Who is this multi-cultural man and religious brother? His name is Brother Francis Sebo, FPM, and he is a member of the Presentation Brothers' Community in Knoxville, and recently graduated with a degree in Spirituality and Counseling at the Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Dublin.

JPIC visited with Brother Francis in late August when he was on vacation from his university studies and living with the Knoxville Presentation Brothers' Community. Explaining how he was drawn to Religious Life, he said, "I was always drawn to work with the poor. When I was growing up, I used to stand by the wayside and bring home people who I knew were hungry, pregnant girls, Women abandoned by their husbands - I would take them home and my mother would care for them.

"The poor have always been my 'issue', I find inner peace in working with them. I don't work with them as recipients - as though I were their savior, but I go just to share with them my story and learn from them." Brother Frances said that after earning his bachelor's degree, he continued to feel "a yearning" which drew him to the Presentation Brothers. He credits his years as an Altar Boy and his membership in the Legion of Mary as factors that nurtured this Call.

Living with Presentation Brothers in Glasthule, County Dublin, while pursuing his studies, Brother Francis found numerous volunteer opportunities. These included working with refugees and the homeless, helping at a Center for Teens, working in a soup kitchen and serving in a meals-on-wheels program.

"I have a strong sense of God creating me for a special reason, he said. "I am energized by my ministries knowing that I can pass on to others what God has given me. I wish I was home in a remote part of the world with my knowledge of health and hygiene, cooking, sewing, fabric designs. I like to walk with people in a way that helps people to help themselves."