In July 2011 dad went to Nebraska for a 30 day Ignatian retreat. After his death in 2018 I came across his journal from that time. While not pertaining to his earlier life, some students might be interested in reading this. I have edited it, removing some personal details. Contact me if you would like more details. Excerpts from Don Briel handwritten prayer journal during Ignatian retreat. July 2011. Nebraska First Page The grace I’m seeking. I love you the way you love

When dad returned to Reno in January or February of his sophomore year, 1967, he was behind on credits and was not expected to graduate on time. I believe that his photo is not among the seniors of the 1969 yearbook (the Dome) because he was not expected to graduate on time. I believe that he took some courses outside of ND to transfer in to let him graduate on time. Dad entered the undergraduate seminary with the CSCs when he returned to Notre Dame for his junior year in 196

Editor’s notes are in brackets [], original parentheses are as is () After an awkward graduation ceremony in South Bend in June of 1969, Dad returned home to Reno with his parents and younger sister Trish, then 9. Dad and his family were invited to a professor’s house off campus to celebrate. Grandpa Carl asked dad if he should wear a tie. Dad told him it wasn’t necessary. Every other man there wore a tie. Fury ensued. Photos of my dad at graduation lack a smile. In the s

My mom, dad, and eldest child Elizabeth went to Strasburg, France, in the fall of 1975 for my dad to begin his doctoral studies under the great Fr. Maurice Nedoncelle. My father's theology courses were taught in French and I believe that he typed his term papers in French, but he didn't keep any of them. I may write later about stories I've heard from their two years in France. In September 1976 my sister Teresa was born in California and they flew back to France not much lat

I, of course, have no idea how to manage a website and expect few readers. However, some people may stumble across this on a google search or if I write enough I may spread the link. I'd like to reflect on my dad, Don Briel, founder of Catholic Studies at St Thomas in Minnesota. He has a public profile. The only surviving person I'm aware of who knew my dad well in the early days at St. Thomas is Bishop Arthur Kennedy (Boston) who was instrumental in hiring him in 1981. I kno