If you are having difficulty viewing this E-mail, please visit our online version.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL FROM THE STAFF OF WEST PINE

Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy and many blessings for the new year! Shown are members of the Marianist West Pine staff in St. Louis, including front, Bro. Ed Brink, Bro. Joe Markel, Frs. Joe Lackner, George Cerniglia and Jim Fitz and Bro. Stephen Glodek; middle, Kathy Cooper, Mary Perotti, Ann Mueller, Pat Stephens, Bro. Charles Johnson, Sue McKamely, Bro. Joe Grieshaber, and Joan Suda; back, Bro. Ken Straubinger, Bro. Bob Resing, Dan Richter, Fr. Dave Paul, Bro. John Habjan, Sr. Mary Beth Hefti and Mary Ellen Garcia. Not shown, Diane Guerra, Myles McCabe, Ruth Pera, Patti Reeg, Donna Tucker and Bro. Jack Ventura 

ANNUAL CONTACT RETREAT FOCUSES ON ADVANCING JUSTICE

At the United Nations, front, Bro. Brian Halderman, Julius Militante, David Valpone and Andrew Caruso; back, Norman Capinpin, Michael Chiuri, Aaron Filsinger, Rick Collins, Brandon Paluch, Aspirant Joe Janosik, Nhan Nguyen, Bro. Bob Donovan, Bro. Steve O’Neil and Heribertus Denny

The annual contact retreat for young men considering a religious vocation with the Marianists was held Dec. 11 to Dec. 14 at the Rockaway Beach community in New York. Ten Marianist contacts and Aspirant Joe Janosik participated in a weekend of discernment entitled “Marianist Social Justice,” facilitated by Bros. Brian Halderman, Bob Donovan, and Steve O’Neil and Novice Ray Dominguez. Bro. Bob gave the opening prayer and a presentation on his healthcare for the homeless program. On Friday, Bro. Steve, Province representative at the United Nations of the Marianist NGO, gave the group a tour of the UN and a presentation on his work. In addition, the contacts visited a homeless recycling project directed by Sr. Anna de Lucca. On Saturday, Fr. Paul Landolfi arranged for the contacts to serve breakfast and lunch at a soup kitchen in Freeport, N.Y., and Bro. Brian Halderman led a discussion on the Province document “Advancing Justice” and the NACMS publication “How Marianists Do Social Justice.”

Marianists and contacts listen to a homeless man explain his recycling project.

Clockwise from top, Novice Ray Dominguez and Bro. Brian Halderman; Fr. Paul Landolfi and contact Brandon Paluch; contact Nhan Nguyen; and contacts Rick Collins and Heribertus Denny. Photos courtesy of Heribertus

NEWS FROM VOCATIONS

Read the Dec. 22, 2008, issue of Vocation News by Bro. Charles Johnson, national vocation director.

TIME TO REGISTER FOR PROVINCE-SPONSORED RETREATS

All brothers are strongly encouraged to register online for one of the Province-sponsored retreats for 2009. Information about the Province retreats and a link to the registration form were sent in an e-mail Dec. 5. The information also is available on the PORTAL. The registration deadline is March 15, 2009. Please assist brothers in your community who are uncomfortable with online registration. Please contact Donna Tucker with any questions.

VOCATIONS SEMINAR HELD IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Five Marianist candidates from various parts of Kenya participated in a second orientation vocation seminar Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 in Nairobi, Kenya. Bro. Ben Mwai, vocation director in Kenya (third from left), is shown with the candidates. Courtesy of Bro. Ben

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY HONORS DR. SUE WESSELKAMPER

Chaminade University President Sue Wesselkamper on campus

Chaminade University of Honolulu honored its eighth and longest-serving president, Mary (Sue) Civille Wesselkamper, D.S.W., and her legacy Dec. 15 during its 2008 Winter Commencement Ceremony. 

President Sue was awarded the university’s degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa. Sue was installed as president in the fall of 1995 and took a medical leave of absence this fall due to the reoccurrence of inoperable cancer. Considered the driving force of Chaminade’s success, she has raised more than $66 million in the last nine years.

“Sue is genuinely loved by faculty, staff and students by the Chaminade ‘ohana,” said Bro. Bernie Ploeger, Chaminade’s acting president. “Sue’s personal image—her integrity, faith, belief in educating in the family spirit and commitment to academic quality—mirrors well the Catholic, Marianist tradition of our university.  Her 13-year tenure as president has created a vibrant legacy and rock solid foundation that we can build a good future on.”

CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO SAY “YES” LIKE MARY

The Beacons community, back, Brian Baker, Kelly Grimes, Ali Daeger, Kathryn Bunner; front, A.J. Wagner, Jason Bollman, Pam Morelli, Emily Mille, Vitina Pestello and Joan McGuinness Wagner

Sixteen University of Dayton students made public commitments as Lay Marianists during a liturgy Dec. 6 at Immaculate Conception chapel on the campus of UD. Fr. Paul Marshall (university rector) presided. The students chose to participate in a formation process, developed and sponsored by the Office of the Rector. Joan McGuinness Wagner (UD director of Marianist strategies) and her husband A.J. Wagner (president of MLNNA) accompanied the students on this journey. The students formed The Beacons and The Leaven communities, which are the sixth and seventh student communities to make public commitments in the past three years. Read the commitment statement and personal commitment statements from the students. Congratulations to the new Lay Marianists!

The Leaven community, back, Liz Tiemeier, Melissa Hoelzle, Pete Spanel, Nicole Peters; front, A.J. Wagner, Alex Orlowski, Liz Albanese, Kelly Marx, Hannah Williamson and Joan McGuinness Wagner. Photos courtesy of Joan

BROTHERS TAKE THEIR SINGING INTO THE STUDIO

At the recording studio, Bros. Gary Morris, Jim Dods, Tom Spring (who led the groups), Tom Payne and Fr. Jim Bartlett. Courtesy of Bro. Dennis Schmitz

Brothers in Hawai’i recorded the Salva Regina Dec. 18 at a recording studio in Honolulu. The song will be part of the soundtrack for a new DVD chronicling  the Marianists’ history in Hawai’i. The documentary will premiere at a special Marianist 125th anniversary celebration on Jan. 24 in Honolulu. It is also scheduled for broadcast on the local PBS station.

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

Bro. Paul Merland (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 77, who died Dec. 8, 2008, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Paul served the Province as a teacher and business manager at Marianist schools in Ohio and worked in the Treasurer’s Office of the University of Dayton. In his later years, he was an aide at the Cincinnati Museum Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 13, 2008, at Queen of Apostles chapel at Mount St. John in Dayton. Burial was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at Mount St. John. Read Bro. Paul’s obituary and a eulogy by Fr. Tom Schroer.

Bro. André Raoul (Province of France), 79, who died Dec. 19, 2008, in Sucy en Brie, France. May he rest in peace. Bro. André's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Willibald Lasinger (Region of Austria-Germany), 76, who died Dec. 22, 2008, in Freistadt, Austria. May he rest in peace. Bro. Willibald’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Please pray also for Loretta Campbell, Mary Kebbon, Fr. Eugene LaVerdiere, S.S.S., and Dan Sherman. Read more.

POINSETTIA BUSH, ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY, SAN ANTONIO

Courtesy of Fr. Cris Janson

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Bob Donovan (Over-the Rhine, Cincinnati)

Bro. Pat McMahon (Cupertino, Calif.)

Sue Wesselkamper, president of Chaminade University of Honolulu

Please pray also for Mike Cody, Diane Guerra, Robert Reavey and Frank Ventura. Read more.

FROM THE SCHOLASTICATE  IN PUEBLA, MEXICO

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Congratulations to Bro. Gobi Torres Nazarío (District of Mexico), who, along with his research partner, was awarded a scholarship to attend the Congress of the Psychological Association of Mexico and the Congress of Faculties of Psychology. They will present their research on migrant workers with missing family members.

Fr. Johann Roten, director of the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, is quoted in the Dec. 17 issue of the New York Times about the history of crèches. Read the story.

Fr. Chris Conlon (Chambers Street, Dayton) gave the homily at the University of Dayton “Christmas on Campus” Mass on Dec. 18. Fr. Chris called upon the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe to encourage students to incarnate the word of God in their actions and to emulate the faith and discipleship demonstrated by St. Juan Diego. Read Fr. Chris’ homily.

Bro. Frank O’Donnell (Baltimore) spoke on “Moving from a Culture of Death to a Culture of Life" as part of the adult education series at St. Mary's Parish in Annapolis, Md. The talk focused on abolishing the death penalty to help change our culture from violence to forgiveness. Read Bro. Frank’s comments about the talk.

SAVE THE DATE...

Bro. Jack Ventura invites all members of the Marianist Family from the St. Louis area to Eucharist and dinner to celebrate the 208th anniversary of the Foundation Day of Marianist Sodalities at 4 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 31, 2009, at St. Mary's High School. Bring a favorite wine or dessert to share. For information or to RSVP, contact Donna Tucker by Jan. 23.

CUPERTINO COMMUNITY ENJOYS DINNER WITH SJIS ALUMNI

At dinner,  Bro. Frank Spaeth, Fr. Bob Hertweck, Dan Moreno, Bro. John Samaha and Fr. Joe Stefanelli. Photos courtesy of Dan Moreno

On Dec. 8, two alumni of the class of 1966 of St. Joseph International School in Yokohama, Japan, gave a dinner for the Cupertino community in California. The alumni, Dan Moreno and Vince Perpetuo, said Bro. Joe Wasielewski, who died in May, was one of their favorite teachers at SJIS.  After liturgy and a dinner of prime rib, Vince acknowledged the 35 Marianists in attendance for their service to countless young men and women who passed through the Marianist schools. He also expressed appreciation for the education and formation the students received at St. Joseph’s. Courtesy of Bro. John Samaha

Dan Moreno, Fr. Jack Russi, Bro. John Haster, Jo Moreno, Vince Perpetuo, Luiza Perpetuo and  Bro. John Samaha

PLAN A COURSE FOR THE NEW YEAR

The North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) offers virtual learning community courses (Prayer, Community, and Education) beginning in January 2009. The virtual learning community (vlc) might be the enrichment you need to start 2009. Find out more.

REDS STAFF ORGANIZES “CHILDREN’S DAY 2008” IN INDIA

REDS Executive Director Fr. Pragasam T. (district superior) inaugurated the event with the lighting of the lamp. Also shown, Sr. Marie Joëlle Bec, general superior of Marianist sisters (center), Prema Mantesh, REDS program director (right), and Bro. Prakash Kujur, associate district superior (far back). Courtesy of Bro. Lucian Tigga

In honor of the Ragpickers’ Education and Development Scheme (REDS) children, a celebration day was held Dec. 14 at the PU Corporation Girls College campus at Austin Town, in Bangalore, India. Events included cultural dancing, a fashion show, games and a magic show. Approximately 1,200 children and 300 parents came from seven areas of Bangalore and two villages in Tamil Nadu to participate. Thank you to the Marianists and REDS staff who made the day a success! 

GOOD TO KNOW OFFICE CLOSED. The Provincial Office in St. Louis will be closed for the Christmas holidays on the following dates: Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 26, Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 FAMILY ONLINE. The next issue of FamilyOnline will be published on Jan. 14, 2009.     Dec. 25 Merry Christmas! Dec. 27 Feast of John, Apostle and Evangelist Jan. 1 Octave of Christmas: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Jan. 10 Anniversary of the death of Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon MORE HAVE YOU VISITED THE FAMILY ONLINE ARCHIVE? Did you know that FamilyOnline is archived online? Just go to www.marianist.com/fol to search any issue since November 2002. Type in the word(s) you're searching for and then click on the issue(s) that appear. Once you open an issue, go to "edit" and then "find on this page." BLOG. Read the latest from our Marianist blogger. Fr. Bert Buby (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton), Scriptural Reflections

VISITORS FROM ST. MARY’S BRING GREETINGS TO FR. OSH

Presenting Fr. Richard O’Shaughnessy (seated) with a proclamation from the mayor of St. Louis are Jane Goff (St. Mary’s assistant principal), Kevin Hacker (St. Mary’s principal), Fr. Richard Wosman, Bros. Bob Minges, Jim McCaffrey and Paul Novosal. Courtesy of Joe Divis

Fr. Osh with Jeremy Curran from St. Mary’s class of 2000

On Dec. 3, representatives from St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis, including Kevin Hacker, Jane Goff, Jeremy Curran and Jay McGillick visited their longtime colleague Fr. Richard O’Shaughnessy at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. Their mission was to bring greetings from the entire St. Mary’s High School community, where Fr. Richard taught for many years, and present him with a proclamation from St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. On Sept. 8, 2008, St. Mary’s High School had a ceremony to dedicate its new main entrance area in honor of Fr. Osh. Mayor Slay, a St. Mary’s alum, proclaimed the day as “Fr. O’Shaughnessy Day in St. Louis.” Fr. Richard Wosman helped coordinate the visit.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . Schroeder Field at Purcell Marian High School PURCELL MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL dedicated its new athletic field to Bro. Bill Schroeder, Purcell High School’s first athletic director, former teacher, Marianist, and one of the founders of the Greater Catholic League (GCL). Bro. Bill was at Purcell High School from 1928 to 1960. A plaque with the new name “Schroeder Field” is displayed in front of the field. Courtesy of Bro. Bob Politi ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL students broke a school record by raising almost $10,000 for its annual fundraiser that benefits the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” program. St. John Vianney’s Lettermen’s Club was in charge of purchasing toys with the money raised.     Students Matt Moreno and Andrew Ogle were among the students who shopped for toys. ST. JOHN VIANNEY JUNIOR WINS AWARD. Timothy Dreyer is one of 30 students throughout the metro St. Louis area to be recognized as a “Student of Achievement.” Tim will receive a full-tuition scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University in 2010. The award is sponsored by Southeast Missouri State and a local radio station. Tim excels in academics and sports and received  St. John Vianney’s “Marianist Award,” one of the school’s highest honors. Congratulations Tim! NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL students Shayla and Jordan Mitrik and Missy Hunkele finished fourth in the nation in the “Holiday Holla” video contest finals on Dec. 6, 2008, at The Mall of America in Minneapolis. Their entry was “Ode to Safe Roads.” The contest was sponsored by The All-State Foundation. They received $1,000, an all expense paid trip to Minneapolis and $400 spending money. Congratulations! View the video.

ST. JOSEPH BRINGS JOY OF GIVING TO MOTHER SETON

Students from Mother Seton Academy shop for Christmas gifts for their family members. Courtesy of Bro. Jesse O’Neill

The St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg, Md., recently raised $3,000 that was used to give each student at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore a $50 gift card. Parish members took the children shopping so they could buy gifts for their families. After shopping, the students came to St. Joseph for an Advent prayer, lunch and a gift wrapping party. Fr. Terry Weik is pastor of St. Joseph, and Bro. Jesse O’Neill teaches at Mother Seton.

COLEGIO SAN JOSÉ STUDENTS VISIT UD CAMPUS

TEMPORARY HELP AT CAPE MAY. The Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J., is seeking a retired or semi-retired SM to assist at the retreat center while its program director is out on maternity leave January through March 2009. Duties would include greeting guests, preparing the facility for group retreats (bed straightening, stocking bathrooms), and small clerical jobs (photo copying). Must be able to climb stairs (building is three-story). Travel expenses to and from Cape May will be covered by the retreat center. Interested parties should contact Bro. Jack Ventura.

NACMS INTERN. The North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) is now accepting applications for its internship at The Marianist Center in Philadelphia. The position is open to Lay Marianists and vowed religious. Deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2009. Read more about the internship.

PRESIDENT, CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY. The Board of Regents and the Chaminade University of Honolulu community invites applications and nominations for the position of president. Review of applications will begin on Jan. 15, 2009. Read the full job description.

PRINCIPAL. Saint Louis School in Honolulu, a Catholic Marianist school for grades 6-12, is seeking a principal. The principal reports directly to the president. Read full job description. Address applications to the Chair of the Search Committee, include a full CV, a personal statement of why you will be the successful candidate, and a list of four references, including the person to whom the candidate currently reports. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2009, or until the position is filled.

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE WORLD COUNCIL

In countries where some of our Marianist Family is present, many sad events have unfolded in the past year. These include; wars in Democratic Republic of Congo, violence in Kenya, religious persecution in India, hurricanes in Haiti, Cuba and the U.S. And in recent months, global markets have reached a serious crisis that is affecting all – rich and poor. These events are compelling all Marianists to a deeper commitment to working for justice and peace in the world. Read more in English or Spanish.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM QUERÉTARO, MEXICO

Holiday greetings from the formation community in Querétaro, including, front, Bro. Fermín García García, Fr. Pablo Neumann, Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth, and Bro. Nereo Ramírez Hernández; back, Juan Mauricio Amador, Octavio González Duarte, José Luís González Molina, Saúl Rodríguez Lavoignet, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Ramírez, Juan Manuel Azamar, and Jorge Alberto Fiscal Cota. Courtesy of Fr. Quentin

… AND MORE HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM SAN ANTONIO

Christmas wishes from the brothers at Casa Maria in San Antonio. Top, Fr. Tim Dwyer, Bro. Brian Halderman and Bro. Roberto Rivera; middle, Aspirant Tom Fox, Fr. Kip Stander and Bro. Tim Pieprzyca; bottom, Bro. Dennis Bautista, Bro. Mike Sullivan and Aspirant Brian Myers. Courtesy of Bro. Dennis

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

MARIANIST LIFE.  Read the December 2008 issue of The Fulcrum, by Brian Reavey, national coordinator for Marianist LIFE.

CAPE MAY. Read the Dec. 2008 issue of The Beacon, the newsletter of the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J.

INDIA. Read the December 2008 newsletter from the District of India.

ICMF. Read the December 2008 newsletter of the International Center for Marianist Formation by Bro. Tom Giardino.

MLNNA. Read the December 2008 issue of MLNNA E-News, the newsletter of the Marianist Lay Network of North America. In addition, read a reflection from MLNNA President A.J. Wagner on advent.  

IIRD. Read the December 2008 newsletter of the Integrated Institute for Rural Development in Bangladesh.

MIV. Read the December 2008 newsletter of the Marianist International Volunteer program.

JUST ONE MORE...

Bros. Tom Spring, Jerry Bommer and Luis Gamboa at the Kaimuki Christmas Parade in Honolulu on Dec. 4. The parade begins at the Chaminade University/ Saint Louis School campus. Courtesy of Kay Stone

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER

JANUARY

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

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 2009 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.

4425 West Pine Blvd. St. Louis MO 63108-2301

Unsubscribe me from this list.