September 11, 2009
Letters to the Editor
Tribute penned in honor of Brother Eugene
To the editor:
That Brother Eugene Phillipp was a well loved and respected teacher at Reitz Memorial High School was evidenced by the 600 people who attended his funeral ceremony at St. Benedict’s Cathedral before his body was brought to Notre Dame for the final ceremony.
As a former teacher at Memorial High School, I was fortunate to experience some of the profound impact his life has had on the lives of his students, parents and colleagues throughout his 47 years of ministry to this school community.
Brother Eugene said his reason to become a Brother of Holy Cross was to make the world a better place. He credited the many Holy Cross Brothers on the faculty at St. Edward High School, which he attended in Lakewood, as influencing his decision to accept his vocation as a Brother in this Order.
Brother Eugene, by living a simple faith-filled life, allowed the love of Christ to be visible through him to others. In addition to praying, teaching, chairing the Social Studies department, managing the bookstore and summer work crews, he made time to mentor and advise students as well as staff members who sought his wise counsel.
Brother Eugene taught by example that true love is inclusive and that true success comes from living a life true to ones own beliefs, which are ideally rooted in Christ. In the same way parents nurture their children with love, care, guidance, protection and training by consistent word and deed, Brother Eugene helped build a loving family at Memorial High School. He modeled and taught others respect. He helped his students learn how to view others and themselves as gifts from God.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said “There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in — that we do it to God, to Christ, and that’s why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.”
Brother Eugene worked tirelessly to make the Reitz Memorial High School Community and its external facilities a true dwelling place of Christ, always mindful that he served God in doing so.
May the great love, respect and devotion to Christian service modeled by Brother Eugene always be remembered and imitated.
- Ann Nagy | Evansville