Brother Peter S. Nault, C.S.C

Below is the death notice of Brother Peter Nault. Please keep the Nault family in your prayers.

Brother Peter was born the fifth of seven children to Henry
and Eva (Perrault) Nault on November 24, 1945 in
Marquette, MI, and he was baptized at St. Joseph Church in
Ishpeming, MI. He attended St. John’s elementary school in
Ishpeming and graduated from St. Paul’s High School in
1963 as salutatorian and president of the senior class. He
entered the Brothers of Holy Cross novitiate on August 15,
1963, professing first vows in 1964 and making perpetual
profession on April 17, 1971. Peter observed that there were
no brothers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, “so my first
introduction to the Brothers was in a small vocation’s advertisement in Our Sunday
Visitor.”
Peter obtained a bachelor of arts degree from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX in 1967 with a
major in English and a minor in social studies. He did graduate work at both the University of Notre Dame
(1968-1971) and Cleveland State University (1972).
Peter was assigned to teach at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH in 1967-69, and then moved
to Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL for one year. He then returned to St. Edward’s and served there
from 1970-1986. While at St. Edward’s, he taught English and also served in a variety of other roles: assistant
principal, treasurer, moderator of the yearbook, supervisor of the maintenance of the grounds, and general
plant manager. “I have always treasured these 20 years in secondary education. They were a great
preparation for my second Holy Cross ministerial journey.”

In 1985, Peter was beginning discernment about a complete change of ministry
focus. He “had yearnings for something different, a contemplative way of life, a
different lifestyle, and a different prayer experience.” He wrote to his provincial that
he would remain open to the Spirit “who would provide a way forward”. That way
forward was 33 years of ministry in the Diocese of Venice, FL.
Brother Peter served as Assistant Treasurer of the diocese from 1986-1993, and as
Parish Administrator at the Cathedral of the Epiphany from1993 to 2019. During his
33 years of service to the diocese, he was the director of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
while he also organized the Office of Stewardship and Development for the new
diocese. As the Epiphany Parish Coordinator, he provided administrative support to
the Rector, “so that parish and school resources and personnel were utilized to best
fulfill the Church’s mission”. He retired from his work with the diocese in 2019,
remaining in Venice until his death. “I am grateful to Holy Cross for providing me with the opportunity, over the
last 60 years, to work with the young and later with the young of heart.”
Brother Peter is proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers James, Lloyd and William and
sister Phoebe. He is survived by his sister Henrietta Nardi and his brother Joseph, and many nieces and
nephews. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Chapel of Holy Cross College on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at
9:30 AM. The Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:30 AM with interment at St. Joseph Cemetery at Holy
Cross Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions, in honor of
Brother Peter, 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.

Posted on: December 2, 2024