June 2, 1990, was a beautiful sunny day in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ten of us who had "persevered" through two years of Franciscan formation, took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for a period of four years. In 1994, seven of us took our vows for life.

People sometimes ask questions about the vows from a negative perspective - "So you have to give up this or that as a friar?" Yes, but over the years I have learned that I don't "have" to do anything. I "get" to do my vows. 

Br. Kevin shares a reflection on 25 years as a friar during a celebration at Holy Peace Chapel.

At Mt. Irenaeus, we encourage people to reflect on their life's experiences. As Richard Rohr, ofm, writes, "God comes disguised as our lives." As I reflect on the people, experiences, places that have made up the last 25 years of my life, I realized how blessed I am to have the gift of this vocation. It is a way of life that is second to none because as much as I thought I knew God in 1990, I know God that much more now and know many more of God's people ... Read more.

 

Lilacs now in bloom outside the House of Peace.

This is my third year serving as the chair of the Mountain Fund. I was a volunteer on the Mountain Fund committee for about five years under Mike Hahn before he asked me to take over for him in 2013. I said yes for one main reason - Fr. Dan Riley. We were actually at St. Bonaventure University (SBU) together in the mid 60's but I didn't really feel his impact on Bona's until I joined the National Alumni Board in 2003.

Living with my family in Baltimore, I could not get up to campus or to Mt. Irenaeus as often as I would have liked, but we held an alumni board meeting at the Mountain. What a beautiful place of peace, quiet and love! ... Read more.