DECAMP CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY

At the anniversary celebration, Bro. Richard Dix, Bro. Roberto Rapp, Fr. Miguel Barber, Bros. Régulo García Hernández, Raymundo González Domínguez, Rogelio Bau, Lorenzo McBride and Roberto Hanss. Photos courtesy of Meghan Brown

DECAMP, the Marianist Rural Development Project in Uxpanapa, Mexico, celebrated its 10th year in operation with Eucharist, dinner and an awards presentation Nov. 3 at the Casa San Isidro Labrador. Approximately 140 brothers, priests, investors, farmers and friends attended. Bishop Rutilo Muñoz presided at the Mass. "DECAMP was founded as a 'bridge' organization to connect people of faith who have resources to 'campesinos' (peasant farmers)," said Bro. Roberto Rapp, DECAMP program administrator. "Providing the poor with education and a chance to develop and work their own farm enterprises is the heart of our mission." A special award in the name of Bro. Richard Dix, who was instrumental in establishing DECAMP, was presented at the dinner. Other awards were presented to those who inspired, invested in and benefited from DECAMP. View a list of award winners. Bro. Roberto's administrative team includes Juan Manuel Prieto Lara and Francisco Guillén. Learn more about DECAMP.

LEFT: At dinner, the DECAMP team with Bishop Muñoz (fourth from right); RIGHT: three diocesan priests concelebrated with Bishop Muñoz at the Mass: Frs. Alfonso Carrasco, José Vasquez and Guillermo Camacho

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER MEETS IN CALIFORNIA

While at the Chapter meeting, Fr. Jim Fitz, Bro. Richard Dix, Fr. Marty Solma, Bro. John Haster, Bro. Joe Kamis and Fr. Larry Doersching tour the Marianist Healthcare Center. Photos courtesy of Fr. Jim Imhof and Bro. Jim Leahy

The Provincial Chapter met Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 at the El Retiro Jesuit Retreat House in Los Altos, Calif. The meeting was a non-legislative session, but one piece of legislation was enacted: the method for election of Provincial Chapter delegates. The legislation will be submitted to the General Council for ratification. Other items discussed at the Chapter meeting included the Province vision statement, Province Directory, the Praesidium visitations and accreditation process, and frequency of Chapter meetings. A highlight of the weekend was a luncheon with Bay Area Marianists and a tour of the new Marianist Healthcare Center in Cupertino.

Bros. Jim Leahy and Mike O'Grady; right, Bro. Jim Roberts and Fr. Jim Heft

PROVINCIAL LETTER DISCUSSES FUTURE APPOINTMENTS

Provincial Stephen Glodek offers Provincial Letter 18, "Appointments, Consultations and Elections," dated Nov. 1, 2006. In addition to a summary of the recent Chapter meeting and information on the election of Provincial Chapter delegates, the letter discusses the consultation for assistant provincial, provincial assistants, Provincial Council advisors and area coordinators. Read the letter. Note: each brother was mailed a copy of the letter last week.

TRINITY AVENUE HOSTS "LIVE-IN" VOCATION EXPERIENCE

At the novitiate in Dayton, Novice Tom Farnsworth, Bro. Bob Hughes, Fr. Chris Wittmann, Bro. Andy Kosmowski, Bro. Michele Dourma, Joe Janosik (University of Dayton student) and Fr. Francois Rossier; kneeling, Bro. Tom Giardino and Tom Robbins (UD student)

University of Dayton students Joe Janosik, Tom Robbins and Gordon Schweitzer gained more insight on religious life during a "live-in" discernment week in October at the Trinity Avenue community in Dayton. Highlights of the experience included hiking and lunch with the novitiate community at Mount St. John, visits with brothers in their ministries and discussions regarding religious life and the faith journey. The "live-in" experience is one of many ways the community helps young adults explore their vocations.

NEWS ABOUT VOCATIONS

Read the Nov. 2, 2006, issue of Vocation News from Bro. Charles Johnson.

SEVEN GRADUATE FROM UD PROGRAM IN INDIA

Dr. Remi, program director (center) with the UD Bangalore graduates

Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony for Marianist brothers Birendra Kulla, Rajesh Kumar Lakra, Chinnaiah Polishetti, Lucian Tigga, Nittamaria Varaprasad, Chittibabu Gunja and Bhaskar Dhason, FMS, who graduated from the University of Dayton Deepahalli (Bangalore) program on Oct. 27. The program has graduated approximately 30 brothers since its inception in 1998. Bro. Tom Oldenski, Fr. John McGrath and Dr. Remi, the school’s dean, presided at the ceremony. Fr. Paul Marshall, rector at the University of Dayton, also was present. Congratulations to the new graduates!

BACK ROW: Fr. Paul Marshall, Dr. Roberts, former program director, Bro. Dan Stupka, Fr. Dave Fleming, Sr. Laura Leming, Bro. Tom Oldenski and Fr. Jack McGrath with members of the UD faculty in Bangalore

REMINDER...INPUT NEEDED ON VISION STATEMENT

Brothers may submit feedback regarding the "Province Vision Statement" online. For more information, and documents concerning this consultation, visit the PORTAL at www.marianist.com/portal. Deadline for feedback is Dec. 2, 2006.

MARIANIST LAY COMMUNITIES PRESIDENT VISITS HAWAI'I

Beth and Tony Garascia (front) visit with Bro. Bernie Ploeger and CUH President Sue Wesselkamper

Tony Garascia, president of the International Organization of Lay Marianist Communities, used his experience as a therapist to present a workshop on "Faith, Psychology and Relationships" at the Marianist Center in Honolulu Oct. 21. The event was attended by priests, ministers, counselors, psychology students at Chaminade University of Honolulu and the general public. In addition, Bro. Jerry Bommer, Chaminade rector, hosted a brunch reception for Tony and his wife Beth at the Loo Student Center Oct. 22. At the brunch the Garascias gave a brief presentation on Marianist lay communities around the world.

Brothers and lay Marianists attended the brunch including: Grissel Benitez-Hodge, Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Vince Hodge, Fr. Tim Eden, Barb Belle and Mary Pat Sjostrom; Inset: Tony speaking at the brunch

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Read the November 2006 issue of Via Latina.

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

Edward Huscik, Jean Krimm, Eleanor Lekovich and Doña Emilia Suárez. Read more.

FALL IN ST. LOUIS, MARYLAND AVE.

Photo courtesy of Bro. Bob Resing, S.M. Bro. Bob's images are available for sale as note cards or prints. To order, visit www.resingart.com

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Fr. John Bakle (Columbus, Ohio), who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Bro. Joseph Grieshaber (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who is recovering following the amputation of his leg below the knee.

Fr. Herbert Pieper (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who is in rehabilitation for a fractured hip.

Bro. Robert Massa (Marycliff, St. Louis), who is recovering from surgery and will be undergoing six weeks of chemotheraphy and radiation to treat two malignant brain tumors.

Bro. Stanley Mathews (Mercy Siena, Dayton), who is being treated for a kidney stone.

Bro. Bob Wiethorn (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati), who is having an angiogram today.

Please pray also for Joe Alessandrini, Walter Bakle, Mary Helen Halderman, John and Ben Sikorro, Archana Thekkethil, Carol Wentker and Betty Zabel. Read more.

CELEBRATING ALL SOULS DAY IN SAN ANTONIO

Brothers in San Antonio celebrated the Solemnity of All Souls on Nov. 2. After placing flowers on the graves at the Marianist cemetery on the campus of St. Mary's University, the brothers attended Vespers and had a social and dinner at the Marianist Residence. Clockwise from top left, brothers at St. Mary's cemetery; Bro. Charlie Cummiskey laying a flower at a grave; Bros. Herb Janson and Bill McCarthy; and Bros. Al Gillis and Dave Quigley Photos courtesy of Fr. Rich Wosman

AN ALL SAINT'S DAY REFLECTION FROM FR. BUNDA

Manziana, Italy

Fr. Roland Bunda is on sabbatical in Rome, Italy, and is blogging about his journey. Read more about his visit to the town of Manziana and his All Saint's Day celebration.

LIGUSTRUM HONORS DAY OF THE DEAD

Fr. Rudy Vela with the altarcito created by the Ligustrum community members in San Antonio in honor of Los Dias de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead celebrated Nov. 1. According to Fr. Rudy, celebrating the holy day is challenging across cultures. Read more.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Congratulations to Bro. Bernie Stratman, executive director of the seminary department, National Catholic Educational Association, who helped secure funding from the Lilly Endowment for a study of recently ordained Catholic priests by Dean R. Hoge, Ph.D., of the Catholic University of America. The study, edited by Bro. Bernie, is called "Experiences of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years" and is available through NCEA publications. A discount is available to Marianists. A commentary about the study appeared in the Nov. 3, 2006, issue of Commonweal. Read a review of the study by Jeffry W. Rexhausen.

Bro. Fred Rech (Dublin) is showcased in "The Voice," the St. Laurence College yearbook for 2006. The four-page tribute highlights Bro. Fred's role in shaping the school into what it is today. Read the tribute.

Bro. Joe Barrish (Meyer Hall, Dayton) presents "Dayton and Beyond," a collection of paintings, prints and reliefs at Gallery Saint John in Dayton through Nov. 24. Bro. Joe also was featured in an article in the Sept. 29 issue of The Catholic Telegraph regarding the book "The New Creative Artist," which features some of his work.

Bro. Tom Trager (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) is recognized in the fall 2006 St. John's Home Family newsletter for his years of service to St. John's Residence for Boys. Bro. Tom came to St. John's for a three-year assignment and ended up staying as executive director for 36 years. The board of St. John's will honor Bro. Tom with a special celebration, coinciding with his 50th jubilee next October.

Bro. Tom, kneeling, left, with St. John's summer camp 2006 participants

Fr. Paul Marshall (Stonemill Road, Dayton), rector at the University of Dayton, will preside at a 6 p.m. Mass at the UD Immaculate Conception Chapel Nov. 19 celebrating black Catholic history. The Mass will honor the late Fr. Joseph M. Davis, one of the first African-American Marianists and a champion of equal rights.

Congratulations to Dr. Claire Renzetti, University of Dayton sociology professor and wife of UD President Dan Curran, who was recently awarded the Dayton Daily News "Top Ten Women Award." The award honors women in the
Dayton area who serve as role models in the community.

Volunteer Viewpoint:
AN INTERVIEW WITH MEAGAN BRORMAN

Meagan Brorman's Marianist Volunteer Program experience has taken her from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where she majored in English and minored in theology, to East St. Louis, Ill., where she divides her time between St. Mary's High School in St. Louis and the Catholic Day Care Center in East St. Louis. She's now living in a house in East St. Louis with other volunteers. Read about Meagan's experience.

THE RESULTS ARE IN...

In September we asked you to fill out a survey to help us gauge if FamilyOnline is meeting your needs from a technology and systems standpoint and is delivered to your computer in the best possible way. Our findings indicate that almost 90 percent of those surveyed receive every issue of FamilyOnline and can view the photos and text without any problems. For those who experience problems, the survey shows the absence or distortion of photos seems to cause the greatest concern. In an effort to help readers who experience problems, we are now including a link at the top of our newsletter (highlighted in yellow) that will redirect you to a Web page with the FamilyOnline newsletter. Thank you to everyone who filled out our survey. Your input is greatly appreciated.

LIFESTYLES OF THE RELIGIOUS AND FAMOUS

Bro. Peter Pontolillo with award-winning actor Brian Dennehy at the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., in October. Bro. Peter recently retired as secretary general and will return to the U.S. Province in December. Mr. Dennehy starred in movies such as "Gorky Park," Cocoon" and "F/X."

"MARIANIST SPIRIT" IS LEGENDARY AT CHAMINADE

Charlie Jones, facilities engineer at Chaminade, claims he felt a ghostlike presence at Chaminade late one night when working on a problem with a smoke detector. INSET: Bro. Louis Pinckert

A story in the Oct. 31 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch claims there is a little too much Marianist spirit in the halls of Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis. According to the story, several Chaminade employees have experienced strange happenings while working and claim Chaminade is haunted by the spirits of former Marianist brothers. Bro. Louis Pinckert, who lives at the Marianist community on the Chaminade campus, said he wouldn't be surprised if the late Fr. James Canning was walking through Fritsche Hall at Chaminade. "When the school remodeled years ago, Canning lost his room and he never got over it," said Bro. Louis. Read more.

A BLESSING FOR BRO. ED....INDIAN STYLE

ABOVE: Fr. David Bage (second from right), a diocesan priest living at the General Administration, joins Indian Marianists Fr. Ignase Arulappen, Bro. Sudhir Kujur, Bro. Marianus Lugun and Bro. James Dungdung in blessing Bro. Ed Violett's room. Bro. Ed is general assistant for temporalities. BELOW: Bro. Ed with Fr. David, who was the main celebrant or "pahan."

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY was one of 10 universities nationwide chosen as a finalist for President Bush's first-ever "Honor Roll for Higher Education Community Service." During 2005-2006, some 47 percent of the university's student body participated in community service, donating more than 50,000 hours of service. CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. Fifty-two members of the Central Catholic High School family gathered with other pro-life advocates to pray and give silent witness to the plight of the unborn child during the Life Chain 2006 event in San Antonio Oct. 29. Life Chain is conducted annually throughout the nation. ARCHBISHOP MOELLER. Moeller graduate Matt Magner '06, the third of three sons of Beth and Mark Magner to become class valedictorian—a school record—credits Moeller calculus teacher Bro. Howie Lohrey for inspiring him to pursue a major in math at the University of Dayton. Read more. The Magner family PURCELL MARIAN. Novice Bob Jones accompanied 10 students from Purcell Marian High School on a campus ministry-sponsored "Appalachian Plunge Retreat" in October in Salyersville, Ky. Students witnessed first-hand the struggles of the region as they spoke and worked with local residents. Read Bob's reflections on the trip. ABOVE: The Appalachian Plunge retreatants with Novice Bob Jones (standing, far left), Jen Meinking, director of campus ministry (kneeling, second from left), and Shannon Lively, director of the Marianist Urban Students Program (kneeling, far right); BELOW: Students dismantle a fence to reuse the lumber for a barn they helped local residents build. TEACHING BROTHERS CELEBRATE MILESTONES We recognize the following brothers for their years of dedication to teaching: Bro. Pierre Weitkamp 55 years Bro. Louis Ernst 50 years Bro. Pat McMahon 46 years Bro. Al Kuntemeier 45 years Fr. Don Cowie 44 years Bro. Jack Dempsey 40 years Bro. Howie Lohrey 33 years Bro. Richard Thompson 30 years Bro. Bob Dubzinski 25 years Bro. Roy McLoughlin 5 years

SAVE THE DATE FOR MID-LIFE 2007

Brian Reavey, national coordinator for Marianist LIFE, announces that the annual Mid-LIFE event will be held Feb. 22 to Feb. 25, 2007, at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, Calif. The keynote speaker will be scholar, teacher and film producer Fr. Daniel G. Groody. Marianist LIFE moderator Marlena Johnston from Archbishop Riordan High School also will speak. Read more.

OUT AND ABOUT

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

GIVE THANKS AND HELP THE CFL RETREAT CENTER

The Christian Family Living Center (CFL) is hosting a special, free of charge "Thanksgiving Work Weekend" Nov. 22 to Nov. 26. Participants are invited to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast and donate time to help with chores such as cleaning, painting and yard work. Find out more.

BRO. BOMMER TAKES THE CAKE

Bro. Frank Damm, left, and Janine Kurosawa of Chaminade University of Honolulu give Bro. Jerry Bommer something to smile about on his birthday Oct. 19.

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

MARIANIST SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE. Read the November issue of Justice Jottings.

MEXICO. Read the November 2006 issue of Marianistas México. This publication is in Spanish.

MLNNA E-NEWS. Read the October 2006 issue of the MLNNA E-news, the e-newsletter of the Marianist Lay Network of North America.

GOVERNOR’S ISLAND. Read the Autumn 2006 issue of the Governor’s Island newsletter from Bro. Paul Bredestege.

JUST ONE MORE...

Fiesta parade at Our Lady of the Pillar chapel in the Valle Dorado neighborhood of Querétaro, Mexico, where Frs. Quentin Hackenewerth and Paul Neumann celebrate Mass. The fiesta was held in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar and to raise money to build a permanent chapel.

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

November

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