“Mathematics and religious life have both brought with them one fringe benefit that I had not really considered when entering into either vocation: international travel,” writes Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C. “In fact, this June will mark the fourth summer in a row that I’ll be making a trip to Europe, and each of the last three has brought me in touch with a mysterious sign of Divine Providence.” Read More

“During my first three years at the University of Portland, I have appreciated it as a tremendous center of human talent, creativity and excellence” says Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C. "But as a priest these great blessings also embody a kind of temptation to neglect a major part of my vocation. For when describing how a good shepherd should behave, Jesus asks, 'If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?'" Read More

“Every year, the Villa Maria Hall retreat begins with a game called, ‘What’s in the Bag?’ writes Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., from the University of Portland where he teaches mathematics and lives in residence at Villa Maria Hall. “We begin our men’s hall retreat, their first ‘adult’ retreat, with something that is little more than a children’s game; it’s just kindergarten ‘Show and Tell’ with a twist. And each year, it reveals spiritual mysteries ...”

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“There’s a lot of talk these days about ‘brand awareness’,” writes Mr. John Soisson. “I prefer the more classical approach. Isn’t it better to ask: Who are we? Why are we here? What do we want to be? Where are we going?” He goes on, “What’s the Holy Cross brand? ... The Holy Cross brand really isn’t something that you can design and print. It’s a way of life. A lot of people like the idea of Holy Cross, but not everyone can live it.” Read More

"The more I reflected on the comment by a Core Staff member about preparing a home for people of our Holy Cross Family the day after celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family, the more I saw other connections to the Christmas story," writes Fr. Eric Schimmel, C.S.C., the Director of André House. "As Mary and Joseph traveled and searched for a home, but found no room, many of our guests arrive to Phoenix looking for a place to find shelter. The blessing of having a family – traditional nuclear family, religious family, or whatever family – willing to prepare a place for you and to welcome you is indeed a gift." Read More

“I certainly do put the vast majority of my energy into these works [teaching mathematics and serving as a pastoral resident at Villa Maria Hall],” writes Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., “but I am consistently amazed at how some of the most significant experiences I have with the students of UP fall outside of these precise parameters.” Read More

“Our Holy Cross Constitution on Mission envisions us ministering among people ‘whose lot we share’ so that we become ‘their neighbors...with them and of them.’ Because our colleagues at UP have become our neighbors,” writes Fr. Charlie McCoy, “I was blessed to share in one of the last hours of Steve Watson’s life; and he, unknowingly, spent that hour ministering to me …” Read More

Brother John Paige was inaugurated the 4th President of Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Ind. Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C.'s, homily was a powerful reflection on how a Holy Cross education finds its source and summit in the Holy Eucharist and is ex corde ecclesiae -- at the very center of the heart of the Church.  Read More

In the midst of our exclusive coverage of Ordinations, we are still bringing you our regularly schedule programming, which today includes Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., posting from the University of Portland. As always, it’s a brilliant post you will not want to miss! Read More

Today, we share with you part two of Old Collegian Dan Cruickshank’s reflections on the pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Oratory over spring break put together by the Office of Vocations and Campus Ministry at Notre Dame and Holy Cross College. Having reflected on the pilgrimage overall, Dan today shares what was his most powerful experience. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., has checked in with this month’s installment of his blog from the University of Portland, and it is quite timely, coming on the heels of the great feast day Saturday. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., has checked in with his monthly post. This time it is a truly insightful reflection on our union as brothers and priests in Holy Cross. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., University of Portland math professor, resident priest, and blogger extraordinaire, has sent us his blog for January, and it is another marvelous one about letting the Lord be a guest in our lives. It reminds one of St. Andre Bessette and his ministry as a doorkeeper. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., associate professor of mathematics at University of Portland and our regular blog correspondent, has checked in with a powerful reflection about hope. Written from the perspective of a professor at finals time, it reveals the real spiritual depth of the vocation of a professor priest as a man with hope to bring. Read More

One of my best friends and mentors in Holy Cross once told me that what attracted him most to our congregation was the variety of our ministries. “I knew I’d be less likely to get bored or slip into an unhealthy rut,” he said with his usual matter-of-fact wisdom. Now I’m not a person for whom boredom is a real problem; life usually entertains or intrigues . . . Read More

We have our latest post from Fr. Charlie McCoy out at the University of Portland in his monthly blog on university ministry called "It All Adds UP."  In keeping with the canonization theme, he shares about the re-dedication of a chapel on the campus. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., continues sharing with us the adventures of being a professor, pastoral resident, and priest at the University of Portland in this second post in his monthly series. Last time, Fr. Charlie told us about a 30-foot gorilla. This time, he shares about “Come to Jesus moments.” Read More

Starting on Sunday, August 29, Holy Cross priests and brothers from around the world will be reflecting on what Brother André means to them personally in their lives and ministry. As a preview to that series, we are sharing the homily that Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., preached at the Opening of the School Year Mass for the University of Notre Dame. The homily reflects on what this humble saint has to teach those of us engaged in study or ministry in the apostolate of higher education. Read More

Fr. Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., was ordained to the priesthood April 18, 2009, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. While the oils were still drying on his hands, he was sent to the University of Portland to teach in the math department (as he has a PhD in math from Notre Dame) and to be a priest in residence in one of the undergraduate dorms. In this series, “It All Adds Up,”  Fr. Charlie will share the adventures of a college priest. In today’s post, Fr. Charlie shares about a 30-foot gorilla. If that does not light your curiosity to read more, I do not know what will! Read More