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PERPETUAL VOW CEREMONY HELD IN LA CHINANTLA

At the altar after receiving his ring, Bro. Raymundo Dominguez González (center) with Fr. Jose Alfingel Vazquez Dominguez, a priest from the diocese of Coatzacoalcos, and Fr. Mario González-Simancus (Region of Madrid)

Over 1,000 parishoners, family members, friends and religious attended the perpetual vow ceremony for Bro. Raymundo Dominguez González Jan. 22 at San Marcos Evangelista parish in La Chinantla, Mexico. Fr. Jose Alfingel Vazquez Dominguez was the celebrant and Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth gave the homily. District Superior Roberto Hanss received the vows. Bro. Charles Johnson, national vocation director, and Dan Richter, coordinator for the Marianist Volunteer Program, also attended.

Bro. Raymundo, 31, is an ethnic Zoque who was born in Chiapas and raised in the Uxpanapa Valley. He professed first vows in August 2002. Bro. Raymundo is a member of the Casa San Isidro Marianist community in La Chinantla and works full time at San Marcos parish in leadership development and family ministry. Congratulations and our prayers to Bro. Raymundo!

At the ceremony, clockwise from top, Bro. Raymundo prepares for his vows; Signing the vow register, Bro. Raymundo with Fr. Mario and Bro. Roberto Hanss; Marianist volunteers Megan Barron and Sarah Dawson and members of DECAMP prepare meat for the reception; Bro. Raymundo with his brother Cecilio Dominguez González and his mother Lucia González. Photos by Marianist volunteer Meghan Brown

NEWLY PROFESSED INDIAN BROTHERS SERVE IN MANY MINISTRIES

At the perpetual vow ceremony, Bros. Birendra Kullu, Raimond Toppo, Kuldeep Ekka and Lucien Tigga

Eight brothers who professed perpetual vows Dec. 30, 2006, at Nirmal Deep, the Marianist novitiate in Ranchi, are serving in a variety of ministries. Bro. Kuldeep Ekka leads a Marianist ministry in Patna, Bihar, that teaches typing, computers and English to young adults. Bro. Birendra Kullu is teaching at the Morning Star school in Bharaul, Nepal. Bro. Rajesh Kumar Lakra is acting headmaster at Prabhat Tara school in Singhpur. Bro. Chinnaiah Polishetti is on the staff of the Faustino aspirancy house in Bangalore. Bro. Augustus Surin is a member of the Binda community. He will begin a rural development project there after receiving training from Bro. Bill Christensen in Bangladesh. Bro. Lucien Tigga assists with accounts at Chaminade Nilaya in Bangalore. Bro. Raimond Toppo is working at a shelter for street children in Davao City, Philippines. Bro. Nittamaria Varaprasad is on staff at the novitiate at Nirmal Deep, where he teaches, does accounts and shopping. Our prayers for the brothers in their important work!

Newly professed, Bros. Chinnaiah Polishetti, Rajesh Kumar Lakra, Augustus Surin and Nittamaria Varaprasad

CHARISM III UNITES BROTHERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Nearly 50 temporary professed brothers from Africa, India and Korea gathered for Charism III in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 12, 2006 to Jan. 2, 2007.

“Charism” is a program designed to help temporary professed brothers prepare for perpetual vows. It was first introduced in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1997 and was repeated in 2001 in Bangalore, India. The latest session, “Charism III,” concluded Jan. 2 in Nairobi with the perpetual profession of five brothers. It was the first multi-lingual program, with translations in English, French and Korean. During the three-week event, brothers heard presentations on theological themes, Mary, the Marianist founders, vows in community, the system of virtues and Marianists in the new millennium. Fr. Martin Solma, district superior of Africa, praised the work of Bro. Erick Otiende (District of Eastern Africa) and Fr. Pablo Rambaud (Philippines) in assisting with the program.

BROTHER STEPHEN VISITS FAUSTINO HOUSE IN LUSAKA

As part of his month-long trip to Africa, Provincial Stephen Glodek visits with Bro. Erick Otiende at Faustino House in Lusaka, Zambia. The building, currently being renovated, will serve as an aspirancy house for the Marianist formation community in Zambia. Bro. Jack Somerville is supervising the renovation project.

PROVINCE REFLECTION GROUP MEETS IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA

At the Province Reflection Group meeting, Bro. Franklin Pao and Fr. Jack McGrath and Frs. Ralph Siefert and Jim Heft, and Bro. Gary Morris. Photos by Bro. Brian Halderman

Approximately 30 brothers from throughout the Province gathered Jan. 12 to Jan. 16 at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel in Phoenix for a Province Reflection Group. Bros. Frank O'Donnell and Mike O’Grady from the Chapter Structures Committee coordinated the discussions. Sr. Connie Gilder, SSJ, served as the facilitator. A report on the Province Reflection Groups will be issued at the Provincial Chapter meeting in March.

ALUMNI HALL COMMUNITY CELEBRATES ADÈLE DAY

The Alumni Hall community celebrated the anniversary of the death of Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon Jan. 10 with the Marianist sisters. Shown are Fr. Paul Vieson, Sr. Leanne Jablonski, Sr. Audrey Buttner, Fr. Joe Kozar, Sr. Mary Louise Foley, Sr. Laura Leming, Sr. Marie Abmayr and Fr. Joe Tedesco. Photo by Fr. John Putka

NEWS FROM MARIANIST LIFE 2007 SUMMER LIFE PROGRAM REGISTRATION is now available online. Find out more. NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM MEETS IN FORT WORTH Brian Reavey, national coordinator for Marianist LIFE, Bro. Jack Ventura, assistant for the office of religious life, Rudy Reyes Jr. and Toni Mesina met for a Marianist LIFE planning session Jan. 12 to Jan. 15 in Fort Worth, Texas. Not present, Marty Strohmeyer 2006 MARIANIST LIFE ANNUAL REPORT is available online. Read the report. MARIANIST LIFE TEAM VISITS NOLAN COMMUNITY While in Fort Worth, the LIFE team visited with brothers at the Nolan community. Shown, seated, Fr. Jim Bartlett, Bro. Pierre Weitkamp and Bro. Louis Ernst; standing, Bro. Jack Ventura, Allison McCarthy, Bro. Al Kuntemeier, Toni Mesina, Bro. Hugh Charlson and Rudy Reyes Jr.

MARIANIST FAMILY COUNCIL CALLS ALL TO PRAY FEB. 2

The Marianist Family Council of North America invites all Marianists to unite in praying the “Prayer of the Marianist Family” on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Read the prayer.

“LIFERS” AT VIANNEY RECOGNIZED FOR MARIANIST SPIRIT

St. John Vianney religion teacher Mary Kay Fitzpatrick presents student Brian Kelly, a Marianist Heritage award recipient, with a Marianist cross. The Griffin LIFE team provided every student in the school with a cross as a reminder of the Marianist charism.

Griffin LIFE is an active team of students at St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis focused on spiritual awareness and community. In December, the students adopted a Vianney family with a sick child and provided them with gifts and support to help make their Christmas memorable. The students also planned activities for Marianist Heritage Week (Jan. 16 to Jan. 19) which included, greeting students with donuts, learning Marianist fun facts and history from brothers and faculty, displaying pages from a giant Chaminade coloring book and an all-school liturgy presided by Fr. Al McMenamy (Curé of Ars, St. Louis). Marianist Heritage awards were presented to 26 students and 4 faculty members on Jan. 19. Read the list of recipients.

Brothers from the Curé of Ars community attending Vianney’s all-school liturgy on Jan. 17, Bro. Len Rudy, Fr. Joe Uvietta, Bros. Walter Ebbesmeyer, Paul Komrska (Region of Peru), Bob Minges, Francis Haug, Mel Meyer and Leo Slay

PROMOTE A MARIANIST ARTIST VOCATION

The Province vocation office announces a retreat for those involved in the visual arts. The retreat is scheduled for Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, 2007, at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. Invited to attend are Marianist artists, practicing artists, committed high school or college art students, art teachers in our high schools and colleges, and those interested in promoting the Marianist artist vocation. To register or for more information, e-mail Bro. Charles Johnson or call 314.533.1207.

Flowers created by Bro. Gerry Hyland

MINISTRY UPDATE: MEN IN FORMATION

Aspirant Ken Barrett tutoring a student at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. Ken also is involved in the school’s sodalities program. He is a member of the Casa María community. Photo by Bro. Dennis Bautista

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

Bro. Celestino Bacas (Province of Madrid), 66, who died Jan. 18, 2007, in Madrid. May he rest in peace. Bro. Celestino's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Charles Gorsatt (Region of Switzerland), 90, who died Jan. 22, 2007, in Sierre, Switzerland. May he rest in peace. Bro. Charles’ obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Sr. Rose Marie with Sr. Stephanie Morales

Sr. Rose Marie Eggleston, FMI, 95, who died Jan. 15, 2007, in San Antonio. May she rest in peace. Sr. Rose Marie was the oldest Marianist sister in the U.S. Province. Before entering religious life at age 42, Sr. Rose Marie owned and operated a dance school in her hometown of Philadelphia. Sr. Rose Marie celebrated her 50th jubilee as a Daughter of Mary Immaculate in September 2006. Read more. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 20 at the Marianist Residence Chapel.

Please pray also for Very Rev. Phillip Aguh, CSSp, William Donovan, grandfather of Bro. Gunja, Gary Harris, Mrs. Kandulna, Walter Kempnich, Peter Mandeville, Vivanne Murmu and Matthew Valenza. Read more.

POND IN FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS

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 . . .

Bro. Ed Loch (Central Catholic, San Antonio), who had hernia surgery on Jan. 22.

Fr. Matthew Kohmescher (Sawmill Road, Dayton), who continues to be treated for lung and brain cancer.

Bro. Dan Stupka (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati), who recently had an angiogram.

Please pray also for Dolorous Heffner and Vincent Upadaya. Read more.

SAVE THE DATE . . .

Bro. Jack Ventura invites all members of the Marianist Family from the St. Louis area to evening prayer and dinner to celebrate the 206th anniversary of the Foundation Day of Marianist Sodalities on Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Pillar. Bring a favorite wine and dessert to share. For information or to RSVP, contact Donna Tucker at dtucker@sm-usa.org by Jan. 25.

MSJC STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS IN ROCKAWAY PARK

MSJC team members, seated, Bro. Don Geiger, Myles McCabe, Larry Hufford, Alison Radelet, Brenda Fitzpatrick, Cynthia Sias; standing, Fr. Ted Cassidy, Sr. Leanne Jablonski, Bro. Bill Farrell, Jim Vogt, Bro. Bob Donovan, Bob Stoughton, Jeff Campbell and Marlena Johnston

The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative held its annual steering committee meeting Jan. 11 to Jan. 14 at the Marianist community in Rockaway Park, N.Y. The session included meetings with representatives of religious-based NGOs, issue team reports on anti-racism, environment and ecology, the death penalty and sweatshop labor, reports from various project teams such as the Adele Social Justice Project and presentations from Dave Robinson, executive director of Pax Christi USA. Read a report from the meeting.

At the MSJC meeting, Larry Hufford and Bro. Bob Donovan; Bro. Bill Farrell in front of the “Twisted Gun” sculpture at the United Nations plaza

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Congratulations to Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick (Allston, Mass.), who recently received a “Peace Through Dialog” award from the Turkish Islamic Boston Dialog Foundation. Fr. Paul was recognized for bringing seminarians and the Muslim community together through a class he teaches at Blessed John XXIII Seminary called “Christianity and Islam, Points of Intersection.”

Fr. Pat Tonry (Chambers Street, Dayton), director of the Marianist Mission, spoke at the University of Dayton Jan. 19 on “Let’s Start Again as if it Were for the First Time – Marianist Heritage: Reasons for Hope.” The talk was part of UD’s Marianist heritage celebrations.

Ken, Brandon, Fr. Tim Dwyer, aspirancy director, and Ray

Aspirants Brandon Alana, Ken Barrett and Ray Dominguez (Casa María, San Antonio) were featured in an article about Marianist vocations by Bro. Mike Sullivan in the Jan. 5 issue of Today’s Catholic. Read the article.

An article on “Mary and the World’s Divided Christian” by Fr. Tom Thompson (Alumni Hall, Dayton) appeared in the Catholic News Service and was printed in many diocesan papers, including the Catholic Telegraph in Cincinnati. Read the article.

Bro. Brian Halderman (Marybrook, St. Louis) visited the District of Mexico in early January to help with training and improvements to the Mexican vocation Web site. Bro. Brian reports that at a recent vocation weekend in Querétaro, several inquirers learned of the Marianists through the Web site. Visit the Mexico vocation site.

Bro. Brian assisting Bro. Nicolás Castilla López

Bro. Eugene Frank (Cupertino, Calif.) has created a Web site for the new Marianist Center in Cupertino. The site currently features photos of the center’s construction process. View the site. Bro. Eugene notes that construction of the Alcalde House and Bordeaux House on the property is complete and four Marianists are living in these houses. The remainder of the Marianists are scheduled to move to the center at the end of April.

Fr. Jim Kunes (St. Louis) sends us this video clip from the BBC of the restoration of the Goya fresco on the ceiling of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Saragossa.

Bro. Norb Karpfinger (East St. Louis, Ill.) was featured in a story in the Jan. 11 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The story focused on Bro. Norb’s efforts at the Catholic Day Care Center and Kindergarten in East St. Louis. Read the story.

Bro. Norb (center) with Bro. John Laudenbach, Sr. Gema Juarez, day care director, and children from the day care

LAY MARIANIST AFFILIATE TASK FORCE MEETS IN FORT WORTH

Task force members, Joe Rangel, Carol Weiss, Frs. Bert Buby and Al McMenamy, Juanita Rangel and Bro. Jack Ventura. Not shown, Fr. Jack Rielly

The Lay Marianist Affiliate Task Force met with Bro. Jack Ventura, national liaison, and Frs. Bert Buby and Al McMenamy, spiritual advisors, at the Nolan community in Fort Worth, Texas, in early January. The group discussed national formation policies and the development of a formation manual, training of mentors for those discerning Lay Marianist affiliation and the national gathering in January 2008.

While in Fort Worth, the Lay Marianist Task Force met with the Emmaus Lay Affiliates of St. Mary’s Parish for Eucharist and dinner.

FR. TIM KENNEY RECEIVES AWARD FROM ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN H.S.

Fr. Tim (left) with Archbishop Neiderauer and Fr. Tom French, Archbishop Riordan president

On Jan. 22, Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco honored Fr. Tim Kenney, director of education for the Marianist Province, with its “2007 Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Award.” The presentation took place during a school liturgy celebrating Chaminade. Archbishop George H. Neiderauer, of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, was the celebrant.

The Chaminade award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Archbishop Riordan community. Fr. Kenney was principal of ARHS from 1992 to 2001. During his tenure, ARHS celebrated its 50th anniversary with a capital campaign that renovated the school’s science wing and increased its endowment fund. The Marianists have sponsored ARHS since its inception in 1949. Our congratulations to Fr. Tim!

BRO. DARWIN SPEAKS ABOUT INDIA AT CHAMINADE-JULIENNE

Bro. Darwin Joseph (far right) recently gave presentations about Indian culture, the Ragpicker’s Educational Development Scheme and Indian Marianists to Ms. Ellen Downer’s (far left) World Cultures class at Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . CHAMINADE – JULIENNE HIGH SCHOOL was featured in the Dec. 15 issue of The Catholic Telegraph for its efforts to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in Dayton. Activities included visiting local homeless shelters, a “fasting day” where students gave their lunches to the homeless, and collecting donations and food for area food banks. C-J students display food collected as part of the school’s “Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.” CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. Snow days in San Antonio? Although virtually unheard of, on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 school was cancelled due to ice. Central Catholic used the opportunity to experiment with teleconferencing. Deacon Pat Cunningham, principal, taught chemistry and religion via teleconference to 20 students. The school’s innovative response to the unexpected weather was featured on KSAT-TV 12 News and radio station WOAI in San Antonio. Deacon Pat, right, with the crew from KSAT-TV 12 News NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.  On Jan. 12, the school’s faculty and staff checked and boxed over 20,000 lbs. of canned goods and food as part of a community service project benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Teachers Dave Lyons and Nancy White

FR. JOHN THOMPSON MINISTERS AT COLLEGE-AGE RETREAT

Fr. John Thompson, top row, served as chaplain at a retreat for young people (18 to 22 years of age) at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J., Jan. 5 to Jan. 7. The weekend included prayer, special liturgies, peer group discussions and Eucharist. Shown, front row, Ryan Morris, Jennifer Kirsch and Zach Davis; middle row, Rebecca Bowie and Cait Van Damm, top row, Jessica Venturella. Fr. John is president of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Fla.

GOOD TO KNOW OUT AND ABOUT. Read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis. PERSONNEL CHANGES. Read the changes. Remember that personnel information on the PORTAL is updated on a regular basis.

Jan. 26 – Feb. 4 Vocation Retreat, Honolulu Feb. 2 – Feb. 4 Vocation Retreat, Governor’s Island Feb. 4 Marianist Lay Family Commitment Ceremony, Honolulu Feb. 9 – Feb. 13 Provincial Council Meetings, San Antonio MORE

IN MISSION WITH MARY

Limited copies of “In Mission With Mary,” a report from the 2006 General Chapter meeting, are available. Contact Pat Stephens.

BRO. JEFF SULLIVAN SURPRISED WITH 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

It was quite a turnout for Bro. Jeff Sullivan’s surprise 60th birthday celebration Jan. 16 in Dayton. The Charism Committee on the Mount St. John campus organized the party which included representatives from Bergamo Center, MEEC, NACMS, MPM, Queen of Apostles Church, Gallery St. John and the Meyer Hall community. Shown, seated, Tara Poling, Chris Bryte, Janine Scott, Bro. Jeff, Joanne Beirise, Ginny Snead, Bro. Tom Wendorf and Novice Luis Gamboa; standing, Joyce Daniel, Bro. Leo Willett, Patti Gehred, Carol Ramey, Bro. John Lemker, Greg Cecere, Bro. Joe Barrish, Barb Koslowski, Gene Ketter, Dan Jordan, Jane Shaw, Fr. David McGuigan, Bro. Charles Gausling, Tim France, Michelle Banker, Steve Elrich and Bro. Tom Redmond. Photo courtesy of Bro. Don Smith

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

CAPE MAY. Read the January 2007 issue of Beacon.com, the newsletter of the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J.

INSTITUTE OF INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT. Read the December 2006 issue of the IIRD newsletter.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

PRINCIPAL. Archbishop Riordan High School, a male Catholic high school sponsored by the Society of Mary in San Francisco, Calif., is seeking an experienced, proven leader and practicing Catholic to serve as principal. Deadline for application is Feb. 23, 2007. Find out more.

JUST TWO MORE...

After the perpetual vow ceremony in Mexico, Fr. Mario González-Simancus (Region of Madrid) visits with some children from La Chinantla

SPRING FOR IT!

WANTED: Old box spring mattresses. Bro. Brian Zampier, an artist assistant at the Marianist Galleries in St. Louis, turns box springs into art.. If you have a box spring mattress you would like to donate, contact Bro. Brian.

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

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January

February

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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 2007 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.