The Crosier Community of Phoenix has a new local superior. Fr. Tom Enneking, OSC, was elected prior, succeeding Fr. Dave Donnay, OSC, whose term ended on July 30.
The election took place at the priory chapel following a Mass of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Enneking was formally installed as prior on Aug. 3 at Mt. Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix. Fr. Jude Verley, osc, presided over the ceremony. Fr. Enneking’s new three‐year term ends in 2017.
“It was a tremendous privilege just to have been considered a candidate. When I received the call from Fr. Dave with the election results, I was both honored and humbled,” Fr. Enneking said.
The Crosiers were founded in 1210 by Blessed Theodore de Celles and companions. The Crosiers’ international headquarters are located in Phoenix. There are about 400 Crosiers worldwide, with communities in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Congo, Germany, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The prioral election process is defined by the Crosier Constitutions and involves months of discernment, dialogue and prayer. When members of a local Crosier community gather for an election, they do so in the priory chapel because the election takes place in prayer.
As prior, Fr. Enneking will be responsible for exercising creative leadership in the priory community and to help his fellow Crosiers live and work together in an atmosphere of love, friendship and unity. He is called to give them support through his leadership and advice. His responsibility extends to both the spiritual and temporal welfare of all members of the local Crosier community.
Fr. Enneking is also the prior provincial, or religious superior of the entire U.S. Province. He was elected to this role since 2011. Fr. Enneking works as a chaplain in the Maricopa County jails as part of the community’s ministry and service. Fluent in Spanish, he also provides weekend assistance at Immaculate Heart of Mary in downtown Phoenix and St. Anthony Church in south Phoenix by celebrating Mass in Spanish. He serves as the local Crosier community’s liturgist and musician, leading the music during prayer and Eucharist and at special events.
A Minnesota native, Fr. Enneking has shared his community, liturgical, musical and pastoral gifts as a Crosier for 38 years. He has lived with the Phoenix Crosier community since November 2006. In addition In addition to parish ministry, he has served as a vocations director; immersed himself in Hispanic, multicultural and prison ministry and led formation programs for Crosiers in the United States and Brazil.
