Shoulder-to-Shoulder
By Brother Antonio Sison, C.PP.S., incorporated as a religious brother on August 13, 2006
Brothers are called to inclusive, shoulder-to-shoulder relationships in the pilgrimage of everyday life. Whether in graduate school teaching, community leadership, or healthcare ministries, we strive to be sacraments of “Jesus the Brother.” We are humbled to bring to remembrance the Nazarene who companioned people and listened to them as they searched for glimmers of “salvation” through the cracks of their lives. Like the moon reflected on water, we hope that in some modest way, we can be reflections of Jesus the Brother.
Brother Antonio “Ton” Sison is the Vatican Council II Chair of Theology at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
A Brother Yearns for God
By Brother Daryl Charron, C.PP.S., incorporated as a religious brother on April 18, 1995.
Being a brother in the Missionaries of the Precious Blood means for me being someone who constantly works at uniting the active life with the life of contemplation. A brother is a person who walks in the presence of God and yearns for God. When a brother serves his Congregation, he remembers he is serving God also. That gives me meaning and purpose as a brother. The fraternal love I feel from my fellow brothers in Community and the peace that bonds us together sustains me in my vocation of offering brotherly love to all humankind. I strive to be a brother to people by trying to imitate Jesus as brother.
Brother Daryl Charron is in ministry in Chicago at the Missionaries’ house of formation. He is also a member of the provincial council of the United States Province.
Prayer Results in Service
By Brother Terry Nufer, C.PP.S., incorporated as a religious brother on July 1, 1977.
Being a religious brother means primarily living a life of prayer. That is at the heart of it all. It is absolutely necessary to maintain a daily connection to God.
Living a life of service is the result of that prayer life. God has called us to go out to others and help them to love what is right, to do what is good and to walk humbly in the light of eternity.
Community is the foundation that allows us to live lives of prayer and service. We support one another in all that we do and thus have the freedom to do the will of God in all things.
My personal prayer is Fiat Voluntas Dei (God’s will be done). Every day is a little Gethsemane.
Brother Terry Nufer is in ministry at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Ohio. The shrine is sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Living a Full Life
By Brother Tom Bohman, C.PP.S., incorporated as a religious brother on May 25, 1975
For 48 years, I’ve been a brother. In that time, I’ve had the opportunity to live a full life and really focus on a particular way of life and on serving people in a way I could not if I had a family. Here at St. James, I’m helping young people begin their walk with God and are walking with people in the last stages of that journey.
Some of the people I most admire spiritually were brothers. St. Andre Bessette, known as Brother Andre, spent his life as a doorkeeper and a caretaker whose holiness led to the building of the great St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. Brother Martin de Porres became a saint through his charitable work with the poor in Peru.
Accompanying the People of God
Br. Jim Ballman center with Fr. Tim McFarland, Br. Ben Basile 2021
By Brother Jim Ballmann, C.PP.S., incorporated as a C.PP.S. brother on August 15, 1969
I am called to accompany the people of God as they experience their joys and sufferings in daily life. I help them in their struggle to attain their salvation by my actions and prayers. The most important aspect is just being available to listen without being judgmental.
Brother Jim Ballmann is in ministry at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Ind. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood sponsor the college.