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STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM OFFERS “VISION 2020”

The Strategic Planning Committee: Tony Fitzgerald, Bros. Francisco González, Jack Ventura and Bob Jones; Pat Stephens; Bros. Jim Burkholder and Ray Fitz; Fr. Steve Tutas; Bro. Bob Hoppe and Fr. Jim Tobin

“Vision 2020 … Our Missionary Project” is the product of two years of strategic planning by the Province Strategic Planning Committee and the ideas and reflections of many Marianist brothers, sisters and Lay Marianists. The document has been approved by the Provincial Council and will be presented to the members of the Provincial Chapter at the March 4 - 8 Chapter meeting in Eureka, Mo.

“On behalf of the Council and the entire Province membership, we thank the committee for its hard work and dedication, for believing in our future together, for shaping us in ways to speak to each other about what matters most, and for giving us a handle on our future together,” said Provincial Stephen Glodek. “We are proud of what the committee has done for our future and we are proud of how they have taught us about getting to that future together.

“In a July 2001 letter from Pope John Paul II to the Society of Mary, the pope wrote: ‘Don’t be afraid to chart a high and demanding program of life and mission for your Society!’ I believe that ‘Vision 2020’ has heeded that call and I thank you.”

In addition to Tony Fitzgerald, facilitator, the committee members are Bros. Jim Burkholder, Ray Fitz, Francisco González, Bob Hoppe, Bob Jones, Frs. Jim Tobin and Steve Tutas, Bro. Jack Ventura and Pat Stephens, provincial liaison.

BRO. TOM WENDORF NAMED VOCATION DIRECTOR

On Feb. 3, following a consultation of the Formation Advisory Council and the Province Vocation Team, the Provincial Council announced the appointment of Bro. Tom Wendorf as Province vocation director for a five-year term beginning in July 2010. “Vocation ministry is an exercise in mystery to me,“ said Bro. Tom. “We walk with other Christians in the midst of discovery, of themselves and of Christ who walks with us. Only God knows where the walking may lead, but my role, I think, is to be steady, to listen and invite, and to know when and how to get out of the way. That means I’d better be praying and seeking the God of love myself and letting myself be found and changed. How else can I hope to accompany others as they seek to understand the unfolding grace of the One who calls us to fullness of life?” Read more about Bro. Tom.

The Province offers its heartfelt thanks to Bro. Charles Johnson for his eight years of dedicated service as Province vocation director.

BRO. SEBASTIAN BARA PROFESSES PERPETUAL VOWS

Fr. Pragasam Thathappa looks on as Bro. Sebastian Bara professes perpetual vows. Photos courtesy of Bro. Ajay Babu

Congratulations to Bro. Sebastian Bara, who professed perpetual vows in the Society of Mary Jan. 22 in a celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Samlong, Ranchi, India. Approximately 150 Marianist Family members, relatives and friends attended. Fr. Marianus Lugun, assistant for religious life, was the main celebrant. Bro. Augustus Surin gave the homily and Fr. Pragasam Thathappa (district superior) received the vows. After Mass, a cultural program and lunch were held at the Gyan Deep community. On Jan. 25, Bro. Sebastian attended a Mass and celebration in his home village near Simdega, Jharkhand.

Marianist brothers at the vow ceremony

LEFT: Fr. Marianus Lugun gives a blessing to Bro. Sebastian; RIGHT: Bro. Sebastian kneels before the concelebrants for a blessing. View more photos.

BRO. SUDHIR KUJUR ORDAINED IN HARASMARA, INDIA

At the ordination, Bro. Prakash Kujur (assistant district superior), Bro. Delmar Jorn, Fr. Pragasam Thathappa (district superior), newly-ordained Fr. Sudhir Kujur, Bro. Ed Violett (visiting from Rome) and The Most Rev. John Barwa, SVD. Courtesy of Bro. Ed Violett

The Most Rev. John Barwa, SVD, ordained Bro. Sudhir Kujur to the priesthood in the Society of Mary Jan. 17 at St. Francis parish, Bro. Sudhir’s home parish in Harasmara, India. Many vowed and Lay Marianist Family members attended the celebration. Fr. Sudhir celebrated Mass the next day in Harasmara. The Province congratulates Fr. Sudhir and offers him prayers for his ministerial service to the Marianist Family and the Church.

LEFT: Bro. Sudhir processes into the ordination ceremony; RIGHT: Dancers perform at the celebration. View more photos.

MARIANISTS “CAST THEIR NETS” AT VOCATION GATHERING

At the vocation gathering, Bro. Brandon Alana, Sr. Nicole Trahan, Lay Marianist Jessica González and Bro. Sean Downing. Courtesy of Bros. Brandon and Sean

On Jan. 31, the Marianists joined 20 other religious orders and more than 200 high school students at “Cast Your Nets,” a vocation gathering at Good Shepherd parish sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Representing the Marianists were Bros. Brandon Alana and Sean Downing and Sr. Nicole Trahan. Lay Marianist Jessica González served as emcee. The evening included prayer, music, discussion, reconciliation and Eucharist. The Marianist LIFE team from St. Susanna parish and students from Archbishop Moeller High School were among the participants.

NEWS FROM VOCATIONS

STUDENT MARIANIST COMMUNITIES ARE ACTIVE ON UD CAMPUS

At the ceremony, front, AJ Wagner and Joan McGuinness Wagner (program facilitators), Meg Eckhart, Adrienne Hillman and Fr. Paul Marshall; middle, Amanda Bracher, Mallory Green, Kerryanne Miske, Rebecca Marek and Bro. Brandon Alana; back, Mark Latta, Natalie Leonhardt, and Mark Motz (Marianist Contact)

In December, nine University of Dayton students made formal commitments to live the Marianist spirit and charism as Lay Marianists and named themselves the Vessel Community. Fr. Paul Marshall presided over the liturgy and delivered the homily. On Feb. 3, Sr. Laura Leming led a session on Venerable Adèle de Trenquelléon, foundress of the Marianist Sisters, for a group of 12 UD students who are in formation to become Lay Marianists. The session included a writing activity and slideshow of historical scenes of the life of the founder and new foundations of the Daughters of Mary around the world. The Lay Marianist Formation Program at UD is an initiative of the Office of the Rector for undergraduate students who wish to learn and live the Marianist charism.

UD students with Sr. Laura Leming (back, far left), Joan McGuinness Wagner and AJ Wagner (back, far right). Photos courtesy of Bro. Brandon Alana

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Visit the Marianist Family Web site for a special section on the Marianists in Haiti. Click on “Earthquake in Haiti.”

SIXTEEN MAKE LAY MARIANIST COMMITMENT IN HAWAI’I

Fr. Tim Eden gives a blessing to 16 men and women who made their commitment as Lay Marianists in January at the Mystical Rose Oratory in Honolulu. In addition, 30 Lay Marianists renewed their commitment during the ceremony. Courtesy of Bro. Tom Payne

MORE FROM THE “CHAMINADE DAY” CELEBRATIONS

On Friday, Jan. 22, the Marianist Family throughout the world celebrated the 160th anniversary of the death of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. He died in 1850. 

In Ireland

Chaminade Day Mass at St. Laurence College in Dublin. Shown are Fr. Neville O’Donohue (seated) and Bro. Gerry Mc Auley, who is “setting the Marianist table” at the school Mass. Courtesy of Bro. Gerry.

In Baltimore

Baltimore area Marianists and friends gathered at the Broadway community on Jan. 22 to celebrate Chaminade Day and the date of the 50th anniversary of first profession of vows by Bros. Bob Moriarty and Frank O’Donnell. Frank and Bob were members of the first mid-year vow group in 1960 of the former Cincinnati Province. Fr. George Cerniglia was on hand to preside at Eucharist and the renewal of vows. A festive dinner followed. LEFT: Bros. Bob and Frank renew vows; RIGHT: Bro. Bob, Rob Abiuso, Bro. Jesse O’Neill and Mariano DiDonato enjoy dinner.

In St. Louis—St. John Vianney and Chaminade College Prep

As part of the pre-game festivities, CCP seniors Tyler Stokes and Sito Sasieta present a banner to St. John Vianney High School Principal Larry Keller and Student Council President Marc Hager

On Jan. 22, St. John Vianney High School and Chaminade College Preparatory met for brotherly competition on the basketball court. Vianney, celebrating its 50th anniversary, hosted CCP, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Local Marianists were invited to the game, and the priests and brothers who serve both schools were specially recognized. The schools traded plaques and banners honoring each other. Vianney donated the receipts from the gate and a special collection to the Marianist Lay Network of North America to aid the Haitian earthquake victims. As gracious hosts, Vianney allowed Chaminade the win, 69-61.

In St. Louis—St. Mary’s High School

On Jan. 20, Lay Marianists JoAnn Mattson, Valerie Todd, Kris Ranciglio, Brian Koenen and Lynn Barnett recite their vows during a school liturgy in honor of Blessed Chaminade. Read more from the St. Louis Review. At the liturgy, St. Mary’s students Steve Malon, Michael Grosch and Tony Puricelli received the Fr. Richard O’Shaughnessy Award for exemplifying the Marianist spirit.

In Hawai’i—Saint Louis School

At the liturgy, Marianist Brothers Bob Hoppe, John Klobuka, Jerry Pleva, Tom Spring, Bernie Ploeger, Tom Payne, Jerry Bommer, Gary Morris, Dennis Schmitz, Robert Maruyama, José Degorio, John Campbell and Jim Dods. Courtesy of Francine Cruz-Almodova and Jodi Yoshida

Saint Louis School in Honolulu kicked off its Marianist Heritage Month Jan. 22 with a Chaminade Day liturgy. During the celebration, Bro. Bob Hoppe renewed his vows to commemorate his 50th jubilee. At the closing of the liturgy, the Marianist brothers sang “Salve Regina” a capella for the students. Michael Ono and Sione Thompson, vice president of student affairs, were presented with Chaminade Awards.

LEFT: Fr. Ken Templin (right) with Chaminade Award recipients Michael Ono (left) and Sione Thompson; RIGHT: Fr. Ken with jubilarian Bro. Bob Hoppe

In Hawai’i—Chaminade University of Honolulu

In honor of the anniversary of Blessed Chaminade’s death, Bro. Jerry Bommer, CUH rector, made sure the campus was covered with gigantic library banners and lamp post flag banners of the Marianist founders, Fr. Chaminade, Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous.

In San Antonio—Central Catholic High School

On Jan. 22, Fr. Martin Solma, provincial-designate (left), concelebrated at the Chaminade Day liturgy at Central Catholic High School. He is shown with Ed Ybarra, CCHS principal, and Bro. Peter Pontolillo, CCHS president.

Ed Ybarra (left) and Bro. Peter Pontolillo (right) with CCHS Marianist Heritage Award recipients Pete Carrion (JROTC LET 2 instructor) and Terri Morgan (advancement associate for CCHS parents’ and booster clubs)

In San Antonio—Holy Rosary Parish

Fr. Cris Janson, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, with Marianist Heritage Award recipients Phil T. Welsh and Fina Garcia. Phil assists with the ACTS retreat and scouting programs at Holy Rosary and Fina coordinates the Altar Society. Courtesy of Fr. Cris

In Hollywood, Fla.

On Jan. 30, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory honored Most Reverend John C. Favalora, Archbishop of Miami, and three others at the school’s 34th Annual Founders’ Dinner Dance. Read more. ABOVE: Provincial Stephen Glodek, and Fr. Larry Doersching (C-M president) look on as Archbishop Favalora speaks; BELOW: past and present award winners join with Provincial Stephen Glodek (far left), Bro. Ed Unferdorfer (second from left), Archbishop Favalora (fifth from right), Fr. Dan Doyle (fourth from right) and Bro. Don Neff (second from right)

In Bellevue, Neb.

A LIFE team member challenges the school community to donate $125 throughout Founder’s Week to support a student at Our Lady of Nazareth School in Nairobi, Kenya, promising to match donations up to $100.

Gross Catholic High School hosted Founder’s Week Jan. 19-22. Fr. Al McMenamy and Bro. Rich Middleton were invited to participate in the activities. Marianist LIFE Community moderators Mikaela VanMoorleghem, Kim Matzen and Maggie Monzingo organized the events. As part of the celebration, the student LIFE team held an assembly to raise awareness of Our Lady of Nazareth School and the living conditions in Nairobi. View the presentation. Read more.

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

Bro. Tomás Ortiz de Zárate (Province of Zaragoza), 82, who died Feb. 8, 2010, in Vitoria, Spain. May he rest in peace. Bro. Tomás’ obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Fr. Juan María Artadi (Province of Zaragoza), 82, who died Jan. 27, 2010, in Fribourg, Switzerland. May he rest peace. Fr. Juan María’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Cecilo González Martínez (Province of Madrid), 84, who died Dec. 29, 2009, in Madrid. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Cecilo’s obituary.

Bro. Herminio Torralba (Province of Madrid), 88, who died Nov. 24, 2009, in Madrid, Spain. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Herminio’s obituary.

Bro. Pedro Legorburu (Province of Madrid), 94, who died Oct. 28, 2009, in Madrid. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Pedro’s obituary.

Please pray also for Lila Louise Baer, Tony Giacchina, Delores Goldbeck, Baby Hacker, Fr. Charles Middleton, Mary Sharon Paul, Carl Rotter and Helen Schuermann. Read more.

CHURCH SPIRES, ZARAGOZA, SPAIN

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Fr. Roland Bunda (Maui)

Bro. Wilbert Hamm (Montgomery Road, Cincinnati)

Bro. Ed Loch (Central Catholic, San Antonio)

Fr. Thomas Schoen (Mercy Siena, Dayton)

For the people of Haiti as they continue to deal with the devastating effects of the earthquake.

Please pray also for Seth Jenkins, Jack Paul Leon, Suzie Pronaño, Nolan White and Gerry Wightman. Read more.

MARIANIST FAMILY RETREAT GROWS IN HAWAI’I

Participants in the Marianist Family Retreat held in January in Honolulu. Courtesy of Bro. Dennis Schmitz

The Marianist Lay Communities are now an official organization in the Diocese of Honolulu. Their gift to the diocese is the Marianist Family Retreat. In January, members of the lay communities conducted a retreat for eight families at the Mystical Rose Oratory on the campus of Chaminade University of Honolulu. Four of the families came from a small parish in the Hawaiian homelands and will be working with the MLC to establish the Marianist Family Retreat as an annual program for First Communion families in their parish. In addition, retreat leaders Barb Belle and Jeannie Pinpin will be attending a Marriage and Family Summit where all the organizations working with couples and families will come together to improve collaboration. Bishop Silva of Honolulu sent a letter of appreciation to the Marianists for their work with families.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

THE CLASSIFIEDS

HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT. The Department of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of San Francisco, is seeking a qualified president for Archbishop Riordan High School, a Marianist-sponsored school. Résumés are due March 1, 2010. Read more.

GOOD TO KNOW Feb. 11 Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 15-21 GA visit to California Feb. 24-March 4 GA visit to Dayton Feb. 23-24 Provincial Council meeting, St. Louis MORE BLOGGERS Read Malianika, a blog about Hawaiian Marianist spirituality, by Bros. Brandon Alana and Dennis Bautista. Read Scriptural Reflections from Fr. Bert Buby (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton). Read News and Views, the blog of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities by Isabella Moyer, president. Read reflections about the Marianist Family from Marianist volunteer Lauren Olson. If you blog on Marianist topics, please send us a link to your blog. Contact Joan Suda.

UD ADDS NEW CATHOLIC FRATERNITY

The Chi Rho fraternity with Stonemill-Kiefaber community members, front, Aspirant Hugo Bastida (far left), Bro. Ray Fitz (second from left) and Lucian Tigga (far right); back, Fr. Jerry Chinchar (seated, far left), Bro. Tom Pieper (standing, far left), Bro. Charlie Wanda (fifth from left), Bro. Dan Klco (third from right), Bro. Sean Downing (second from right) and Fr. Paul Marshall (far right). Courtesy of Bro. Brandon Alana

The University of Dayton added a new fraternity to its Greek system named Chi Rho, a Catholic fraternity of men. The fraternity held its first retreat Feb. 5-7 at the Stonemill-Kiefaber community in Dayton. Frs. Jerry Chinchar and Paul Marshall assisted with reconciliation, exposition and adoration in the community chapel. The retreat concluded on Sunday with Eucharist and a fraternity induction ceremony. Fr. Paul was the presider and Bro. Ray Fitz gave the homily. View more photos courtesy of Bro. Brandon Alana.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY announces the second generation of a special financial assistance program which will cover tuition for qualified freshmen in fall 2010. “Access 2010” at St. Mary’s University will enable members of the incoming fall class of 2010, who have excelled in high school and also have high financial need, to have their tuition paid for at St. Mary’s University. Read more. ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY BREAKS SERVICE RECORD. In January, the school community set a record for the university’s biannual day of service, “Continuing the Heritage.” With 542 people working at 31 different sites around San Antonio, St. Mary’s volunteers racked up 2,660 hours of community service in one day. Read more. St. Mary’s students at a volunteer site CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP, ST. LOUIS is working to raise $20,000 to help the people of Haiti recover from the recent earthquakes. Chaminade has already raised over $5,000 through its efforts. One of its neighbors, Missouri Professionals Mutual (MPM), is extending a matching grant up to $10,000 to help the CRUDEM Foundation’s efforts to help those directly affected by the earthquake. Read more or visit the CCP Web site and click on the MPM $10,000 Challenge for Haiti.  ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL students and staff traded their black and gold for pink in late January to raise funds for cancer patients. “Paint it Pink” was the theme for a home basketball game and fundraiser. The school raised nearly $2,600 to benefit Hope Lodge, which provides lodging for cancer patients who come to St. Louis for treatment.  UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. A new minor at the University of Dayton will help students of all majors gain perspective on how sustainability, energy and environmental issues can impact their chosen career paths. Read more. A UD dining services employee receives training on how to sort dining facility waste. UD IS CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION. UD was featured in an Education Times story about how U.S. universities continue to be very popular choices for Indian students. Read the article. C-M students at the “March for Life” in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Jessica Ryckman. CHAMINADE-MADONNA HIGH SCHOOL Nine C-M students joined over 150 Archdiocese of Miami students on a three- day pilgrimage to the national “March for Life” in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22.  Read more. Closer to home, C-M teamed up with the NFL and other groups to make a difference in the lives of local children. As part of “Super Kids-Super Sharing,” C-M collected 600 new and lightly used books, sports equipment and board games for children in need. Read more. CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU participated in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March in January in Waikiki. At the March, CUH staff members Bro. Tom Spring, Grissel Benitez-Hodge, Vincent Hodge, Bro. Jerry Bommer, Barb Belle and Katheryn Kim. Grissel, Vincent and Barb are Lay Marianists. Courtesy of Grissel ST. LAURENCE COLLEGE, DUBLIN. Bro. Fred Rech and the LIFE team sold hot chocolate and marshmallows to benefit the people of Haiti. The group raised $2,024.88. Bro. Fred Rech (far right) at the fundraiser CJ students Annie Stoddard (left) and Kayla Shelly decorate the school in preparation for Catholic Schools Week. Courtesy of the Dayton Daily News CHAMINADE JULIENNE HIGH SCHOOL students Annie Stoddard and Kayla Shelly were inspired by the work of the late missionary Sr. Dorothy Stang to collect spare change to help sponsor the education of two girls they met while volunteering in Belize last summer. The fundraiser “Loose Change to Loosen Chains” was kicked off as part of Catholic Schools Week. Read more from the Dayton Daily News. CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL saluted the New Orleans Saints football team and its owner Tom Benson with a video featuring all the Marianists on staff at CCHS. Benson is a longtime CCHS supporter and benefactor. Last September, CCHS renamed its stadium to honor the memory of Benson’s son. View the video. CCHS staff members, including Bro. Peter Pontolillo (front) and Fr. Pat McDaid (second row, far left) participate in the video Mike and Sally Mayer (right) with Mike’s father, Dave, a 30-year veteran of the San Francisco police department, and his mother Pat. Courtesy of Catholic San Francisco ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL in San Francisco has announced a new scholarship for sons of law enforcement officers. Applicants for the $5,000 per year award may be new or current students. As many as five scholarships per year will be awarded. The scholarships are funded by the Mayer Family Foundation, established by Riordan alumnus, Mike Mayer. Read more from Catholic San Francisco.

A VERY SPECIAL CLASSROOM

The first Marianist cemetery in the U.S. is located on the campus of what is now the University of Dayton. Fr. Leo Meyer, founder of the American Province, obtained permission from the township authorities to lay out a private cemetery at what was then known as the “Nazareth” convent. He chose a section of land south of the farmhouse and at the eastern end of the property. It was a secluded location and away from the incursion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Inaugurated on Nov. 1, All Saints Day, 1854, it continued to receive the departed Marianists until December 1960. Read more from an article by Fr. Joe Stefanelli.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

CAPE MAY. Read the February 2010 issue of The Beacon, the newsletter of the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J.

MLC. Read the January 2010 issue of Gifts and Tasks, the newsletter of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities.

JUST ONE MORE . . .

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

FEBRUARY

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 2010 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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