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MARIANISTS WARM UP L.A. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS

LEFT: Aspirant Ray Dominguez chats with an inquirer at the LA Congress; RIGHT: Bro. Dennis Schmitz talks with visitors in the Marianist "living room" section of the exhibit. A Franklin stove is the latest addition to the exhibit. Photos courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

The Marianists "turned up the heat" at the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress March 2 to March 4 at the Anaheim Convention Center. With the addition of a Franklin stove to the Marianist booth's cozy sitting area, and an expanded scope of Marianist offerings, nearly 40 requests for more information were received. The group passed out information on vocations, lay communities, volunteering and Chaminade University of Honolulu graduate programs.

The Congress draws over 40,000 participants and offers top religious speakers and liturgical musicians and composers. The Marianists have exhibited at the Congress for the last five years.

At the booth, Fr. John McEnhill and Contact Brandon Paluch

Staffing the booth were Bros. Jim Wisecaver, Dennis Schmitz and David Betz and Fr. John McEnhill. Aspirant Ray Dominguez, Charlie Dominguez (Ray's brother) and Marcela Yarena, a lay Marianist, assisted the Spanish-speaking inquirers. Contacts Mike Chiuri, Luis Guerra and Brandon Paluch also assisted at the booth. Other Marianists attending included Frs. Ted Ley, Edwin Johnson, Bill Meyer and Jim Mueller and Bros. Bob Juenemann and Bill Bolts.

Bros. Jim and Dennis are following up on inquiries regarding religious life. Inquirers will be invited to upcoming "Discernment Sunday" events and to the "Discernment Weekend" in California on Memorial Weekend.

DISCERNMENT WEEKEND HELD IN SAN ANTONIO

At Mission San Juan, first row, Tom Fox (University of Houston professor), Aspirant Brandon Alana, Novice Nicole Trahan, Aspirant Ray Dominguez, Sr. Evangeline Escobar; second row, Sean Stilson, Philip Couture, Alfonso de la Torre, Angela Santana, Nora Brett and Bro. Dennis Bautista; back, Adam Landry and Bro. Mike Sullivan

Seven young adults attended a weekend vocation discernment retreat Feb. 9 to Feb. 11 in San Antonio. Five of the attendees were students at St. Mary's University. The weekend began with dinner at the Casa María community. Members of the Marianist LIFE South coordinating team also attended. In addition to meetings and time for discussion, the retreatants visited Mission San Juan and took the Emmaus Walk. On Saturday evening they visited the Marianist Residence community and were joined by Bros. Lester Kaehler and Terry O'Connor for night prayer. The retreat concluded with a luncheon at the Woodlawn community on Sunday.

LEFT: Student Philip Couture speaks with Aspirant Brandon Alana; RIGHT: Bro. Mike Sullivan, retreat organizer, with Aspirant Ken Barrett

STUDENTS ATTEND CONFERENCE ON MARIANIST VOCATIONS

Attendees at the National Conference on Marianist Vocations in San Antonio

Students and faculty from 15 Marianist high schools and parishes from around the Province gathered at St. Mary's University in San Antonio Mar. 3 to Mar. 5 to attend the National Conference on Marianist Vocations. The discussions focused on how Marianist high schools students perceive religious life and vocations. Students were encouraged to help create a positive environment at their schools and parishes for dialogue on religious life. Read a reflection from one of the students.

ROLAND AVENUE UNDER CONTRACT; NEW COMMUNITY OPENS

Roland Avenue community house

After much discernment, the Provincial Council has determined that the Marianist presence in the Baltimore area will continue at two corporate ministries: St. Joseph's Parish in Eldersburg, Md., and at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore. As a result, the Roland Avenue property in Baltimore was listed for sale and is now under contract. The Provincial Council wishes to thank Bro. Frank O'Donnell, a member of the Roland Avenue community for 31 years, for his efforts in coordinating the move from the Roland Avenue residence.

A new Marianist community has opened near Mother Seton Academy in a former rectory rented from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In addition to Bro. Frank, the members of the new community are Bro. Joseph Mwaura, Fr. Richard Kuhn, Bro. Jerry Sullivan and Bro. Larry Corbin. Bro. Howard Hughes, formerly of Roland Avenue, has joined the Riordan community in San Francisco. The contact information for the new community is: Marianist Community, 317 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2408, phone 410.522.1568.

Roland Avenue was the site of the Provincial house of the former New York Province from 1965 until 2002, when the four Provinces merged. Roland Avenue was a Marianist community for 42 years. Read Fr. Jim Fitz's announcement regarding Roland Avenue. A reflection about the longtime Provincial house will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

BRO. FRANCISCO GONZÁLEZ REAPPOINTED

The Provincial Council has announced the reappointment of Bro. Francisco González to another four-year term as principal-director of Colegio San José in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Bro. Francisco has held the principal-director position for the last 16 years. He was honored in January with a "Founder's Day" award for his contributions to the school. "There is an overwhelming consensus of support for his effective leadership and vision for the school," said Fr. Tim Kenney, director of Marianist education. Congratulations to Bro. Francisco!

MARIANIST COMMUNITY IN CHARLOTTE, N.C., CLOSES

Bro. Tobías Ferrer, Fr. George Onida and Bro. Jerry Sullivan

The Provincial Council has decided to withdraw from the Marianist ministry in Charlotte, N.C. The community was formed in 2005 to address the needs of the area's Hispanic population. The decision to withdraw was made after dialogue between Provincial Stephen Glodek and the Diocese of Charlotte regarding the ministry's development. Members of the community were Bro. Tobías Ferrer, Fr. George Onida and Bro. Jerry Sullivan. Bro. Tobias has joined the DeSales Crossings community in Cincinnati. Fr. George has temporarily moved to St. Bridgid Parish in Westbury, N.Y. His contact information is: 75 Post Avenue, Westbury, N.Y. 11590-4338. Bro. Jerry has joined the new community in Baltimore. Our prayers to all during this time of transition.

GETTING TO KNOW THE STUDENTS AT CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

Bro. Ray Fitz (center) visits with Chaminade University of Honolulu students involved in student government, student affairs and campus ministry at a brunch March 11 at the home of Chaminade University President Sue Wesselkamper.

"SM CONNECT" IS NEW MARIANIST PORTAL INTRANET SITE

SM Connect homepage

On March 14 the Province Office of Communications launched a newly designed and enhanced PORTAL Intranet Web site — SM CONNECT. The address for the new PORTAL remains the same: www.marianist.com/portal. Brothers can use their current PORTAL "user name" and "password" to access the site. Please note that Bro. Glodek's new provincial letter — a summary of the recent Chapter meeting — is now on the PORTAL.

For any questions, suggestions or more information about the PORTAL, please contact Joan Suda or Diane Guerra or call us at 314.533.1207.

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

Fr. Thomas Doyle (Port Washington, N.Y.), 73, who died March 20, 2007. May he rest in peace. Fr. Tom has donated his body to science. Plans for his memorial Mass will be announced at a later date. Fr. Tom professed first vows in 1952 at Marcy, N.Y., and was ordained in 1974 at Baltimore. He taught in high schools on the East Coast in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, and served as pastor and associate pastor at parishes in Maryland and Connecticut. His obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Fr. Tom in July 2005, celebrating Eucharist at the Marianist Family Picnic in Rockaway Beach, N.Y.

Bro. Ed Fick Bro. Ed, December 2003 Bro. J. Edward Fick (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 90, who died March 10, 2007. May he rest in peace. Bro. Ed was a teacher, business manager, special education program administrator and volunteer at St. Agnes hospital for almost 20 years. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 17 at Queen of Apostles Chapel in Dayton. Fr. Tom Schroer was the presider and Fr. Chris Conlon was the homilist. Bro. Mike O’Grady represented the Provincial Council. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. March 22 at St. Joseph Parish, Eldersburg, Md., presided by Fr. Terry Weik, with Fr. Paul Reich as homilist. Bro. Ed will be buried in the Marianist plot at Sacred Heart of Jesus cemetery in Baltimore. Read Bro. Ed's obituary.

Fr. Alfonso Santorum (Province of Italy), 92, who died March 6, 2007, in Verbania Pallanza. May he rest in peace. Fr. Alfonso's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Please pray also for Emmett Condon, Dan Fisher, Sr. Eileen Hance, Fr. Matthias Newell, Ethel Schwaller, and Youths from Jocotales. Read more.

GREAT FALLS NATIONAL PARK, VIRGINIA

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. Bill Deanhofer (Governor's Island), who has returned to his community and continues to recover from successful knee replacement surgery.

Fr. Edwin Johnson (West Hills, Calif.), who is in intensive care and continues treatment for a heart attack.

Bro. John Klein (East St. Louis, Ill.), who has been hospitalized with complications following hip surgery.

Bro. Paul Landolfi (Rockaway, N.Y.), who is recovering from cataract surgery.

Bro. Paul Merland (Cincinnati), who continues to be treated for cancer.

Bro. Gene Meyerpeter (Curé of Ars, St. Louis), who has been hospitalized with back pain.

Please pray also for Steven Adoff, Kathleen Carther, Josephine Kandrach, James McPommell, and Jerry Phelan. Read more.

REDS PROGRAM IN RANCHI OFFERS TRAINING FOR WOMEN

The Marianist-led Ragpickers' Education & Development Scheme in Ranchi, India, has created a number of programs for women. Self-help groups and classes in tailoring, machine knitting and embroidery (shown above) are among the offerings. The goal is to help women living in poverty develop the work skills necessary to support themselves. Find out how you can help support these programs.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Bob Moriarty (Vernon, Conn.) is the chair of the planning committee for the National Joint Convocation on Small Christian Communities to be held at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 9 to Aug. 12. Find out more.

Fr. John Leies (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) spoke at a symposium March 17 on end-of-life issues sponsored by Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio. Fr. John also appeared with the archbishop on a television program previewing the symposium that aired on Catholic Television of San Antonio.

Brian Reavey, national coordinator for Marianist LIFE, presented a workshop, "From MySpace to GodSpace: Making Time for Prayer in the Everyday," on March 3 at the Diocese of Metuchen Youth Day in New Jersey.

Brian Reavey, Katy Roche, Most Rev. Paul Gregory Bootkowski and Melissa Chedid

BUMPER STICKER SALES AID MATERO BOYS' SCHOOL IN ZAMBIA

Street children who participate in the programs at Matero Boys' School; inset photo, Bro. Carmine Annunziata

Bro. Carmine Annunziata (District of Eastern Africa) describes Matero Boys' Secondary School in Zambia as much more than a school. "It is a safe haven for many of the street children," says Bro. Carmine. Matero Boys' School provides education, sports programs, food and even medical care to abandoned children who are forced to live on the streets of Zambia. More importantly, according to Bro. Carmine, Matero provides a source of hope for their future. Bro. Carmine is campaigning to raise $10,000 to help sustain the programs at Matero. He is selling bumper stickers for $5 each to benefit the cause. Anyone interested in obtaining quantities of the bumper stickers to sell should contact Bro. Carmine at maboys@zamnet.zm. Read more about Matero Boys' School.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Marianist Sharing Fund Assists Programs in San Antonio On March 8, Myles McCabe, director of peace and justice, and Patricia Mejia,a member of the Sharing Fund Committee, presented two Marianist Sharing Fund grants in San Antonio: one to Holy Rosary Parish, which will use the grant to develop educational programming to empower lay people to minister through the Church and address community needs; and another to Comunidades de Base Marianistas, which will use the funds to support lay Marianist development and workshops in Hispanic communities. Myles McCabe (center) with Sharing Fund recipients, Richard Salazar and Angie Cortez of Comunidades de Base Marianistas, Patricia Mejia of 21st Century Leadership of St. Mary's University and Fr. Cris Janson, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish Adele Social Justice Project. The ASJP is offering an urban immersion weekend at the Joe Hubbard House in East St. Louis, Ill., May 4 to May 6, 2007. The weekend is an opportunity for young adults (ages 22 to 40) to gather and reflect on social justice through a Marianist lens. For more information, e-mail Laura Libertore, Dan or Jim Vogt. Find out more about the Adele Social Justice Project. Contact Myles McCabe, Province director of peace & justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

SISTER HELEN PREJEAN VISITS MARIANISTS IN HAWAI'I

LEFT: Bro. Dennis Schmitz and Sr. Helen Prejean; RIGHT: Sr. Helen with senior students Akoni Chinen, Kulia Aiona, Marc Moody and Justin Nakamoto from Saint Louis School in Honolulu

The Fr. Mackey Marianist Lecture Series welcomed Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, death penalty foe and author of "Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty" to the Mystical Rose Oratory on March 5. The lecture was sponsored by Chaminade University of Honolulu, Saint Louis School and the Marianist Center of Hawaii. The event yielded the lecture series' largest turnout of the year and marked Sr. Helen's third appearance at a Marianist university this year. She lectured at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and the University of Dayton earlier in the year.

The lecture series is named for Fr. Robert Mackey, the first president of Chaminade University, who, coincidentally, was instrumental in convincing the Hawaii legislature to ban the death penalty. While in Hawaii, Sr. Helen visited with students at Saint Louis School and with Marianist brothers at the Hale Malia community. Bro. Dennis Schmitz, committee chair for the Mackey Lecture Series, gave Sr. Helen a tour of the island. Read an interview with Sr. Helen from the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. A new study by UD's board of trustees' mission and identity committee has found that more than 80 percent of UD students feel they are receiving a quality education and 75 percent feel UD has strengthened their values. "This is what we mean when we talk about a transformative education," said Bro. Tom Giardino, who chairs the mission and identity committee at UD. Read more. PURCELL MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL. Congratulations to Javarri Lewis '09, a member of the Marianist Urban Students Program, who was appointed to Mayor Mark Mallory's Youth Council in Cincinnati. There were 125 applicants for the Mayor Youth Council. Thirty were accepted, including two other Purcell Marian students. Javarri will chair the Youth Council's recreation committee.

ST. LOUIS LAY AFFILIATES GATHER FOR LENTEN CELEBRATION

Fr. Gerry Hammel led the St. Louis Affiliates' annual Lenten "Day of Recollection" on March 11 at St. Mary's High School. Shown, front row, Bro. Bob Johns, Carole King, Jeanette Ortmann, Bro. Fred Hausch, and Mary Ann Dundon; back row, Nancy Davies, Marge Seibel, Herman Drees, Jim Werdes, Laura Rueve, Rose Pitlyk, Linda Neill, Fr. Gerry, Carol Craddock, Bro. Ken Jung and Lou and Sally Wheat

BRO. ZAMPIER GOES BIG TIME WITH LATEST ARTWORK

Bro. Brian Zampier, artist assistant at the Marianist Galleries in St. Louis, with his latest creation "Twenty 6 1/2 x 9 Abstract Paintings." Brian said: "Bro. Gary Marcinowski kids me that I work with small pieces, but this piece measures 4 foot by 4 foot!"

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

Jim Cullina, a Lay Marianist Affiliate, produces a monthly "E-news" for his online Marianist spirituality group. If you'd like to receive Jim's E-News, contact him at jamcul@shaw.ca. Read the February issue. Join the online group that discusses the unique spirituality of Blessed Chaminade. No previous knowledge necessary!

CFL RETREAT CENTER. Read the latest issue of CFL High Tidings, a newsletter from the Christian Family Living Retreat Center in N. Topsail, N.C.

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

CUPERTINO. Read Fr. Steve Tutas' March 2007 Cupertino newsletter.

MEXICO. Read the March 2007 issue of Marianistas México. This publication is in Spanish.

A DAY IN GYAN DEEP, RANCHI, INDIA

Fr. Joe Lackner shares this photo of Bro. Alex Toppo, program director of the Ragpicker's Educational Development Scheme, and some of the children who attend programs there.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY. Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis has an open position in campus ministry for the 2007 - 2008 school year. The associate director will assist with retreats, liturgy and service and help organize new areas of ministry. For more details, contact Peter Vlahutin.

JUST ONE MORE...

Just Ducky: Bro. Jim Wisecaver took this shot at the Willamette River in Oregon

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

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

March

April

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 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.