William Thomas Eddy (br. Anthony), CFP - May He Rest in God's Peace

The Confraternity of Penitents is so grateful for having known our dear brother William Thomas Eddy, known in the Confraternity by his privately vowed name br. Anthony, selected no doubt because Bill was born on St. Anthony of Padua's birthday in 1941. As a convert to Catholicism after being a minister in the Church of the Nazarenes, Bill lived his faith in gentle and unobtrusive ways. He suffered long with tremors and diabetes but was not heard by any in the CFP to complain.

Bill (br. Anthony) entered the August postulancy in 2004. His reason: "I am living in an environment that God has lead (sic) me to, that is perfect for the rest of my journey with the Confraternity of Penitents." Indeed, our dear brother stayed the rest of his journey with us, up to his death on December 6, 2014. We in the CFP saw his fragile health deteriorate over the years and kept in touch with him by email and phone call and personal visits, although he did not live near any other CFP member. Since Bill (br. Anthony) had no family, the Confraternity has claimed his remains for burial in a Catholic Cemetery only a few miles from the Confraternity of Penitents International Office in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He fought the good fight. He maintained the faith. May our dear brother rest in peace.

We miss you, br. Anthony. Please pray for us as we pray for you.

Bill as a postulant at CFP Retreat 2005

William Thomas Eddy pledges to live the CFP Rule for life on July 26, 2008 and then followed that with a private vow to live the Rule for Life, taking the privately vowed name br. Anthony. The pledge and private vow  were made to Fr. Michael Corriveau, CPM

Close up of Patricia Murray's (sr. Ann Line), Bill Eddy's (br. Anthony), Karen Hopersburger's  (sr Mary Faustina's) pledging cake at CFP Retreat 2008. All three took a life pledge and then a private vow to live the CFP Rule for life.

Life Pledged CFP members cutting their cake at CFP Retreat, July 2008. Patricia Murray (sr. Anne), Bill, Karen Hopersburger (sr. Mary Faustina)

Life Pledged Chapter of the Confraternity of Penitents, April 2010. Bill (br. Anthony) in front with Sue Brady (sr. Margaret Therese). beside him.
Left to Right: Patricia Murray (sr. Ann), sr. Lou Samuels, Madeline Pecora Nugent (sr. Margaret of Cortona), Bob Boczek (br. Mathew), Rita Farnsworth (sr. Mary Rose), Karen Hopersburger (sr. Mary Faustina), Sieglinde McGuinness (sr. Peter Thecla), Patricia Boynton (sr. Veronica Therese). Standing in rear: br. James Nugent, Larry Dusek (br. Paul Mychal), Karen Sadock (sr. Naaman)

Bill (br. Anthony) in his apartment prior to being moved to a nursing home. 2011

All life pledged members of the Confraternity of Penitents: Elizabeth Hill (sr. Bridget Clare), br. Jim Nugent, Madeline Pecora Nugent (sr. Margaret of Cortona), Bill (br. Anthony), May 2011

Bill (br. Anthony) and Karen Hopersburger (sr. Mary Faustina), July 2014

Madeline Pecora Nugent (sr. Margaret of Cortona) with Bill (br. Anthony), October 2014. This is the last photo we have of our dear brother.

Go with God, dear brother.

Pledge and Private Vow of William Clifford (br. John of the Cross)

The Confraternity of Penitents is so grateful to God for William Clifford's pledge and private vow to live the Confraternity of Penitents' Rule and Constitutions for Life, made with joy on May 8, 2014. William took the privately vowed name of br. John of the Cross in St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Port Chalmers, New Zealand. William (br. John of the Cross) is the first pledged and privately vowed member from New Zealand! He is also a formator in the Confraternity of Penitents and the newly appointed Regional Minister for Pope Saint John XXIII Region consisting of New Zealand and Australia. God be praised for the great grace of William's pledge and private vow!

We share two photos taken after William made his pledge and private vow. He wrote, "Praise God! Thank you so much for everything. Nothing can take away my happiness today."

William (br. John of the Cross) with his wife and three sons and priest, Fr. Michael Dooley, who accepted his pledge and private vow in the name of the Church.

William (br. John of the Cross) with the second witness to his pledge and private vow (his wife was the first witness), his three sons, and Fr. Dooley.