On August 28, at the Basilica of Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, the Congregation of Holy Cross rejoiced with five men who professed their Final Vows. It was a truly international celebration as three of the seminarians hail from the United States--Mr. Drew M. Clary, C.S.C., Mr. Cameron Cortens, C.S.C., and Mr. Gabriel Griggs, C.S.C.--and two are from Bangadalesh--Mr. Shohag Boniface Gabil, C.S.C., and Mr. Tias Augustine Gomes, C.S.C.
Shohag and Tias are both members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province. They were invited by their Provincial Superior at the time, Fr. James Cruze, C.S.C., to have an international formation experience and continue their post-novitiate formation in 2017 at Moreau Seminary in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Fr. William Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, presided and preached at the Mass, which was attended by Holy Cross religious, family, and friends. Representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province for the weekend were Fr. Cruze and Fr. Frank Quinlivan, C.S.C., Shohag’s childhood pastor.
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A reception for those in attendance followed in the Main Building on Notre Dame's campus with a formal dinner for community, family, and friends later in the evening at Moreau Seminary.
The following day, August 29, the three newly finally professed from the United States Province were ordained deacons in the Moreau Seminary Chapel by the Most Rev. Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. The two finally professed seminarians from Bangladesh will be ordained back in their home country. Holy Cross seminarians and brothers provided the music for the occasion, and all of the attendees enjoyed a brunch buffet after Mass in the seminary courtyard.
Rev. Mr. Drew Michael Clary, C.S.C., comes from a family of three boys in San Antonio, Texas. After completing his undergraduate work at the University of Notre, he pursued his M.Ed. from the university and worked as both a teacher and administrator with the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE). He entered Moreau Seminary in 2015 and professed his First Vows in 2017. Although teaching is his first love, Deacon Drew will serve his diaconate year at St. Adalbert and St. Casimir Parishes in South Bend.
Deacon Cameron P. Cortens, C.S.C., is from Syracuse, New York. He has three younger sisters. A 2013 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he entered the postulant program in 2014 after ministering a year in Ireland at the House of Brigid. In addition to doing a pastoral year in Nuevo León, Mexico, he also served as Assistant Rector in Keough Hall at Notre Dame. A gifted musician who is fluent in Spanish, he has a special love for the poor. Deacon Cameron will soon join the pastoral staff at Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Shohag Boniface Gabil, C.S.C., is from Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh. He comes from a family of 11 children, five of whom are deceased. Inspired by the Holy Cross missionaries he met as a child, he entered Holy Cross Seminary in Barishal in 2006, and after studies in Dhaka and India, he professed his First Vows in 2014. He received his M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame in 2021. He will serve in a deaconate placemate in his home country upon Ordination.
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Mr. Tias Augustine Gomes, C.S.C., was born in Bangalhawla in the District of Gazipur in Bangladesh. A graduate of Notre Dame College in Dhaka, he professed his First Vows in 2014. Tias is devoted to the Eucharist and Our Lady. He considers his recent M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame and his former ministries of hospital chaplaincy, outreach to the homeless, and catechetical work invaluable for his future ministry as a priest. Like Shohag, Tias will serve his diaconate year in his home country of Bangladesh.
Deacon Gabriel Griggs, C.S.C., a native of South Bend, is the oldest of three children. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he entered the formation program from Purdue University where he was pursuing graduate studies. He professed his First Vows in 2017. Having previously worked with Alzheimer's patients, the homeless, and children suffering from grief, he looks forward to pursuing future ministry in education. In the coming year, Deacon Gabriel will continue his ministry as Rector of Keough Hall at the University of Notre Dame.