Originally published: Three Ordained Holy Cross Priests in 2018 at holycrossusa.org
Written by Angela Knight
Rev. Christopher Brennan, C.S.C., Rev. Brendan McAleer, C.S.C., and Rev. Timothy Weed, C.S.C., were ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The Most Reverend Daniel Robert Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Rev. Mr. Christopher William Brennan, C.S.C., is the youngest of four sons of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Granger, Ind. He entered formation with the Congregation in 2008 as an Old Collegian and professed First Vows on August 3, 2013.
Christopher served his diaconate year at Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. Prior to his Ordination as a transitional deacon, Christopher served in music ministry at Holy Cross House (2008-2009); SSLP at André House, Phoenix, AZ (Summer 2009); sixth grade CCD at Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2009-2010); SSLP at Project Hospitality, Staten Island, NY (Summer 2010); Our Lady of the Road Drop-in Center (Fall 2010); music ministry and hospitality at the American College in Belgium (Spring 2011); tutoring and aid at St. Adalbert’s School, South Bend, Ind. (2011-2012, Postulant Year); St. John Vianney Parish, Avondale, AZ (Summer 2012); sixth grade CCD, Our Lady of the Woods Parish & Spiritual Care, Penrose-St. Francis Hospital, Colorado (2012-2013, Novitiate Year); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Winter 2013); volunteer, Logan Industries, South Bend, Ind. (2013-2014); Bangladesh (Summer 2014); Assistant Center for Global Perspectives, Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Ind. (2014-2015); District of East Africa (Summer 2015); preparing couples for marriage at St. Pius X, Granger, Ind. (2015-2016); St. Peter Claver Catholic Worker House (Summer 2016); followed by assistant rectorship at Dunne Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. (2016-2017). Christopher earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., in 2012, and earned his M.Div. from the same in 2017.
As he prepares for Ordination day, Christopher reflects on his decision to enter religious life in Holy Cross. “In a certain sense, I think the decision to enter religious life was similar to the stages of dating/engagement/and marriage,” said Christopher. “As you continue in relationship, you get to know the community better and better. There is so much good that is before me, just as there is before a couple who gets married. Of course, there will be struggles and crosses to bear, but it is encouraging to know I will be supported by my family in Holy Cross.”
Fr. Christopher’s first Mass as a priest will be at 10:00 a.m. on April 8, 2018, at St. Pius X, Granger, Ind., his home parish. Joining Fr. Christopher will be Msgr. William Schooler, who has been Fr. Christopher’s pastor for 15 years. “He has always been supportive and played a very big part in my discerning a vocation to priesthood,” said Fr. Christopher. “He also helped in my formation as I worked with him preparing couples for marriage.” Fr. Christopher’s first Mass will be the first, first Mass celebrated in the newly built St. Pius X, and will be further attended by his uncle, Fr. Ted Mens, who is in his 50th year of priesthood, and his brother, Fr. Michael Brennan, O.Praem, who is in his first year of priesthood.
Fr. Christopher will also celebrate Mass at Blessed Basil Moreau Chapel in Dunne Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., at 4:00 p.m. on April 8, 2018.
Rev. Mr. Brendan Joseph McAleer, C.S.C., is the fifth of ten children of Michael and Patricia McAleer of Mount Prospect, Ill. Presently serving as a deacon in Campus Ministry at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Penn., as well as at Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, Penn., near the campus, Brendan shares an experience that stood out for him during his formation in Holy Cross. “My time in India particularly stands out,” said Brendan. “I had many experiences of ministering with our missionaries in Mizoram, Northeast India. These Holy Cross missionaries have given their life for the mission of the Church and the mandate of the Gospel to ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.’ My hope for ministry is that I approach everything I do with the same zeal and joy that these men do.”
During his formation, Brendan served as ND Vision Mentor (Summer 2009); ministry of hospitality at the American College of Louvain (Fall 2009); Catholic Worker volunteer, South Bend, Ind. (Spring 2009, 2010); volunteer, St. Mary’s Convent (2010-2011); ND Vision Master Mentor (Summer 2011); landscaping, La Porte, Ind. (Summer 2012); CCD, Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2012-2013, Postulant Year); teaching faith class, OLW Parish, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Winter 2013); chaplain, Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2013-2014, Novitiate Year); bible study teacher, Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2014); volunteer, Logan Industries, South Bend, Ind. (2014-2015); teaching English/religion in Mizoram, Northeast India (Summer 2015); followed by marriage prep for couples at St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Ind.
He graduated with a B.A. from Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Ind., in 2011, and earned his M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame in 2017. He entered Holy Cross in 2009 as an Old Collegian. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 3, 2013.
Fr. McAleer will celebrate his first Mass as a priest at 9:30 a.m. on April 8, 2018, at St. Casimir Parish, South Bend, Ind. Fr. McAleer will also celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., at 11:45 a.m. on April 8, 2018.
Rev. Mr. Timothy Robert Weed, C.S.C., is the eldest of three children of Robert Weed and the late Mary Weed, and stepmother DeAnna Pierce, of Grand Rapids, Mich. Presently serving his diaconate in Campus Ministry and in residence at Shipstad Hall, University of Portland, Portland, Ore., Timothy looks forward to his ministry with great anticipation, and finds great joy and excitement in his current work on campus.
“It is exciting to work with young people as they grow in their faith and come to know Jesus Christ,” said Timothy. “It will be a challenge to let that go someday, moving on to another assignment. Part of being an effective minister is investing in the people to whom you minister, and that makes letting go quite difficult. This links back to the need for strong community, allowing you to move from one ministerial experience to another. I have no idea what the future has in store for me, but I know that it is all good and valuable work in the name of the Church.”
Prior to his diaconate year, Timothy served in Campus Ministry, Confirmation Program, University of Notre Dame (2011-2012); St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin, TX (Summer 2012); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Novitiate Year, Winter 2013); Holy Cross Parish - St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, South Bend, Ind. (2013-2014); Stonehill College, My Brother's Keeper, North Easton, Mass. (Summer 2014); preparing couples for marriage, St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Ind. (2014-2015); Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2015); United States Province Chapter, Portland, Ore. (Summer 2015); Campus Ministry, Christ for the Curious Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. (2015-2016); André House of Hospitality, Phoenix, AZ (Summer 2016); Assistant Rector, Sorin College, University of Notre Dame (2016-2017).
Timothy earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and history from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2007, and earned his M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind., in 2017. He entered Holy Cross in August 2011 as a Postulant after employment with Kay Pharmacy and Spectrum Health, Butterworth Hospital, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 3, 2013.
Fr. Timothy will celebrate his first Mass as a priest at 10:00 a.m. on April 8, 2018, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. Fr. Timothy will also celebrate Mass at Sorin College – St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, Notre Dame, Ind., at 10:00 p.m. on April 8, 2018; Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Portland, Ore., at 4:30 p.m. on April 15, 2018, and at St. Alphonsus, Grand Rapids, Mich., at 9:00 a.m. on June 3, 2018.