Our Life
Brother Paul O’Donnell, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 1987
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
What I Did Before I Entered: I attended St. John Vianney Seminary from ‘78-’82 and St. Paul Seminary from ‘82-’84 located in St. Paul, Minnesota
Hobbies and Interests: Tending to a 75 and 30 gallon tropical fish aquariums and playing with Ruby, our yellow Labrador retriever.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Prayer and promoting the Gospel of Life.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Being an effective leader and at the same time allowing the brothers to use their own gifts and talents.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Damien of Molokai, St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Bl. Teresa of Calcutta.
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Pray about a vocation to the religious life and seek spiritual direction. Vocations mostly come from real people with real families, not everyone is a perfect saint. Disregard thoughts of unworthiness. We are all unworthy, the Holy Spirit is the guiding force. Do not be afraid to make a commitment and put your trust in the Lord.
Contact Brother Paul: paul@brothersofpeace.org
Brother Pio King, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 1991
Hometown: Minot, North Dakota
What I Did Before I Entered: After nine years of college I worked for four years as an organic chemist.
Hobbies and Interests: Biking, reading and sports.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Wide variety of ministry, work and prayer.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Trying to keep a balance between work and prayer.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Lawrence (deacon)
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Get a good spiritual director, pray regularly in particular to the Holy Spirit for help with discernment.
Contact Brother Pio: pio@brothersofpeace.org
Brother John Mary Kaspari, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 1991
Hometown: Hibbing, Minnesota
What I Did Before I Entered: I managed retail stores.
Hobbies and Interests: Bicycling, reading and cross country skiing
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Recreating with my brothers.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Overcoming my personal pride.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Marie Vianney, St. Bernadette
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Persevere in prayer and daily commit your will to God’s will which is revealed through the advice and recommendations of one’s superior.
Contact Brother John Mary: johnmary@brothersofpeace.org
Brother Joseph Katzmarek, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 1993
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
What I Did Before I Entered: I worked with autistic children.
Hobbies and Interests: Canoeing, playing cribbage and outdoor recreation.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Praying night prayer (compline).
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Having to deal with bad things that happen to good people.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Therese of Liseux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph of the Holy Family, St. Joseph of Cupertino, Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Listen to what God wants for you.
Contact Brother Joseph: joseph@brothersofpeace.org
Brother Conrad Richardson, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 1998
Hometown: Arvada, Colorado
What I Did Before I Entered: I lived in a house of discernment for men considering the priesthood and religious life and worked as a certified nursing assistant caring for the disabled and elderly.
Hobbies and Interests: Singing, playing the Irish tin whistle and Native American flute, movies, hiking and nutrition. I enjoy reading the sayings of the desert Fathers and Mothers of the Church and have a special devotion to praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Jesus Prayer.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Spending time with my brothers in prayer, ministry, recreation and sharing a good laugh.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Dying to things that are of me, so I can be the things that are of the Lord.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, St. Conrad of Parzham, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Maria Faustina, Bl. John Paul the Great, Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Ven. Solanus Casey.
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: In addition to praying before the Blessed Sacrament, make a point to speak with a religious brother or your pastor, as well as your family and friends. Make a “Come & See” visit to a religious community. As scripture says, “Be not afraid!”
Contact Brother Conrad: conrad@brothersofpeace.org
Brother James Voeller, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 4th, 2000
Hometown: Rugby, North Dakota
What I Did Before I Entered: Worked as a mechanical engineer.
Hobbies and Interests: Walking, biking, gardening, cooking and sports.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Structured activities like work, prayer and ministry.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life: Non-active times and free time.
Some Favorite Saints: St. Francis of Assisi, Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Theresa of Avila
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Work with your local pastor, the community and be honest and sincere with yourself.
Contact Brother James: james@brothersofpeace.org
Brother Seraphim Wirth, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 30th, 2010
Hometown: Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
What I Did Before I Entered: In addition to being a student, I worked many jobs including laboratory technician.
Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy fishing.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life:
Some Favorite Saints: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joseph.
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life:
Contact Brother Seraphim: seraphim@brothersofpeace.org
Brother Maximilian Connolly, fbp
Profession of Vows: October 30th, 2010
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
What I Did Before I Entered: Manual labor, Department of Natural Resources, caregiver in a group home, pro-life work.
Hobbies and Interests: Biking and playing the piano.
Favorite Part of Daily Life: Saving the lives of others.
Most Challenging Part of Daily Life:
Some Favorite Saints: St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Bonaventure, all the Cherubim and Mary, Queen of the Angels.
Advice to Men Interested In Our Way of Life: Spend a daily holy hour in eucharistic adoration and pray the rosary.
Contact Brother Maximilian: max@brothersofpeace.org
