1949-2016
Burial of Brother Charles Kitson, FSC
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Christian Brothers Center
635 Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI 02882-1314
10:30 am Memorial Liturgy
(Our Lady of the Star Chapel)
Burial in the Brothers’ cemetery
Luncheon will follow
In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Brother Charles “Charlie” Kitson, FSC (67) Auxiliary Visitor for Community Life and Formation passed peacefully in his sleep in the morning hours of Friday March 11, 2016. Charlie was attending the Regional Conference of Christian Brothers in Napa, CA.
The Lasallian family has lost a saint among us.
Please remember in your prayers Charlie’s father Charles Kitson (age 95), Mr. Kitson’s caregiver Julie, Milly and Bill Herndon, Charlie’s sister and brother-in-law, and all the members of the Kitson family.
As we continue to mourn this great loss of a wonderful Brother to all of us, we encourage you to share your words of remembrance here in the comments below, or with photos and thoughts on social media. There have already been many messages of love and condolences from all around our global Lasallian institute
#LasallianFamilyRemembers
Continue to check this page for new information dedicated to our Br. Charles. Funeral mass and arrangements will be confirmed on this page and through other communication vehicles. Thank you for your continued prayers for our dear Brother Charles. Live Jesus in Our Hearts!
In Memoriam
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Burial of Brother Charles Kitson, FSC
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Christian Brothers Center
635 Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI 02882-1314
10:30 am Memorial Liturgy (Our Lady of the Star Chapel)
Burial in the Brothers’ cemetery
Luncheon follow
Words of Remembrance from Br. Michael McKenery, FSC
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See Charlie’s dance routine in Brother Act with the Miguel Men at The San Miguel School of Providence (2008)
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Mass Celebrant
Father Robert Joerger, C.P.
Funeral Program
Created by Br. Joseph Juliano, FSC with words of remembrance from around the Institute in the final pages including Br. Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, FSC, former Superior General
Offertory Memorial Dance
By Sr. Trudy Ahern, SSJ, Charlie’s spiritual director, to “Endless is Your Love” by Tom Kendzia
Words of Remembrance
By Br. Ed Phelan, FSC, and Mr. Victor Pantesco
Remembrance Presentation
Created by Al Cassidy, and Brothers Ed Phelan and Lawrence Goyette, with photos from the Kitson family…
Musical Accompaniment
“For Good” from Wicked, the musical, performed by Ms. Marilyn Paquette and Ms. Sheena Mullen, piano accompaniment, Mr. Ciro Saverino (starting at :50)
Wake & Funeral Photo Slideshow
Created by Mr. Philip De Rita with photos provided by Christian Brothers, Partners, friends and family from all over the world via facebook, Twitter, and e-mail.
Photo Display Boards
by Ms. Carroll Bennett and Ms. Maryann Donohue-Lynch with photos and mementos provided by the Kitson family.
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From Superior General Brother Robert Schieler
March 11
Dear Brothers and Lasallians,
Today, we’ve lost a brother who brought so much joy to all of us. On behalf of the General Council, the Central Community and the Institute, I offer my sincere condolences to you, Charlie’s dad and family.
In a reflection from today’s Scripture readings there was this sentence, “the measure of a life well lived is the virtue that continues to grow in the lives of those who were touched by it.” Charlie touched so many lives. I think especially of those students–La Salle’s artisans and the poor–that he committed himself to as a De La Salle Brother. We all have our own particular image or photo that captures Charlie’s love for others and his vocation. Mine is of Charlie on a stage in robe, sunglasses and umbrella dancing with a group of San Miguel students. He was a brother who our Rule reminds us gave “special attention to those of their pupils who have greater difficulties at school, personal problems, or problems adjusting to family life or society. Charlie felt most at home with such students, particularly during his years at San Miguel.
To leave San Miguel and come to Rome in response to Brother Alvaro’s request is an example of Charlie’s virtue. He was engaged in a ministry that we say is so important to our identity and mission as Brothers. And it is! But Charlie understood all the dimensions of his vocation and responded positively. He stepped onto a larger stage. So many others now came to appreciate and love the Charlie so well known and loved by us. Circular 461, Associated for the Lasallian Mission …an act of Hope is among his legacy and gifts to us.
We will continue to keep you in our prayers as you grieve the loss of our brother. And Charlie will keep us in prayer as he now experiences the “joy a Brother of the Christian Schools will have when he sees a great number of his students in possession of eternal happiness, for which they are indebted to him by the grace of Jesus Christ!”
Fraternally,
Brother Robert Schieler, FSC
Brother Superior
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A Reflection by CBA Syracuse Principal Matt Keough
Roughly six years ago, Brother Charles Kitson asked all Lasallians to “cast our nets on the other side of the boat.” This was his metaphor, encouraging our Lasallian schools to seek new ways to fulfill the Lasallian Mission. Brother Charlie pressed… Read More
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Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Charles F. Kitson, Jr.
Born Charles F. Kitson, Jr. in Jersey City, NJ, on January 6, 1949
Died at the Mont La Salle Retreat and Conference Center, Napa, CA, on March 11, 2016
Entered the Barrytown, NY, Novitiate on July 3, 1966
Received the Religious Habit in Barrytown, NY, on August 27, 1966
Pronounced Perpetual Vows at St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI, on May 15, 1974
Assignments
1971-1977
Pawtucket, RI
St. Raphael Academy: teacher
1977-1983
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers Center: director of vocations
1983-1990
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy: director of campus ministries
1990-1990
Santa Fe, NM
Sangre de Cristo Center: renewal (fall session)
1991-1994
Guatemala, Central America
Instituto La Salle: teacher; comunidad
1994-2008
Pawtucket, RI
Tides Family Services: Latin Outreach Program
2003-2008
Providence, RI
San Miguel School: School Social Worker (part time)
2008-2013
Rome, Italy
Generalate: Secretary for Lasallian Family & Association
2013-2016
Eatontown, NJ
DENA: Auxiliary Visitor for Community Life and Formation
Funeral Arrangements
Friday, March 18, 2016 Christian Brothers Academy (Alumni Hall)
850 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1698
Viewing from 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 19, 2016 Christian Brothers Academy
Viewing from 9:00 – 11:00 am (Alumni Hall)
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am (Henderson Theater)
Lunch to follow (Cafeteria)
Brother Charles has chosen cremation and interment in Narragansett, RI. After Easter, at a time selected by the Kitson Family, there will be a Memorial Service at the Christian Brothers Center, Narragansett, RI. Burial at the Christian Brothers Cemetery in Narragansett will follow the Memorial Service on that day. The date and time of the above will be sent out when it has been established.
Suffrages for Our Deceased Brother Charles
District: 50 masses
Provincialate community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Charles died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep while attending the Regional Conference of Christian Brothers meeting in Napa, CA. There was no indication that he experienced any distress. May he rest in peace.
Where there was darkness, you brought light; where there was pain, you brought comfort; where there was ignorance, you brought learning; where there was fear, you brought courage; where there was loneliness, you brought loving attention. You were Christ’s loving arms for so many–now, His arms grasp you in a welcome home. Enjoy your eternal rest in the Lord, Charlie!
Such a lovely, loving Christian man. May God grant him eternal bliss.
Dear Charlie,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, as so so many others do; for your love, your friendship and your caring. There are so many memories, Charlie … Where to begin would be too difficult …..
Christmas dinners at Milly’s, your kindnesses to my Mom, your absolutely hilarious sense of humor, your unabashed love of all human beings. Your special love for your your parents and my dear friend, Milly … And all of your nieces and nephews beginning with Suzie, Joseph,and Carrie, and their children … Anyone who knew you, Charlie, loved you and was a better person for it.
You are the closest thing I know to Mother Theresa, Charlie … and this is how I often thought and think of you … With a quote ….
Mother Theresa dreamed that she died. Wheh she met St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, St. Peter said to her: “Go back to earth, Mother Theresa .. There are no slums up here in Heaven!”
I will miss you, Charlie. Everyone who was blessed to know you, will miss you. Look down upon us and continue to love us … And pull a little magic up there in Heaven for those you left behind.
With love,
Joan Laurie
I too will cherish the memory of Charles doing his “Brother Act” song and dance at the San Miguel School. Seeing him work with the families at the school who had little English and less resource was a great lesson in life. His patience and understanding in helping others better their lives is an inspiration. He will be missed but may his spirit live on in our actions.
I was privileged to graduate Buttimer in 2011 with Br. Charlie. We met again in Rome in 2014. He was a true Lasallian and had in abundance all the characteristics of a Lasallian teacher. His zeal for the mission and holistic development of young people will never be forgotten and serves as a template for role modeling in our Lasallian world. Siobhan, Ireland.
Charlie was an outstanding Brother! I miss him already! His final meeting saw him excited about the new DENA gatherings on Latino ministry and his support for advocacy via the SJI during the summers. His creative and passionate circular 461 and his Forever Lasallian mantra will live on in the Lasallian Family. Charlie would want nothing more than for all of us to Live Lasallian and hear that he is “doing fine in the next life”. I shall also recall his smile, warmth, sense of humor and ability to affirm each person while being passionate in the Mission.
Very sad…Brother Charles taught at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI in the 70’s. It was an era of so many great brothers at SRA…William Mueller, Brendan Erwin, Thomas Casey, Jerome Cox, Victor Pantesco, Robert Ferguson to name several.
Brother Charles was a high energy positive outlook teacher who had the respect of all.
I haven’t seen him since those days, but he is among those that left an indelible mark.
Rest in peace.
In each of our lives, there has most likely been a teacher, mentor, or guiding presence which has helped guide us and shape us into the person we have become; A voice of reason, a sympathetic ear, a model to which we aspire. For me, that person was Brother Charles Kitson who was in charge of the campus ministry at LaSalle Academy where I went to High School. My first memory of Brother Charles was from Freshman year. The teachers had corralled the student body into the auditorium just before Easter without telling us what it was for. Over the course of the next two hours, we were treated to a Mime Show that featured approximately 2 dozen Seniors as well as Brother Charles, Sister Liz and Brother Michael as “the voice of God.” I was lucky enough to be seated right up front and at one point during the show, Brother Charles danced on over to my side of the stage and looked down at me. Our eyes met and he gave me a big smile and a “wink” and continued on with the show. As a 14 year old, it made my day as that smile and wink were just for me. From that moment onward, I knew that I wanted to be in the Mime Show when I was a Senior. Each year, I made a tape of songs that I brought to Brother Charles for possible inclusion in the show (he actually used 2) and he’d thank me and we’d talk a while. I looked forward to the yearly retreats each homeroom would have with the Campus Ministry team as it helped shape our relationship even further.
By the time Senior year had come around, I was in student government and worked the retreats with the underclassmen. I had heard that Brother Charles didn’t take students who were heavily involved with the Drama club because he wanted a broad spectrum of kids who were involved in many different activities and not just theater. Afraid that this may be my downfall, I walked into his office (decorated with clown/mime motif) and made sure that he knew in no uncertain terms that I wanted in on the Mime Show and that I hoped that my involvement in Drama wouldn’t hurt my chances. He allayed my fears and when it came time for him to choose the Mime Show cast, I got called into his office and was given the good news that I had been chosen. I was over the moon with excitement and he let me know that only one other classmate had been told so far. I felt like it was a badge of honor that I was told so soon in the process.
The next two months, those of us who were chosen for the show (called Friends) became just that, “Friends.” We rehearsed, prayed, played and partied together. We traveled to NY and NJ and the cast became like a small second family and at the head of it all was Brother Charles. He had a way of making each and every one of us feel special; that we mattered and no matter how big or small your role was, whether on stage or behind the scenes, we were all important. When the show was over, the group of still hung out regularly and many of us remain good friends to this day and we owe it all to Brother Charles.
In my life, he is the one who has made the most difference. He taught me how to see my own self worth at a time where I questioned what my place was and doubted who I was. I’ve never known anyone who was so selfless, giving of his time and himself, and who genuinely cared as much as he did. Over the years we lost touch, but I always had his e-mail and on occasion we would exchange updates and now that he is gone, I miss him all the more. I hope that if he ever wondered if what he was doing made a difference or if he ever doubted if what he did mattered the he knew that it did to so many of us.
I am truly saddened to hear of his passing last night. I doubt that I’ll meet another soul as beautiful as his.
Love and Miss you BC – I hope that you’ve finally found your corner of the sky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_hyci8kir8
Charlie’s true identity was Brother. He was so humbly proud to be Brother to every one in his life. Among many images of Charlie dancing that I hold dear is Charlie dancing in clown face at a University of Rhode Island Halloween Liturgy in the early 1980’s and then his dancing “Longer Than” at my Silver Jubilee celebration at URI in 1989. Charlie was a true friend, a true brother. I am keeping his Dad, Sister and family close in prayer as well as all his Brothers in community. .
On Monday, March 14th I learned the very sad news that Br. Charles Kitson died in his sleep on March 11th. Though I am sure he is very happy in the arms of the Lord, his death at such a young age makes us miss him all the more.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Br. Charlie when he came to the Mass in Washington with Pope Francis last September. May he rest in peace and intercede for all his Lasallian Brothers, his family, and his many friends and associates as he spends his first Easter in heaven.
With sympathy and promise of prayers …
My memories of Charlie go back many years to 1968 at De La Salle College in Washington, DC. Charlie worked in my office for a period of time when I was in charge of the St. La Salle Auxiliary. I have fond memories of working with him. He was always pleasant, had a warm smile and a great sense of humor.
When I was in Rome a few years ago I tried to connect with him to have dinner, but unfortunately he was heading back to the states at that time.
My deepest sympathy to the Kitson family and Christian Brother community. I was involved with the Fools for Christ at LaSalle Academy HS. Brother Charles always led by example with calmness and humor. His example of living the Word help to mold many students, including myself.
We need more fools for Christ in this world.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Pray for Us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever!
Hey Tom
Terrible loss. I just found out and am still in shock. Hope life is treating you well.
Rob Manoogian
Brother Charles continues to have a profound effect on my life 25 years after I was his student. He taught me to use laughter to serve others. Brother Charles is one of the greatest humans I have known.
As sad as I am to hear the news of Brother Charles passing, I find myself feeling so blessed to have known him during my high school years at Saint Rays. He lived a life that showed us all that it is truly kindness that makes one strong. May he rest in peace.
Dear Charlie,
I know you will not rest in peace because you have always been an active man, an helpful brother, very attentive to all the details of life… you were a restless person because you saw the presence of God in everybody and everywhere… you were a pilgrim brother, always looking for a heart to be touched with God’s love..
Help us to share our charism and to accompany, with wisdom and compassion, the new Lasallian vocations.
Do not rest! Please, Charlie continues to assist us, to advise us, to smile now that you are in the eternal embrace of the Father/Mother who are in heaven, for which you lived and that you’ve waited for… Jesus opened his arms and he welcome you, saying: “Come on Charlie, let’s dance together!”.
Brother Charlie gave me so much to remember … thanks!
My deepest sympathy to his family and the Brothers
I was a student at LaSalle Academy for just a year in the late 80s but his infectious personality & warmheartedness left an indelible mark on my memory. My first encounter with Bro Charles happened a full year before entering LaSalle. Our 8th grade teacher had taken us to a mime show and I recall it being titled “Stargazer.” And from that day on, I knew Bro Charles was a special individual, and someone I needed to seek out upon entering LaSalle. And I’m glad I did!
I would often visit Campus Ministry for no other reason but to see Bro Charles and Sister Sheila (how is she? I pray she’s well) mingle with us all, share words of wisdom, or catch a friendly banter between them both. Several times they offered me a ride home after school. One time while I waited at the bus stop, Bro Charles pulled up to the curb dancing to Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance”. That was an unforgettable day! LOL
Just recently, I randomly googled his name to see what he was up to after all these years. I read of his global journeys in doing God’s work, and couldn’t be happier for him. What a wonderful man he was!! I pray you rest in eternal peace, Brother Charles. Godspeed!
I met Br. Charles for the first time last summer 2015 at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL during the Br. John Johnston Institute. I am saddened by this news of his passing. He was an amazing facilitator, leader, Brother, and I thank him for so many lessons on our Lasallian vocation. I especially thank him for such words of wisdom and helping me see multiple perspectives in my day-to-day work as a Lasallian educator. He will be missed.
I was deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Brother Charlie. I had the lovely opportunity to spend some time with him during my most recent trip to Huether in Chicago. I will remember his kind words, warm smile and his beautiful personality. Condolences to his family and friends. He will be truly missed! Rest in peace.
I have many fond memories of Br. Charles Kitson. I first met him some years ago in Narragansett in the LI-NE district. We saw each other from time to time as I participated in LLI, as a member of the Mission and Ministry team and Heuther conferences. The last time I saw him was in November when we were members of the same “house” during the Heuther Conference in Chicago. He was a fun-loving, insightful and integral member of our team and I will miss him. Rest in Peace Brother Charles.
I met Br. Charles as a student at La Salle Academy in Providence during the early to mid 80’s. For any number of reasons we struck a bond that eventually led to a strong, lasting friendship. He was my guidance counselor, mentor, psychologist and friend. As a member of the 5th Gospel cast (a role I never imagined playing without some convincing from Br. Charles), I grew as a person in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Through his journey’s to South America and Europe we stayed in contact, always managing to reconnect in person at one time or another. Just last summer while visiting RI with my wife, I called him on the off chance he was around. Sure enough he was in Narragansett and the three of us spent a few hours together as he delayed his long drive back to New Jersey just for the opportunity.
In the 32 years that we have known each other not a Christmas passed that we didn’t speak on the phone. We dined together and with my family, we talked, he counseled, he listened and he dispensed some of the most useful wisdom that has become part of the fabric of my life.
I have lost a friend, a mentor and as far as I”m considered, part of my family. There will never be another Br. Charles for me. I can only hope that somewhere out there is another “Br. Charles” who can influence someone’s life in the same meaningful and impact-full way.
Thank you, Br. Charles. I will miss you terribly and I love you!
I was a Senior as La Salle Academy when I first met Brother Charles. This was also the first year La Salle became coed. What a crazy time that was… I was in the first production that Brother Charles created and in being part of this experience gave me the courage to pursue my goals and dreams. It was Charlie that helped me believe in my self and to use the courage that I already had but needed a little help finding. After graduation I moved to NY and Charlie and I would stay in touch as often as possible, even spending time at his parents house whenever he visited NJ. I have never met a more honorable, loving, sincere, and caring individual. You will be missed Charlie, however never forgotten, as you have impacted my life in so many ways,that only will this all make sense when I see you again in Heaven. God Bless you and your Family. Love you Charlie
Brother Charles was a major influence on me in my years at Saint Raphael and for years after. He was such a great person.