Over 1,400 combined years of lived service as Brothers take the next step in Vocation
Brothers of the Christian Schools celebrate their Jubilarian milestones; Young Brother deepens his commitment to The Institute
Summer 2013 – 26 Brothers of the Christian Schools have celebrated their anniversary years as vowed lay-religious educators throughout this summer. Totaling over 1,400 years of collective service to the Catholic Church, Brothers were recognized for their 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 75 year milestones in Toronto, Canada, Narragansett, RI, Lincroft, NJ, and Towson, MD.
In addition, David Deradoorian has taken the next significant step in his discernment to become a Brother of the Christian Schools. On Saturday, June 29th, Deradoorian was invested with the formal Brother’s robe and rabat during a Robing Ceremony in Lincroft, New Jersey, with Christian Brothers and family in attendance. The ceremony symbolizes a deepening of the candidate’s commitment while publicly assuming the identity of the Brother.
A graduate of De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Michigan, Deradoorian made his first promises as a Brother in September of 2010. Before becoming involved in the Brothers’ Formation Program, Brother David volunteered at Saint Thomas Elementary and the Cathedral of St. Andrew, while attending Grand Valley State University, all in Grand Rapids, MI. Deradoorian graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Spanish Education and Psychology. While at St. Thomas Elementary, Deradoorian helped first and second graders improve their reading ability, and at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, he helped develop a curriculum, recruited tutors, and oversaw assessments at the parish-based ESL (English as a Second Language) program.
After college, Brother David volunteered several summers with the Christian Brothers at Saint Raymond’s High School for Boys in Bronx, NY, teaching remedial Spanish to struggling students. Later joining the Brothers’ Contact Program, Br. David taught seventh grade English/Language arts students at San Miguel School in Camden, NJ, while living at Jeremy House, a Christian Brother formation community, in Philadelphia.
“My experiences with the Brothers, along with prayer, countless conversations with myself and others, and a sense of being open led me to make the leap of faith to join this group of religious men,” said Br. David. “While living at Jeremy House in Philadelphia I discovered an underlying wholeness and peace, and my Brothers, both in our District and around the world, have been wholly supportive, and continue to encourage my love of teaching.”
Brother David will join three other Young Brothers as they head to California for a year of Novitiate, where they will engage in prayer and reflection as part of the Formation process, later in August.