Fantasic Father Francis

Get to know CB’s newest religion teacher Fr. Francis Murin, and find out what this marvelous man is all about. 

Christian Brothers is a school that treats every academic subject with the utmost importance, and no subject is as important as our religion classes. This year, Father Francis Murin joined the CB community with the task of helping CB students encounter and understand a life with God and Christ.

Being a first year teacher here isn’t an easy task, but Father Murin has been more than ready for the challenge so far.

“It’s been busy, a lot of work, and I’m just trying to keep my head above the water,” he says. “But I enjoy it. It’s a change of pace, and I enjoy working with young people, and I just hope they enjoy it too.”

Father Murin brings a whole new flavor to the already diverse CB community, as he was born and raised in the country of Slovakia.

“Everything is new for me… My high school [experience was different] — it was a different style and a different mentality,” describes Father Murin.

“Our teachers were friendly, but they were very much figures of authority, and our work wasn’t about grades, but about doing what the teacher says,” he adds. “This is a very new thing, being able to grade everything and assess a student on a personal level.”

The religion instructor definitely brings a unique and personal flavor to the classroom, as he is devoted to helping his students understand Christ in their life.

Father Murin also brings technology into the classroom, utilizing iPads and media such as music to illustrate his message of Christ.

However, he warns students to be careful with the iPads, as with great power comes great responsibility.

“I guess as a student, as you guys grow up, you need to realize that this is a tool, and a way to spend time,” he warns. “It’s very distracting to have a student staring at a screen, and I have to wonder if it’s relevant to the class or not.”

Even after a long day of teaching, Father Murin’s day does not end, as he joins the LaSallian Youth group to tutor children at St.Patrick’s elementary.

“I enjoy seeing the interaction between the young adults and a small child, and the CB students make an effort to be helpful, to be a role model,” he describes. “It reminds me of my kids, and that’s what I do at home- It’s kind of an expansion of my family.”

Not only is Father Murin a very generous and kind man, he also happens to be humble.

“I’m kind of a plain kind of person, I have a personality, I just don’t know if it’s a good one,” he joked. “I guess that’s up for my students to decide.”

If you happen to see this friendly Father walking around campus, feel free to say hello or stop for a chat, and get to know one of the newest members of the CB community.