[dropcap type=”4″]P[/dropcap]ope Francis declared that a Year of Consecrated Life be celebrated throughout the world, a time dedicated to the faithful whose vows of poverty, chastity and obedience serve to illuminate heaven on earth. To help mark this occasion, The Catholic Sun is featuring each month members of religious communities who serve the Diocese of Phoenix.
Fr. David Halm, CSC, was ordained in April at Notre Dame University and is a certified public accountant. As a young child growing up in Ohio, he enjoyed playing “Mass” with his three younger sisters. He left the seminary at one point and worked as a commercial banker. After five years, he realized his passion was for serving God’s people and for the Mass. He’s working to become fluent in Spanish after an immersion course last February.
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Religious community: The Congregation of Holy Cross
Community charisms: Men of hope who live joyfully, assisting diocesan priests, ministering in parishes, missions and universities
Community founding: March 1, 1837 by Blessed Basil Moreau in a small village outside Le Mans, France
Current role: Parochial vicar and interim business manager at St. John Vianney Parish in Goodyear
When he first heard God’s call: Age 6
Final vows: Sept. 13, 2014
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The Catholic Sun: When did you first realize God was calling you to religious life?
Fr. David Halm: I was very young. My family was devout and as a little boy I would serve Mass. I looked up to the priests and wanted to be what they were — holy men, very close to God. I was probably six or seven.
Why did you choose the Holy Cross order?
Fr. David Halm: I saw men who were committed to serving the kingdom of God with great zeal and great joy; you can tell that joy almost instantly when you meet a Holy Cross religious. We are small and have had a great impact on the Church in the United States and I wanted to be a part of that. My great uncle was a Holy Cross Brother in the 1920s and ‘30s, and would you believe it? He was also an accountant for the Order.
What has been the most fulfilling about your life as a Holy Cross Father?
Fr. David Halm: Our apostolic zeal. We do so much good work in so many places. There are men who work very hard, always for the Lord Jesus and His people. We’re joyful in our ministry. My passion is Catholic families. I love to meet with engaged couples. I also love to meet with families who are wanting their children to be baptized. Every time I can teach a baptism course I do, because it’s fun for me. Also, I really find grace and blessing in meeting with men and women to help them through the annulment process because it’s both healing and it’s also a welcoming back. In many cases, people have been away from the sacraments for 20 years because they felt ashamed. They are coming back to the Church and want to go through the process to go back to Communion. It’s wonderful and it’s powerful.
