• I am most grateful to the many members of the Province for their fine words of support concerning the Chaminade coloring book. I am gratified that so many members of the Province can see the value in dealing with the young, the future. The more people, both adults and children, who learn the story of our Founder, the better for us and for the Church. I have already given out over 800 coloring books during the last six weeks. Please feel free to contact me if you would like some books sent to your family or friends with younger children. I am receiving positive feedback from people who knew about the Society of Mary, but not a lot about Blessed Chaminade. Coloring books will soon be sent to our retreat houses and to some of our schools in September. Once again, thanks to Bob Resing for his art consultation and Stephen Glodek for his writing of the text.
  
  
• Thanks to the Washington Street Community in Dayton for hosting some Chaminade-Julienne students for a vocation evening.
  
  
• Special thanks to the staff at the Provincial Offices for all of their help in our vocation efforts. I am most grateful!
  
  
• I recently spoke at St. Ambrose on the “Hill” here in St. Louis. The school held a vocation day for grades 6, 7 and 8. There were several vocation directors there from other orders, but it was quite evident I was the best looking. I had a lot of fun and met some soon-to-be Vianney, St. Mary’s and Chaminade students.
  
  
• Special thanks to Aaron Sonnenburg and aspirants, Roberto Rivera and Ben Dougherty for their help in staffing our vocation booth at the NCEA convention in Philadelphia. We distributed over 700 pieces of vocation information during our three days there. Special thanks to the 18 present and former Marianists who visited the booth.
  
  
• I recently participated in a vocation workshop hosted by the NRVC concerning Canon Law and Immigration issues.
  
  
• Our second Hispanic Discernment Retreat was held in Orange County, California in mid-April. Most of the retreat was given in Spanish by George Onida with assistance from Tobias Ferrer, Alfredo Chavez and Gerry Sullivan. Thanks to the retreat team!
  
  
• Last month I traveled with Roberto Hanss (from the sector of Mexico) to the University of Missouri at Rolla, just two hours outside of St. Louis. Roberto is a graduate of Rolla and was asked to participate on a panel about religious vocations. It was a good day and I am grateful to Roberto!
  
  
• Vocation materials in Spanish were just sent to Mexico. Let us keep Lorenzo McBride and our Mexican brothers in our prayers as they continue their vocation efforts.
  
  
• John Calabro, from Cape May, New Jersey visited the Lindell Boulevard Community for three days. Thanks to the community!
  
  
• I participated in a meeting last week with Dan Richter (Volunteer Program Coordinator) and Myles McCabe (Peace and Justice Coordinator) to discuss how the vocation and volunteer efforts of the Province could work together next year.
  
  
• Congratulations to Isak Keyman-Ige on the occasion of his profession of First Vows. Several contacts were invited to join us for the celebration. Those attending the event included: Thomas Farnsworth, Luis Gamboa and Dean Haley. Thanks to Ed Brink and Tom Pieper for hosting our group!
  
  
• Special thanks to Norb Sturm for joining me for a vocation breakfast conversation during my last visit to Dayton.
  
  
• Brian Halderman reports that more than 15 people will be joining us at Governor’s Island in late July for our “Look, Listen and Lounge at the Lake.” More details to come later!
  
  
• I will be attending the World Youth Day activities in August with seven men in our formation program: Tom Farnsworth, Luis Gamboa, Dean Haley, Chris Nieport, Ken Barrett, Robert Bowie and Jacob Friesenhahn.
  
  
• Last weekend our final Discernment Retreat was held in San Fernando, California. Seven Marianists joined 18 participants for the weekend retreat on “Mission and Ministry.” The retreat was organized by Dennis Schmitz with some input from Sr. Evangeline Escobar and me. A special thanks to: Ted Ley, David Betz, LeRoy Viera, Tom Oles, John McEnhill and Skip Matthews.
  
  
• I need to give a special thanks to Jim Wisecaver! Jim takes care of all of the logistics for our events in California. He organized the LA Congress booth, the Hispanic Retreat in Orange County and this last retreat in San Fernando. I am most grateful for all Jim does to make my job a lot easier and stress free. All I need to do is show up and the rest is taken care of. Thanks, Jim!
  
  
• Special thanks to:
  

  the communities that hosted live-ins
  the communities that hosted me
  the communities that helped with retreats
  the communities that pray for our vocation efforts
  the individuals who send me ideas and suggestions
  the Vocation Team
  our 21 callers
  

• Please send me any vocation activities news so that I might share it with the Province.

I must apologize that this newsletter is late in coming, but because of my schedule and travel the newsletter sometimes gets pushed to the back burner. I am attempting to remedy this situation for the upcoming academic year. Sr. Patricia Knopp, who presently works in the Dayton office will now work full time and take over some of the duties that I do. It is my hope that this will allow me to spend more time dealing with inquirers, contacts and members of the Province.

Have a good summer! Please pray for our vocation efforts!

Bro. Charles Johnson, S.M.