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ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LIVE WHAT THEY LEARN

Bro. Tom Heinle (kneeling far left), Prof. Patricia Mejia (seated, front left) and Myles McCabe (standing, fourth from left) with St. Mary’s students and staff who participated in the New Orleans immersion trip

St. Mary’s University students enrolled in Prof. Patricia Mejia’s Community Leadership class have spent the semester studying the effects of Hurricane Katrina on community leadership in New Orleans. In addition to reading books, having discussions and watching Katrina documentaries, several students from the class participated in a spring break immersion trip to New Orleans. The students witnessed firsthand the destruction and deplorable living conditions endured by local residents. They helped gut a church rectory that was flooded by eight feet of water. They also heard accounts of the disaster from local residents. “In one week, the students experienced more than anything they could have learned for a whole semester,” said student Miguel A. Garcia. Bro. Tom Heinle (Ligustrum, San Antonio) and Myles McCabe, Province director of peace and justice, also participated in the immersion trip. “Marianist organizations have sent more then 250 volunteers to provide help and hope to the people and to learn about the causes of the disaster,” said Myles. Read more.

Bro. Tom, Patricia Mejia, Sam Caruso (former mayor of Slidell, La.), Rebecca Viagran (university ministry staff member), and student Andrienne Balsamo shell crawfish—a new taste treat for many of the students.

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Superior General Fr. Manuel Cortés has written his first circular titled, "The Spirit of the Society of Mary is the Spirit of Mary,” dated March 25, 2007. Fr. Cortés writes, “…our spiritual relationship with Mary is based on the image we have of her in our mind and in our heart. Consequently, the renewal and deepening of our Marian life means renewing and deepening that image.” Every brother has been sent a copy of the circular. Read the circular.

MERGER CREATES MERCY NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES

Former directors of the three organizations, Sr. Sally Sherman, RSM, Sue Kathman and Kathy Durkee present the new ministry logo. On April 12 a special ceremony was held for staff, volunteers, donors and friends of the three organizations to bless the new merger.

Bro. Bob

After four years of collaboration, three ministries in the DeSales Crossings Center in Cincinnati officially merged to form Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. The three partners in the merger are Mercy Connections, Healing Connections Associates and the H.O.M.E. Program. Bro. Bob Wiethorn (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati) worked on the Human Resources Committee for the merger.

The merger will increase efficiencies to provide better, more cost-effective human services to area poor and underserved, including educational and employment programs, home health care and other services for the elderly and people with special needs.

Bro. Bill

Bro. Tobías

Sue Kathman is the new executive director of MNM. Bros. Bob Wiethorn and Bill Grundish will continue their ministries at MNM assisting with adult education and computer programs. Bro. Tobías Ferrer will assist with English language and computer literacy for Spanish speakers. In appreciation for the services provided to the people of Cincinnati, Mayor Mark Mallory declared April 12 “Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Day.”

PALM SUNDAY AT DEEPAHALLI, BANGALORE, INDIA

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

Beverly Gooding, 75, who died at home on April 7, 2007. May she rest in peace. Beverly was the mother of Lisa Gooding, director of development for the Marianist Province of the U.S.

Eugene Steffes, 78, who died March 27, 2007, in Trempealeau, Wis. May he rest in peace. Eugene was a Lay Marianist Affiliate in Galesville, Wis.

Editor’s note: Fr. Tom Schroer (Mercy Siena, Dayton) wishes to thank the Marianists for their expressions of support regarding his mother’s recent death. “It has been a reminder of our ‘family spirit.’ It makes me proud to be a Marianist,” said Fr. Tom.

A STILL LIFE OF SPRING

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. Sean Downing (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton), who is recovering from emergency appendectomy surgery.

Fr. Edwin Johnson (West Hills, Calif.), who is in rehabilitation following a heart attack.

Fr. Matthew Kohmescher (Mercy Siena, Dayton), who is under hospice care.

Bro. Paul Merland (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is in a nursing home for special treatment.

Fr. Jack Rielly (Cupertino, Calif.), who is gravely ill with kidney failure and a ruptured liver.

Fr. Joseph Tarrillion (Chaminade Community House, San Antonio), who has been hospitalized for treatment of a black widow spider bite.

Please pray also for David Fitz, Trey Green, Melanie Halley, Carline Hinds’ son, Muthusamy and Ann Suda. Read more.

Editor’s note: Sr. Audrey Buttner wishes to thank all who prayed for her during the past 15 months. Sr. Audrey reports that her last surgery on Jan. 26 has finally cured her. “I am now retired and feeling much better,“ said Sr. Audrey. “I am enjoying a happy resurrection.”

MARIANIST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: NOW RECRUITING

MVP recruitment ad which appeared in Flyer News, the University of Dayton student newspaper, features UD grad and Marianist volunteer Meghan Brown

Dan Richter, national coordinator for the Marianist Volunteer Program (MVP), is recruiting volunteers to begin in August 2007, with placements available in Honolulu, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Volunteers must be 21 years old, with a college degree or equivalent life experience, and open to community living and to the Marianist charism. Volunteers will serve one year and will receive room and board, health insurance and a stipend. View the MVP application. E-mail Dan Richter with questions or visit our Web site. Read the latest MVP newsletter.

FR. PRAGASAM MAKES HISTORIC TRIP TO JAPAN

Shown, Fr. Dominic Park, Fr. Pablo Rambaud, Fr. Pascal Lee, Fr. Pragasam Thathappa, Sr. Trinite Yoshimura, principal of Koka Elementary School, Fr. Louis Kazuo Shimizu and Sr. Assumpta Ito, who was installed this month as provincial of the FMI Province of Japan

Fr. Pragasam Thathappa, district superior of India, made history as the first Indian Marianist to visit Tokyo, Japan, when he attended the Asian Zonal Conference meeting in March. While in Tokyo, Fr. Pragasam did some sightseeing with Fr. Pablo Rambaud (Philippines) and Bro. Jimmi Masuura, member of the former Province of Cincinnati and longtime missionary in Japan. He also met with the executive board of the Japan Marianist Lay Communities. An annual charity concert sponsored in part by the Japan MLC helps support the Marianist educational work in Nepal.

Bro. David Herbold, who served as Japanese-English interpreter and secretary at the Asian Zonal meeting, with Fr. Pragasam and Bro. Jimmi Masuura

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Don Smith (Meyer Hall, Dayton) installed his latest work, titled “Portrait of Martin Luther King,” in the admissions area of St. John’s of Rockaway Beach in Rockaway, N.Y.

The piece is composed of ceramic tiles approximately 5 inches square and measures 3 feet by 3.5 feet.

Congratulations to Bro. Reinaldo Berríos (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and fellow researchers Ivonne Romero García and Alicia Rivero Vergne who published a study titled “Multiple Perspectives of the Puerto Rican Pediatric Cancer Experience.” The study gives a voice to children with cancer, their families and oncologists and provides insight on the cancer experience to health providers, hospital administrators, policy makers and research students. The Province of the U.S. contributed funding to this project.

Congratulations to Fr. Rudy Vela (Ligustrum, San Antonio), who has been appointed director of the “Spain Study Abroad” program at St. Mary’s University. Fr. Rudy will continue his duties as assistant professor of theology at St. Mary’s.

Fr. Ted Cassidy reports on his recent visit with Bro. Bill Farrell, who ministers in Jocotalas, a dangerous area just north of Guatemala City. Bro. Bill works with a group that provides school scholarships to students throughout Guatemala. He also cooks for a group of young people who are learning skills like carpentry and metalworking. Bro. Bill lives in community with three priests, one a Marianist and two who are Spanish missionary priests. “Bill relates with the poor very directly,” said Fr. Ted. “He has the gift of accepting the poor where they are and who they are.” Read a letter about Guatemala from Bro. Bill.

LEFT: Fr. Ted and Bro. Bill at the Central Plaza in Guatemala City; RIGHT: Procession in Guatemala for the feast of St. Joseph

Fr. Jim Heft (Los Angeles, Calif.) published an article titled “Newman’s Vision of a University: Then and Now” in the current issue of Catholic Education: A Journal of Practice and Inquiry.

Congratulations to Fr. Dan Doyle (Hollywood, Fla.), who received a certificate of appreciation on March 29 from the Hollywood, Fla., police department for his service as a police chaplain.

Columnist Tony Magliano in his April 13 commentary on capital punishment in the Los Angeles Tidings newspaper states, “I remember a Catholic News Service photo of a Marianist brother demonstrating in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building. On his shirt was the message: “Why do we kill people who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong?” That brother was none other than Bro. Brian Halderman (Marybrook, St. Louis). Read the commentary.

Bro. Bill Bolts reports that the decathlon team of Queen of Apostles grade school in San Jose won first place this year, the eighth such win in nine years.

The team is shown with Bishop Patrick McGrath and Coach Kimberly Cognac.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Mary As A Model of Social Justice Myles McCabe, province director of peace and justice, Sr. Katherine Feely, SND, Bro. Ray Fitz and Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH Marianists of the Province of the U.S., in collaboration with NACMS, the Center for Concern in Washington, D.C., and the Marian Library at the University of Dayton, are producing a series of resources titled “Mary: A Model for Social Justice.” Sr. Katherine Feely, SND, from the Center of Concern will direct the project. Find out more or e-mail Myles McCabe to help. Marianist Sharing Fund Applications Now Being Accepted The criteria and application forms for 2007-2008 Sharing Fund grants are available online. Special consideration is given to grants submitted by Marianist communities, religious or lay. For more information, e-mail Myles McCabe or Sr. Mary Beth Hefti. Bro. Ed Zamierowski presents a Marianist Sharing Fund grant to Eileen Moorman, Glenda Johnson and Sharon B. Mitchell (executive director) of the Dakota Center in Dayton. The funds will expand the organization’s program to promote life management skills to people in the Dayton west urban community. Marianist Social Justice Collaborative The MSJC Death Penalty Team held its annual meeting March 31 to April 1 in Dayton. A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion featuring guest speakers Gary Beeman, who was exonerated from death row, Sr. Alice Gerdeman, chair of the Ohioans to Stop Executions, and Carol Ann Parcel, of Families That Matter, a support group for the families of death row inmates. At the Death Penalty Team meeting, seated, Gary Beeman, Sr. Alice Gerdeman and Carol Ann Parcel; standing, Bro. Frank O'Donnell, Andria Brannon, Bro. Brian Halderman, Bob Stoughton, Jeff Campbell, Sr. Grace Walle, Ed Block and Bros. Dick Olsen and Phil Aaron The MSJC is kicking off a “Peoples’ Peace Initiative” to promote alternatives to non-violence throughout the world. The initiative encourages parishes, small faith communities and other groups to reflect on the challenges of peace today in our communities and in our world. Find out more. Contact Myles McCabe, Province director of peace & justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL in Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded an “Outstanding Board Award for 2007” by the National Association of Boards, Commissions and Councils of Catholic Education April 11 at the NCEA national convention in Baltimore. The award recognizes outstanding achievement on behalf of Catholic education. Read more. Nolan Catholic High School Board 2006-2007 with Fr. Larry Doersching (seated, far left) and Bro. Pierre Weitkamp (standing, fourth from left. Photo by John M. Gonzales ST. ANTHONY JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL in Maui has announced that Fr. James Orsini will succeed Edwina Wilson-Snyder as principal at the end of the school year. Ms. Wilson-Synder is leaving due to health concerns. Fr. James is a former Marianist brother who ministered at St. Anthony’s parish and schools in the late 1960s and 1970s. He currently ministers as pastor of several rural parishes on Maui. Our congratulations to Fr. James! Read more. Edwina Wilson-Snyder, Fr. James Orsini and Bro. Jim Vorndran ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL in Cincinnati hosted over 300 students from 15 local high schools for an overnight event to learn more about the plight of children in Uganda. The event featured presentations from young adults who have been to Uganda and from special guest Abitimo Odongkara, who founded a school in Northern Uganda. Moeller has adopted this school as a service project. Read more. ARCHBISHOP MOELLER WINS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Archbishop Moeller High School won its third state basketball title March 24 with a defeat over St. Xavier High School. News of the victory spread all the way to the floor of Congress, where House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH-8), Moeller ’68, stated “…Moeller has established a reputation for excellence in academics, athletics, faith, and community service, a reputation renewed and reinforced by this latest achievement.” Read the entire transcript of Rep. Boehner’s remarks. Moeller's J. J. Grycko during the championship game UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has raised nearly $10,000 over the last three years to benefit Marianist ministries in Bangalore, India, and Karonga, Malawi. Funds were raised through the fraternity’s annual auction and through a unique fundraiser where fraternity brothers dribbled a basketball from Cincinnati to Dayton in conjunction with an Xavier – UD basketball game. The fraternity has been inspired by chapter members and UD graduates Kevin Fitzgerald and Matt Maroon. Kevin has volunteered in Bangalore, and Matt is currently volunteering with the Marianists in Karonga. Read more. One of the organizations benefiting from Pi Kappa Alpha’s efforts is Play Schools in Bangalore, located in one of India’s poorest neighborhood. CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY. The Chaminade Symphonic Band, Jazz Band I and PM Jazz Combo received superior ratings and first place awards at the “2007 Festivals of Music” competition in Atlanta March 29 to April 1. Read more. ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY freshman Jean Choo was one of 50 winners of Oprah Winfrey’s National High School Essay Contest. Jean wrote about the relevance of the book “Night” in today’s society. “Night” tells the story of Elie Wiesel’s time spent in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Jean (center) with Oprah Winfrey and Elie Wiesel

KOREAN MARIANIST FAMILY GATHERS IN SEOUL

Members of the Korean Marianist family met at the Marianist novitiate in Seoul on March 31. Seated, Bro. John Ko, Theresa Kim, Srs. Susanna Kim and Theresa Lee and Fr. Pachal Lee; standing, Fr. Dominic Park, Mary Clarisa, Jamma Seol, Peter Dhoi, a woman who is a Lay Marianist, Bro. Matthew Woo, Francisco Park and Srs. Juliana Moun and Theresa Moun

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 SM Connect (PORTAL) is updated on a regular basis. ALIVE MAGAZINE. The new issue of Alive magazine has been mailed. If you need additional copies, e-mail Ann Mueller. Read the issue.

Apr. 16 – Apr. 20 “Live-in” vocation experience, Honolulu Apr. 19 – Apr. 20 Provincial Council meeting, St. Louis Apr. 28 Jubilee celebration, San Antonio MORE

FAMILY RETREAT CENTER HOLDS ANNUAL SPANISH RETREAT

Fr. Ted Cassidy, back row, fourth from right, and Bro. Ralph Neumann, back row, third from right, with participants in the Spanish Speaking Retreat

The Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J., celebrated its fifth annual Spanish Speaking Retreat March 23 - 24. Eighteen family members from five families and 14 staff members participated in the event themed “Dios El Constructor” or “God, the Builder of Family Life.” Bro. Ralph Neumann (Holy Rosary, San Antonio) assisted with the translation of the materials for the retreat.

HAMMING IT UP AT EASTER

It’s bunnies, bonnets and Bro. Max Beyer (Alumni Hall, Dayton) with members of the University of Dayton cafeteria staff. Photo courtesy of Fr. John Putka

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

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

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.

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

MARIANIST SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE. Read the April 2007 issue of Justice Jottings.

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

JUST ONE MORE...

THE ROAD ALWAYS TAKEN. Sidewalk leading from the Marianist community to Nolan High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo courtesy of Bro. Louis Ernst

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

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

April

May

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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.