Brother Thomas Patrick Cully, C.F.X. (Brother Russell) 1937-2024

Thomas Cully entered eternal life peacefully on September 2, 2024, after a long illness. Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 3, 1937 to Peter and Katherine (O’Donnell) Cully. Both parents were from Donegal, Ireland. Thomas is predeceased by both parents, his older brother, Peter, and his younger brother, Charles, also a Xaverian Brother. He is survived by members of his brother Peter’s family. Many of Thomas’ loyal friends helped him greatly as he was able to do less for himself.[read more]

Brother Eugene L. Behenna, C.F.X.

For almost a hundred consecutive years, men of the Behenna family of Somerville were faithful members of the Xaverian Brothers. Herbert, later our Brother Guy, became an aspirant in our high school program at the Juniorate in Peabody in the mid 1920s, and we have been honored to have Eugene, later Brother Edgar, in our midst a century later. There were thirteen children in the Behenna family, eleven boys and two girls. Although Herbert was the godfather to Gene, they only got to know one another when the Juniorate boys were home with their families in the summer. Among the Behennas, there was, of course, an[read more]

December 14: Memorial of St. John of the Cross

“Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior” – Isaiah 45:8 This verse from Isaiah recurs several times in the liturgies of these last weeks of Advent. Composed during a desperate period in Jewish history when “Sion is deserted, Jerusalem desolate” (Isaiah 64:10). It is a powerful cry[read more]