Volume 2, Number 3
Friday, Feb. 7, 2003

BRO. KIMEU PROFESSES PERPETUAL VOWS

Bro. Phillip Kalului Kimeu (Marianist Novitiate, Limuru, Kenya) professed perpetual vows Sat., Jan. 25, at the novitiate in Limuru, Kenya, Africa, with more than 300 friends and family attending. The celebrants were Fr. Michael Nartker and Fr. Mutua, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Mombasa. Fr. Martin Solma was the master of ceremonies; Bro. Mark Ormond gave the homily; and Regional Superior Bro. Frank Annunziata received the vows. Bro. Phillip said the day was "…a turning point in my life … a conversion." Our prayers and congratulations to Bro. Phillip and his family!

FIRST PROFESSION IN KOREA

Bros. Tadeo MyungHan Yoo, 30, and John Dongll Shin, 28, professed first vows Feb. 2 at the Novitiate chapel in Seoul, Korea. The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Pascal Lee, novicemaster, with the homily preached by Fr. Timothy Kim. Regional Superior Bro. Matthew Woo expressed gratitude for the young men's devotion. Bro. Shin, the second of three boys in his family, said, "I want to be a useful and powerful man for the kingdom of God." Bro. Yoo said, "Today I renewed my mind which I had at the beginning of my religious life." Our most heartfelt congratulations to Bros. Yoo and Shin!

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Bro. Frank O'Donnell (Roland Avenue Community, Baltimore) has been named special assistant to the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice ($220 million budget) for the state of Maryland. His role will include helping provide quality education for the youth in the department's care and assuring appropriate treatment services for them. The vision of the Governor is to change the model used by the department from a criminal justice model to a healing/rehabilitation model. Bro. Frank says his new role ties closely to the Marianist Rule of Life and mission priorities to serve the poor as he helps rehabilitate young men and women. A hearty congratulations to Bro. Frank.

The Holy Family mural in the chapel at Taller Obrero school in Coatzacoalcos

Fr. James Imhof (Lincoln Street Community, Hollywood, Fla.) spent a month in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, and reports on the rich tradition of posadas in Mexico, complete with Christmas songs, processions, piñatas and delicious food. Fr. Imhof writes: "(In Mexico) there are novices, scholastics, professed Marianists in active life, even perpetually professed. The novitiate at Querétaro, the scholasticate in Puebla ... the parish in Uxpanapa along with the rural development work of DECAMP give testimony of the advancement of our Marianist message effectively reaching southward and taking firm roots." To read Fr. Imhof's complete letter, please click here:

(from left) Bros. Juan García, Lorenzo McBride and Ricardo de los Santos in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico

Michael Porterfield (staff member, Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, Eureka, Mo.) is teaching an online class for the Paul VI Pontifical Institute in St. Louis on "Critically studying and implementing the use of the media in our ministry in the St. Louis area." Our best to Michael.

Fr. Robert Backherms (Duckview Court Community, Centerville) will serve as a priest at the novitiate in Nirmal Deep, India, from the end of February until May.

More information on Bro. Richard Joyal, who is attending the School of Applied Theology in Berkeley. His new telephone number is 510.594.1591. A late Happy Birthday to Bro. Richard, who celebrated the big day on Feb. 5.

PRAYER REQUESTS

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF …

Bro. Louis Neugebauer (Central Catholic Community, San Antonio), who died Feb. 1, one day before his 87th birthday. Bro. Louis was born in San Antonio and enjoyed a long teaching career, most of it at Central Catholic High School, his alma mater. The funeral Mass at the Marianist Residence chapel was held Feb. 4 followed by a reception and dinner. In his request for his first vows, he wrote: "I sincerely desire to be admitted to that lovely family which … assists the heavenly Mother in the work of the apostolate." To read Bro. Neugebauer's obituary, please click here:

Bro. Jesús Puente, 58, (Province of Madrid), who died Jan. 26 in Madrid. To read Bro. Puente's obituary, please click here:

Margaret O'Shaughnessy, sister of Fr. Richard O'Shaughnessy (Curé of Ars Community, St. Louis), who died Feb. 2 in St. Louis. The funeral was held Feb. 5. May she rest in peace.

Joe Galvin, 65, brother of Bro. Michael Galvin (Marianist Community, Allston, Mass.), who died Feb. 6 after suffering a massive stroke. The wake will be held Feb. 8 from 7 - 9:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (516.798.2500) … funeral at noon on Feb. 10 at St. Rose of Lima church in Massapequa. May he rest in peace. Bro. Michael may be reached at his sister's home at 516.798.5542.

Lawrence Longbottom, father of Bro. Ed Longbottom (Stonemill Road Community, Dayton), who died Feb. 7. Bro. Ed returned from studies in Mexico to be with his family. May he rest in peace.

Lela Peffly, 83, grandmother of Aspirant Brian Peffly (St. Clair Avenue Community, Cleveland), who died Feb. 4 in Dayton. The funeral was held Feb. 6. May she rest in peace.

Alvina Burke, 86, cook and laundress for the Brothers at Cathedral Latin School in Cleveland, who died Jan. 28 after a short illness. Alvina was known as "Ma" to the Brothers and had worked with them for more than 20 years. Send condolences to her daughters at The Burke Family, 101 Fell Street, Northfield, OH 44067.

Christine Gatto, 86, Marianist Affiliate, who died Jan. 18 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Mrs. Gatto is survived by her son Dennis Gatto, former member of the Cincinnati Province. May she rest in peace.

Robert Harris, Marianist Affiliate, who died Feb. 1 in Sun City, Ariz., from complications of cancer. We offer prayers to Robert's wife Betty and the entire family. May he rest in peace.

Vera Collette, mother of longtime Marianist Affiliate Albert Collette, who died Feb. 5 in Pueblo, Colorado. May she rest in peace.

The Memorial Mass for Louis H. Ernst, father of Bro. Louis Ernst (Marianist Community, Fort Worth), will be held Sat., Apr. 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in north St. Louis county. All are invited to lunch after Mass in the parish hall.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF …

Bro. Ray McQuade (Marianist Community, Surf City, N.C.), who is scheduled for surgery Feb. 7 for a heart bypass and aortic valve replacement at the New Hanover Regional Hospital in Wilmington, N.C.

Bro. Richard Schrader (Marianist Community, Holy Rosary Parish, San Antonio), who underwent quadruple bypass surgery on Feb. 3 and is resting comfortably in the hospital.

Bro. Anthony Sobocinski (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who has been hospitalized at Northwest Santa Rosa Hospital for the effects of a stroke.

Fr. Ed Jach (DeSales Crossings Community, Cincinnati), who is recovering from knee surgery.

Bro. Ed Kiefer (Madeleine Community, New Orleans), who has melanoma in the lymph nodes. He will have surgery followed by preventive therapy.

Bro. Art Dofing (Curé of Ars Community, St. Louis), who is undergoing tests at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis.

Mike Wayer, brother of Bro. Vince Wayer (San Juan Community, Cupertino), who underwent surgery Feb. 1 for an aneurysm.

Beverly Henry, cousin of Fr. Jim Imhof (Lincoln Street Community, Hollywood, Fla.), who is seriously ill with emphysema and heart and kidney problems.

A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

The Scholasticate in Deepahalli, India, has been under attack recently from gangs of robbers. One of the property gardeners was seriously beaten, but the attackers have not gained entrance to the Scholasticate property. The police in Bangalore have been unresponsive to the community's requests for investigation. Please pray for the brothers, workers, and the children of the REDS program who live on the property.

MARIANIST ARTISTS IN THE NEWS

Bro. John Lemker (Marianist Novitiate, Mount St. John, Dayton) was featured in a lengthy article entitled "Marianist finds beauty in nature" in the Jan. 30 issue of the Dayton Daily News. Bro. Lemker, a noted photographer whose work has been featured in National Geographic magazine, Time-Life books and Sierra Club calendars, said that taking photographs lets him experience "… the awe and appreciation of creation … " Bro. John's photographs are featured in an exhibit at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm in Dayton through March 2. Almost 50 of his photos can be viewed online by clicking here:
www.animalsanimals.com (click on 'photographers,' then John Lemker's name, then 'I agree').

Indian Paintbrush Hill Country, Texas Photo courtesy of Bro. John Lemker, SM

Yellow Primrose, Paintbrush and Bluebonnet Hill Country, Texas Photo courtesy of Bro. John Lemker, SM

Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars Community, St. Louis) made the front page of the Feb. 22 issue of the Webster-Kirkwood Journal in St. Louis in a lengthy feature story. When asked where his inspiration comes from, Bro. Mel said, "It just happens. It's kind of a religious experience for me in a way. God created the world; you're sharing in that creative process." Kudos to Bro. Mel.

Mother and Child (blue stained glass) "Mary and the Art of Metal" exhibit University of Dayton Bro. Mel Meyer, SM

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER NEXT MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO

Individuals or communities who wish to submit propositions to the third session of the Provincial Chapter in March should send them to Fr. Jim Fitz no later than Feb. 21. For details, please click here to read Bro. Stephen Glodek's letter announcing the convocation of the Chapter, which will be held in San Antonio March 6-10 at St. Mary's University.

VIA LATINA

To read the Feb. 1 issue of Via Latina from the General Administration in Rome, please click here: Note on page 2: "In Prague, the Czech Republic, Fr. George Cerniglia and Fr. David Fleming visited Bro. Larry Cada (USA), who has been present for five years, working with lay communities among newly-baptized Catholics … "

2002 NECROLOGY; 2003 JUBILARIANS

To read a document from the General Administration in Rome that lists all Marianist deaths that occurred in 2002, as well as our Marianist jubilarians for 2003, please click here:

TO ALL OUR VALENTINES!

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES

Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Fla., made The Miami Herald in a story about the school's dedication and groundbreaking of its $2.5 million sports complex, which was six years in the making and will include a rubberized running track, softball and baseball fields and an artificial turf football and soccer field. Fr. John Thompson (Jackson Street Community, Hollywood) was quoted in the article: "What we are building today is a future - a future where young men and women will be able to develop their mind and heart, body and soul." A photo of Fr. Thompson and Principal Patrick Snay accompanied the story.

The University of Dayton was included in a story on university vocation programs in a recent issue of the National Catholic Reporter. To read the article, please click here:

Bro. Bob Rapp (Veracruz, Mexico) was featured in a long story in the St. Louis Review, the newspaper of the St. Louis Archdiocese, about service trips St. Louis high school students have made to Mexico in the past to assist Bro. Bob in the Uxpanapa Valley. Students from St. John Vianney High School have been part of the project, which included building irrigation systems, installing fences and repairing roads. Vianney senior Dan Morris wrote in his school newspaper, "I had never seen true poverty before. Going to Mexico … has been the most positive thing in my life to this point." Fifteen additional Vianney students will travel to Mexico during spring break.

Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis was the focus of a recent story in the St. Louis Review, the newspaper of the St. Louis Archdiocese. John and Steve Della Camera, twin freshmen at the school, have made dozens of handcasted plaster figurines of the Blessed Virgin and placed them throughout the school. They learned the craft from their Italian grandfather, who owned a statuary company for many years. The twins will soon expand their project to St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, teaching Vianney students how to make the figurines.

The University of Dayton has produced two alumni coaches who have won more Super Bowls than alumni coaches from any other school in history. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach, Jon Gruden, is the second UD graduate to coach his team to the Super Bowl and is the youngest ever at 39. Chuck Noll, 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, won four Super Bowls as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Noll graduated from UD in 1953; Gruden in 1986.

LIFE AT VILLA ST. JOSEPH

To read the Feb. issue of Fr. Steve Tutas' Life at Villa St. Joseph, please click here:

ST. MARY'S U. HERITAGE WEEK

Fr. George Montague (Casa San Juan community, San Antonio), professor of theology at St. Mary's University, and Melba Fisher, assistant to the president of St. Mary's, presented the Marianist Heritage Awards as part of the university's 23rd annual Marianist Heritage Week. The awards are presented annually by the Marianist Forum and the Office of University Ministry in recognition of lay persons who are faithful to the Marianist educational mission and tradition. The winners are Candace Kuebker, director of special events and editor of the Gold & Blue alumni magazine, and Ieana Velazquez, criminal justice clinic coordinator in the School of Law. The ceremony also recognized Marianist Jubilarians Fr. Paul Ryan, Bro. Cletus Behlmann, Bro. Richard Schrader, Fr. Conrad Kaczkowski and Fr. Gerald Hammel.

ARCHBISHOP MOELLER + HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Fr. Tim Kenney reports that Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati joined forces with Habitat for Humanity and sponsored a program for students and parents to build houses for the homeless. The program follows in the tradition of the Marianist Education Characteristics. The group looks forward to continuing the Habitat program in the future.

Moeller High Principal Dan Ledford (l) with Fr. Tim Kenney, Province Director of Education, at the dedication of the Habitat for Humanity home.

DISCERNMENT WEEKEND IN DAYTON WARMS HEARTS

The warmth of the Marianist charism helped four men ward off cold temperatures during a discernment vocation retreat at the Novitiate community in Dayton Jan. 24-26. The retreat team shared their personal vocation journeys to religious life, discussed what it means to have a discerning heart, and shared their Marianist charism through the visual experience of "Setting a Marianist Table" (a resource from NACMS). The team members included: Aspirant Nathan Hess; Pre-Novice Joyce Detzel; Novice Brian Halderman; Bros. Mike Sullivan and Dan Klco; and Fr. Joseph Tedesco. Thanks to the members of the Novitiate community for their hospitality during the weekend.

LET'S PLAY . . . MARIANIST TRIVIA!

Bro. Joe Markel (Marycliff Community, Eureka, Mo.) once held which job?

• Cemetery tour guide
• Beekeeper
• Dog trainer
  

Click here to answer, results next issue.

ANSWER TO LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION:
Who in the Provincial Council once held a job as a night watchman? The correct answer is Bro. Stephen Glodek. Bro. Jack Dempsey was chosen the winner from among those who answered correctly. He'll receive a magnificent white coffee cup with the Marianist logo!

YOUTH MINISTRY MEETING

Bro. Jim Barrette (Pillar of Faith Community, Houston), Rey Gustamente (LIFE Alumni Project Coordinator) and Bob Schmidt (Youth and Young Adult Coordinator) represented the Province at the membership meeting of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry in Salt Lake City the weekend of Jan. 23. Topics discussed included standards for youth ministers, a code of ethics for lay ecclesial youth ministers and the National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston Nov. 13-16.

OUT AND ABOUT

To read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis, please click here:

INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL

We still have copies of the new 2002-2003 International Personnel. To order, please contact Ann Mueller at amueller@sm-usa.org.

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

(Note: To send an e-mail birthday greeting, just click on the individual's e-mail address below.)

February

PERSONNEL REVISIONS

For the latest revisions to the Personnel as of Feb. 7, please click here.

ABOUT FamilyOnline

This biweekly e-mail newsletter is produced for members of the Society of Mary and the FMI. NEWS: We'll include news of travels, health updates, prayer requests, community celebrations, professional accomplishments, birthdays, and whatever personal or community news you'd like to share. Please send news, digital photos and comments and suggestions to Diane Guerra at dguerra@sm-usa.org and use "FamilyOnline" as your subject line. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS: If you're not receiving this newsletter in the proper format, with proper spacing and photographs and art appearing, please let us know and we'll try to find a solution. CHANGE IN E-MAIL ADDRESS: Send to Ann Mueller at amueller@sm-usa.org. NOTE TO DIRECTORS: Please print this newsletter and post or distribute to Brothers who do not have e-mail.