PHOTO ABOVE: The “Under 55” attendees pose for a group shot during a tour of California’s wine country organized by Bro. John Haster. PHOTOS BELOW: Left, Bro. Ed Brink and Fr. Chris Wittmann; Right, providing music for one of the weekend’s liturgies, Bros. David Betz and Tom Redmond and Fr. John Thompson. Photos courtesy of Bro. Brian Halderman

REMINDER: Brothers may submit feedback regarding the “Options for the Election of Chapter Delegates” and “Province Vision Statement” online. For more information, and documents concerning these two consultations, visit the PORTAL at www.marianist.com/portal.

COMMITMENT CEREMONIES HELD FOR NOVICES, ASPIRANTS

Novitiate - Dayton

On Aug. 18, Aspirants Luis Gamboa and Tom Farnsworth made their commitment to the novitiate community in Dayton and Novices Roberto Rivera (Davao City, Philipines), Steve Paone (Findlay Street, Cincinnati) and Bob Jones (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati) made their recommitments before beginning their second-year community assignments.

Aspirancy Program - San Antonio

On Aug. 22, Ken Barrett, Ray Dominguez and Brandon Alana-Maugaotega were accepted formally into the aspirancy program during Mass at the Casa María community in San Antonio. A fourth aspirant, Alan Smith, recently began his aspirancy in Dublin, Ireland.

Later that evening, Nicole Trahan began her two-year novitiate with the Marianist Sisters at the rite of novitiate reception at Our Lady of the Pillar convent. Congratulations to all!

PHOTO LEFT: Fr. Tim Dwyer (center, right), aspirancy director, with Aspirants Ken Barrett, Brandon Alana and Ray Dominguez; PHOTO RIGHT: Sr. Gretchen Trautman, Novice Nicole Trahan and Sr. Evangeline Escobar. Photos courtesy of Bro. Dennis Bautista

Bro. Gerry Mc Auley (left), director of the Dublin community, does a mean barbecue. Enjoying the festivities in late July at the brothers’ home in Ballybrack, County Dublin, are (below, clockwise from top left) Bro. Paul Metzger, Bro. Fred Rech, Fr. Mike Reaume and Aspirant Alan Smith, who serenaded the group. Bro. Paul was in Dublin teaching English to Spanish students.

Fr. George Cerniglia, who completed his service as general assistant for religious life in July, will return to the United States and begin a yearlong sabbatical. Fr. George will join the Lindell Blvd. community in St. Louis. From Jan. 23 to May 4, 2007, Fr. George will reside at the Dominican Priory in Oakland, Calif., while attending a renewal program at the School of Applied Technology in Berkeley, Calif. Fr. George’s new e-mail address is: georgejcer@aol.com.

At 82, Fr. Norbert Burns (Indiana Ave., Dayton) is the oldest faculty member among the University of Dayton’s 550 professors. This year marks Fr. Norbert’s 61st year in the classroom, and he points out that he has never missed a class! Congratulations, Fr. Norb!

Fr. George Abmayr (Marcella Road, Cleveland) celebrated his 50th jubilee of ordination and 60th jubilee of vows with family and friends at a Mass at St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland Aug. 20.

Fr. Jerry Chinchar (Stonemill Road, Dayton), University of Dayton campus minister for catechetical programs and priest-on-call, offers reflections on the “bread of life” in his Aug. 18 homily. Read the homily.

Bro. Bob Rapp (Uxpanapa, Mexico) reports that the Casa San Isidro school in La Chinantla, Mexico, has doubled its enrollment this year. He would like to express his gratitude to the summer volunteers who worked on the buildings and property at Casa San Isidro to make it look its best ever.

Sr. Leanne Jablonski, director of the Marianist Environmental Education Center in Dayton, received the Environmental Education Council of Ohio’s “President’s Award” at the 2006 EECO conference in Cleveland. Sr. Leanne also co-coordinated a symposium on “Linking Ecology and Environmental Justice” at the Ecological Society of America meeting in August. Congratulations to Sr. Leanne.

On behalf of the MLNNA and NACMS, Ray McCracken has developed a four-part study guide for lay Marianist communities called “In Alliance with Mary.” Read the guide.

Maureen O’Rourke, assistant coordinator for the Marianist Volunteer Program, has accepted a full-time position as coordinator of Marianist Activities and Scholarships in the Office of the Rector at the University of Dayton. The Province thanks Maureen for her tremendous help with MVP and wishes her the best in her new role.

Members of the new MLC Regional Council, Bro. Paul Kageche (SM liaison/advisor), Thomas Banda (temporalities), Lorna Mueni (international team representative), Mark Dziko (deputy president), Felistas Kyuli (president), Raphael Tembo (education), Michael Thuo Kariuki (member) and Dominic Kimangila (spirituality)

The Marianist Lay Communities of Eastern Africa held their second regional council meeting in Nkata Bay, Malawi, Aug. 15 to Aug. 18. Council members from Kenya, Malawi and Zambia evaluated the council’s first year and planned for the future. Among the council’s goals is the development of a recruitment and formation manual, increased collaboration with MLCs worldwide, better processes for managing finances and the organization of a regional convocation.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE:

International Day of Peace The International Day of Peace is next Thursday, Sept. 21. We encourage members of the Province to join with those around the world who will celebrate the day, which is the feast of St. Matthew. Materials your community can use to commemorate the day include Suggested Actions, Prayer of the Faithful and Homily notes. Visit the Day of Peace Web site at www.internationaldayofpeace.org.

Economic Justice for the Minimum Wage Recent data shows the gap between the wealthy and working class widened in 2005, yet Congress has failed to raise the amount given to low-wage workers. Find out more and contact your representative and senators today.

Lower Drug Prices for Seniors Thousands of seniors are affected by the flawed Medicare prescription drug benefit. Help support legislators who are negotiating for lower drug prices for seniors and the disabled. Contact your representatives. or call 202.224.3121 to voice your concern.

Honor UN Funding Commitments The Appropriations Committee has already cut the President's funding request for dues owed to international organizations, including the United Nations. Help ensure the U.S. fulfills its financial commitment to the United Nations. Find out more.

“Katrina Means Cleansing” Bro. Bob Johns (Chaminade-Waldron, St. Louis) reflects on his immersion experience in New Orleans. Read more.

Marianist Social Justice Collaborative The Adele Social Justice Project is looking for young adults in the Washington/Baltimore area to participate in a social justice immersion/reflection weekend in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6 to Oct. 8. Find out more.

Contact Myles McCabe, Province Director of Peace & Justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

Bro. Jack Ventura (front, center), Fr. Al McMenamy (back, far left) and Bro. Jim McCaffrey (back, third from left), join the Emmaus Lay Marianist Community of Fort Worth, Texas, at the closing Eucharist for the Marianist Lay Network of North America assembly in July in San Antonio. Bro. Jack gave a half day reflection/workshop on the ”Wedding Feast of Cana” and the “Spirituality of Self” for Lay Marianist Affiliates who attended the national gathering.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. UD ranks first among all Catholic universities and third nationally for its renewal and revitalization efforts in the surrounding community, according to a newly released ranking compiled by the New England Board of Higher Education. Read more.

UD PRESIDENT’S CONTRACT RENEWED UD’s board of trustees has renewed UD President Dan Curran’s contract through 2012. Dan is the first lay president in the university’s 156-year history. Read more.

ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY On. Aug. 26, more than 150 students gathered at the school’s “Continuing the Heritage” event to lend help to charitable organizations throughout San Antonio. The annual event celebrates the Marianist and Catholic heritage of public service.

ST. MARY’S PRESIDENT WINS AWARD St. Mary’s President Charles Cotrell was presented with the “Adolph Meyer Award” on Aug. 17 in recognition of his leadership in preparing men and women for medical sciences and other research health careers. Dr. Cotrell also deserves accolades for surpassing the school’s goal for incoming freshman this fall. St. Mary’s has enrolled 557 new freshmen and 141 transfer students.

DID YOU LEAVE ROOM FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT? Fr. Chris Wittmann, University of Dayton director of campus ministry, asks the question. Read his Aug. 18 homily for the Mass of the Holy Spirit for UD’s new student orientation.

While attending a conference at Seton Hall near New Jersey, several administrators from Chaminade University of Honolulu and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio visited the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J. Shown with Anthony Fucci, retreat center director, are (front row) Norma Guerra Gaier, Gissell Benitez-Hodge and Karen Johnson; and (back row) Kathy Sisoian, Sr. Grace Walle and Jessica Sherwen (retreat center staffer).