Pictured from left to right are Rev. Mr. Noah Junge, C.S.C., Rev. Mr. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C., Rev. Mr. David Murray, C.S.C., and Rev. Mr. Aaron Morris, C.S.C.
With jubilation and gratitude, the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers announces the Ordination of four men to the priesthood. The ceremony will occur on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend, will confer Order of the Presbyter through the ancient Christian sign of the laying on of hands and the prayer of the Church to Rev. Mr. Noah Junge, C.S.C., Rev. Mr. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C., Rev. Mr. David Murray, C.S.C., and Rev. Mr. Aaron Morris, C.S.C.
“We are thrilled to have Noah, Ricky, David, and Aaron join the brotherhood of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the ministry of the priesthood,” said Provincial Superior Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C. “God’s guidance has brought these four to service in the Church. Their zeal, determination, gifts, and compassion to bring hope across borders of every kind will make them impactful ministers of Christ.”
Rev. Mr. Noah Junge, C.S.C., is the youngest of three children of Mary and Christopher Junge. From Leonardtown, Maryland, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame.
During formation, he ministered at Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Indiana, in homebound Eucharist ministry and marriage preparation; at Saint André Bessette Parish, Portland, Oregon, assisting and serving guests; St. Francis/Penrose Hospitals, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in Spiritual Care; Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts, Campus Ministry; My Brother’s Keeper, Easton, Massachusetts, handling furniture and food delivery; Our Lady of the Road/Motels4Now, South Bend, Indiana, ministering to residents; St. Adalbert’s/St. Casimir’s Parishes, South Bend, Indiana, ministering to parishioners; Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana, teaching; UPAEP, Puebla, México, in Spanish Language Immersion program; Parroquia de El Señor de la Esperanza, Fé y Alegría 25 (escuela), Yancana Huasy – San Juan de Lurigancho, Perú, teaching; and at the Old College Undergraduate Seminary, Notre Dame, Indiana, as an assistant director and chaplain. Currently, he serves as the deacon at Holy Cross Parish and School in South Bend, Indiana.
“A little experience or a series of experiences that I return to reflect upon from time to time is cutting hair at Our Lady of the Road (OLR). OLR is an outreach of the local Catholic Worker in South Bend. Occasionally, I’ve gone there to cut hair. While there are challenging aspects to it, what stands out are the tender moments of being entrusted to hold someone’s head and recognize their dignity with an imperfect yet attentive haircut. Moments of rest are often fleeting for those who get their haircut there, and it is a lot to trust someone to touch and cut your hair/beard. At times, the men whose hair I cut would fall asleep or begin to nod off in the process of the haircut. While I can’t say this makes cutting the hair any easier, it does strike me as significant. As Dorothy Day states so plainly, the mystery of the poor is that they are Christ. And so, I not only feel incredibly blessed that some people would trust me enough to cut their hair and touch their head, but that Christ himself would fall asleep and find rest in my hands. It’s every day I am given the opportunity to receive Christ, and I pray that I do with due reverence. This comes in the Mass and the reception of the Eucharistic Species, and this extends to how I receive every person in my life. These experiences at OLR concretize both the difficulty and privilege of receiving Christ in my imperfect hands,” shared Junge about a ministry placement that left an impact.
He continued, “There are many functional aspects of my placement which have helped me to prepare for the priesthood. This includes being in front of others, preaching, proclaiming the Gospel, baptizing, preparing couples for marriage, and being a public figure within the community. All of this is important, and I continue to desire to grow in it. Still, I would say that most of all, my placement has prepared me for priesthood in that a priest, as Pope Francis reminded years ago, should smell like his sheep. This means actually spending time with them. While, I desire to spend more and more time with the people of God, and know that I will do my best to give to the people of the parish and school community, I also know that I receive much from them, both in their support and in their own witness to the Catholic Faith. In a way, the community provides a kind of essential aspect for a priest. The parish is much more the people than it is the priest. While the priest is called to lead, guide, and care, this begins and ends with the basics of human relationships. I am always trying to grow in the ways and depth of relationship with others.”
Rev. Mr. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C., is the youngest child of Lisa and Richard Bevington. Born in Delmont, Pennsylvania, he accomplished a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Education in Higher Education from Harvard University.
In formation, he ministered at St. Mark Catholic Church, Niles, Michigan, in faith formation; at Sacred Heart Parish, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in faith formation; with Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, Indiana, in spiritual care; and at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, in spiritual care, campus ministry with the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, with the alumni association through FaithND, and served as an assistant rector at Knott Hall. His current placement is at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as the assistant director of Campus Ministry.
“I had a summer ministry placement at a lay apostolate in Austin, Texas, called Community First! Village. They support and house folks who have formerly been chronically homeless. This ministry transformed my vision of the future in two ways. That is where I learned that a big part of ministering in the name of Jesus and in the name of the Church is simply staying with people when you might otherwise be inclined to run away. Being present in the face of pain, suffering, poverty, and mental illness — this is what Jesus did, and my credibility as a representative of the Church requires that I stay, too. And smile. And love,” said Bevington.
He continued, “Second, this experience was a profound experience for me of ministering as a community. I was there with another Holy Cross seminarian, and I came to recognize the powerful witness we offered merely by ministering together. I hope that I get to minister as a community throughout my priesthood — not just working at the same apostolate with other priests but truly sharing in one ministry and working just like the pairs of apostles that Jesus sent out.”
His present placement has increased his humility in ministry. “At King’s College, I have come to learn that my priesthood will be about two things — Jesus and the people Jesus calls me to minister to. And every day when I go into the office, I ask Jesus what we are going to do today. And Jesus never fails to provide a surprising day full of ministry to keep me occupied!”
Rev. Mr. David Murray, C.S.C., is the third child of Anne and Michael Murray. Born in Normal, Illinois, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Studies, a Master of Education in Secondary Education, and a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame.
While in formation, he worked at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, as Keough Hall assistant rector; St. Pius X Church, Granger, Indiana, assisted with marriage preparation; Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana, section instructor for the Common Goods Seminar, instructor, and chaplain of the men’s basketball team; Penrose St. Francis Hospitals, Colorado Springs, Colorado, chaplain; Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodland Park, Colorado, assisted with faith formation; St. Adalbert’s Catholic School, South Bend, Indiana, part of the Dominic Savio Club; Assisted at My Brother’s Keeper and Stonehill College, North Easton, Massachusetts; and St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin, Texas, helped with Vacation Bible School, Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, and the food pantry. At present, he ministers as the rector of Keough Hall.
“This year, I have been a rector in Keough Hall – a men’s dorm on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. As a deacon, I have been given opportunities to preach and minister to the young men here in a great variety of ways. Each day is different, and each day the people in my midst direct the way in which I must minister. I hope that my experience as a priest will be similar, and I hope to model Christ in his presence to those around him who needed healing, needed teaching, and needed his presence and friendship. As a priest, I pray that I can be a conduit for them to Christ,” said Murray of ministry work that has prepared him for the priesthood.
Rev. Mr. Aaron Morris, C.S.C., is the youngest child of Sandra (deceased) and Richard Morris. Born in Ashland, Oregon, he attained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Portland and a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame.
Throughout his formation, he served in various locations. At Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Portland, Oregon, he supported parish work; St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, Austin, Texas, assisted in various ministries; Women’s Care Center, South Bend, Indiana, helped where needed; St. Adalbert, South Bend, Indiana, worked as a catechist; Stonehill Farm, Easton, Massachusetts, farmed; University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, served in multicultural ministry and as assistant rector at Pangborn Hall; Parroquia de El Señor de la Esperanza, Fé y Alegría 25 (escuela), and YancanaHuasy all in San Juan de Lurigancho, Perú, assisted. At this time, he assists at Immaculate Conception Parish, Holy Cross Parish, Stonehill College Campus Ministry, and as a pastoral resident at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.
“What do I hope to experience as a priest? God. God bursting forth, being seen in new and radiant ways. Days on the Stonehill farm come to mind. Conversations working in Notre Dame Campus ministry. Journeying to the sacraments of initiation with folks as a catechist. Yeah, the bursting forth moments are the best – but I’m learning that the slow and barely perceptible movements of God can be just as fulfilling. This year as a deacon, I’ve experienced quality mentorship, the joy of baptizing infants, preaching Christmas Mass, and serving the poor. My goodness – how has that prepared me? Through doing more and more, by following the footsteps of those around me. I suppose I’m growing all the time, but mostly I’m just doing. Deaconing. That’s preparation, and that’s how it happens,” noted Morris.
All are welcome to attend the Mass. Those unable to visit can view a live stream of the event at livestream.holycrossusa.org
Published March 2025
