Leadership Team

Office of Senior Brothers

Brother Steve Olert, FSC
Director, Office for Senior Brothers

Brother John Patzwall, FSC
Manager for Retirement Resources

The Office of Senior Brothers is a newly established ministry in the District of Eastern North America. The purpose of this ministry will focus on the physical and pastoral care of the Brothers. This also includes, but is not limited to, the following items of responsibility for the Director of the Office of Senior Brothers as accepted by the Constitutive Assembly in August 2009.

The Director of the Office of Senior Brothers:

• Has pastoral responsibility for all retired and infirm Brothers of the District
• Supervises and coordinates the work of all Directors in District retirement facilities
• Contracts for, supervises, coordinates and supports the work of health care professionals in various sectors of the District (visiting nurses, management of skilled care and assisted living facilities)
• Effects the appropriate placement of Brothers in health care facilities based on their needs, desire, and geographic concerns
• Oversees plans for the maintenance and expansion of District health care facilities
• Collaborates with the Office of Administration on providing Brothers needed pension and health care programs and services for the Brothers
• Supports the ministerial activities of retired Brothers living in community, whether by serving as a clearinghouse or providing encouragement
• Programs appropriately for the spiritual and intellectual development of senior members
• Conducts pre-retirement activities for eligible District Brothers

Additional Information

• The Office of Senior Brothers will use as a guide The Physical and Pastoral Care of the Brothers that was accepted by the Constitutive Assembly in August 2009.
• The Office of Senior Brothers will give a focus to the quality of care for the Brothers and their quality of life as each Brother experiences the God-given gift of aging. The care of our Brothers is, for us, a sacred trust.
• The Director of the Office of Senior Brothers has a vital ministry of affirmation and encouragement and he will also focus on the well-being and wellness of each Brother.
• The Office of Senior Brothers looks forward to making available to the Brothers throughout the District helpful programs that will assist all of us in our aging.
• The Director of the Office of Senior Brothers is available to Directors of our communities that have senior Brothers; to individual Brothers; and to communities in general. Directors of our communities will receive periodic articles that may be helpful in their interaction with the Brothers.
• The Director of the Office of Seniors Brothers will work closely with Br. John Patzwall who is the Manager of Retirement Resources. Br. John’s expertise, knowledge and experience in finances and management are strong assets. His understanding of health care will be most helpful.
• Both the Director of Senior Brothers and the Manager of Retirement Resources will work in collaboration with Br. Jerome Sullivan, Auxiliary Visitor.