Meet the Brothers

David Galinski's most formative relationship in religious life was with his novice master, Brother Emory Hogan, who showed him what being a Brother was all about by living it.

Br. Frank Carr came to the Brothers in 1962 after two men at Holy Name in Escanaba saw something in him worth encouraging — and gave their blessing for him to follow it. Sixty years later, he serves as Chaplain for St. Mary's University Athletics in Winona, attending games across every sport, walking alongside student-athletes in their studies, their faith, and their sense of who they are.

Mark Engelmeyer came to the Christian Brothers through a discernment he describes as a roller coaster. He made his first vows in 2018 alongside fellow novices Br. Dylan Perry and Br. Matthew Kotek.

Rob Veselsky was fifteen years old when he first met the De La Salle Christian Brothers — and what drew him in was not doctrine or discipline, but joy.

Thomas Dupre carried a seed for two years after hearing a talk on the Brothers' life in high school, then in 1963 he joined — and has not looked back.

Kevin Fitzgerald came to religious life through an unlikely path — not through the Brothers who taught him, but through a conversation with his mother that opened a door.

Stephen Markham was formed by the Franciscan Sisters, but a De La Salle advertisement reading 'All Brothers, all Teachers' unlocked his calling. He has spent 59 years giving thanks for that decision.

Tom Hetland had never met a Brother until he walked through the doors of St. George High School in Evanston — and what he found there changed his life.

James Gaffney was eighteen years old when he committed to become a Christian Brother. He would go on to serve as Lewis University President for 28 years — the longest in Lasallian history.

Br. Ed's path to religious life began with trouble in his sophomore year — a turning point that led him to reflect on what it meant to help and influence young people.

Br. Robert grew up at Cretin High School in St. Paul, where young energetic Brothers planted the seed of his vocation before most of them eventually left the Institute.

Br. Joseph spent many of his active years at Lewis University teaching Christianity and believes deeply in the power of genuine listening.

From fourth grade onward, Douglas Hawkins had the priesthood in mind — until high school, when the De La Salle Brothers showed him what a life fully given to community and young people could look like.

As Director of Senior Brothers, Br. Paul walks alongside aging members of the community as they navigate health, retirement, and the ongoing call to vocation.

The oldest living Brother in the Midwest District, Br. Terence turned 100 years old in December 2022 and has been a Christian Brother for 83 of those years.

In July of 2023, Br. Johnathon professed his final vows as a De La Salle Christian Brother, becoming the most recent member of the Midwest District to complete that sacred journey.

Michael Kadow's journey was shaped by two powerful forces: the witness of dedicated Brothers and the values instilled by his family.