Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Rudolph Michael Talaga CSC

May 2, 1930 - Oct. 21, 2007

South Bend Tribune 10/23/2007
SOUTH BEND - Brother Rudolph Michael Talaga CSC, 77, died at Dujarie House, Notre Dame, on Sunday, Oct. 21, after an illness. Br. Rudolph was born May 2, 1930, in Gary, IN, the son of the late Michael and Mary Talaga. He was educated at Wilson and St. Hedwig elementary schools, and at East Gary Edison High School. After graduation he worked in his brother's grocery store as a clerk and stock man, and during summers helped care for a herd of dairy cows. He joined the Brothers of Holy Cross, entering the candidacy program in Watertown, WI, in January 1950. On August 15, 1950, he began his novitiate year at St. Joseph's Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, IN, and took his first vows as a religious on August 16, 1951. He made his perpetual profession of vows on August 16, 1954. Most of Br. Rudolph's life was devoted to cooking and baking for the brothers on the faculties of various schools. Immediately after his first profession he stayed on at the novitiate to cook for the novices. From 1952-53 he helped with food services at the brothers' residence, Columba Hall, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. That assignment was followed by a short stint in the kitchen for the eastern candidate program at Valatie, New York, returning to Rolling Prairie from 1953-1954. After perpetual profession, Br. Rudolph was assigned as a cook for the brothers at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, OH, where he remained until 1957. His next post was as cook at the provincial offices and residence in South Bend.

He moved then into the new Holy Cross Brother Center at Notre Dame, cooking in the central kitchen there. In 1968 he began cooking in the brothers' infirmary, Dujarie House, on the grounds of the Brothers Center. Then from 1972-73 he was on the household staff of Bishop Andrew Grutka of Gary as assistant director of domestic services. Br. Rudolph returned in 1997 to Dujarie House for two years, then moved across to the Brothers' center to cook for the brothers resident there until 1979, when he became a member of the Pastoral Ministry Team at St. Mary's Church, Crown Point, IN, from 1983-89. From 1989-97 he once more assisted at Dujarie House as a staff member. In 1997 and until 2002 he was on the staff of Mother of the Redeemer Farm, Bloomington, IN, then spent a year residing at Columba Hall at Notre Dame. In 2003 and until his health failed recently, he was again a staff member at Mother of the Redeemer Farm. Br. Rudolph was deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother and was active in groups dedicated to Mary. Given the nature of his work as cook, he had both the time and the temperament to support a semi-contemplative immersion in Marian devotion. He enjoyed recreating with the other brothers in the institution for which he worked. When he was head cook, everyone knew whose kitchen it was and who was in charge. Br. Rudolph exacted of himself a rigid and disciplined adherence to the rules of religious life, and he required of those who assisted him the same discipline. His large hands and piercing eyes were symbolic of both the physical strength and the inner convictions he exhibited throughout his more than 56 years of religious profession. For all those years his role in community was unfailingly that of being supportive of others, and Br. Rudolph was dedicated to doing his part in the often forgotten area of internal ministry among the brothers in the province.

Visitation and wake services will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Oct. 23, in Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel, Dujarie House, the Brothers' Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, 54515 State Road 933. A Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 24, viewing will begin at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel, Notre Dame, followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 3 p.m., with interment immediately afterward at St. Joseph's Cemetery on the village grounds. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.