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TWO BROTHERS ORDAINED IN DISTRICT OF INDIA

The Most Rev. Vincent Barwa (second from left) is flanked by newly-ordained priests Frs. James Dungdung (left) and Marianus Lugun. District Superior Fr. Pragasam T. is shown far right. Photo courtesy of Bro. Antony Nesam

Thousands gathered at the Prabhat Tara School in Ranchi, India, on Jan. 5, 2008, to celebrate the ordinations of Bros. James Dungdung and Marianus Clement Lugun. The Most Rev. Vincent Barwa, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Ranchi, was the main celebrant and homilist. Fr. Pragasam Thathappa, district superior of India, concelebrated. Congratulations to Frs. James and Marianus!

After Mass, a new science and computer laboratory building was inaugurated at Prabhat Tara School. Dr. Steven Neiheisel, a professor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, was the donor for the building. He and his son, Steven Jr., were present for the ceremony. Cultural programs and a luncheon followed the ceremonies.

MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR CHAMINADE DAY CELEBRATIONS

On January 22, the Province celebrates the feast of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. The Province Liturgy Commission has posted a number of resources for use in local and ministerial celebrations of the event. Included are a Morning Prayer service, an Evening Prayer service, a Eucharist service, hymns, and images of Father Chaminade for use in graphic design. A link to these materials can be found on the PORTAL. Any lay groups or institutions wanting a copy of these materials should e-mail Ann Mueller. Bro. John Samaha (Cupertino, Calif.) offers additional information for Chaminade and Marianist Heritage Week celebrations. According to Provincial Stephen Glodek, on the eight days preceding the feast of Blessed Chaminade, the community of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain, will offer Morning Prayer each day at the basilica in front of Mary’s statue for the Marianists and works of the units throughout the world. On Jan. 22, they will pray especially for the Province of the U.S. The Province is grateful to the brothers of Zaragoza for their prayers and fraternal support.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE PROVINCE

Novitiate, Dayton

A Christmas Eve celebration at the novitiate in Dayton included Bros. Mike O’Grady, Hugh Bihl and John Lemker, Fr. Mike Lisbeth, Novice Jeff Campbell, Bros. Don Geiger and Tom Wendorf, Novices Ray Dominguez and Brandon Alana and Bro. Jack Somerville. Photo courtesy of Brandon Alana

Washington Street, Dayton

Members of the Governor’s Island, Mercy Siena and Chambers Street communities joined the Washington Street community in Dayton for Christmas festivities including Morning Prayer, a social and gift exchange, and dinner. Gathering around the tree, front row, Bros. Paul Bredestege and Jim Brown with Javier Narvaez, who works at the Marianist Mission; middle row, Bros. Phil Aaron, Bill Deanhofer and Frank Smith and Fr. Lee Sciarrotta; back row, Bros. Gary Marcinowski and Victor Forlani, Frs. Jack McGrath and Pat Tonry, Bro. Bernard Hartman, Fr. Jim Russell, Fr. Chris Conlon and Bro. Ken Sommer. Photo courtesy of Bro. Ed Zamierowski

Chaminade University of Honolulu

LEFT: Santa Claus (Bro. Gary Morris) at Chaminade’s annual ”Christmas on Campus” celebration; RIGHT: Bro. Jerry Bommer prepares to take a swing at the piñata that was part of the Dec. 3 Las Posadas celebration on campus. Novice Luis Gamboa planned the celebration, which included a parade, singing and other activities. Photos courtesy of Kay Stone, Luis Gamboa and Kapono Ryan

LEFT: At the Las Posadas celebration, Novice Luis Gamboa, Margaret Uiagalelei, CUH campus minister, and Fr. Ken Templin; RIGHT: Luis with participants in the Las Posadas festivities. Read more about the CUH Las Posadas celebration.

District of India

Christmas celebration at the Ragpickers’ Education and Development Scheme in Ranchi. The REDS children performed for a large audience that included Bro. Xavier Raj, assistant for religious life. Photo courtesy of Bro. Antony Nesam

“Christmas Off Campus” - Cincinnati, Puerto Rico

San Antonio

Lay Marianist Angie Cortez at the San Juan Diego celebration Dec. 9 in the plaza of Our Lady of Guadalupe church in San Antonio

PERSONNEL NEWS

Bro. Peter Daino (District of Africa) has been granted dispensation from his perpetual vows in the Society of Mary by the Holy Father. The Province community extends its gratitude for Peter’s 25 years of service as a Marianist, deeply dedicated to the poor of Africa. Peter will continue to work in Malawi with the Lusubillo Project run by the Rosarian Sisters, which assists children who are orphaned because of AIDS.

Bro. Andy Kosmowski has joined the Chaminade-Waldron community in St. Louis. Bro. Andy will be an intern in science education at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis.

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

VIA LATINA. Read the January 2008 issue of Via Latina.

UD STUDENTS MAKE COMMITMENT AS LAY MARIANISTS

At the commitment ceremony, front row, Fr. Paul Marshall, Novice Nicole Trahan, Emily Wagner, Megeen Tube, Katie Matteson, Michela Buccini, Jenna Connor, Anne Lustig and Joan McGuinness Wagner; middle row, Novice Brandon Alana, Erin Bole, Ashley Kessler, Kathy Fleming, Amy Reaman, Amy Pendergast and A.J. Wagner; back row, Matt Meyers, Mark Anderson, Darren Brown, Kyle Fortman, Andy Taube and Gary Motz. Photo and story courtesy of Joan McGuinness Wagner

More than 300 people witnessed 17 students from the University of Dayton make a public commitment as Lay Marianists on Dec. 8 at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on campus. The group has formed a new community named “The Embers.” The students completed a semester of formal formation in which they met for two hours each week, hearing from a variety of Marianists, discussing books on the founders, reading documents from the International Marianist Lay Communities, building community with one another and attending a retreat. An integral part of the formation was time each participant spent with two vowed religious and one of the Marianist Educational Associates on campus. Joan McGuinness Wagner, her husband A.J., and Novices Nicole Trahan and Brandon Alana were moderators for the formation. The commitment took place in the context of a liturgy with Fr. Paul Marshall, rector of the university, presiding. Members of the Embers community will meet weekly during the winter semester. Over the Christmas holiday they gathered in Dayton with the two other lay communities, the Branches and Brook. Read the personal commitments made by each member of the Embers community.

WEST HILLS COMMUNITY GATHERS FOR ADVENT RETREAT

On Dec. 15, the West Hills community in California invited candidates and guest Heribertus Denny (far left), who is from Indonesia and living in Hollywood, to its Advent retreat. The group used a booklet sent by Bro. Ed. Violett, general assistant for temporalities in Rome, called “United Nations Millennium Development Goals.” Also shown are Bros. Skip Matthews and LeRoy Viera, Fr. Jim Mueller and Bro. Jim Wisecaver. Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

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

Bro. Bernard Foster (Cupertino, Calif.), 88, who died Dec. 14, 2007, in Cupertino. May he rest in peace. Bro. Barney was a teacher for nearly 30 years at schools in Cleveland, Honolulu, Wailuku, San Francisco and Yokohomo, Japan. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 18 at the chapel in the Cupertino Marianist community. Fr. Steve Tutas was the presider and Fr. Bill O’Connell was the homilist. Burial was Dec. 19 at Gate of Heaven cemetery in Los Altos, Calif. Read Bro. Steve Tutas’ reflections on Bro. Barney and Bro. Barney’s obituary.

Bro. Pierre Bèzes (Province of France), 89, who died Nov. 29, 2007, in Issenheim (Alsace), France. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Pierre’s obituary.

Bro. Henri Ordinaire (Province of France), 83, who died Dec. 24, 2007, in Plessis-Robinson, France. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Henri’s obituary.

Bro. Joseph Sonntag (Province of France), 93, who died Dec. 6, 2007, in St. Hippolyte, France. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Joseph’s obituary.

Please pray also for the father of Bro. Ajay Babu, Paul Botty, Karen Jorn, Joan Lipp, Vincent Paul, George Sprys, Bro. James Steinback and Anthony Thro. Read more.

SUNRISE IN SAN ANTONIO

Photo courtesy of Fr. Cris Janson

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Fr. Bob Backherms (Mercy Siena, Dayton), who is recovering from treatment for his pancreas.

Bro. Art Dofing (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who is being treated for cancer that has metastasized to his lungs and liver.

Bro. Patrick McMahon (Riordan, San Francisco), who is hospitalized with back pain.

Bro. Robert Wade (Cupertino, Calif.), who has been hospitalized for tests.

Bro. Charles Wanda (Kiefaber, Dayton), who broke his collarbone.

For peace in Kenya, especially for a just and peaceful solution to the issues resulting from the most recent election.

Please pray also for Joseph Pistone, the Bill Scheible family and Gabriella Suriano. Read more.

MARIANIST LIFE ISSUES 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

Brian Reavey, national coordinator of Marianist LIFE, invites you to read the 2007 Marianist LIFE Annual Report. The report contains program highlights, challenges, photos and student testimonials. Read the report.

MANY JOIN IN BIRTHDAY FUN AT WEST HILLS COMMUNITY

A host of Marianist family members and friends gathered Dec. 27 at the West Hills community in California to celebrate the birthdays of Bro. LeRoy Viera and Fr. Ted Ley. Shown, kneeling, Novice Luis Gamboa and Heribertus Denny; standing, Dennis Haas, Novice Ray Dominguez, Fr. Ted, Contact Mike Chiuri, Bro. LeRoy, Fr. Barnabas Hughes, a Franciscan friend, Bro. Roberto Rivera, Arthur Fitzmaurice and Bro. Jim Wisecaver. Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Phil Aaron (Chambers Street, Dayton) supervises the University of Dayton School of Engineering ETHOS (Engineering in Technical Humanitarian Opportunities of Service) program. The program sends engineering students to developing countries to do engineering and service. View a video about the program.

Bro. Jesse O’Neill with students at Mother Seton Academy

Bro. Jesse O’Neill (Eldersburg, Md.) was featured in the Dec. 20 issue of The Catholic Review newspaper in Baltimore. Bro. Jesse stars as "Community Man" in a prayer service at Mother Seton Academy celebrating the school's sponsoring communities. Bro. Jesse is a teacher at Mother Seton. Read the article.

Bro. Jim Eppy (Chaminade-Waldron, St. Louis) was profiled in an article about religious vocations in the Jan. 4 issue of the St. Louis Review. Read the article.

Bro. Jim at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis

Congratulations to Bro. Victor Forlani (Washington Street, Dayton) who has been named “Marianist in Residence” by the University of Dayton School of Business Administration. The addition of “Marianist in Residence” to Bro. Victor’s current “Lecturer in Management” title is in recognition of his work to promote UD’s Catholic and Marianist mission in the School of Business Administration. Read more.

Bro. Bob Wood (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) spent 10 days in Mexico teaching Marianist history to the pre-novices and attending the recent vow ceremony in Mexico. "The sower doesn't always get to see the fruits of his labor. I went to Mexico 27 years ago to implant the Society of Mary. Seeing the first and final professions of Mexican religious was a deeply emotional experience," said Bro. Bob. Also, on Dec. 15, Bro. Bob spoke at the Houston Genealogical Forum archive seminar.

Fr. Bert Buby (Stonemill-Keifaber, Dayton) offers reflections on the Stonemill-Keifaber community retreat Dec. 20 to Dec. 22 at Governor’s Island in Huntsville, Ohio. Read Fr. Bert’s reflections.

Bro. John (left) and Bro. Dave cheering on the UD Flyers. Photo courtesy of Fr. John Putka

Bros. John Blank and Dave Schmitz of the Alumni Hall community in Dayton were photographed as part of the Dayton Daily News “Faces in the Crowd” at the Dec. 29 University of Dayton basketball game. The UD Flyers defeated nationally-ranked Pittsburgh by 25 points. Bro. John and Bro. Dave never miss a game.

Sr. Leanne Jablonski, director of the Marianist Environmental Education Center, was quoted in a story in the Dec. 20 Dayton Daily News on how climate change may affect Ohio. Read the story.

Bro. Chas Lohrenz (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) tends the soil of two vegetable gardens in San Antonio – one outside the Marianist Residence, and the other next to the Center for Legal & Social Justice at St. Mary’s University. The fruit of his labor goes directly to those in need. He gives half of his vegetables to the St. Vincent de Paul Shelter for the Homeless, which provides three meals a day to more than 200 people. The rest of the vegetables are given to a halfway house for recovering drug addicts located near St. Mary’s. Kudos to Bro. Chas for his wonderful work!

Fr. Francis Nakagawa (Honolulu) was mentioned in an article in the Jan. 1, 2008, issue of the Hawaii Catholic Herald. Fr. Francis celebrates Latin Mass once a week at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Honolulu. Read the article.

Congratulations to A. J. Wagner, who was elected president of MLNNA on Dec. 31, and Jacqui Griswold, who is the new MLNNA communications coordinator. Their terms of office will run until June 31, 2011. Special thanks to Marge Cavanaugh, outgoing president, and Dan Jordan, outgoing communications coordinator, for their years of service to the Marianist Family. A.J. will replace Marge on the Marianist Family Council. Read more from the MLNNA newsletter.

Jim Vogt, director of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, recently spoke on “Mary, Peace and the Earth” at the Marianist Environmental Education Center in Dayton. A story about his talk appeared in the Dec. 7 issue of The Catholic Telegraph. Read the article.

Artwork of Bro. Joe Barrish (Meyer Hall, Dayton) was displayed at the Miami Valley Cooperative Gallery final exhibition in December.

Congratulations to Bro. Brian Halderman who graduated in December with a master’s degree in social work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Bro. Brian has been in Peru since August working 560 hours of practicum at the Instituto Chaminade Marianistas, a technical post-secondary institute. He will remain in Peru until June, ministering at the institute and studying Spanish.

BRO. FELIPE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN PERU

In November 2007, Bro. Felipe Melcher, Region of Perú (formerly the St. Louis Province), celebrated 30 years of ministry in Perú. Bro. Felipe (seated left) is shown with Bro. Brian Halderman after a prayer service in his honor at the Instituto Chaminade Marianistas, a technical post-secondary institute that he founded 10 years ago in Santa Rosa, Callao, Perú. Also shown, Juan Orbe and Miguel Agüero (pastoral staff of the institute). Read a brief summary about the institute and its 2006 organizational report (NOTE: file is 9MB).

SIX ATTEND VOCATION SEMINAR IN EASTERN AFRICA

Bro. Benjamin Mwai (far left), director of vocations in Kenya, with candidates who attended a one-week seminar Dec. 4 to Dec. 10 at the Marianist novitiate in Limuru, Kenya. Photo courtesy of Bro. Benjamin

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Peru Earthquake Victims Appeal. In response to Bro. Brian Halderman’s request for donations to construct temporary shelters for over 34,000 displaced families, the Province, its communities and schools have contributed almost $3,000. Thank you to all who donated! If you have not done so, consider celebrating the Epiphany with a contribution to cover the cost of a shelter ($200). Find out how to help. View a slideshow of the earthquake victims. Kenya: A Test and An Opportunity. Our brothers in Kenya are safe but need your support. Africa Action invites you to push the U.S. to lead a vigorous diplomatic response to defuse current tensions in Kenya. Read more. An analysis of the situation in Kenya by John Allen could be reflected on as part of a community meeting. Darfur. The Marianist Province of the U.S. is part of a group of human rights organizations and investors who are pushing Wall Street to use its influence in Sudan to end the war against civilians in Darfur. Read more. My Journey to Justice. Advancing justice is an integral part of every ministry in the Marianist Province. Myles McCabe, Province director of peace & justice, invites all Marianists to share their experiences in living out this pledge and its impact on Marianist life. E-mail Myles to submit your story. Read "Epiphany 2008" by Fr. Ted Cassidy.

“THIRD AGE RENEWAL PROGRAM” OFFERS REFLECTION, SHARING

From Oct. 21 to Dec. 21, Bros. Bob Resing (back row, far right) and Ed Zamierowski (back row, fourth from right) joined a group of 18 English-speaking Marist brothers for the “Third Age Renewal Program” in Manziana, Italy. The program offers brothers ages 65 to 80 time for prayerful reflection, sharing and nourishment through personal and group prayer, retreat, input from resource people and pilgrimages. For more information about the program, visit the Web site of the International Center for Marianist Formation directed by Bro. Tom Giardino.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL in Fort Worth has the longest running high school ecology class in the country. For more than 30 years, students have had the opportunity to study the environment and complex ecosystems outside the classroom in Costa Rica and various locations in Texas. Dr. Joe Kuban directs the program, which has attracted a number of significant ecological scientists and environmentalists to Nolan Catholic. Read more. LEFT: Nolan Catholic students on an excursion in November down the canals in Costa Rica to experience its wildlife and vegetation (photo by Frederico Alban); RIGHT: Bro. Al Kuntemeier, who has been on 15 Nolan Catholic excursions, shares a handshake with a student while visiting the Tortuguero school in Costa Rica. CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY in St. Louis raised over $14,000 through its annual “Sharing & Caring Drive.” The proceeds will benefit a number of local, national and international agencies. “Truly this is a testament to the students’ deep understanding of faith and community,” said Ray Harter, director of the Marianist Servant Leadership Program at Chaminade. ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL in St. Louis, in partnership with Ursuline Academy, a Catholic high school for girls in St. Louis, raised $6,500 for the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” program. Vianney students complete 20,000 hours of service each school year. CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters to its regent, the Rev. Donald P. Merrifield, S.J., on Dec. 5 at its 2007 winter commencement ceremonies. Read more about Rev. Merrifield and his distinguished career in Catholic higher education. At the ceremony, R.J. “Zap” Zlatoper, CUH board chair, Sue Wesselkamper, CUH president, and Rev. Merrifield. Photo and story courtesy of Kapono Ryan REMEMBERING COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S BIGGEST UPSET LEFT: The Chaminade University of Honolulu basketball team shocked the nation by defeating Virginia on Dec. 23, 1982. Sports Illustrated hailed it as the greatest moment in Hawaii sports. RIGHT: Players and coaches from the 1982 team gathered for a reunion in 2002. Read a recent Sports Illustrated article about the game.

GOOD TO KNOW     Jan. 9 – Jan. 13 National Vocation Awareness Week Jan. 10 Anniversary of the death of Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon Jan. 14 - 15 Provincial Council Meeting Jan. 17 Office of Education Meeting, St. Louis Jan. 19 “Discernment Saturday," West Hills, Calif. Jan. 20 Marianist Heritage Week begins Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Day Jan 22 Anniversary of the death of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade MORE OUT AND ABOUT. Read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis. PROVINCIAL OFFICE CLOSED. The Provincial office will be closed Jan. 21 for Martin Luther King Day. FAMILYONLINE. The next issue of FamilyOnline will be Jan. 23, 2008. OVER-THE-RHINE TEMPORARY ADDRESS. A fire in October damaged the building housing the Over-The-Rhine community in Cincinnati. The brothers have moved into temporary living quarters. Contact information is: Bro. Mitch Schweickart and community mail: 1514 Elm Street #11, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Telephone 513.687.5561 (must dial the whole number) Bro. Mike Murphy: 1516 Elm Street #4, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Telephone 513.687.5518 (must dial the whole number) JANUARY FEAST DAYS Fr. George Cerniglia, assistant for religious life, writes about important feast days in January. Read Fr. George's letter and read the list of January feast days.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

PRESIDENT. Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Fla., is seeking a president. Résumés are due Jan. 30, 2008. Read more.

A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT OF INDIA

Bro. Antony (back row, second from left) with children from the Ragpickers’ Education & Development Scheme (REDS) Hatma Center in Ranchi, India. Bro. Antony works at the center.

From Bro. Antony Nesam, Ranchi:

“Some say there is no hope for the world. Let them come here and see that hope springs eternal because of Him who loved us so much that He became like one of us. Some say there is no future for the world. Let them come here and see a bright future in the eyes of your youth. May the infant Jesus fill our hearts with abundant hope, unwavering faith and compassionate love! And may He truly live in our hearts forever!”

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

MARIANIST SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE. Read the January 2008 issue of Justice Jottings.

INDIA. Read the December 2007 newsletter from the District of India.

CFL RETREAT CENTER. The Christian Family Living Center on North Topsail Island, N.C., is offering a number of Lenten retreats. Read about CFL Retreat Center activities in the January 2008 issue of High Tidings.

MARIANIST INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS. Read the latest issue of the MIV newsletter.

CUPERTINO. Read the latest newsletter from Fr. Steve Tutas.

JUST ONE MORE...

Jessica Gonzalez (Colegio San José) says her five-year-old son Luis loves his large Chaminade coloring book.” Please tell Bro. Steve and everyone involved with putting this coloring book together that it is a great way to teach kids who Fr. Chaminade is!”

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

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

January

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 2008 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.

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