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BRO. BERNIE PLOEGER NAMED CHAMINADE U. PRESIDENT

Bro. Bernie Ploeger, new president of Chaminade University of Honolulu

The Province of the United States sends its prayers and best wishes to Bro. Bernie Ploeger, Ph.D., the new president of Chaminade University of Honolulu. The university’s Board of Regents voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Presidential Selection Committee. Bro. Stephen Glodek, provincial of the Marianist Province of the U.S., said, "Bro. Ploeger brings his expertise to the presidency of Chaminade University as well as a deep love and respect for the culture there and a vision for the future of Chaminade as a Marianist, Catholic and Hawaiian institution. We are extremely proud that the Board of Regents chose him from the selection of excellent candidates."

Bro. Bernie, 60, was the chief architect of Chaminade’s strategic plan for 2008-2013, and was an integral part of the “Transformations" campaign, which successfully raised $66.5 million during the presidency of the late Dr. Sue Wesselkamper. "We are enthusiastic about our choice," said Admiral R.J. "Zap" Zlatoper, USN (Ret), chair of CUH’s Board of Regents Selection Committee. “He has long been a part of the leadership base at Chaminade University and has helped the university achieve its goals during the last eight years. He has intimate knowledge of our community-based partnerships and is strongly committed to the university’s mission and identity."

Bro. Bernie has served the university as executive vice president and provost since 2001, and has been interim president since fall 2008 upon Dr. Wesselkamper’s final medical leave of absence. “It is such an honor to exercise the ministry of leadership," said Bro. Bernie. "I look forward to collaboration with the Marianist Family as well as the Association of Marianist Universities and the Marianist Education Consortium." Bro. Bernie will be in St. Louis in April to form closer relationships with the Marianist schools there. "I also hope to strengthen the ties between Chaminade University and the Marianist secondary schools," he said. Read more.

UD STUDENTS ATTEND COMMUNITY “LIVE-IN" EXPERIENCE

Earlier this month, the Stonemill-Kiefaber community in Dayton hosted a “live-in" experience for three University of Dayton students. Shown seated, Bro. Marianus Bilung, students David Brun, Jim Fritchman and Anthony Romeo and Bros. Charlie Wanda and Ray Fitz; standing, Frs. Eugene Adingra and Bert Buby, Bros. Dan Klco, Sean Downing and Tom Pieper and Frs. Jerry Chinchar and Paul Marshall. Courtesy of Bro. Sean

MARIANIST SHARING FUND ISSUES GRANTS TO 63 PROJECTS

Bro. Jack Dempsey presents a check from the Marianist Sharing Fund to the Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School pre-engineering program. Representing the program are Brian Menard (VASJ president, front, far left), Kriste Vedgys-Duhigg (student, front, center) and Steve Wallace (teacher, front right). The pre-engineering program, operated in collaboration with the University of Dayton, integrates Catholic Social Teaching into its curriculum through activities including building houses with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans.

Myles McCabe, Province director of peace and justice, and Sr. Mary Beth Hefti, Marianist Sharing Fund coordinator, announce that the Province has issued grants of almost $220,000 to 63 projects and organizations. Many of the grants benefit projects endorsed by religious or lay Marianists or projects with a Marianist presence. Projects promoting structural, ecclesial or environmental change are the primary benefactors of Sharing Fund grants. Read the full list of Sharing Fund grants for 2008-2009. Applications for grants for 2009-2010 will be accepted beginning May 1, 2009.

St. Louis grant recipients gathered March 12 to receive their checks. Groups represented included Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Programs, Our Lady’s Inn (maternal and child care for homeless), National Farm Worker Ministry and Metropolitan Congregations United. Bro. John Laudenbach (front) represented the Catholic Day Care Center in E. St. Louis, Ill. Also shown, Dan Richter, Marianist Volunteer Program coordinator (back, far left), Sr. Mary Beth Hefti (back, second from right) and Myles McCabe (back, far right)

LEFT: Bro. Jack Somerville (left) presents a grant to Fr. Jack Krumm of the National Alliance of Parishes Restructuring into Communities in Dayton; RIGHT: Mary Redfern of the World Watch Institute receives a grant from Myles McCabe for the group’s work on environmental sustainability.

MARIANISTS SHARE VOCATION STORIES AT CJ HIGH SCHOOL

Bro. Erik Otiende describes life growing up in Kenya to CJ seniors. Photos courtesy of Bro. Sean Downing

On March 19, Bros. Marianus Bilung and Sean Downing, Novice Ray Dominguez and Sr. Audrey Buttner shared their vocation stories with senior religion classes at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton. Bro. Marianus spoke on his life in India and the mission of the Ragpickers’ Education & Development Scheme program; Ray talked about growing up in the inner city and discovering his vocation; and Sr. Audrey related how she was inspired by Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon. Bro. Sean discussed the importance of a Marianist vocation in the world today. On March 20, Bro. Erik Otiende joined Bro. Sean in visiting additional CJ classrooms to share their vocation stories and provide a description of the discernment process.

LEFT: Sr. Audrey Buttner with CJ students; RIGHT: Bro. Marianus Bilung presents to the class.

YOUNG ADULTS ENJOY COLLEGE "LIFE" RETREAT

A group of 30 young adults who have made a one-year commitment as lay Marianists attended a weekend retreat in Honolulu for the Marianist College LIFE group. They were joined by members of other lay Marianist communities in Honolulu. Advisors for the College LIFE group are Margaret Uiagalelei (front, far left), Bro. Luis Gamboa (kneeling, green shirt) and Fr. Ken Templin (standing center, white shirt). Courtesy of Kay Stone

ST. ANTHONY COMMUNITY HOSTS LAY MARIANIST EVENT

Lay and religious members of the St. Anthony parish community in Maui welcomed Susan and Jim Vogt on March 20 for a presentation on their 40 years as lay Marianists. Before the presentation, the group of approximately 30 joined for prayer and a potluck dinner in the community rectory. The event was part of St. Anthony’s initial efforts to develop lay Marianist communities on Maui. “The enthusiasm is high," said Fr. Roland Bunda, pastor of St. Anthony. “The folks are willing and able to begin with Bro. Jim Vorndran, Fr. Jerry Pleva and me as guides."

Jim Vogt with Carol Guerrero and Cora and Jovi Dongon

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

Bro. Kiyomu Jean Maeda (Tokyo, Japan), 95, who died March 22, 2009, in Tokyo. May he rest in peace. Bro. Maeda’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Robert Knobluch (Province of France), 86, who died March 17, 2009, in Guebwiller, France. May he rest in peace. Bro. Robert’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Please pray also for Dr. Kenneth Carey, Esdor Ekka, Fr. John Locke, SJ, Jerry Phelan, Eileen Swanson and Fr. Ludwig Stiller, SJ. Read more.

SPRING IN BANGALORE, INDIA

Photo courtesy of Bro. Renny Markose

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Joseph Barrish (Meyer Hall, Dayton)

Bro. John Blank (Mercy Siena, Dayton)

Bro. Frank Deibel (Mercy Siena, Dayton)

Fr. Bob Hackel (Fort Worth, Texas)

Bro. Gerry Hyland (Curé of Ars, St. Louis)

Fr. Jack Russi (Cupertino, Calif.)

Please pray also for Augustine, Angelo Carpentieri, Joseph Harrington, parents of Fr. Varghese Manooparapmpil, Tiffany Moehl and baby, Gerry Moorman, Jeanette Ortmann and Patti Reeg. Read more

RETREAT CENTER HONORS TWO FOR SERVICE

Joan and Stan Mengwasser, Bro. Mel Meyer, Fr. Dave Paul and Sr. Paulette Patritti

Nearly 175 friends, family members and lay and vowed Marianists gathered in St. Louis on March 22 for the 21st annual tribute dinner hosted by the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. The board of directors of MRCC honored Bro. Mel Meyer and Stan Mengwasser for “exemplary service and support through gifts of time, expertise, skills and a variety of resources for the betterment of the greater St. Louis community.” Fr. Dave Paul is board chair of MRCC; Sr. Paulette Patritti is executive director. Bro. Jack Ventura was the master of ceremonies. The Most Rev. Robert Hermann, archdiocesan administrator, gave the invocation; Provincial Stephen Glodek gave the benediction. The art in the retreat center chapel was created by Bro. Mel, and his art can be seen throughout the building. Stan Mengwasser is a CPA who has offered considerable service to MRCC and archdiocesan groups. Congratulations to both!

MARIANISTS ORGANIZE YOUTH DAY EVENT IN LUSAKA

Recently St. Joseph Chapel at Matero Boys Secondary School in Lusaka, Zambia, celebrated Youth Day. The event, organized by Bros. Julius Nandi (second from right) and Daniel Odero, provided an opportunity for the children to showcase their talents in sports, modeling, poetry and dancing. Photo courtesy of Bro. Daniel  

SPOTLIGHT ON 2009 JUBILARIANS

MARIANIST CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA HOSTS YOUNG ADULTS

Several young adults recently gathered at the Marianist Center in Philadelphia for dinner, prayer and sharing on how the Stations of the Cross relate to daily life. The group plans to meet monthly and invite others to participate. Shown are Alison Cawley (NACMS intern), Pete Suriano, Kyleen Roe, Micah Ziemski (intern from Cape May retreat center) and Matt Hoover. Courtesy of Pati Krasensky

A SEND-OFF PARTY FOR BRO. GERRY

The Curé of Ars community in St. Louis gathered to bid farewell to Bro. Gerry Hyland (front, red shirt) for awhile as he gets medical treatment at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. Shown with Bro. Gerry are, front, Bro. Rich Middleton and Bro. Walt Ebbesmeyer; middle, Bros. Francis Haug, Len Rudy and Mel Meyer; back, Fr. Tim Kenney (director), Bro. Leo Slay, Frs. Don Cahill and Joe Uvietta and Bro. Chester Burnog. Courtesy of Fr. Tim

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Reinaldo Berríos, Ed.D. (Puerto Rico), assistant professor at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, has co-authored a new book, “Qualitative Research:  Foundations, Designs and Strategies," with Nydia Lucca Irizarry, Ed.D., professor of education at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. Bro. Reinaldo also is director of the Guidance Department at Colegio San José in San Juan. He has written two other books and published several articles in professional journals. Congratulations Bro. Reinaldo!

Fr. Bert Buby (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton) is leading a Lenten Day of Reflection at North Catholic High School March 29 for members of the Marianist Family in Pittsburgh.

Bro. Charlie Wanda (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton) is exhibiting a collection of watercolor and oil paintings at Gallery Saint John in Dayton. The exhibit, “Moments in Time," runs through April 15. View paintings from the exhibit.

“Ladybug" by Bro. Charlie

Bro. Joe Aspell’s statue of Joseph and Jesus at the Church of St. John the Evangelist

An article about Bro. Joe Aspell’s sculptures at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, Minn., appeared in the Feb. 27 issue of the Rochester Post-Bulletin. Read the article.

Fr. George Cerniglia, assistant for the Office of Religious Life, announces that Bro. Dennis Bautista, a fourth-year temporary professed brother, has requested perpetual vows in the Society of Mary. Bro. Dennis received his doctoral degree in communications from Washington State University in 2003. For the past three years he has been on the faculty at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and is a member of the Casa Maria community. In gathering feedback regarding the request, the Provincial Council consulted with Bro. Dennis’ present community and brothers he has lived with for the past three years. Fr. George invites anyone in the Province to offer comments regarding Bro. Dennis’ request for perpetual vows by April 20, 2009. Comments can be e-mailed to Fr. George or sent via regular mail to the Provincial office. Please keep this consultation in your prayers over the next several weeks.

VOLUNTEERS BRING FAMILY MESSAGE TO HOMELESS

Lay Marianists and members of the family retreat ministry team from New Jersey and Pennsylvania joined together March 15 to present a family retreat to the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless in Elizabeth, N.J. Shown are Tim Kovach, Jean Gorczyca, Dan Kovach, Kelly McHale, Sue Kovach (back), Stephanie Venturella (front), Sara Durand, Laura Mirigliani, Vince Mirigliani, Ted Gorczyca and Keith Venturella; not pictured, Pati Krasensky, who took the photo.

Children at the homeless shelter enjoy a puppet show that was part of the family retreat.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. At the MSJC Death Penalty Issue Team event Feb. 28, front, Rosalyn Collier and Bro. Brian Halderman; middle, Andria Brannon, Joan Cheever, Bros. Frank O’Donnell, Dick Olsen and Phil Aaron, Ann Helmke and Jim Collier; back, A.J. Wagner, Bob Stoughton, Dave Atwood, Jim Vogt, Sr. Grace Walle (team chair) and Susan Ives (partially hidden). Photos courtesy of Bro. Brian The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative Death Penalty Issue Team gathered for its annual meeting Feb. 27 to March 1 in San Antonio. A highlight of the weekend was an event the group held at the home of Rosalyn Collier of the peaceCENTER in San Antonio. The event brought together authors who have written books on the death penalty and people involved in death penalty issues in San Antonio. The evening also provided an opportunity to create awareness of an internship that is available for a St. Mary’s University law student at the Texas Defender Service. Sr. Grace (left) speaks with author Joan Cheever, who wrote “Back from the Dead." Author Dave Atwood, who wrote “Detour to Death Row," also attended the event.

FORT WORTH AFFILIATES GATHER FOR RETREAT

Fr. Al McMenamy joined Lay Marianist Affiliates in Fort Worth, Texas, for a retreat from March 6 to March 9 at St. Mary Assumption Parish in Fort Worth. Shown with Fr. Al are, front, Begonia Donaldson (candidate), Regina Ramey, Teri Peets (leader) and Senneth Mendoza; middle, Vincent Castillo, Anna Cardona (candidate) and Juanita Rangel; back, Joe Rangel, Mercedes Contreras, Hilda Garza (candidate), Cathy Ortiz and Maria McDonald; not pictured, Mary Cerda, Frances Dean, Richard and Martha Rodriguez, Dee Sweeney, Patrick Donaldson (candidate) and Hank Martin (candidate). Courtesy of Fr. Al

GOOD TO KNOW March 27-29 Vocation Discernment Retreat, San Antonio March 27-29 Strategic Planning Open Forum, Dallas March 30-April 1 Provincial Council meeting, St. Louis April 1 Marianist Volunteer Program domestic applications due MORE PERSONNEL CHANGES. Effective immediately, personnel updates for the Province Personnel book will be posted for the brothers on the PORTAL only. They will not be sent via e-mail. To access the most current personnel information on the PORTAL, click on the "Documents" link and then click on "Personnel Book."   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   ADD YOUR EVENT TO THE PROVINCE CALENDAR ... If you have a meeting date or event you would like posted on the Province calendar, please contact Pat Stephens.   APRIL FEAST DAYS. Fr. George Cerniglia, assistant for religious life, writes about important feast days in April. Read Fr. George's letter. Read the list of April feast days.

NOVITIATE COMMUNITY LEADS LENTEN PRAYERS

Bro. Don Geiger (right) presides at Evening Prayer while Bro. Claude Sery (Ivory Coast) gives a reading at the Church of the Ascension in Dayton. On Wednesdays during Lent, the novitiate community in Dayton coordinates Evening Prayer at the church. Ministry roles are shared among the novitiate community members, Marianist sisters and lay Marianists. About 40 people attend the Evening Prayers.  Photo courtesy of Fr. Mike Lisbeth

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL has named Bro. Peter Pontolillo (Woodlawn, San Antonio) president of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2009. Bro. Peter has been interim president since November. Our best wishes to Bro. Peter.   CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY, ST. LOUIS announces that Fr. Ralph Siefert (Marybrook, St. Louis) has been reappointed president of Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis for a three-year term. Congratulations to Fr. Ralph!   CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY, CALIFORNIA. Congratulations to the CCP board which was one of nine boards to receive the “2009 Outstanding Board Award" from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). This award recognizes outstanding work, encourages excellence, and provides ideas and best practices for other governance groups. Read more. CCP board members including Fr. Tom French (seated, far left), Jim Adams, CCP president (seated, third from right), Fr. Jack Russi (back, second from left) and Fr. Joe Hartzler (back, far right)   UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. Joseph Saliba, 54, a civil engineer who rose through the academic ranks at the University of Dayton over the past 25 years, has been named provost at his alma mater following a national search. Saliba has served in the role in an interim capacity since July. The provost is the chief academic officer of the university. Congratulations Joe! Read more.   NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. The Nolan Catholic High School LIFE Team created posters for the Stations of the Cross. Stations are hung in the halls for students, faculty and staff to take time for reflection during the Lenten season.       Nolan Catholic LIFE students in front of one of the Stations of the Cross they created. Courtesy of Toni Mesina, Marianist LIFE regional coordinator   ST. ANTHONY JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL junior Michela Moe is the “Action Team Captain of the Month" on the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition Web site. Michela is a member of the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America Action Team and helps recruit other teens to assist with service projects at school and in the community. Read more.   CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY, ST. LOUIS, WINS STATE Congratulations to the Chaminade College Preparatory varsity basketball team on its Missouri Class 5 State Championship. The team defeated Grandview 80-70 on March 14 to win the title. Read more.   ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL in San Francisco presents its spring musical “Back to the ‘80s" March 27 to April 5. Donations collected after each performance will benefit “Feel The Music," a New York city-based non-profit supporting teens and families affected by trauma and loss, especially those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11. Read more. Archbishop Riordan students in a scene from the musical   Fr. Jim Tobin with school children from Our Lady of the Pillar school during Catholic Schools Week OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR SCHOOL. Principal Judy Talleur is working with Fr. Jim Tobin, pastor of OLP parish in St. Louis, to integrate the Characteristics of Marianist Education at Our Lady of the Pillar School. They are sharing the school’s mission and core values, which are based on Marianist characteristics, with the school’s faculty, parents and students as well as parish members.

FAT TUESDAY WITH BRO. JERRY BOMMER

Bro. Jerry Bommer (center), Chaminade University of Honolulu rector, with CUH students at the school’s annual Fat Tuesday celebration. This year over 150 CUH students, faculty and staff joined in the fun which included malasadas (fried pastry), ice cream sundaes, soda floats and mask making. In addition, there were plenty of Mardi Gras beads and a prize drawing. Courtesy of Kay Stone

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

MLNNA. Read the March 2009 issue of MLNNA E-News, the newsletter of the Marianist Lay Network of North America. In addition, read a reflection from A.J. Wagner, MLNNA president, on “Everyday Faithfulness."

CFL. Read the March 2009 issue of High Tidings, the newsletter of the Christian Family Living Center in N. Topsail Beach, N.C.

CURÉ OF ARS COMMUNITY GOES GREEN

Bro. Leo Slay (left) and Fr. Tim Kenney in front of the Irish goodies prepared for the St. Patrick’s Day party hosted by the Curé of Ars community in St. Louis for the faculty and staff of St. John Vianney High School. Courtesy of Fr. Tim

JUST ONE MORE ...

Marianists? Or cowboys?

LEFT: An old newspaper clipping from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Little Charlie Wanda’s grandparents lived on the grounds of Euclid Beach Park, which was an amusement park in Cleveland. Courtesy of Bro. Jim Moran; RIGHT: Bro. John Habjan roping steer in the stockyard area of Fort Worth, Texas. He was taking a break from his visitation to Nolan Catholic High School. Photo by Cary Meiners

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

MARCH

APRIL

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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 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.

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