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Sept. 14, 2006
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Salvatorian brother called
to social justice ministry |
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Br. Blaire believes God called him to serve others |
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Salvatorian Br. Blaire Mazur, who is studying for a master's degree in systematic theology at Sacred Heart School of Theology, said he is called to social justice ministry. (Catholic Herald photo by Sam Lucero) |
HALES CORNERS — Some Catholics, unaware of the impact a brother might have upon a religious community, may think that the only difference between a brother and a priest is that a brother cannot celebrate Mass.
Rather than minister in a parish, as most priests do, religious brothers often live in community and minister through various organizations to promote social justice, as well as directly with those in need.
“With being a brother, there are different ministries that one can do that are not necessarily geared toward a sacramental life,” said Salvatorian Br. Blaire Mazur, 36, in a recent telephone interview. “I’m really drawn to the charism of the Salvatorians and its founder (Fr. Francis Jordan), which is to really spread the love of the Gospel by all ways and means.”
The Salvatorians are an ideal community for Br. Blaire in which to live and work, as the order is involved with a variety of social ministries locally and worldwide. This allows him to incorporate his writing abilities and affinity for non-profit work.
“I can use these talents to bring the Gospel to people in a very relevant way,” said Br. Blaire.
He and the Salvatorians have worked for many local shelters, including Repairers of the Breach, a homeless shelter in downtown Milwaukee, and the Cathedral Women’s Shelter, a center for homeless and abus-ed women.
Br. Blaire’s spirituality and desire to help others was fostered early in life. The oldest of three boys, he grew up in a close-knit Polish-American family in St. Louis. His family moved frequently between New Jersey and Missouri to help care for his ill grandfather and help his grandmother financially.
Around age 19, after graduating from a public high school, Br. Blaire felt a calling to religious life. His plans were put on hold, however, after he met a young woman, Briana, and fell in love. Br. Blaire and Briana dated for three and a half years, but around the third year of their courtship, Br. Blaire felt God calling him back to religious life. While working on a social justice committee in New Jersey, Br. Blaire realized that he was meant for that lifestyle.
He realized that he could not create “a happy balance between ministry and a relationship” and that God came above everything else. Br. Blaire said he is grateful for the experience of falling in love, because he feels that it has helped him understand his call to religious life. It also helped him understand couples — the obstacles they face and the things that draw them together. Br. Blaire said he and Briana are still friends and she supports his vocation.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. John’s University in New York, he pursued a master’s of divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. There he met Scott Jones, a fellow student, who went on to become the director of the Salvatorian brothers in Milwaukee. They stayed in touch and eventually Br. Blaire became interested in joining the community. He moved to Milwaukee in 2003 to join the order and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in systematic theology from Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners.
“Milwaukee has taught me many different things,” he said of his new home. “There’s more of a commitment to social justice here.”
He is particularly impressed with St. Benedict the Moor Parish, having helped out at their clothing and food drives, and Gesu Parish, which has clothing drives and works with Habitat for Humanity.
Even though Br. Blaire is busy with religious commitments, he still maintains his hobbies and physical health, writing spiritually-themed poems and monologues and exercising at Bally’s Total Fitness five or six days a week.
Although he is unsure of his exact plans after his December 2007 graduation, Br. Blaire would like to start a night ministry in Milwaukee that caters to the homeless.
“I want to work directly with the poor,” he said. |
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