Celebrating our Jubilarians

Br Patrick and Br Mark

This year, two Patrician Brothers at Holy Cross, Br Mark Ryan and Br Patrick Lovegrove, celebrate their 60+ years of ministry!

You may know them from around our Parish community, but you may not know much about their journeys. Br Stephen at Holy Cross has shared some insight into their lives as we celebrate their faith ministry Jubilees.

Br Patrick Lovegrove
70 Years a Patrician

Brother Patrick was born to Edward and Mary of Manilla, New South Wales. He made his First Profession as a Patrician Brother on the 15^th May, 1950. The ceremony took place at Holy Cross College. Patrick was made for leadership and within five years found himself, at the age of twenty-three, the principal of the Brothers’ school at Waterloo.  

In 1963 he was principal at Blacktown and then in 1966 principal of Holy Cross College. That term was cut short when he was appointed Provincial of the Australian Province, a ministry he held for twelve years. That term perhaps cut short by being elected the International Leader of the Congregation in 1980. 1988 found him back at Blacktown as principal until 2005 when he retired from the classroom at the age of seventy-two. He moved to Holy Cross in 2006 and has been here ever since.

Br Mark Ryan
60 Years a Patrician

Brother Mark was born to George and Ellen of Werris Creek, New South Wales. He made his First Profession on the 22^nd May, 1960. Mark’s early education took place at West Maitland, Uranquinty, and Tocumwal: his father was a station master. In 1944, at the age of ten, he found himself a boarder at Holy Cross College.  When he left school in 1960 he studied chemistry and worked as a industrial chemist before joining the Brothers. 

Another leader, in 1963 he became an integral part of the Patrician formation programme.  Then from 1968 to 1970 he was appointed principal of Holy Cross College.  In 1972 he was moved to the Brothers’ school at Fairfield and from 1987 to 1990 he was principal. He moved back to Holy Cross in 1991 and he is here to stay. Just one of the legacies wherever he has been, including St Charles parish, is music.