“… The Eucharist is the source and center of our faith. The Eucharist was so much a part of Br. Jim’s life. Each day being faithful to Mass, his participation and reception of the Eucharist kept him grounded and focused on Jesus Christ. I can still picture Br. Jim outside in the morning doing bus duty as Lourdes students came into the building – and what was he doing? He was praying his Rosary, every day. Calling upon the Mother of God. As I said he was grounded… grounded in a love of Christ in the Eucharist, a love for our Church, a love and devotion to the Mother of God, Mary our Good Mother, and a real love for his religious Congregation, the Marist Brothers.
Br. Jim’s life was and is a testimony to the transforming love of Jesus Christ. From his birth, to his receiving the Marist Habit in 1959, to his work at Cardinal Hayes HS, Mount St. Michael Academy, Christopher Columbus HS, Msgr. Edward Pace HS, and our own Our Lady of Lourdes HS, in his almost 51 years of religious life and YES, in his death, the transforming love of Jesus Christ was and is alive.
What a testimony – what a legacy! Even the doctors and nurses commented on the tremendous outpouring of love shown to Br. Jim by family and friends alike. He was the genuine article. St. Marcellin Champagnat loved young people and there were three elements that fueled his passion for life: an awareness of God’s presence, an unwavering confidence in Mary and her protection, and the virtues of simplicity and humility. Can we not say that Br. Jim’s life was a testimony to these elements as well? “Dear Brothers, love your vocation, be faithful and steadfast to the end.” This is what St. Marcellin Champagnat exhorted his brothers to do… and Br. Jim lived just that!”
– Rev. John Lagiovane, Principal
Our Lady of Lourdes High School
