Homilist Profiles

Fr. Ayo holds an S.T.L. degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome (1960) and a Ph.D. in literature from Duke University (1966). After many years teaching literature at the University of Portland in Oregon, Fr. Ayo became the Director of Novices for the Congregation of Holy Cross in North America (1974-1980). He then taught in the Great Books Program at the University of Notre Dame from 1981 to 2004, when he retired to Professor Emeritus status. Among his books are several published by Notre Dame Press: The Sermon-Conferences of St. Thomas Aquinas (1988); The Creed as Symbol (1989); The Lord's Prayer (1992); and The Hail Mary: A Verbal Icon (1994). The Sacred Marriage: The Wisdom of the Song of Songs appeared in November of 1997 from Continuum Press. Where Joy and Sorrow Meet, a book on the Stations of the Cross, was published by Ave Maria Press in 1998. Signs of Grace: Meditations on the Notre Dame Campus was published in the autumn of 2001, and Times of Grace: Spiritual Rhythms of the Year at the University of Notre Dame was published in 2004, both by Rowman and Littlefield. Saint Nicholas in America: Christmas Holy Day and Holiday was published by Corby Books in 2006. Gloria Patri: The History and Theology of the Lesser Doxology is scheduled for publication by the University of Notre Dame Press in 2007.

Fr. Lou is a Holy Cross priest, ordained in 2004. He directs Biblical Studies for Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame and serves as chaplain for the Alliance for Catholic Education. Previous to Campus Ministry, Fr. Lou served at Holy Redeemer Parish and School in Portland, Oregon, as Associate Director for the ACE Program, and as a middle school and high school teacher at a Catholic school in Philadelphia. He received his undergraduate and Master's degrees from the University of Notre Dame, and currently publishes in the fields of religion, literature, teacher education, and spirituality. Fr. Lou resides in Dillon Hall on the Notre Dame campus.

Fr. Ralph comes to the University after three years of service as the associate pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Phoenix, Arizona. During his time in Phoenix, Fr. Ralph directed the high school religious education program and created programs for adult faith education. Currently, Fr. Ralph is the Rector of St Edward's Hall and Director of Hispanic Ministry. As Director, Fr. Ralph is responsible for providing Spanish speaking liturgies as well as retreats and other various programs that invite Spanish speaking students to deepen their faith and spirituality while connecting as members of the larger student body. Fr. Ralph was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 2004.

Fr. Pete is a Holy Cross priest who was recently ordained in the Congregation in April 2007. Currently, he serves as the rector of Keough Hall on the campus of Notre Dame, and formerly Fr. Pete worked as an assistant rector in Dillon Hall. Aside from his responsibilities in the residence hall, Fr. Pete also works as the director of the Notre Dame Freshman Retreat program.

Fr. Dan is a 1996 graduate of the University of Portland (business administration), and he received his M.Div. from Notre Dame through Moreau Seminary in 2003. For two years after graduation from U.P., Fr. Dan worked full time as a concrete finisher in Oregon, his home state. He then entered the Congregation of Holy Cross, where he took Final Vows in the fall of 2003 and was ordained a Holy Cross priest in Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart in April 2004. Fr. Dan's first assignment as a C.S.C. was as rector of Zahm Hall, where he served from the fall of 2003 to the spring of 2007. He also directed the Notre Dame Freshman Retreat for two years and is the chaplain for ND Vision, a high school summer conference at Notre Dame. Currently, Fr. Dan is working on a Masters of Nonprofit Administration degree through Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business and resides in Morrissey Manor on campus. He is an avid fisherman and hunter, and is best known for having shot an attacking cougar on a hunting trip in Oregon.

Fr. Rocca is a Holy Cross priest, ordained in 1974. He currently serves as the rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame, as well as associate director of Campus Ministry. In addition, he is the Director of Liturgy and Music at Moreau Seminary and is the Director of the Candidate Program for first year graduate students. Fr. Rocca is general editor of The Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and Celebration of the Eucharist, published by Paulist Press Ordo, and serves as a consultant to the United States Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy.

Fr. Warner is the director of Campus Ministry of the University of Notre Dame. He is the past provincial superior of the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Following his graduation from Notre Dame in 1962, he studied theology at Catholic University in Santiago, Chile, obtained his licentiate degree there in 1966, and was ordained the same year in Lakewood, Ohio. From 1967 to 1973 he taught English and theology at St. George's College in Santiago, where he also served in the administration. In 1973 he became the provincial treasurer and member of the Provincial Council for the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross, leaving that post when he was elected provincial superior in 1979. He served as counselor to the President from 1979 until 2003. He was appointed director of Campus Ministry in 1989. He is chairman of the board of Memorial Health Systems, South Bend, a corporate member of Holy Cross Family Ministries, New York, and chairman of the Board of the Center for the Homeless, South Bend. Notre Dame awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1987.

Fr. Michael was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 2004 and currently serves as a Research Visitor at the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Theology, as well as a member of the formation staff at Moreau Seminary. He earned his B.A. and M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Liturgical Studies from St. John's University. As an undergraduate Fr. Michael was in the Notre Dame Folk Choir and resided at Old College. He currently resides in Zahm Hall.