Last Thursday, February 12, I drove to Michigan to visit two prospectives and to participate in a Vocation Day at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. The visits Thursday and Saturday were very pleasant. Friday at the high school was also wonderful.

I've know of Brother Rice High School since I was a college student at Duns Scotus College (our college and formation house for many years) in Southfield MI. As a student I remember the priest-faculty going there every morning for Mass with the Irish Christian Brothers. Since then, I became reacquainted with the school through Friar Joshua van Cleef, one of our Novices, who is a 2003 alumnus of the school. Josh played soccer there and is lovingly remembered by his faculty. The students, too young to have met him, know of him by way of his reputation.

I have done a good number of high school vocation days, but I cannot remember a group of young men more courteous and interested than the men of Brother Rice. It is clear that the faculty take Catholic education seriously and the young men attending school there are very well trained in the faith and in the social graces.

While I returned to the friary where I was staying very tired--I had stood from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.--I experienced a real sense of gratitude and satisfaction. I have no idea how many, if any, of the young men will look seriously into joining our community, but I do know that they took a serious look that day and for that I am thankful.

By the way, I left my camera at the friary. One of the Christian Brothers took a few pictures and, if he emails them to me, I will post them.