Meet Brother Kyle Mena, one of Central’s newest additions to the faculty and staff. Brother Kyle teaches senior religion classes and freshmen biology.

Brother Kyle grew up in New York City in Washington Heights, a neighborhood that he says he is proud of. The neighborhood was very diverse – a value that instilled respect within Brother Kyle as a child.

The neighborhood could have been rough at times though but through the ups and downs Bro. Kyle focused on his education.

Bro. Kyle went to Catholic school for his entire education and originally was interested in becoming a doctor, a goal that derived from his passion in biology.

Bro. Kyle attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where during his junior year, he took a course on morality that started to get him more interested in religion.

He helped his professor with technology in that class and became close with him. From there, Bro. Kyle got in contact with a LaSallian brother that knew the professor.

The LaSallian brotherhood interested Bro. Kyle: “I had a desire in my heart to enter into a fraternal community.” Bro. Kyle began teaching biology and theology classes in Philadelphia.

He describes biology and theology as “2 sides to the same coin,” and believes that we must embrace both science and religion. In theology, Bro. Kyle puts a special emphasis on the morals and values promoted by Jesus Christ.

A key part of religious instruction is the Trinity and belief in the triumvirate of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

When Bro. Kyle came to Central Catholic, he first noticed the strong sense of brotherhood and fraternity found among the student body. He describes this bond as “an aura that works.”

Additionally, the sense of fraternity found at Central Catholic promotes a culture of respect throughout teachers and students.

Bro. Kyle is hoping to include himself in the Dignity and Respect club, which he sees as an opportunity to implement his social justice teaching and beliefs in helping those deemed as outsiders in communities.

The best life advice Bro. Kyle can give is to be yourself, no matter the circumstances.

As a teacher, Bro. Kyle believes it is his personal responsibility to push his students to be the best versions of themselves and live their lives in the image of Jesus Christ.

“As a rock tumbles within a river, it begins to get smoother and smoother. As we continue to live in a community with each other, some of those sharper edges get smoother” – Brother Kyle Mena