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GENERAL ADMINISTRATION VISITS BROTHERS IN MEXICO

In the Guillermo José Chaminade chapel at the scholastic community, Bros. Ed Longbottom, Nico Castilla López, Gobi Torres Nazarío, Fermín García García, Fr. Manuel Cortés, Bros. Esteban Reyes Durán, Ed Violett and Mario Lenin Espinoza Sánchez, Fr. Paul Neumann and Bros. Rigoberto Martínez Hernández and Raymundo Domínguez González. Courtesy of Bro. Ed Longbottom

Superior General Fr. Manuel Cortés and General Assistant for Temporalities Bro. Ed Violett are on visitation in the District of Mexico. They began their visit on April 14 at the Puebla, Mexico, scholasticate community and met with the Mexican District Council on April 16. Fr. Manuel and Bro. Ed also are visiting the Queretaro, Coatzacoalcos and La Chinantla communities.

Bro. Ed and Fr. Manuel in front of the scholasticate community

RESOURCES COMING FOR MARIANIST BOARDS

Members of the Board Formation Committee: seated, Bro. John Habjan, Annette Wasno and Bro. Jack Ventura; standing, Diane Guerra, Fr. Jim Fitz, Carol Ramey, Bro. Ed Brink, Beckie Cleveland and Bro. Bill Campbell; not shown, Tony Fitzgerald

The Marianist Board Formation committee met in St. Louis April 6 and 7 to continue its charge to develop and provide resources to nurture the Marianist charism among board members and their institutions. On May 1, resource documents will be distributed to the administrators of Marianist organizations and their boards. The documents describe key components for inviting a new board member, the role of religious and lay Marianists on boards, and an ideal description of board members based on Marianist spirituality, “Characteristics of Marianist Education” and the mission of Marianist retreat centers. Short PowerPoint presentations are being created for boards to use for orientation and retreats. Co-chairs of the committee are Bro. Jack Ventura and Tony Fitzgerald.

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

General Superior Fr. Manuel Cortés has issued his third circular, “Let it be done to me according to your word: In Obedience with Mary.” Read the circular. A printed copy of the circular will be mailed to each community next week.

EASTER AROUND THE PROVINCE

In Lusaka, Zambia

ABOVE: Palm Sunday procession in Lusaka, Zambia; LEFT: Fr. Tony Jansen (back) presides at the Palm Sunday celebration. Photos courtesy of Bro. Fred Silbereis

In Dayton

The novitiate community gathers for its Easter Sunday celebration, shown, seated, Novice Brandon Alana and Bros. Jack Somerville, Don Geiger, Basant Kujur (District of India) and Tom Wendorf; standing, Bro. Mike O’Grady (assistant novice director), Novice Ray Dominguez, Bro. John Lemker, Bro. Claude Sery (Ivory Coast) and Fr. Mike Lisbeth (novice director). Photos courtesy of Tom Wendorf

At Mass, clockwise from top, Ray Dominguez and Bro. Jack Somerville; Bro. Basant Kujur; Bro. Tom Wendorf; and, singing, Bros. Tom, John Lemker and Don Geiger and Fr. Mike Lisbeth

University of Dayton

On April 11, Fr. Jerry Chinchar (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton) gave the homily at the Great Paschal Vigil at the University of Dayton. Read the homily.

In Cupertino

Bro. Tom Deasy is the egg decorating artist-in-residence at the Marianist Center in Cupertino, Calif. Photo courtesy of Nancy Romano

In Los Angeles

Fr. Ted Ley, administrator of St. Ann's parish in downtown Los Angeles, confirms newly-baptized Jon Iwagaki, assisted by Jon's sponsor, Larry Mendoza, parish director of liturgy. Left is the Marianist Schola at the Easter Vigil, which was conducted in English, Spanish and Thai. Photo by Contact Heribertus Denny

In Bangalore, India

Holy Week at Deepahalli, clockwise from top, Fr. José Ramon and Dave Fleming in the Palm Sunday procession; Frs. Pragasam (district superior), José, and Marianus Lugun at the Holy Thursday celebration; Easter Sunday Mass in the chapel; and Fr. Dave Fleming presides over the Seder meal on Holy Thursday. Photos courtesy of Bro. Renny Markose

PERSONNEL NEWS

Bro. Ken Jung (Chaminade-Waldron, St. Louis) has joined the Curé of Ars community in St. Louis.

ARE YOU THIS YEAR’S MVP? FIND OUT— APPLY TODAY

The Marianist Volunteer Program has three available placements in the United States. MVP staff will accept applications until positions are filled. Applicants will be placed on a first come, first-served basis. MVP volunteers serve full time at a ministry offered through the program, live in a volunteer community and reflect on the experience with one another, MVP staff and the larger Marianist Family. In return for this commitment, volunteers receive room and board, health insurance, transportation and are eligible for the AmeriCorps’ Education Award. Find out more. Interested individuals should contact Dan Richter, program coordinator, or call 314.533.1207.

FAUSTINO GROUP IN LUSAKA ENROLLS NEW MEMBERS

Fr. Tony Jansen (center) was the main celebrant for the Faustino Youth Group celebration in March. The group meets at St. Joseph Chapel at Matero Boys Secondary School in Lusaka, Zambia. During the gathering, Bro. Daniel Odero (back, third from right) presided over the enrollment ceremony for new group members. Bro. Julius Nandi (back, far left) also assisted with the event. Linda Mukutu (front, far left) is the Faustino Group matron. Photo courtesy of Bro. Daniel

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

Bro. John, 1970

Bro. John, recent

Bro. John Blank (Alumni Hall, Dayton), 87, who died April 14, 2009, in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. John taught high school Latin, English, religion and driver’s education for 54 years. He was a teacher at several high schools in Ohio and taught overseas in Switzerland, Lebanon, Australia and Japan. He also served in parish ministry at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Dayton. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 20 at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount Saint John in Dayton. Fr. Jim Fitz was the main celebrant and represented the Provincial Council. Fr. Francis Kenney was the homilist and Fr. Tom Schroer gave the eulogy. Burial was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at Mount Saint John. Read Bro. John’s obituary.

Please pray also for Don Graham, Josephine Kandulna, Avareldo “Boy” Labajo and Mr. Muthusamy. Read more.

PRAIRIE IN THE MORNING, MOUNT SAINT JOHN

Photo courtesy of Bro. John Lemker

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

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

Bro. LeRoy Viera (West Hills, Calif.)

Please pray also for Geri Ashbrock, Dave Brown, Margaret French, Bill Horn, Fr. Jim Krings, Regina Reis and Chuck Wilson. Read more.

MLFI RETREAT DRAWS ATTENDEES FROM AROUND THE U.S.

The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative kicked off its opening retreat in March at Bergamo retreat center in Dayton. Bro Tom Giardino (executive director of the International Center for Marianist Formation) and Carol Ramey (director of NACMS) presented. Participants came from Ohio, New York, Missouri, Texas, Hawai’i, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Shown, front, Mary Tanney and Carole King; middle, Ann Van Damm, Lisa Vega, Rachel Pedraza, Barb Belle, Amy DeMatteo Elliot, Joyce Mersch and Joe Fagan; back, George Pedraza, Carl Yusavitz, Sue Kovach and Chris Van Damm. View more photos and find out more about MLFI. Courtesy of Pati Krasensky

SPOTLIGHT ON 2009 JUBILARIANS

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Victor Forlani, Marianist-in-residence at the University of Dayton's School of Business Administration, speaks out on the current economic crisis in the April 9 UD Flyer News. "Catholic social teaching tells us that economic choices and institutions must be judged by how they protect or undermine the life and dignity of the human person, support the family and serve the common good," he said. "It's that part about serving the common good that needs to be emphasized." Read more.

Bro. Bob Donovan (Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati) is featured on the cover of the April issue of Streetvibes, the monthly newspaper of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. The article discusses Bro. Bob’s medical ministry to the homeless in Cincinnati. Read the article.

Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars, St. Louis) is exhibiting a collection of new metal wall hangings and sculptures through May 17 at the Marianist Galleries in St. Louis.

Frs. Bert Buby, François Rossier and Johann Roten are presenting at The Mariological Society of America 60th Annual Program May 26 to May 29 in St. Johns, Fla. The theme of the program is “Telling Mary’s Story: The ‘Life of Mary’ Through the Ages.”

Fr. Bert

Fr. Françios

Fr. Johann

Fr. Jim Heft (Los Angeles), the Alton Brooks professor of religion and president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, spoke April 3 at Chaminade University of Honolulu. His talk was on the prospects and pitfalls of interreligious dialogue from a Catholic viewpoint.

Brian MacCormaic, a photographer from Dublin and a former volunteer in Kenya, is the narrator of a video on the Mukuru kwa Njenga slum in Nairobi, Kenya. This presentation was recently aired on Irish national television. At the heart of the Mukuru slum is Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School, a Marianist school that provides a safe haven for 1,700 children from the slums. Fr. Marty Solma is manager of OLN, assisted by Bro. Joseph Maricky Okoth. Follow the steps below to view the video (note that there are commercials at the beginning and in the middle of the video). Read an article in the Spring 2006 issue of ALIVE magazine about the Mukuru slum. Donate to Our Lady of Nazareth. View the video: Go to http://www.tg4.ie/scei/beo.asp  Click on TG4 BEO (top right) Then go to Faisnéis - Cartlann (list on left of screen) Then click on Fear Bán na Slumanna (scroll down) and click Play.

COVINGTON CATHOLIC DEDICATES GROTTO TO MARIANISTS

At the blessing and dedication ceremony of the new grotto at Covington Catholic High School. Courtesy of Sue Finke

On March 27, Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky dedicated a new grotto on the school’s campus to Mary and the Marianist brothers who founded the school in 1925. The grotto provides a place for prayer and reflection for the students. It includes a hand-carved marble statue of Mary from Italy. The Marianists served at Covington until 1979.

GOOD TO KNOW FREE FOLDERS. When the offices of the former Cincinnati Province were closed at Mount Saint John in Dayton, five boxes of folders were left behind. The folders hold 8 ½  x 11 sheets of paper and there are approximately 350 folders per box. The folder cover reads “Our Marianist Spirit.” If anyone would like these folders, please contact Bro. Jack Somerville.  First come, first served, and the folders must be picked up at the Marianist Center at Mount Saint John in Dayton. April 25 St. Louis jubilee May 2 San Antonio jubilee May 4-7 Provincial Council meeting, St. Louis MORE PERSONNEL CHANGES. Personnel updates for the Province Personnel book are posted for the brothers on the PORTAL only. They are not 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 MAY FEAST DAYS. Fr. George Cerniglia, assistant for religious life, writes about important feast days in May. Read Fr. George's letter. Read the list of May feast days.

ST. MARY’S STUDENTS SPEND BREAK HELPING OTHERS

The Marianist community in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., hosted a service immersion experience for St. Mary’s University students in March. As part of the trip, students helped collect aluminum cans in support of the Sure We Can Redemption Center in New York. The students are continuing to help this cause, which aids homeless, by establishing an aluminum can drive on the St. Mary’s campus. The proceeds will go to the recycling center.

LEFT: Ten St. Mary’s University students and two staff members spent spring break in New Orleans working with Operation Helping Hands, a division of Catholic Charities, to help rebuild homes for area needy; RIGHT: Five St. Mary’s students and two staff members assisted Proyecto Azteca over spring break. The organization in San Juan, Texas, builds homes for poor families living in Las Colonias. The students also learned about the families’ living conditions and Texas-Mexico border issues. Photos courtesy of Krystina Irvin

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . DANIEL J. GROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL students and staff members participated in a Habitat for Humanity service trip in March. The students were part of a youth volunteer effort to complete new homes for four families in Laredo, Texas. Read an article from the April 16 issue of the Catholic Voice about the trip. Students David Caskey, Liz Schow and Robert Murphy cut wood for a house. Students at one of the work sites in Laredo. Courtesy of Lynn Poly NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. An article about Nolan Catholic’s ecology program and Dr. Joe Kuban (founder of the program) appeared on the front page of the April 21 Star-Telegram. Bro. Al Kuntemeier also is quoted in the article. Read the story. A story on Nolan Catholic’s ecology program and Dr. Kuban also appeared on page 12 of the Spring 2009 issue of ALIVE magazine. CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY, ST. LOUIS. Casa de los Angeles, a daycare and family support center that CCP students serve in Mexico, honored the school by naming one of its classrooms for Chaminade. Nearly 10 percent of CCP students participated in a service immersion trip during spring break this year. In addition to Mexico, students served in Appalachia and areas around St. Louis. Chaminade classroom at Casa de los Angeles NEW SCUPTURE IS A MUST-SEE AT CCP. Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis presents “Resurrection: 40,” a free standing sculpture constructed from 40 analog televisions that have been donated by the Chaminade community. The purpose of the sculpture is to educate the community about the hazards of putting analog televisions curbside and dumping them in landfills It was created by Joe Poon, CCP fine arts teacher. Read more. ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL. Congratulations to the junior varsity chess team, which brought home a first-place trophy from the Chess SuperNationals competition April 3 to April 5 in Nashville, Tenn. The event drew more than 5,200 participants. The chess team is coached by Ed Bauer, a retired St. John Vianney science teacher. Read more.

OOPS…

In our April 8 story about the immersion trip to New Orleans, we should have stated that the attendees were from both St. John Vianney and St. Mary’s High Schools in St. Louis. We apologize for the oversight.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

MLNNA. Read the April 2009 issue of MLNNA E-News from the Marianist Lay Network of North America. Also read a reflection on “Saying Yes” by A.J. Wagner, MLNNA president.

INDIA. Read the newsletter of the Infant Nilaya community in Bangalore, India.

NRRO. Read the spring 2009 issue of the newsletter of the National Religious Retirement Office. Bro. Bob Metzger is associate director of planning & education at NRRO.

IIRD. Read the spring 2009 issue of the newsletter of the Institute of Integrated Rural Development.

JUST ONE MORE ...

Bro. Leo Willett (far right) welcomes Jack and Rose Marie Vankat and their daughter Jackie to school in 1968 on opening day of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in Bellevue, Neb. On April 25, 2009, the Vankat Family will be honored with the Dux Esto Award at Gross Catholic’s annual dinner/auction. Read more. Courtesy of Lynn Poly

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

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 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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