Holy Cross priest urges joy in faithful witness

Father Jim Fenstermaker, C.S.C., is pastor of Holy Cross Parish in South Bend, IN, and is in his second year serving as chaplain of Legatus’ South Bend-Elkhart Chapter. He is from Long Island, attended Holy Cross High School in Queens, and entered the Congregation of Holy Cross after being impressed by the “joyful witness” of their priests and brothers. Since ordination, he has served in parishes in three states and as vocation director and director of campus ministry at Stonehill College in Massachusetts.

Tell me about your upbringing.

My father began as an off-Broadway actor but became a police officer to provide a steady income for his family. After an injury, he became an insurance adjuster. Both of my parents were faithful Catholics active in their parish. I have three younger sisters.

What did your parents think about you joining the Holy Cross community?

My father was thrilled, but my mother was hesitant, as she thought I didn’t have enough life experience. I left the community for two years to teach high school and live in my own apartment but later decided to re-enter. At that point my mom was 100 percent supportive, and both my parents couldn’t have been more proud.

What are some of the successful programs you have at Holy Cross Parish?

We’re located in a lower socio-economic community, so to help struggling residents we launched a Neighborhood Mutual Aid Program to offer interest-free loans through a local credit union. Additionally, our school has grown from 200 to 365 in the past six years because we offer a Two-Way Immersion Program (English and Spanish) that helps Spanish-speakers master the Spanish language and helps non-Spanish speakers learn Spanish.
 
How does your congregation help ensure the Catholic character of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College?

At Notre Dame, over half the men’s residence halls are run by Holy Cross religious, including some fourth-year seminarians as assistant rectors. Holy Cross religious also serve as teaching professors (having CSCs on faculty is key), campus ministry staff, administrators, and chaplains. Every residence hall has a chapel with regular Masses and adoration as well as Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Confessions are offered daily in the basilica.

Our priests and brothers have touched the lives of many students. After they graduate, they return to ask our priests to preside at their weddings and baptize their children. Also, a good number of our vocations to our community, or the diocesan priesthood and other communities, come from our Holy Cross colleges, particularly Notre Dame and Holy Cross College.

What are your joys and challenges of being a priest?

You never have a boring day as a priest! It is an incredible privilege to preside at the Eucharist: at the words of institution I usually have to force myself to place the host and the chalice back on the altar, as it is such a powerful moment.
 
The most humbling aspect of the priesthood is hearing people’s confessions and being an instrument of healing. Interacting with parishioners is one of the most life-giving aspects of the priesthood. 

The most challenging thing is finding the time to respond to all who are in need of pastoral outreach — and, in smaller parishes, finding volunteers for all the ministries and programs the parish should provide.

What advice do you like to offer Legatus members?

Be joyful in the witness of your Christian faith. My second-favorite Scripture is John 15:11: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” My favorite is 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Pope Francis reminds us that we can’t be credible witnesses of the gospel and disciples of Jesus unless people see the joy of the gospel in our lives and actions.