with cancer, who have children and family members who are away from the faith, or who desire to find a job or better work. 

Just as moving are the requests to pray in thanksgiving for the birth of children who came to couples that had difficulty conceiving, for the gift of a vocational call after long discernments, and for many other grateful petitions from our friends and family that ask for our prayers. It is profoundly humbling.

The past six months, I have visited all the houses in the Brotherhood and many friends and collaborators in our different locations. During my Boston visit on St. Patrick’s Day, Joshua and Amy Kline (see Page 3) hosted me and many Boston University alumni for a wonderful brunch and time of fellowship. Despite short notice, there were over 20 alumni in attendance.

We took time to talk about how our lives and our faith have matured and developed in the past 15 years. These friends shared how their faith, formed during their years at BU, had prepared them for times of joy and suffering they have experienced in their vocations. Even with the pandemonium of kids running around, it was a gift and joy to be with them for the afternoon. 

As I drove home from our time together, I sensed in my heart, “And be thankful!” This is what is in our hearts for each of you. Thank you for your love and support for us as Brothers and for the mission the Lord has given us for times such as this.

God bless you!

Br. Patrick Reilly

General Superior