When Fr. Bruce entered Jesuit formation after college in 1969, it was a time when many people didn’t know whether they were close to God – something he believes is important for anyone contemplating religious life. There was a lot of unrest and change in our country. People were focused on the Vietnam War, civil rights, and protests and riots in cities across our nation. Many were questioning their beliefs about everything, including God. “It was a time when everything seemed to be letting go and you had to be relevant. And, the Church was seen as irrelevant in a lot of ways. So [people] were always looking for ways to get rid of the old order and take on the new order,” he shares.
It was also just after Vatican II, a time of change for the Catholic Church. A lot of people were leaving the religious life and priesthood, including many Jesuits. Fr. Bruce saw things differently, though. He was looking forward to being part of the change. He was excited to be “entering the new order, the new Society of Jesus, the new novitiate.” He felt that “everything we’re doing now is going to last forever and we just have to get rid of the old things.” He was eager to begin his journey toward his mission as a Jesuit high school teacher of English and French.
As happens so many times, God had different plans for Fr. Bruce. By the time he was in his final stage of Jesuit formation, Theology, he knew that he wasn’t being led to teach. After spending time at a parish, he felt drawn to spend more time ministering to people in a parish community. He found that work very energizing and enjoyed being able to talk to people about their faith and support them in their struggles.
As a result, Fr. Bruce’s ministry has primarily been to parishes, mostly diverse parishes with African-American and white populations. He’s been able to share in the rich spirituality of these parishes while also helping them face the challenges that arise from different perceptions of important social issues, such as poverty and war.
Interestingly, one of the things he’s relied on throughout his ministry is many of the “old” traditions and customs that he thought were going away back in 1969. He finds them very “life-giving” for both himself and his parishioners.
In recognition of his Jubilee, Fr. Bruce will concelebrate with Fr. Peter at a special Mass for the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Jesuits) on July 31, 2019. The bilingual Mass will begin at 6:30 pm in the Church. There will be a reception with light appetizers, desserts, and live music in the Lewis Room and on the Plaza immediately following the Mass. All are invited to join.