We couldn't have done it without you

Your continued prayers and generosity make it possible for our campus ministries to thrive and give hope to thousands of students on six campuses in four states, and beyond. You were right there with us as we helped prepare the next generation to renew the Church through our campus ministries.

We thank you for your faith in our mission!

Last year we experienced one of our best responses ever from students participating in our campus outreaches, despite the scandals afflicting the broader Church. One inspiring example happened at Florida State University, where a record-breaking 246 students attended our fall retreat - many sleeping in tents to give cabin space to new students - and there was still a waiting list!

Another blessing we experienced last year was the continued growth of our band of Brothers. Br. Austin Riordan professed his first temporary vows in July, and we were blessed with four Brothers renewing their vows and four becoming novices.

This brings our community to 23 Brothers, with 18 having professed perpetual vows, all in response to the Church's call for direct, relational evangelization by their witness to the All-Sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

We also grew the number of campus ministries with UMass Boston becoming our sixth campus outreach in August. Cardinal Sean O'Malley appointed Fr. Paul Helfrich, BH, pastor of St. Christopher's parish and chaplain of the campus outreach. Bros. Stephen Quense and Gary Davis are serving with Fr. Paul.

We believe evangelization cannot be merely part of the solution; it is the solution. Therefore, on campuses we don't simply minister to those who come our way. We proactively reach out to many students who don't visit us as well as train students to do the same. And once we reach these students, our goal is much more than getting them to go to Sunday Mass. We invite them to follow Jesus Christ as His dedicated disciples!

And follow they are. Since our inception nearly 40 years ago, the Brothers have directly influenced more than 40 alumni who have entered celibate vocations, and another 65 are pursuing one right now through seminary training or formation in religious life. That's over 100 people all together - Praise be to God!

One way that we invite people into a deeper discernment for religious life is through our annual two-week pilgrimage to serve alongside Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India. During our mission, we join with people from across the globe to minister to the "poorest of the poor," to share the gospel with other volunteers and to discern a celibate vocation. (For more information about the Kolkata trip, please read this inspiring reflection we shared in October.)

We look forward to sharing more updates with you throughout 2019. We are filled with great anticipation and joy for the promise of the coming year because of the many blessings your prayers and generosity have brought to us in the past.

Thank you again for helping us give hope to so many college students as they discover the All-Sufficiency of Jesus Christ!

Peace,
The Brothers