Brother believes'God uses people for his purposes’ (This is the second article in a new monthly series, Hearing the Call, which will feature interviews with Catholics of all ages and situations who “have welcomed Christ’s call . . . to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world” (Catechism, #3). To comment or submit ideas for future interviews contact Father Kent Bowlds, vocation director, (www.jacksonvocations.com), 653 Claiborne Ave., Jackson, MS 39209, 601-944-9844.)
JACKSON — My name is Brother Ted Dausch and I have been a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers for 50 years. I have been the director of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Jackson for approximately eight years.
My first two years in Mississippi were spent as a volunteer English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and a staff development person at Jackson St. Mary Parish.
Before coming to Mississippi I spent over 35 years in Catholic education as teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator.
All this took place in “Yankee land” — mostly New York and New Jersey with eight years in Schenectady, N.Y., which is approximately 155 miles north of New York City or Manhattan.
This journey began just over 68 years ago May 29, 1940, in New York City. Although I had nothing to do with it, I’m glad it happened.
Because of a family situation I was raised by a grandmother who wanted me to have a Catholic education. I did not realize at the time that this was part of a journey that would bring me to this special place.
I attended a neighborhood Catholic school run by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn and attended Rice High School in Manhattan. The school was named after the founder of the congregation of Christian Brothers, Blessed Edmund Rice.
Sometimes people will ask me when did you get “the call.” Actually, I didn’t get a call — we didn’t have a phone.
Most of my teachers were brothers. In general, they were tough, demanding but at the same time were caring and they seemed very happy.
I guess I wanted some of what they had. At the time I don’t know how “spiritual” my motives were; I think it may have been more hero worship.
I believe God uses people for his purposes.
Most people including Catholics have no idea what a brother is. That is due in part because there are so few brothers.
It is not a stop to catch your breath along the way to priesthood. It is not for those who are not smart enough, good enough, etc. to be a priest.
It is not a step below priesthood but above marriage. We humans love to rate, classify.
The primary vocation of all baptized is to be “priest, prophet and king.” All vocations serve God’s purpose.
The “best”, “the highest” vocation is the one to which God has called me — whether married, priesthood, single, or religious. As a religious my calling is not more than, not less than any other.
The vocation of a religious is for those who wish to live in community, living Gospel values as expressed in the vows we take of poverty, chastity and obedience.
These vows or values are counter-cultural. They stand in opposition to the values of the world.
The vow of poverty means I own nothing. Everything is shared. Ultimately, material things will not make us happy. Gospel values are a priority. People before things.
The vow of chastity affords us the opportunity of loving all who come into our lives. I do not have one family. I have many children, brothers, sisters as the Gospel tells us.
Most of our society has no clear understanding of love. We love husbands, wives, children, pizza, football, hunting, shopping.
We confuse physical attraction and activity with love. Love is not just a feeling; it is a decision. We love because when we do it we are loving God.
The vow of obedience is not simply to do what you’re told but is a vow of listening for and living God’s will.
This vow helps me to get out of myself and think of someone else — whether God and/or my neighbor. If I did my will I would probably still be in New York and would have missed the blessing of the last 10 years.
These vows are tools that help us to grow spiritually, to see differently and to unite us to one another in community and ultimately with God.
Would I do it all over again? Like all of life we have good and bad days. In ministry there are good and bad days. Sometimes, it is overwhelming.
There are many questions but apparently few answers. When working with a marginalized community sometimes there are no apparent answers — just a need to pray more and trust that God will provide.
There are those who believe we should not be working with “illegals” and that I should be in jail with the “rest of the illegals.”
I am most grateful that our pope, our bishop, and I also believe Christ is of a different opinion.
Taking a prophetic stance is a major role of a religious.
For me the greatest challenge is community life. When we live close to another, we quickly become aware of others good qualities as well as their short comings.
If I am not in a good place spiritually then their shortcomings seem to outweigh their good qualities. They do not have that challenge in respect to me because I have hardly any shortcomings.
There is probably a reason why Christ not only challenges to love and serve but also forgive one another.
I believe the call to religious life is more relevant today than ever before. In a world seemingly obsessed with sex, alcohol, drugs, materialism, self-serving, etc., it is good to have a reality check.
In addition to reading Scripture and other religious material, in addition to participating in church life, it is good to know we have living reminders that there is another world, another choice.
All are not called to religious life but all are called to live Gospel values as demanded by our baptismal call.
I have learned that the jubilee celebrations — June 14th in Jackson and October 11 in New York are not about me.
For my part I have not always been faithful, loving, compassionate, forgiving, nor generous.
These celebrations are about God’s fidelity, unconditional love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and generosity.
At this point in my life, my motivation for ministry is energized by what I read and reflect upon in the Gospel of Matthew, who reminds us in the end we will be welcomed into the kingdom if we treat “the least” as Christ himself.
An essential attitude of a religious, as well as all Christians, is that of gratitude. I am most grateful for my life, my faith, my calling (not by phone) to religious life, the opportunity to serve and most especially these last 10 years in Mississippi.
This has been a time of learning and spiritual growth.
I am most especially grateful to the Hispanic community, who has helped to open my eyes, ears and heart to another world where I have met Christ for the first time, again.
Thank you.
