Brother Isaac Jogues (Mark) Motz, C.S.C.

Brother Isaac Jogues (Mark) Motz, C.S.C., age 93, died on March 20, 2013 at Dujarie House, in Notre Dame, Indiana. He was born in Fowler, Michigan on January 18, 1920, the son of Julius and Regina (Willems) Motz. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and Holy Trinity High School in Fowler and completed his high school courses at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1939. He began college studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and left to enter Sacred Heart Juniorate at Watertown, Wisconsin in September 1942. He began his religious training at St. Joseph's Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, Indiana in January 1943 and pronounced his first vows as a Brother of Holly Cross on February 2, 1944. Brother Isaac went to Dujarie Hall where he completed his college studies at the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 1945. He later earned a Master's degree there in 1955. In 1945 he was assigned to Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, Indiana and taught for 7 years. He was the Principal for 1952-53 but unfortunately, he contracted tuberculosis and became a patient at Healthwin Hospital in South Bend, Indiana from 1953-1955. He recovered and became the assistant to the Master of Novices at St. Joseph's Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, Indiana for the next 5 years. In 1960, he joined the faculty of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio where he taught Latin, English and Religion courses for 25 years. In 1985 he became the superior of the Holy Cross Brothers Center at Notre Dame, a responsibility he undertook with his usual organization and zeal. In 1991 he became the assistant director of Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Center, at Notre Dame and served until his retirement in 1995. He returned to live at the Brothers Center, then resided at Columba Hall in 1998 and then moved back to Holy Cross Village in 1999, then to Schubert Villa in 2007 and to Dujarie House in 2012. Whatever type of work Brother Isaac was asked to do he did with zeal and a meticulous sense of obligation. He demanded the same excellence and thoroughness from his students when teaching in the classroom or coaching the golf team at St. Edward High School. He illustrated a precise regularity in accomplishing every task. His business-like manner was softened by a generous and cheerful demeanor, for he truly was a man of principle and faith. His example was an inspiration to those with whom he worked and lived. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 26th, at Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel (within Dujarie House) from 9:00 to 11:00am on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. The Mass of Resurrection will then follow with interment afterward in St. Joseph Cemetery of the Village. Memorial contributions, in honor of Brother Isaac Jogues Motz, C.S.C., to support the mission and ministries of the Brothers may be sent to: Brothers of Holy Cross, Office of Development, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.