Embracing a Common Future

Edmund Rice Christian Brothers

North America

Thursday, 09 August 2007

Commissioning Ceremony of the Christian Brothers

Lay Volunteers Held

On Friday evening, August 26, 2005, brothers, associates, friends of the brothers, and family members of the volunteers gathered at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York for the Annual Commissioning Ceremony of the Christian Brothers Lay Volunteer Program. The ceremony culminated a week of orientation for Colleen Case, Emma March, Eileen McCarthy and Emily Shoup the newest members of the Lay Volunteer Program.  The theme of the evening was “Called and Sent” signifying that each of the volunteers has been called by God and is being sent by larger Christian Brothers Network to begin a year of community life and service.

The orientation held at the East Harlem Community in New York City began on Sunday, August 21 when the new volunteers came together for the first time. The goals of the orientation were to help the new volunteers get to know each other and to learn about the history and charism of the Christian Brothers and their founder, Blessed Edmund Rice.  Brothers Kevin Griffith, Gene DeLorenzo, Jim Moffett and Jack Flaherty facilitated the orientation. Associates, Tom and Mary Lesser, former volunteer, Dan Wolpert and Iona College Campus Ministry Head, Carl Procario-Foley also shared with the volunteers their insights on service, prayer, reflection and their experience of being part of the Edmund Rice Network during the week. 

This year group of volunteers made history in two ways.  They are the first group that will be part of the new North American Province and secondly they are first all female group.  Profiles of the new members are listed below.

Colleen Case (right in picture at left) is from Munising, Michigan. She graduated in May 05 from Notre Dame University with degrees in Anthropology and History.  She will be living at the Christian Brothers East Side Community and serving at St. Jean Baptiste High School in NYC.  

Emma March (left in picture at left) is from Quincy, Massachusetts.  She graduated in May 05 from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY with a degree in Sociology.  She will be serving in Bonita Springs, Florida. 

Eileen McCarthy is from New York City.  She graduated in May 05 from Siena College, Loudonville, New York with a degree in English.  She will be serving in Bonita Springs, Florida. 

Emily Shoup (center in picture above) is from Xenia, Ohio.  She graduated in May 05 from the University of Dayton with a degree in psychology.  She will be living at the Christian Brothers East Side Community and serving at St. Charles Borromeo School in New York City.