FR. BRIAN
began collecting quotations, anecdotes and stories in 1977 as a form of
journal-writing therapy, which blossomed into a fruitful hobby. Over the
years he has compiled an anthology in excess of 63 hand-written journals
of quotations, stories, illustrations and anecdotes. From this collection he edits
"Apple Seeds," a monthly quoteletter of motivation and inspiration for students,
faculty and a growing mailing list.
These journals have also resulted in six books and two video tapes published and
produced by Paulist Press. The books are titled,
The videos are titled, "Your Created Goodness" and "Reflection of an
Inner Fire." Also, many of Fr. Brian's stories have been published in the Chicken
Soup for the Soul series of inspirational books.
Sower's Seeds That Nurture Family Values: 100 Stories
to Restore Your Faith, Renew Your Hope and Refresh Your Spirit
received a 2001 "Storytelling World Awards" Honor awarded by "Story World," a fully-refereed journal of the
Storytelling Master's Degree Program at East
Tennessee State University.
Sower's Seeds of Encouragement: Stories of Hope, Humor and
Healing received a 1999 "Storytelling World Awards" Honor as an
Anthology, awarded by "Story World," a fully-refereed journal of the
Storytelling Master's Degree Program at East
Tennessee State University.
Sower's Seeds of Virtue: Stories of Faith, Hope and Love
received a 1998 "Storytelling World Awards" Honor, awarded by "Story
World," a fully-refereed journal of the
Storytelling
Master's Degree Program at East Tennessee State University.
Sower's Seeds Aplenty; Fourth Planting
received three 1997 "Storytelling World Awards" Honors, awarded by "Story
World," a fully-refereed journal of the
Storytelling
Master's Degree Program at East Tennessee State University.
September 27, 2024, Fr. Brian was honored as the recipient
of the Rose DeFede Alumni Award as Faithful Franciscan.
Prior to arriving at the Franciscan University, Fr. Brian was honored by the Student
Government Association at Saint Francis College, Loretto, PA as the recipient of the 1992
Outstanding Educator Award "in recognition of distinguished service to the
student body."
Fr. Brian has presented
motivational and
inspirational lectures at the U.S.
Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs; at Leadership America in Dallas, TX;
at Wellness 2002 National Conference; at
Birthright's International Convention; at Catholic Campaign for America's Student Summit; at the National Catholic Student Coalition
Leadership Conference. Likewise, he has spoken at conferences for the Calgary
(Canada) Catholic School District, the Mid-East Honors
Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities, the Pennsylvania
District VI Student Council convention, student groups and faculty workshops at high
schools, colleges and universities, civic and business associations, diocesan and church
groups, and the pre-release program at the Federal Correction Institution-Loretto, PA.
BACKGROUND:
1969 - B.A. in Political Science -
College of
Steubenville, OH.
1970 - Graduate of the Sears Executive Management Training Program.
1981 - M. Divinity - University of Toronto and
University of St. Michael's College, Canada.
1982 - Ordained as a
Third Order
Franciscan priest in the Roman Catholic Church.
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