NEW ASPIRANTS BEGIN PROGRAM IN AFRICA

The aspirants assemble in the newly renovated Chapel of the Beloved Disciple in Makadara, Nairobi, back row, Bro. Patrick Kagai, Cresent Ngayeta, Denis Litiolo Khang'ayi, Grivin Kangwa and Daniel Owidhi; front row, Julius Maingi, Jonathan Mjita, Mike Chirwa, Collins Omondi, Given Mukanshi, and Juvensio Apatsa Galagade

Ten men began their aspirancy program in the District of Eastern Africa on Oct. 7. After a week of orientation and a three-day retreat, each aspirant made his commitment to pursue discernment of a religious vocation in the Society of Mary. The aspirancy program will conclude at the end of July 2007. The program includes ministry experience, classes, interviews, reflection time, and daily prayer. During the mornings, the aspirants work at various ministries around Nairobi: IMANI Maria House, the Chaminade Training Centre, Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School and Kwetu Home of Peace for Street Children. Afternoons and evenings are spent taking classes, studying, working and playing sports. Bro. Patrick Kagai directs the aspirancy program, assisted by Bro. Ben Mwai and other Marianists. Please pray for these young men as they deepen their understanding of Marianist life.

FORMATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETS IN ST. LOUIS

The Formation Advisory Council met in St. Louis Oct. 19-20 and discussed issues surrounding formation for aspirants, novices and temporary professed. The group meets twice each year. Council members, clockwise, Bro. Tom Redmond, Fr. Mike Lisbeth, Bro. Mike O’Grady, chair, Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Bro. Charles Johnson, Fr. Tim Dwyer, Fr. Dave McGuigan, Sr. Mary Louise Foley and Sr. Gretchen Trautman

BOARD FORMATION GATHERING SET FOR FEBRUARY

At a recent meeting, Marianist Board Formation Task Force members: Tony Fitzgerald (co-chair), Bro. Bill Campbell, Lisa Gooding, Carol Ramey, Alvan Sage, Bro. Jack Ventura (co-chair), Bro. Mike O’Grady, Fr. Tim Kenney and Bro. Gene Meyerpeter, not shown, Nancy Costello and Joan McGuinness-Wagner

In December 2004, the Provincial Council gave approval and support for the formation of a Marianist Board Formation Task Force to unify the standards for governance and mission characteristics of Marianist boards. An important effort of the task force was identifying a “mission integration person” for each board. This person will oversee the integration of the Marianist mission in each institution and will help the board maintain a focus on its identity as a Catholic, Marianist institution.

The task force efforts will culminate in a gathering in Dallas from Feb. 15 to 18, 2007, themed Sharing the Mission: A Conference of Marianist Boards.

Attending will be three people from each Marianist institution -- the chair of the board; the president/director of the institution; and the mission integration person. Approximately 100 people will attend the meeting, which will include input from Provincial Stephen Glodek, SM, and Sr. Pat Talone, RSM, vice president of mission services at the Catholic Health Association.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Bro. Ed Violett, assistant general for temporalities, has been appointed contact person from the General Council for the U.S. Province. A member of the General Council has been assigned as a contact person for every province, region and zonal conference. The contacts will facilitate communication and information and the internal functioning of the General Council. E-mail Bro. Ed.

Bro. Tobias Ferrer has moved from the San Juan Diego community in Charlotte, N.C., to the DeSales Crossings community in Cincinnati to continue his education.

Bro. Dariusz Purgal (Province of France) is taking part in the Intensive English Program at the University of Dayton and is residing with the Alumni Hall community.

Fr. André Fétis, assistant general for religious life, will be in the U.S. from Nov. 14 to Dec. 14 studying English. He will reside at the Stonemill-Kiefaber community in Dayton.

James Barrette has been granted dispensation from his perpetual vows as a Marianist by Pope Benedict XVI. Jim has been on exclaustration from the Society since 2002. The Province community thanks Jim for his many years of life with us and excellent ministry with the former Province of St. Louis. We pray for God's blessings for his future. Jim will continue his ministry as secretary for pastoral and educational ministry for the Archdiocese of Houston.

BROTHERS TOUR THE ETERNAL CITY

"MY BED STARTED SHAKING, I GOT UP AND WENT OUTSIDE"

This is how Fr. Ken Templin's (Center Marianist, Honolulu) day started on Oct. 15, as a 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook residents of Hawaii. According to Fr. Ken, an earthquake novice, the brothers experienced in earthquakes were "cooking breakfast and relaxed as ever." No deaths or serious injuries were reported from the earthquake, although the brothers did lose power, phone service and 10 fish in their fish pond. Read Bro. Jim Vorndran's account of the earthquake from Maui.

Fr. Ken before the shake up.

WEST HILLS COMMUNITY HOSTS DISCERNMENT SUNDAY

ABOVE: Fr. Jim Mueller, shown with Bro. Tony Pistone, presides at the liturgy for the West Hills community "Discernment Sunday." The West Hills community in California hosts a "Discernment Sunday" once a month for inquirers to join the community for prayer, liturgy, brunch and a discussion on vocations. BELOW: Michael Chiuri visits with Fr. David Schuyler and Bro. Skip Matthews.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF . . .

Patricia Denton, William Elliott, Nancy Lazzari, Eleanor Lekovich and Andy Tonkovich. Read more.

VILLA d'ESTE, TIVOLI, ITALY

  Photo courtesy of Fr. Roland Bunda

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Joseph Grieshaber (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who is suffering from a leg infection.

Fr. Herbert Pieper (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who fractured his hip and has been hospitalized.

Fr. Vincent Plassenthal (Mercy Siena, Dayton), whose cancer has returned. He has been moved from assisted living to nursing care.

Fr. Jack Rielly (San Juan, Cupertino), who has been hospitalized for tests.

For all those who suffered injury and damage from the recent earthquake in Hawai’i.

Please pray also for Sr. Audrey Buttner, Robert Buttner, Richard Csarny, Jean Krimm, Sr. Mary Medved, Dick Roach, Kate Stephenson, A.J. Wagner and Paul Zlatic’s father. Read more.

MARIANISTS CELEBRATE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

ABOVE: The San Juan community in Cupertino and 40 lay affiliates celebrated Marianist World Day of Prayer on Oct. 15 with Eucharist, a brief study period and a social at the community house. Shown with the lay affiliates are Fr. Jack Rielly, front row, and Bro. Joe Nu'uanu, back row, second from right. Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Leahy. BELOW: The Marianist pre-novitiate community in Querétaro, Mexico, and lay Marianists from surrounding areas celebrated with a walking pilgrimage to the Shoenstat Marian Shrine. Photo courtesy of Bro. Ed Longbottom

FORMATION CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WORKSHOPS

Sr. Maria Cimperman, OSU

Fr. Jim Hug, SJ

The Religious Formation Conference announces a workshop on "The Theological Reflection and Social Analysis for a Prophetic Way of Life" on Nov. 18 at Our Lady of the Lake Convent in San Antonio. The workshop discusses skills needed to address social justice from a faith perspective. Speakers are Sr. Maria Cimperman, OSU, moral theologian, and Fr. Jim Hug, SJ, president of the Center for Concern. Find out more. View a listing of other cities hosting the workshop.

AUTUMN ON DISPLAY AT MOUNT ST. JOHN

One of the autumn displays at Mount St. John in Dayton created by the property management workers. Photo courtesy of Bro. Don Smith.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Congratulations to Fr. Norb Brockman (Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio), who has published a second edition of his book "An African Biographical Dictionary." The book features more than 800 biographical sketches of prominent Africans and others who have affected the continent's history. Read more about the book.

Bro. Joe Kamis (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati) wrote an editorial on the benefits of school funding that was published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Bro. Joe is superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Read the editorial.

Congratulations to Bro. Jack Dempsey (Marcella Road, Cleveland), guidance director at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, who is celebrating his 40th year in Marianist education.

Bro. Jack with a VASJ student

Fr. Mike Lisbeth, chaplain at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, celebrated the school's opening Mass with the theme "Journey of New Beginnings." Read Fr. Mike's homily.

Fr. Paul Marshall (Stonemill Road, Dayton), rector at the University of Dayton, is profiled in the "UD Stories" section of the UD Web site. Read Fr. Paul's profile.

Bro. Don Smith (Meyer Hall, Dayton) recently completed work on a commission from Bro. Bob Politi at Purcell-Marian High School in Cincinnati for 24 traditional Marianist crosses and 24 Marianist Province logos for display in classrooms.

Bro. Brian Halderman (Marybrook, St. Louis) is featured in a poster developed by Washington University in St. Louis to promote its George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Bro. Brian is pursuing a master's degree in social work at the school.

The Marianist Development Project, a vocational training center in Mombasa, Kenya, is mentioned in an article in the September 2006 Maryknoll Magazine. Bro. Paul Kageche runs the center. Read an excerpt from the article.

Bro. Paul

DISCERNMENT WEEKEND HELD IN HAWAI'I

Bro. Jerry Bommer, front row, center, and Fr. Ken Templin, second row, far right, with discernment weekend participants, front row, Matt Meyers (University of Dayton exchange student), Allen Pacquing (contact); middle row, Jeannie Pinpin, Dan Mannell, Lisa Vega and Laura Oczpek; back row, Seth Miller and Dustyn Lai-Raigosa. The retreat was held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Bro. Franklin Pao also assisted at the retreat. Photo courtesy of Bro. Dennis Schmitz

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. Twenty young adults participated in an Adele Social Justice Project weekend in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6 to Oct. 8. Sponsored by MSJC, the event provided opportunities to experience and reflect on social justice within a Marianist framework. See more from the event. At the event, first row, Lynette Bernot, Beth Jamieson, Clare Savage, Sarah Rickter, Cara Capizzi; second row, Ray Harter, Katie Fitzgerald, Laura Libertore; third row, Dan Stout, Sr. Leanne Jablonski,, Jim Vogt; fourth row, Addi Velasquez, Greg Bauman, Beth Bauman, Diane DeGroat, Michael Bronson, Alison Mendoza, top row, Brian Vogt, Laura Brown, Jen Taylor, Dave Bentzley, Joey McMonagle Contact Myles McCabe, Province Director of Peace & Justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

Marianist Sharing Fund in Action
ASSISTANCE GIVES OPPORTUNITIES TO AT-RISK CHILDREN

Mike Devereaux and St. Mary's student David Winters

The Marianist Sharing Fund is making David Winter's freshman year at St. Mary's High School in St. Louis a little easier by providing assistance with books, school clothes, and other items necessary for high school. David, a graduate of Loyola Academy in St. Louis, a Nativity model middle school that offers a nurturing environment for at-risk students, received Marianist Sharing Fund assistance through a grant awarded to Loyola to help at-risk youth attend high school. David was able to attend Loyola and eventually St. Mary's through a scholarship he received from the Dan Devereaux Memorial Trust and with help from Mike Devereaux. Read more.

FR. JANSEN HELPS AFRICANS RECEIVE SACRAMENTS

Fr. Tony at the baptismal and First Communion ceremony in Lusaka; INSET: Bro. Carmine

Fr. Tony Jansen was the presider at the baptism of 11 students from Matero Boys Secondary School in Lusaka, Zambia, on Oct. 21. Ten students also made their First Communion during the same ceremony. Fr. Jansen has dedicated considerable time and energy to preparing Matero children for the sacraments. The school, founded in 1966 under Bro. Carmine Annunziata, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

In Memory
MARIANIST MEMORIALS AT SACRED HEART CEMETERY

Approximately 40 brothers from the former New York Province are buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Dundalk, Md. John McGarty, a member of Common Bond, has taken photos of the Marianist graves and posted them at www.findagrave.com. At the site, click on "Find Graves" and then click on the link for "Search a Cemetery." Insert "Sacred Heart" and "Maryland" to view the grave stones of the brothers. Thanks to John and Bro. Don Winfree for the photo and story idea. Watch for more stories on other Marianist cemeteries in future issues of FamilyOnline.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . ST. MARY'S AND UD: TOP RANKINGS. St. Mary's University (read more) in San Antonio and the University of Dayton (read more) are ranked among the nation's best business schools in the 2007 edition of the Princeton Review "Best 282 Business Schools." ST. JOHN VIANNEY DEDICATION Vianney students Brian Kelly and Vince Borkowski assist Fr. Tim Kenney, director of education, as he blesses the new Vianney Fieldhouse. St. John Vianney High School dedicated its new $5.5 million Vianney Fieldhouse & Commons at a blessing ceremony Oct. 8. The facility includes the new 1,200-seat Vianney Fieldhouse, student commons, new atrium and football stadium entrances, parking and upgraded utilities. It is the school's first major expansion since Vianney opened in 1960. Read more. Charles Cotrell ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY. St. Mary's President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., was appointed to another term by the St. Mary's University Trustees. The reappointment coincides with Dr. Cotrell's 40th year of service at St. Mary's. Read more. ST. MARY'S RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP. St. Mary's University and Mexico's Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) in Guadalajara, Mexico, signed a three-year agreement allowing students and faculty to collaborate on joint research projects for international business and international relations. Read more. VASJ students assemble for the Rosary Prayer. VILLA ANGELA - ST. JOSEPH. In September, VASJ celebrated a "Living Rosary" prayer prepared by seniors who are peer ministers for campus ministry. In addition to reciting rosary prayers, students learned about each mystery and heard reflections from the peer ministers. "The Rosary Prayer is a powerful example of VASJ working to educate for formation in faith," said Fr. Mike Lisbeth, VASJ chaplain. UD STUDENTS CLEAN UP. More then 40 UD students spent their fall break assisting Operation Helping Hands and Catholic Charities respond to the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans. Under the direction of Marianist Volunteer Program volunteer John Graziano, the group gutted homes at various sites throughout the city. The trip was organized by UD's Center for Social Concern. Read more. MVP volunteer John Graziano

RETREAT CENTER DIRECTORS MEET IN CAPE MAY

At the meeting, front row, Carol Weiss (CFL, North Carolina), Becky Ruppar (MRCC, Eureka), Anthony Fucci (Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May), Greta Morris (CFL), Sr. Paulette Patritti, OP, (MRCC), Kevin Kozlowski (Bergamo Center, Dayton); back row, Jessica Sherwen (Cape May), Dick Flack (Bergamo Center), Paul Garro (TECABOCA, Texas), Denis Link (TECABOCA), Bro. Mike O'Grady, Marilynn Shackelford (CFL), Bro. Jack Ventura and Bro. Paul Bredestege (Governor's Island, Ohio) Photo courtesy of Erin McGinnis, San Antonio

The annual National Marianist Retreat Center Director's Meeting was held Oct. 9 to Oct. 12 at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J. Activities included reports from each of the directors, breakout sessions for directors and programming personnel and an in-service on Young Adult Ministry. A highlight of the meeting was a celebration of First Vespers for Our Lady of the Pillar.

OUT AND ABOUT

Read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis.

BIRTHDAY PARTY IN ROME IS MULTINATIONAL

At the general administration in Rome on Oct. 14, a party was held to celebrate the birthdays of Bros. Callistus Jeje and José María Alvira. Enjoying the party, Bro. Tim Phillips, assistant rector of the seminary (far back center) with Bros. Charlie Wanda, Callistus Jeje (Eastern Africa), James Dungdung (India), Ed Violett and Rich Villa. Bros. Jeje, Dungdung and Villa are in the seminary; Bro. Charlie is on sabbatical; and Bro. Ed is newly appointed to the general administration. Photos courtesy of Fr. Roland Bunda At the party: Bros. José Degorio, who is on sabbatical, and Michael Otieno (Eastern Africa)

THE CLASSIFIEDS

HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT. St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis is seeking applications from qualified religious and lay persons for the position of president. Application deadline is Nov. 15, 2006. Read the job description.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

CUPERTINO. Read Fr. Steve Tutas' October 2006 Cupertino newsletter.

JUST ONE MORE...

A "convict fish" swimming in the waters off Maui, from the underwater collection of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

Editor's Note: If you would like your e-mail address eliminated from FamilyOnline for security reasons, please e-mail Ann Mueller.

October

November

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.marianist.com

Editor: Joan Suda; assistant: Ann Mueller. This biweekly e-mail newsletter produced by the Society of Mary features news about the Society of Mary (SM), Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI) and lay Marianists. Bro. Stephen Glodek, SM, provincial; Fr. Jim Fitz, SM, assistant provincial. Read the 2006 publication schedule and deadlines. Read hints about submitting photos and copy. 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. 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. If we can't, we'll put you on our "NOTIFY ONLY" list. 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. BACK ISSUES/SEARCH: Visit www.marianist.com/fol. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE: Visit http://www.marianist.com/subscribe.htm. Remember: you can search the archived issues of FamilyOnline at www.marianist.com/fol. Type in the word(s) you're looking for, open the issue, pull down the "Edit" bar and click on "Find on This Page," which will take you to the exact spot you need.