On Saturday, July 29, the United States Province of Priests and Brothers celebrated the First Professions of four novices: Mr. Eric Washkewicz, C.S.C., Mr. John Cahill, C.S.C., Br. Liam Johnson, C.S.C., and Mr. Ed Donnelly, C.S.C.

Fr. Peter Jarret, C.S.C., Vicar of the United States Province, presided at the Mass and received the vows of the novices. The Mass was held at the Province-sponsored Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is down the mountain pass from the novitiate in Cascade.

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Fr. Jeffrey Cooper, C.S.C., Novice Master, preached the homily, and Br. Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., Assistant Novice Master, assisted with the celebration. Several other Holy Cross religious joined the family and friends of the novices for the celebration, including Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C., Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.

There was a festive reception at the parish center following the Mass, and then the family members and Holy Cross religious gathered for dinner at the novitiate. On Monday morning, July 31, the newly professed set out for Moreau Seminary where they will continue their initial formation.

The following week, five postulants from Moreau Seminary arrived in Cascade to begin their novitiate year. They were officially received into the novitiate by Fr. Jeff on Sunday, August 13, receiving the novice habit and a copy of the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Joining the novitiate staff this year is Fr. Joe Pedersen, C.S.C.