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MARIANISTS IN FORMATION GATHER IN SAN ANTONIO

First row, Bro. Dennis Bautista, Sr. Gretchen Trautman, Bro. Isak Keyman-Ige, Aspirant Alan Smith, Novices Luis Gamboa, Nicole Trahan, Bob Jones, Daniel Griffin (Province of Meribah); second row, Bro. Brian Halderman, Aspirants Brandon Alana and Ken Barrett, Bro. Tom Redmond, Bro. Andy Kosmowksi, Contact Jeff Campbell, Bro. Aaron Sonnenburg, Novice Tom Farnsworth and Fr. Oscar Vasquez; third row, Aspirant Ray Dominguez, Bro. Alfredo Chavez, Novice Stephen Ries (Meribah), Fr. Dave McGuigan, Fr. Mike Lisbeth, Bro. Michael Gillen (Meribah), Fr. Tim Dwyer, Carol Ramey, Bros. Reinaldo Berrios, Charles Johnson, Armando Añeses and Tobías Ferrer

	Nov. 21 Memorial of the Presentation of Mary Nov. 23 - Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Holiday - Province Offices Closed Nov. 27 - Nov. 28 Provincial Council Meeting MORE

The annual “Marianists in Formation” weekend was held Nov. 9 to Nov. 12 at the St. Anthony Retreat Center in San Antonio. The event brings together aspirants, novices and temporary professed to explore topics relevant to their faith journey. Guest speakers were Bro. Reinaldo Berrios (Puerto Rico) and Carol Ramey (NACMS), who led presentations on “At the Threshold with Mary.” A highlight of the weekend was Eucharist and dinner with Marianists from the San Antonio area hosted by Bro. Lester Kaehler and the St. Mary’s University community. Fr. Mike Lisbeth presided at the Eucharist. The planning committee for the formation weekend included: Bro. Tom Redmond (chair), Bro. Reinaldo, Sr. Laura Leming, Bro. Aaron Sonnenburg and Sr. Gretchen Trautman.

LEFT: Bros. Aaron Sonnenburg, Dan Sharpe and Tobías Ferrer; RIGHT: Bro. Paul Novosal and Novice Tom Farnsworth

FR. FITZ REAPPOINTED AS ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL

Congratulations to Fr. Jim Fitz, who has been appointed by the General Council to a second term as assistant provincial of the Province of the United States. The appointment is effective July 1, 2007. The letter of appointment arrived last week from Fr. Manuel Cortés, superior general.

Fr. Jim, 60, has served as assistant provincial since July 1, 2002, when the Province of the United States was created. Prior to his current assignment, Fr. Jim was director of campus ministry at the University of Dayton for four years, and served as provincial of the former Cincinnati Province from 1989 to 1997. He took first vows in 1965 in Marcy, N.Y., and was ordained in 1974 in Dayton. Our prayers and best wishes to Fr. Jim in his continuing ministry.

BRO. STEPHEN BEGINS CONSULTATION FOR PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

On Nov. 14, Provincial Stephen Glodek initiated the consultation for the following positions on the Provincial Council:

Assistant for Religious Life, Assistant for Education, Assistant for Temporalities and Assistant for Developing Regions.

The appointments will become effective on July 1, 2007, and extend until June 30, 2010.

Bro. Richard Dix, assistant for temporalities, will not seek another term on the council. Bro. Mike O’Grady, assistant for religious life, has been appointed to the novitiate beginning in July 2007, and, as assistant director of novices, will be unavailable to serve on the Council. Information regarding the consultations was sent to all brothers last week. The deadline to submit feedback to Bro. Stephen is Dec. 8, 2006.

BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO YOU!

All of us at the West Pine office wish you a peaceful, blessed Thanksgiving. Standing, Bro. Tom Payne (property, insurance and fleet) and Joan Suda (communications); seated, Bro. Bob Metzger (finance) and Sr. Mary Beth Hefti (medical insurance)

WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON SCREENING VOCATION CANDIDATES

Bro. Mike O’Grady, Robert Furey, Ph.D., Sr. Lena May of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters and Fr. Stan De Boe. Photo by Bro. Jim Wisecaver

Robert Furey, Ph.D., a noted authority on child protection issues, conducted a full-day workshop Nov. 8 at the Province office in St. Louis on the subject of screening candidates for vocations. Several members of the national vocation team team attended, as well as representatives from nine religious orders in the St. Louis area. Also attending was Fr. Stan De Boe from Praesidium, a leading organization specializing in child protection issues. “We do as much as possible to screen candidates so that children will be protected,” said Bro. Charles Johnson, Province vocation director, who organized the workshop. “This workshop is part of our ongoing educational effort.”

PERSONNEL NEWS

The Marianist development office in Cupertino, Calif., has closed effective Nov. 1, 2006. The Province would like to thank Dora Lipps and Suzanne Carpenter for their years of service to the development team. Dora is taking a job with the Sisters of the Holy Names in Los Gatos, Calif., at the end of November. Suzanne also is leaving for other employment. All calls for the Cupertino office should be forwarded to Lisa Gooding or Helena Strauch in the development office in Dayton at 937.222.4641 ext. 244 or toll free 1.800.348.4732.

MARIANIST FAMILY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING IN ST. LOUIS

Family Council representatives, Fr. Jim Fitz, Marge Cavanaugh, Bro. Stephen Glodek, Sr. Evangeline Escobar, Dan Jordan and Sr. Marcy Loehrlein; Photo courtesy of Dan Jordan

The Marianist Family Council of North America, which includes two representatives from the Society of Mary, Marianist Sisters and the Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA), met in St. Louis Nov. 4 to Nov. 5. The Family Council's mission is to facilitate cooperation among Marianist branches to further expand the Marianist family in North America. The Council supports two major initiatives: The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative and the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative. The Council thanked Joan McGuinness Wagner, director of the Marianist Formation Initiative, for her years of service. Joan is stepping down after taking a full time position with the Office of the Rector at the University of Dayton. In addition, the Council created a common prayer for use at founder’s day celebrations that will be distributed to all Marianist Family members. View a calendar of upcoming Family Council events.

NACMS CONVERSATION GROUP HAS BIANNUAL MEETING

The NACMS Conversation Group met in St. Louis Nov. 3 to Nov. 5. The group discusses important issues and questions facing the Marianist world. This session was devoted to Marian models of the Church. A highlight of the weekend was dinner with members of the Family Council who also were meeting in St. Louis.

VISITING IN CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY

Fr. Roland Bunda (center) with Bros. Sudhir Kujur and Marianus Lugun, both from the District of India, in the small Italian town of Castel Gandolfo, which overlooks Lake Albano and is located about 15 miles south of Rome. It is best known as the summer residence of the Pope. Fr. Roland is on sabbatical. Bros. Sudhir and Marianus study at the Marianist seminary in Rome.

MARIANIST SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MEET IN FLORIDA

At the School Administrators Conference in Hollywood, Fla., Jim Adams, president of Chaminade College Preparatory in Chatsworth, Calif., Bro. Gene Meyerpeter, Province education office, and Fr. Tom French, president of Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco

The annual Marianist School Administrators Conference met in Hollywood, Fla., Nov. 6 to Nov. 8. Approximately 40 administrators attended along with the Province office of education. In his opening remarks, Fr. Tim Kenney, director of education, reminded participants that “all of us must be heralds of the gospel.” He outlined four goals for the meeting: collaborative conversations; recommitment to the Marianist charism; reflection on our mission; and communication with the office of education. Topics included mission effectiveness, curriculum, vocation ministry, finances and grants, peace and justice and sharing best practices. Fr. Joe Lackner, assistant for developing regions, gave a presentation on Mary.

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.

FR. LEWANDOWSKI SCHOLARSHIP HELPS NEEDY CHILDREN

At a ceremony to launch the scholarship program, Bro. Mike O’Grady, assistant for religious life, with Fr. John Klobuka, pastor of St. Mark’s parish Denton, Texas, Pat Miller, director of fundraising for the Diocese of Fort Worth and Elaine Schad, principal of Immaculate Conception grade school

Fr. Bob

The Marianist religious community will depart from St. Mark’s parish in Denton, Texas, in January 2007, but it will leave behind a lasting legacy for the area. On Nov. 4, a Marianist scholarship honoring the late Fr. Bob Lewandowski was established to help needy children from the parish attend Immaculate Conception grade school, the only Catholic grade school in the area. The funds for the nearly $12,000 scholarship were raised by local lay Marianist communities, a grant from the Province parish endowment and a gift from the local Marianist community. Fr. Bob ministered in Denton for many years until his death in 2003.

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

Hugh Sonny Dent, Sr. Rose Duchesne Ernst, SSND, Mary Handley, George Ivancovich, Monica Neary, Kate Stephenson and Herb Verbesey’s family. Read more.

AUTUMN IN FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS

Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Charles Boglitz (Cupertino, Calif.), who has been admitted to El Camino Hospital with anemia, infection and other complications.

Bro. Robert Massa (Marycliff, Eureka, Mo.), who is being treated for brain tumors. The Marycliff Community asks for prayers through the intercession of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade for the cure of Bro. Bob.

Fr. Thomas Schoen (Sawmill Road, Dayton), who has moved to Mercy Siena, Dayton, for rehab following a fall and for treatment of prostate cancer.

Please pray also for Paul Bouzan, Jakob Burdick, Robert Chow, Wally Kempnich, Dick Roach and Joseph Veasey. Read more.

BROTHERS ON SABBATICAL VISIT WITH MARISTS IN ITALY

Brother Sean Sammon, FMS, superior general for the Marist Brothers, third from right, visits with Bros. Robert Maruyama, Richard Schrader and Charles Wanda, Fr. Roland Bunda and Bro. José Degorio who are on sabbatical in Manziano, Italy. The brothers visited the Marist General Administration for Mass, social and dinner.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Congratulations to Fr. John Leies, former president of St. Mary’s University, who received the “Yellow Rose of Education Award” from the Constance Allen Heritage Guild of San Antonio on Nov. 4. The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to education in the San Antonio area.

Bro. Peter Pontolillo and three Marianists from France were invited by Monsignor Francesco Follo, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), to attend an international symposium titled “Education—A Path to Love” in Paris Nov. 9. This was the first-ever event co-sponsored by UNESCO and the Vatican. Read more.

Bro. Bill Bolts (San Jose, Calif.) recently led a pilgrimage from Queen of Apostles parish in San Jose to Marian shrines in France and Spain. Along the way he made several Marianist connections, including a security guard at the Musee D’Orsay in Paris who recognized Bro. Bill’s Marianist cross from his days in the Ivory Coast, and a passenger on his return flight who graduated from the Marianist school in Zaragoza.

Bro. Bill at Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain

Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars, St. Louis) is profiled in the July – September 2006 issue of Vocations and Prayer magazine. Read the article.

A girl’s football team competing in the REDS tournament

Bro. Antony Nesam (District of India) reports that the Ragpickers’ Education & Development Scheme (REDS) organized a football tournament for the street children of Gyan Deep. Approximately 500 children participated. The children were awarded medals and prizes for competing. Read more.

Bro. Victor Forlani (Washington Street, Dayton) helped lead the effort to create “StretchPay,” a new program Ohio credit unions are using to offer small loans without compounding interest. Read more.

Bro. Cletus Behlmann (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) held an art workshop for pre-novices in Querétaro, Mexico. Bro. Cletus gave sessions on drawing, pastels, tempera ink and acrylics. The group produced several pieces of art.

Pre-novices, front row, Raul Rodriguez, Benjamin Fermin, Rigoberto Martinez and Giovanni Lazaro; standing, Mario Espinoza, Saul Rodríguez and Leandro Marmolejo

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Call To Action Meeting Fr. Ted Cassidy, Bro. Frank O’Donnell, Myles McCabe and a 21-person delegation from the University of Dayton attended the annual Call to Action meeting in Milwaukee Nov. 3 to Nov. 5. The conference, attended by over 3,000 people, explores justice in the church and society. CDs of the major presentations are available from the office of peace and justice. Thanks to the efforts of Mary Niebler, coordinator of cross-cultural immersions (standing, far right), the University of Dayton had the largest college delegation at the conference. 2006 Elections— Call For A Change A recent poll released by Faith in Public Life says religious voters are more concerned about issues such as Iraq and immigration than candidates. E-mail Myles McCabe to be a part of a legislative network to hold Congress accountable for their decisions. Sharing Fund Grant Helps Advocates For The Poor A Marianist Sharing Fund grant recently helped the Sojourner’s “Call to Renewal” campaign assist a Christian ministry in Washington, D.C., advocate for a range of policy proposals to help America’s poorest families. Contact Myles McCabe, Province director of Peace & Justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

PEACE AND JUSTICE DIRECTOR VISITS AFRICA

Procession at the Marianist World Day of Prayer in Nairobi. More than 70 lay and religious Marianists attended the ceremony.

Myles McCabe, director of peace and justice, visited the District of Africa in October to share thoughts on social justice. During his visit, Myles attended the Marianist World Day of prayer celebration at the novitiate in Nairobi and spoke with students at many of the Marianist schools and training centers. “Not enough can be said of the gracious hospitality of Fr. Marty Solma and the brothers of the district and the hope and inspiration given by their work and presence,” said Myles.

LEFT: A lay Marianist (front) joins Bro. Patrick Kagai, Fr. Mike Nartker, Bro. Steve Grazulis and Fr. Marty Solma as they watch a soccer game; RIGHT: Myles with students at MIRACLE in Malawi

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL, celebrating its 75th anniversary, was featured in a cover story in the Nov. 10 issue of the St. Louis Review. Read the article. St. Mary’s opened in 1931 as South Side Catholic High School and was originally staffed by Christian Brothers. In 1933 the Marianists replaced the Christian Brothers. More than 12,000 students have graduated from St. Mary’s including almost 20 Marianist brothers and priests: Bros. Greg DeMoor, Louis Fournier and Joe Grieshaber; Fr. Bob Hackel; Bro. Bob Hatesohl; Fr. Cris Janson; Bros. Jim McCaffrey, Paul Metzger, Bob Minges, Paul Novosal and Bill O’Leary; Fr. Richard O’Shaughnessy; Fr. Dave Paul; Bros. Bob Rapp; Robert Riemann and John Schlund; Fr. Ralph Siefert and Fr. Richard Wosman. St. Mary’s High School campus. Photo courtesy of Mark Kempf and the St. Louis Review CHAMINADE MIDDLE SCHOOL, CHATSWORTH Chaminade Middle School students supported fellow student Kelsey Burke, who has leukemia, by organizing a team of more than 900 to walk in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society “Light the Night” event Oct. 8. It was the single largest team in the event and raised over $81,000 –the largest amount of any single group in the nation. Our congratulations on a tremendous achievement! Read more. Chaminade eighth-grader Kelsey Burke (center) surrounded by “Team Kelsey.” CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. Nearly 300 Central Catholic JROTC cadets honored our nation’s veterans during a special brigade drill at the school Nov. 14. The ceremony was attended by several active and retired military who have connections to Central Catholic through students or alumni. Central Catholic conducts one of the largest JROTC programs in Texas. Cadet Captain Edward Riojas and Cadet SSG James McGuinness UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. President Dan Curran is one of the honorary co-chairs of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Celebration in Dayton. Read more. CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY. Congratulations to the Chaminade Red Devils soccer team that won the Missouri state championship on Nov. 18. This is the school’s third state soccer title. The Red Devils' record was 31-1-1. The Chaminade Red Devils with their championship trophy. Photo courtesy of Fr. Ralph Siefert CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU. The Chaminade Silverswords face DePaul University today in the EA Sports Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament, sponsored by Chaminade University. The Maui Invitational is one of the premier early season college basketball tournaments with game coverage by ESPN. Find out more.

BOY SCOUT HELPS OUFIT FELLOW SCOUTS IN AFRICA

Boy Scout Josh Hoppenworth of Kalamazoo, Mich., raised $800 to buy scout uniforms for the troops at Matero Boys’ School, a Marianist school in Lusaka, Zambia. Josh raised the money through several pot luck suppers and other activities. In a note accompanying his check, Josh wrote, “I hope a lot of lucky boys can join the troop.”

OUT AND ABOUT

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

ALIVE MAGAZINE

The new issue of Alive magazine has been mailed. If you need additional copies, e-mail Ann Mueller at amueller@sm-usa.org.

HOLIDAY REMINDER…

Province offices will be closed on Thurs., Nov. 23, and Fri., Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Wishing you a blessed holiday season!

PERSONNEL CHANGES

CHANGES . . . Read the changes. Remember that personnel information on the PORTAL is updated on a regular basis at PORTAL.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

NGO. Read the November issue of Bro. Steve O’Neil’s Marianist International NGO Report.

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

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

The archived issues of FamilyOnline have a "search" function at www.marianist.com/fol. Once you 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.

JUST ONE MORE...

Migrating Monarch butterflies making a stop at Cape May Point, N.J. Cape May is one of the top bird/butterfly migration spots in the world. Photo courtesy of Erin Garro, wife of Paul Garro, TECABOCA board chair

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

November

December

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.