A Community of Faith and Hope, Strengthened by a Brotherhood that Lasts a Lifetime
Dear Brophy Community,
Over the past week, there have been several moments on campus that I think tell quite a story about what makes us who we are. Last Tuesday, we gathered at St. Francis Xavier for our final all-school liturgy of the year, our Transitions Mass. It is our tradition that, at the end of Mass, the seniors “pin” the juniors and pass on the mantle of leadership. I was particularly struck last week by the sincerity of our seniors in that moment and in the embraces they exchanged afterward.
A few minutes later, Mass ended and the recessional hymn, Reckless Love, began. It was a striking scene to witness 1,400 adolescent boys, arms around each other’s shoulders, singing in full voice about the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.
This past Saturday, I witnessed 21 of our students receive the Sacraments of Initiation, completing their months-long journey of preparation to be fully received into the Church. Just as striking was that many chose classmates as their sponsors, a powerful expression of Brophy brotherhood.
In the days since, I’ve been thinking about the connection between these moments, the sincerity of our seniors, our student body singing arm in arm, the courage of young men choosing to deepen their faith, and the example of a life fully given in service to God and others. These are not separate stories; they are links in a chain that forms a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime.
The events of this past week have also caused me to wonder how many of our alumni have followed a path similar to Fr. Pabst’s and are serving today in ordained ministry.
We would like to know.
If you are a Brophy alumnus currently serving in ordained ministry (in any faith tradition), or if you know someone who is, I ask that you please take a moment to complete this form. Our hope is to gather these names so that we can better connect these men to the faith life of our school community.
Thank you for your help with this and for the many ways you support Brophy.
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
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RJ Hamster 