Brother Martin’s Annual Prayer Breakfast is a time when Crusader families, alumni and friends get together to pray, eat and find inspiration in the words of a notable keynote speaker.
So perhaps it might appear an unusual time to hear a favorite son, and alumnus, Fr. Kyle Dave ’89 talk about, of all things, toenails. Dave recounted the time he heard God’s voice as he cared for his ailing father by helping him groom himself, including cutting his toenails.
“When my mother asked me to do this I was so resentful and bitter,” Dave said. “But then, a thought came, ‘what about your father, how do you think he feels watching his son cut his toenails, something he did in private and could for himself, how do you think he feels’? It was the first time I empathized. And I got something I didn’t think I could ever get from another man: The unconditional expression of love. I was giving my father something he could not give to himself and he in turn was affording me the opportunity to give him something.”
Dozens of parents, alumni, faculty and community leaders were on hand to hear Dave, who talked about service to others, of a heart that cares for and is inspired by the needs of others. He spoke about his education at Brother Martin, and subsequently at Loyola University, and how he was called to serve in the priesthood in part because of that foundation. Dave is pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Belle Chasse.
Dave, a native of New Orleans, was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 2001. His first priestly assignment was to St. Edward the Confessor located in Metairie, as Parochial Vicar from July 2001 to July 2003. His next assignment was to Our Lady of Lourdes in Violet, La. He served in that community from July 2003 to the advent of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Fr. Kyle was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell, where he served as Parochial Vicar from March 2006 to October 2009. Finally, from October 1, 2009, to July 1, 2014, he served as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Lacombe, Louisiana.
The breakfast, held annually in remembrance of Brother Martin Hernandez, S.C.,our school’s namesake. This year marked the 13th Annual Prayer Breakfast which is sponsored by Parents Club and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Alumni Association and was held at Metairie Country Club.
Thank you to the 2017 Prayer Breakfast committee, readers, and sponsors!
Click here for the Prayer Breakfast Program.
