Pittsburgh, PA – Brother Anthony T. Baginski, FSC, Principal of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., professed perpetual vows as a Brother of the Christian Schools on May 15, 2017.
Brother Dennis Malloy, FSC, Visitor/Provincial, witnessed the Rite of Profession. Approximately 900 alumni, students, friends, family and staff, including 24 Christian Brothers, gathered for the mass of final profession in McGonigle Theater at Central Catholic High School.
“One of the greatest privileges I have as the Visitor for the District of Eastern North America is to witness and receive the final profession of our Brothers on behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools,” said Brother Dennis. “The Gospel nature of his life, his professional competence, and the abundant care and dedication for each of his students and staff make Br. Tony a prime example of what it means to be a Christian Brother.”
To close the ceremony, Br. Tony expressed his deep gratitude for the support of the Central Catholic community. “I joined the Brothers when I was 40 and within three months, I knew that my vocation was to be a De La Salle Christian Brother,” said Br. Tony. “When it was time for my final vows, I had been at Central Catholic for five years and I wanted to take my final vows in the presence of the Brothers, my family, and the Central Catholic community that has supported me in my vocation.”
In addition to Br. Tony’s final vows, earlier in the morning, Central Catholic’s Lasallian Ministry also presented a check for $23,101.82 to Br. Dennis Malloy, FSC, in support of the Brothers’ ministries overseas. The funds were raised as a part of the school’s annual Lenten Mission Drive.
Upon graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1991, with a B.S. in Math and Computer Science, Br.Tony spent eleven years as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. During that time, he earned both an M.B.A and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. After leaving the Coast Guard to discern a vocation, he taught at Saint Bernard School in Uncasville, CT. From 2007-2009, he served as principal of the school.
Brother Tony met the De La Salle Christian Brothers at Saint Bernard School, and over the next seven years came to know the Brothers and their vocation. This summer, Br. Tony will complete his M.A. in Theology from La Salle University in Philadelphia. He is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program for Instructional Technology at Duquesne University.