Xaverian Brother James P. Eckert, who taught at Mount St. Joseph, dies at 79 May 10, 2024By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass was held May 1 for Xavierian Brother James P. Eckert, who died April 27 of cancer of the esophagus. Brother James, who also went by Brother Campion, taught for more than 20 years and ministered to the impoverished in Western Maryland. The former Mount St. Joseph teacher was 79, and would have celebrated his 80th birthday in June. Brother James’ religious service grew out of tragedy, according to an obituary prepared for his order by Edward Driscoll. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native first met the Xaverian Brothers after his older siblings, Bill and Joan, were killed while he was a student at St. Teresa elementary school. After originally attending Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, Brother James transferred to St. Joseph’s Juniorate (now St. Mary’s Ryken High School) in Leonardtown, Md., at the end of his sophomore year. Upon graduation in 1962, he entered Sacred Heart Novitiate and received the Xaverian habit and religious name Brother Campion. In 1968, he graduated with a degree in Latin. He taught religion, humanities, Latin and psychology and served as guidance counselor at high schools including Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore (1985-89) as well as in Leonardtown, Md., and Louisville, Ky. He also coached basketball, track and tennis. After a 20-year teaching career, Brother James ministered at St. Luke in Stroudsburg, Pa., as a pastoral associate. He also worked with the impoverished in Western Maryland; Genoa, W.Va.; and at St. Raymond in the Bronx, N.Y. He did pastoral care as director of the community at Xaverian, then at the Malden community, before retiring from Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn. Read More Obituaries A life well-coached: Lou Holtz remembered for faith, family and football Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90 Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101 Beloved Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz remembered for ‘building men, not just players’ Prolific catechist Paul Thigpen, who mused on extraterrestrial life, dies at 71 Jesuit Father Anthony Berret, distinguished English professor, dies at 86 Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media Print
