Volume 2, Number 9
Tuesday, April 15, 2003

SAN ANTONIO HOSTS FIRST JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Bro. Joe Grieshaber (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) reports that the first jubilee celebration of the Province of the United States in San Antonio March 29-30 was a memorable occasion. On Saturday, March 29, Assistant Provincial Fr. Jim Fitz celebrated a Jubilee Eucharist at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at St. Mary's University. A social and dinner followed at the Marianist Residence at St. Mary's for invited guests - Marianist Brothers and Sisters in the area and families and close friends of the jubilarians.

Some of the Jubilarians at the March 30 reception in San Antonio, from left: Bro. Cletus Behlmann; Fr. John Klobuka; Bro. Richard Schrader; Fr. Gerry Hammel; and Bros. Joe Barrett, Louis Pinckert and Louis Ernst

On Sunday, March 30, Eucharist was celebrated at Holy Rosary Church in San Antonio by Fr. Bernard Lee (Woodlawn Community, San Antonio), assistant chancellor at St. Mary's, with a large reception following at the St. Mary's University Center for family, friends, university employees and archdiocesan personnel. Our congratulations to the San Antonio area jubilarians for 2003: Fr. Paul Ryan (70 years); Bro. Joe Barrett (60 years); the 50-year jubilarians: Bro. Cletus Behlmann; Bro. Louis Ernst; Fr. Conrad Kaczkowski; Fr. James Mueller; and Bro. Richard Schrader; and Silver Sacerdotal: Fr. Gerry Hammel; Fr. John Klobuka; and Fr. Eugene Sweeney.

CURRAN INSTALLED AS 18^TH UD PRESIDENT

New University of Dayton president Daniel Curran was installed April 11 amidst a weekend of celebration and ceremony. In his address, Curran, a sociologist, challenged the university community to "analyze the causes of social injustice and educate professionals with a conscience." More information and photos of event highlights will be featured in the next FamilyOnline.

ONLINE CLASS ON THE MARIANIST CHARISM

"Founders of the Marianist Family: Their Lives and Times," is an innovative web-based class designed to teach and dialogue about the Marianist charism. The five-week course begins April 20 and permits students to log on at any hour of the day. Class size is limited to 12 people, with a fee of $40. The course was developed by the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS). For more information contact Carol.Ramey@notes.udayton.edu or call 937.429.2521. For a sample course and registration visit: http://www.udayton.edu/~vlc/courses/

PRAYER REQUESTS

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF …

Bro. Marion Pietkiewicz, 72, who died March 30 in Baltimore. Bro. Marion was a versatile scholar, a gifted teacher and a longtime counselor and sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous. "He was an inspiration in the classroom - very gifted. He had a brilliant mind," said Bro. Howard Hughes. Bro. Stephen Glodek said, ". . . he touched many, many lives with his warmth and gentle caring." To read Bro. Marion's obituary, please click here: Please note that Bro. Marion's age was given incorrectly as 71 in the last issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Louis Schott, 96, who died April 6 in Dayton. Visitation and the Mass of Christian Burial were held April 11 at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount Saint John in Dayton. In the 30 years since he retired, Bro. Louis led an active life serving others, especially the elderly. Bro. Jim Vorndran fondly remembers Bro. Louis as the "bird man" of St. Leonard. "He used to feed the ducklings in the courtyard at St. Leonard. I can still see the ducklings, who had become accustomed to him, flocking around whenever he came outside." To read Bro. Louis' obituary, please click here:

Bro. Kikuichi Matsuoka (Region of Japan), 98, who died March 23 in Tokyo. May he rest in pace. Bro. Matsuoka's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Fr. Isidore Heitz (Province of France), 83, who died April 4 in Lavaur. May he rest in peace. Fr. Heitz' obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Helen Forgach, mother of the late Bro. Paul Forgach, former Cincinnati Province, who died April 5 in Parma, Ohio. May she rest in peace.

Thomas M. Houser, 84, father-in-law of Dick Flack, who died March 24. May he rest in peace. Dick is executive director of Bergamo Center in Dayton.

Amanda Schepers, 24, niece of former Marianist Don Schepers, who died March 28 in Chicago from injuries received in an automobile accident. May she rest in peace.

SPRING AT QUEENY PARK, ST. LOUIS

Photo courtesy of Bro. Bob Resing, SM

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF …

Bro. Richard Dix (Maryland Avenue, St. Louis), who underwent hip replacement surgery on March 21 and is recuperating at home with visits by a nurse and physical therapist. Bro. Richard will soon return to the Province offices.

Bro. Joseph O’Meara (Curé of Ars, St. Louis), who is at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Louis suffering from dehydration, a slight case of pneumonia and kidney malfunction.

FINAL CHAPTER DOCUMENTS

Fr. Jim Fitz has distributed final materials relating to the third session of the Province Chapter in March. To read "Decisions and Recommendations on the Developing Regions," please click here: To read "Summary of Province Conversation on Common Resources," please click here: The latter document is a summary of the conversation and is not an official document of the Chapter.

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick

Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick (St. Anthony's Rectory, Allston, Mass.) reports that his dissertation, "The Disarmament of God: Ezekiel 38-39 in Its Mythic Context," has been accepted by the Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series for publication as a book. The editors wrote, "Fitzpatrick has provided a superb survey of Ezekiel research over the last 200 years . . . the best available anywhere for its completeness and clarity. He actually performs the larger task of providing one of the most integrated and overarching understandings for the unity of the whole book." Congratulations to Fr. Paul!

Bro. Bernie Stratman (Washington, D.C.) executive director of the seminary department for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) reports that Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars, St. Louis) was commissioned by the NCEA to create a pascal candle and stand to mark the NCEA's centennial year celebration. The candle, which contains beeswax from Bro. Ken Jung (Chaminade Waldron, St. Louis), will be displayed at the NCEA convention in St. Louis this month and the Boston convention in 2004. Kudos to Bros. Mel and Ken.

Fr. Bernard Lee (Woodlawn Community, San Antonio) made a presentation and gave a workshop in March on "New Ways of Thinking about God, World, and the Human Person," at Loyola University in New Orleans. On March 21 he was one of 14 invited participants in a Colloquium on "Theologians and Bishops." The committee of theologians and Bishops is preparing recommendations that will support dialogue concerning major issues and challenges in church life.

Fr. Gus Biehl

Fr. Gus Biehl (East St. Louis, Ill.) has written and narrated a 25-minute videotape entitled "The Seven Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother" with video engineer Steve White. Fr. Gus showed the video at a Day of Renewal for Marianist Affiliates on March 9 at St. Mary's High School in St. Louis. The day included group sharing, a Reconciliation service and Eucharist. Bro. John Klein (East St. Louis, Ill.) also presented. The Affiliate president is Mary Anne Dundon; renewal president is Carole King.

Bro. Cletus Behlmann (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) with one of his latest artistic endeavors.

CALIFORNIA LAY MARIANISTS ENJOY GATHERINGS

Fr. Ted Ley (West Hills, Calif.) and Fr. Jack Rielly (San Juan Community, Cupertino) report on two California events with Lay Marianists. On March 30, Fr. Jack hosted a gathering of the Lay Marianist Affiliates of the Bay Area for their annual reunion at the Riordan Marianist Community in San Francisco. The day included Eucharist, a presentation on social justice by Bro. Bill Farrell and a social gathering. On April 6, Frs. Ted and Jack shared in a 50-year tradition when they gathered with the Lay Marianists of Southern California at the Marianist Community in West Hills. The day included Eucharist, an informal meeting and a buffet. Bro. Jim Wisecaver shared news about Chaminade Preparatory. Both events were well attended and thoroughly enjoyed.

Fr. Jack Rielly (far right) with Lay Marianist Affiliates of the Bay Area at the Chapel of the Assumption at the Marianist Community in San Francisco. The affiliates were meeting for an annual reunion.

CREATIVE RETREAT AT GOVERNOR'S ISLAND

Bro. Don Smith (Governor's Island, Ohio) reports that the Chaminade community of Washington Street in Dayton participated in a Lenten retreat at Governor's Island that included a creative session led by Bro. Don. The group made tiles, cutting Lenten images out of clay. They applied colors with underglaze and then glazed them. When the tiles dried, Bro. Don fired them and adhered a square of stained glass to the reverse side. The community hung the finished tiles in their chapel windows, a reminder of their time together and the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Attending were Frs. Jack McGrath (director) and Charles Bergedick; Bros. Michael Biscan, James Brown, Sean Downing, Victor Forlani, Al Gillis, Bernard Hartman, Patrick McDaid and Roy McLoughlin; Fr. Tom Schroer; and Bro. Ed Zamierowski.

Bro. Al Gillis working on his tile

Bro. Sean Downing's image of the phoenix

THE CLASSIFIEDS

University Minister. Fr. Terry Weik is looking for a University Minister for Spiritual Development who will coordinate programs and services through the Office of University Ministry at St. Mary's University. To read the complete job description, please click here:

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Nostalgic Marianists may want to check out the website of the Clifton House [www.thecliftonhouse.com], Cincinnati's newest bed and breakfast. The turn-of-the-century building, with its wraparound porch, was home to the Terrace Avenue Community for 30 years. The group moved to Findley Street 10 years ago.

VOCATION RETREAT AT CAPE MAY

Bro. Charles Johnson (Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis), national vocation director, reports that the vocation retreat March 28-30 at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J., was a rousing success. The invitation-only retreat, which included seven young men and three young women who are considering aspirancy, was guided by Bros. Dennis Schmitz, Jesse O'Neill, Jack Somerville and Walt Oberster; Fr. John McEnhill; Sr. Laura Leming; and Lay Marianists Ray and Joanne McCracken and Linda Zappacosta.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

VIA LATINA. To read the April 1 issue of Via Latina, a publication from the General Administration in Rome, please click here: Note the story on Bro. Steven O'Neil (Rockaway Park, New York).

BEACON.COM. To read the April issue of Beacon.com, a publication of the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, New Jersey, please click here:

MLNNA E-NEWS. To read the April issue of the mlnna e-news, a publication of the Marianist Lay Network of North America, please click here:

CENTERPOINT.COM. To read the April issue of Centerpoint.com, a publication of the Center for Marianist Spirituality and Communities, please click here:

LIFE AT VILLA ST. JOSEPH. To read the April issue of Life at Villa Saint Joseph, a publication from the community in Cupertino, please click here:

Note: If you're opening a "PDF" file and the publication is too small, pull down the "percentage" menu (often set at 50 percent) and increase the percentage to 100 percent or more for easy viewing.

The Blessed Virgin statue outside the Marycliff community on the grounds of the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. Photo courtesy of Fr. José Ramirez, SM.

MARIANIST BOOTH AT NCEA CONVENTION

Bro. Charlie Johnson (Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis), national vocation director, invites everyone to stop by the booth of the Marianist Province of the United States - Booth #1234 - during the national NCEA convention April 23-25 at the America's Center in St. Louis.

JUBILARIANS OF 2003

We celebrate the jubilees of 50 members of the Society of Mary this year from the new Province of the United States, whose combined years of service exceed 2,095 years of religious profession and 450 years of ordained ministry. Congratulations to all! We will include photos of every jubilarian in FamilyOnline in small groups. Our second group includes those who are celebrating 60 years with the Society. Jubilee celebrations began March 29-30 in San Antonio and will continue on April 27 in Honolulu; May 18 in San Jose; May 24 in St. Louis; June 14 in Baltimore and Aug. 16 in Dayton.

60 YEARS A MARIANIST - CONGRATULATIONS!

Top Row: Bro. Joseph Barrett; Fr. Norbert Burns; Fr. Anthony Jansen; Bro. John Klein
Bottom Row: Bro. Louis Pinckert; Fr. John Rielly; Bro. Charles Roggemann; Bro. Edward Unferdorfer

ART EXHIBIT AT GALLERY SAINT JOHN

Marianist Sisters Marie Abmayr, Christine Stevens, pre-novice Joyce Detzel, Bros. John Lemker, Charles Gausling, Gary Marcinowski, Joe Barrish, and Norm Eckl, are contributing artists for the arts and education exhibit 2003 of the Marianist Education Center in Dayton. Titled "On the Wings of a Prairie: Celebrating Tallgrass Prairies, Winged Creatures and the Creativity of the Human Spirit that Inspired First Flight," the show opened March 19 in the Gallery St. John at Mount St. John. Sr. Leanne Joblonski is coordinator of the exhibit.

Novice Tobias Ferrer and Sr. Maria Jose Jauregui, FMI, enjoy the new exhibit at Gallery St. John in Dayton.

A THOUGHT
The Guest House

OUT AND ABOUT

To read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in
St. Louis, please click here:

PERSONNEL REVISIONS

For the latest revisions to the Personnel, please click here. Note that this list includes contact information for the Brothers in Honolulu who have moved into the new Center Marianist Community residence (Hale Malia). For a complete list of changes to the Personnel since it was first distributed, e-mail amueller@sm-usa.org.

FAMILYONLINE ARCHIVED!

All back issues of FamilyOnline are now available at www.marianist.com/fol. E-mail Diane Guerra at dguerra@sm-usa.org with questions.

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

(Note: To send an e-mail birthday greeting, just click on the individual's e-mail address below.)

April

ABOUT FamilyOnline

This biweekly e-mail newsletter is produced for members of the Society of Mary and the FMI. 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. Please 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. 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.