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BRO. MULENGA APPOINTED REGIONAL SUPERIOR OF E. AFRICA

Bro. Chola Mulenga, district superior of Eastern Africa, has been named the first regional superior of Eastern Africa, which becomes a Region of the Society of Mary in May. Bro. Chola has served as district superior of Eastern Africa since 2007. He will serve an initial term of three years beginning May 23, 2010. Bro. Chola, 45, professed first vows in 1994 and perpetual vows in 1999. Prior to serving as regional superior, he ministered as  deputy district superior for three years, councilor, director of the Marianist scholasticate in Nairobi, Kenya, and head of temporalities. Bro. Chola was director of aspirants in the district for four years and was vocation director in Zambia for three years. He has a degree from Catholic University of Eastern Africa. In 2006, the District of Eastern Africa elected Bro. Chola as its delegate to the General Chapter. He was the first elected African delegate from the district to attend a General Chapter. Our prayers and best wishes for Bro. Chola in his new assignment.

MARIANISTS MAKE A STRONG SHOWING AT LA CONGRESS

Fr. Ken Templin greets a visitor to the Marianist booth at the LA Congress. Photos courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

Marianist spirit filled the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center in California March 19 - 21 as a large contingent of Marianist Family members attended the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. The event is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education and is the nation's largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics. More than 40,000 people attended this year. Bros. Dennis Schmitz and Jim Wisecaver coordinated the Marianist exhibit. They were assisted by Aspirant Hugo Bastida, Bro. John Campbell, Frs. Ken Templin, John Klobuka and Ted Cassidy, Srs. Gretchen Trautman and Nicole Trahan and Contacts Joe Meyer, Heribertus Denny and Alejo Perez. As in previous years, the West Hills community donated its living room furniture to use in the exhibit. Marianists could be found throughout the convention hall. Fr. John Thompson was in the University of San Francisco booth and Fr. Bill Meyer at the Oblate School of Theology booth. Contact Joe Melendrez, who works at Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills, Calif., set up his “Rosary Rap” booth next to the Marianist exhibit.

At the Marianist exhibit, Contact Joe Melendrez, Fr. Ted Cassidy, Bro. John Campbell, a booth visitor, and Fr. Ken Templin

According to Bro. Jim Wisecaver, 63 people filled out cards for more information on the Marianists. He will be working on follow-up, including phone calls, invitations to “Discernment Days” at the West Hills community and sending a monthly vocation letter. Bros. Roberto Rivera and Luis Gamboa and Contacts Heribertus Denny, Joe Meyer and Alejo Perez all made their initial contact with the Marianists at the LA Congress.

Clockwise from top, Contact Alejo Perez; Aspirant Hugo Bastida (right) chats with a visitor; Brian Reavey (national coordinator for Marianist LIFE) and Sr. Nicole Trahan (red sweater) visit with guests on the convention floor; and Bro. Dennis Schmitz and Sr. Gretchen Trautman (right) talk with a visitor.

NEWS FROM VOCATIONS

MARIANISTS TO UNITE TO PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

The World Council of the Marianist Family invites the entire Marianist Family to join in prayer on April 25, the fourth Sunday of Easter, the day celebrated every year as the Church’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose is to gather, as Marianists do on the Marianist World Day of Prayer in October, to pray with the whole Church for this intention and, in a specific way, for Marianist vocations. Read suggestions for prayers and an example of a vocation prayer initiative from the Marianist Family of Spain.

BRO. RAY FITZ CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE IN DAYTON

Bro. Ray Fitz (front, second from left) with his fellow brothers of the Stonemill-Kiefaber community, front, Bro. Sean Downing, Bro. Brandon Alana and Fr. Bert Buby; middle, Bro. Charlie Wanda, Frs. Paul Marshall and Jerry Chinchar; back, Bros. Tom Pieper, Lucian Tigga and Dan Klco. Photos courtesy of Bro. Brandon Alana

Members of the Marianist Family and University of Dayton community joined the Stonemill-Kiefaber community March 20 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Bro. Ray Fitz with a Eucharist celebration in the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the UD campus. Representing the Provincial Council was Fr. Jim Fitz (Ray’s brother), who presided at the liturgy. Fr. Paul Marshall delivered the homily. At the conclusion of the homily, Bro. Ray renewed his religious vows. A reception attended by more then 300 guests followed in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Union Ballroom. Congratulations Bro. Ray!

Clockwise from top, Bro. Ray Fitz receives a special Hawaiian blessing from Bro. Brandon Alana; Fr. Jim Fitz (right) witnesses Bro. Ray’s renewal of vows; at the reception, Fr. Bert Buby, Novice Joe Janosik, Bro. Ray, and Novice José Matos; and Dan Curran (UD president), Bros. Tom Giardino and Mike O’Grady and Fr. Chris Conlon. View more photos.

BRO. HALDERMAN LEADS RETREAT FOR MISSIONARIES

Bro. Brian Halderman (back, far left) with the retreatants in Mexico. Courtesy of Bro. Brian

From March 15 -19, Bro. Brian Halderman led the mid-year retreat for the Incarnate Word Missionaries in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The Missionaries are long-term volunteers dedicating one or two years of service in the apostolic ministries of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Mexico. The program is coordinated out of San Antonio. Bro. Brian used the themes of the Lenten season as a way for the missionaries to reflect on their experiences.

PROVINCIAL-DESIGNATE MEETS WITH MARIANISTS IN PHILLY

In Philadelphia, standing, Fr. Martin Solma, George Larmour, Phil and Ann Lohr, Joanne McCracken and Vince Mirigliani; seated, Kathy Murray, Linda Zappacosta, Laura Mirigliani, Pati Krasensky (director of the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative) and Brian Reavey (national coordinator for Marianist LIFE.)  Not shown: Marie Wyman (administrative assistant and photographer). Courtesy of Brian Reavey

On March 30, the Marianist Center in Philadelphia welcomed Provincial-designate Fr. Martin Solma for a “meet and greet” with local members of the Marianist Family. Participants shared their "Marianist story" with Fr. Martin, and he shared his ministerial experiences.

MISSION MATERIALS CREATE AWARENESS OF MINISTRIES

Flo Trzeciak

Flo Trzeciak of the Marianist Mission Special Orders Department in Dayton encourages the Marianist Family to use Marianist Mission materials to increase awareness of the good works of the Marianists. “Our purpose is to help others live the message of Jesus and to seek partnerships with persons who want to be part of strengthening our services to those in need,” said Flo. The Marianist Mission offers booklets that can be used to enroll in the Marianist Spiritual Alliance and has created a brochure of its latest designs. View the brochure. Marianist communities throughout the world offer Masses and prayers each day for those enrolled in the Marianist Spiritual Alliance. The Mission’s collection of all-occasion and seasonal religious greeting cards are available online. For more information or to order, e-mail Flo or call 800.348.4732.

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

Fr. Thomas Hogan (Cupertino, Calif.), 92, who died March 28, 2010. May he rest in peace. Fr. Thomas was a high school teacher and administrator and served for more than two decades as a theology professor and department chair, chaplain and dean of students at Chaminade University of Honolulu. He also served as president of the Saint Louis-Chaminade Education Center Corporation. A Funeral Mass was celebrated April 6 at the Marianist community in Cupertino. Fr. Steve Tutas represented the Provincial Council and was the presider and homilist. Burial was today at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, Calif. Read Fr. Thomas’ obituary.

Please pray also for Marjorie Ann Bartlett and Mariammal. Read more.

SEA OF GALILEE, ISRAEL

Photo courtesy of Colleen Kammer, Marianist Mission

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Fr. George Abmayr (Marcella Road, Cleveland)

Fr. Jerry Chinchar (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton) 

Bro. Louis Pinckert (Marianist Residence, San Antonio)

Fr. Lee Sciarrotta (Washington/Franklin Street, Dayton)

Please pray also for Willard and Irene Duda, James Gasaway, Rachel Gramig and Tim Prevou. Read more.

MARIAN LIBRARY/IMRI OFFERS SYMPOSIUM

SPOTLIGHT ON 2010 JUBILARIANS

SPECIAL HONOR FOR THE HONOLULU MARIANISTS

David Haas

Noted liturgical music composer David Haas, a close friend of the Hale Malia community in Honolulu, recently dedicated a special hymn in honor of the community. The newly composed hymn is entitled “For the Glory of God” and appears on David’s latest CD, “Changed Heart.” The dedication in the CD’s program notes reads:

For Bro. Dennis Schmitz, SM, and the Marianist community at Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawai’i, in thanksgiving for the joy and witness of their calling.

David said that a number of the hymns on the CD were composed at the brothers' piano in the Hale Malia living room. The piano, according to David, has a special inspirational quality. The CD is dedicated to David’s father who passed away only a few days before its release. David asks for prayers for his late father and for his family, especially his mother.

NACMS IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR ACEMS AND OTHERS

At the NACMS library in Dayton, Dorothy Keyes, Fr. Dave Fleming  and Teresa Trimboli. Courtesy of Alison Cawley (NACMS intern)

During a recent stay in Dayton, Fr. Dave Fleming, director of the newly formed Asian Center for Marianist Studies (ACEMS), visited the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS), where he discovered a treasure trove of materials to enhance ACEMS’ library holdings. With the help of Teresa Trimboli, NACMS librarian, and Dorothy Keyes, library technician, Fr. Dave acquired more than 250 items to add to the ACEMS library. NACMS is eager to serve anyone in need of Marianist documents and is happy to receive Marianist materials (books, pamphlets, etc.) in any language or condition. NACMS also welcomes non-Marianist materials. 

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Bro. Bob Wood (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) has published an article in the current issue of the Journal of America's Military Past on “Fort Duncan: Completing a History." Fort Duncan existed from 1849 to 1912 at Eagle Pass, Texas.

Bro. John Samaha (Cupertino, Calif.) published an article on “Easter Vigil: Proclaiming the Light of the Lord” in the March 24 issue of Catholic San Francisco. Read the article.

Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars, St. Louis) has created several new works now on display at the Marianist Galleries in St. Louis. View the new pieces.

WEST PINE SERVICE PROJECT ASSISTS VETERANS

Dwain Sliger (left) and Bro. David Betz of Project HERO in St. Louis receive flash drives from West Pine staff member Joan Suda

During Lent, the West Pine Office held a collection to benefit Project HERO, a program to house homeless veterans and provide them with assistance in finding employment and housing. Bro. Ed Brink, assistant for education, coordinated the effort with Bro. David Betz. According to Bro. David, the more than 30 flash drives donated are valuable tools for the veterans to have to store résumés and other materials.

GA VISITS GATE OF HEAVEN CEMETERY

While on visitation in Cupertino, Calif., Fr. Manuel Cortés (superior general, left) and Fr. André Fétis (general assistant for religious life, right), pray with Bro. John Samaha for the deceased brothers at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, Calif. Courtesy of Bro. John Samaha

MSJC DEATH PENALTY ISSUE TEAM MEETS IN BALTIMORE

Death Penalty Issue Team Members, seated, Dan Perry, Lauren Olson and Bro. Brian Halderman; standing, Bro. Jerry Sullivan, Bob Stoughton, Jim Vogt (MSJC director), Bro. Dick Olsen  and Sr. Grace Walle. Courtesy of Jim Vogt

Because the Death Penalty Issue Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative regards opposition to the death penalty in the context of a consistent life ethic, the team held its annual meeting in conjunction with the MSJC workshop, "A Seamless Garment Dialogue," March 5 - 7 in Baltimore. Two new members joined the team: Lauren Olson (Marianst volunteer from St. Louis) and Dan Perry (a University of Dayton law student), who reported on his Marianist Anti Death Penalty Summer 2009 internship with the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. Read more about the team's work.

CAPE MAY HOSTS SERVICE TRIP FOR ST. MARY’S STUDENTS

At the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, front, a Mission client, Ari Rivera (student), Tina Irvin (St. Mary’s Service Learning staff), Anthony Fucci, Lynette Bernot (St. Mary’s faculty); back, Ashley Kleist (intern), Bro. Tom Redmond, a Mission client, Gabe Hernandez and Jessica Sherwen. Courtesy of Anthony Fucci

Earlier this month the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J.,  hosted a group from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio for a spring break service learning program. Each day the group performed a different form of service, including a day at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Bro. Tom Redmond, Jessica Sherwen, retreat center program director, and Anthony Fucci, retreat center director, joined the group at the Mission to help prepare and serve lunch to the homeless.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . Affordable solar ovens created by ETHOS students for poor communities in Bolivia UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. The School of Engineering at UD will send 30 engineering and business interns to 10 developing countries for a 10-week service and immersion experience this summer through the ETHOS program. ETHOS is a technical immersion experience for students traveling to Latin America, Africa and Asia. Business students have been included in the program to provide organizational assistance to communities starting small businesses. Bro. Phil Aaron is the administrator of the ETHOS program. Read more. UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON WINS TITLE. Congratulations to the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team which captured its third National Invitation Tournament title after its April 1 defeat of North Carolina 79-68 at Madison Square Garden. Read more. SAINT LOUIS SCHOOL, HONOLULU. Congratulations to student Byung Hee Chun ’12, who placed first among students from the U.S. and seventh worldwide in the 14 -18-year-old age group in the World Math Day competition. Byung Hee Chun with his teacher Mr. Sea ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY. Congratulations to The Rattler student newspaper staff which won First Place Best of Show for overall excellence in the category of student newspapers published biweekly or less at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association 2010 convention, March 25 - 27. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Mills was awarded the Frank W. Buckley Scholarship, named in honor of TIPA's first executive director. Bro. Dennis Baustista is the newspaper’s faculty adviser.  The Rattler staff: front, Austin Newton, Luis Miguel Macias and Felix Arroyo; back, Stephen Guzman, Alexis Alvarez, Sarah Mills, Sara Cornejo and Bro. Dennis Bautista CHAMINADE-MADONNA COLLEGE PREPARATORY raised more than $25,000 at its auction March 20 which celebrated the school’s 50 years of dedication to Catholic education. C-M President Fr. Larry Doersching (second from left) and Principal Gloria Ramos (far right) with the 2010-2011 tuition raffle winners, David and Donna Wagener. Photo courtesy of Bryn-Alan Photography CHAMINADE JULIENNE HIGH SCHOOL senior Samarie Walker was named to Parade magazine’s All-America High School Girls Basketball Team. She has signed to play with the UConn Huskies next year. Congratulations Samarie!

CENTRAL CATHOLIC DEDICATES ITS “FIELD OF DREAMS”

At the dedication ceremony, Mary Vehle, Clarence Kahlig, Clara Shovlin, Bro. Peter Pontolillo (CC president), Edward Ybarra (CC principal) and Fr. Joe Tarrillion '51 (CC president emeritus)

Thanks to the generosity of alum Clarence Kahlig ’65, Central Catholic High School in San Antonio now has a new baseball stadium named the Shovlin-Vehle Field at Kahlig Park. The name honors Mr. Kahlig and the two previous owners of the 6.6 acres (which incidentally was farmland as in the movie “Field of Dreams”) on which the stadium is located. Members of the Shovlin and Vehle families also attended Central Catholic. "This is a fantastic gift and addition to our sports facilities,” said Bro. Peter Pontolillo, Central Catholic president. “We are deeply grateful to Clarence Kahlig for remembering his high school alma mater by providing present and future students with this great facility." Read more from KENS5 news in San Antonio.

Fr. Joe Tarrillion, assisted by Fr. Pat McDaid  (CC campus minister), blesses the baseball field. Fr. Don Cowie is standing near the podium.

SPRING RETREATS WITH THE MARIANISTS

Fr. Tim Kenney (front, center) preached a Lenten retreat for St. Louis Lay Marianist Affiliates at St. Mary’s High School. Also attending the retreat were Bros. Ken Jung (back, third from left) and Bro. Rich Middleton (back, fourth from left). Courtesy of Fr. Tim

Lay Marianist Affiliates gathered in Denton, Texas, March 21 for a retreat on social justice facilitated by Fr. Al McMenamy. Shown, seated, Jo Desive, Mary Balubuch, Toni Becher and June Martin; standing, Arno Becher, Bill Bridges, Charlie Wick, Marge Wick, Sharon Kohl, Hank Martin, Tom Nack and Judy Nack. Fr. Al took the photo which was sent courtesy of Arno and Toni Becher

FAUSTINO GROUP GATHERS FOR LENTEN CELEBRATION IN NAIROBI

With the Faustino Group children, Peter Njoroge (Lay Marianist and group leader, far left), Bro. Julius Nandi (founder of the Faustino Group, second from left), Fr. Richard Loehrlein (center), Bro. Daniel Owidhi (second from right) and Lay Marianist Anastasia Wangari (far right with baby). Photo by Bro. Steve Grazulis

On March 21, after celebrating Mass at Bro. Vincent House, the Faustino Group in Nairobi, Kenya, under the direction of Lay Marianists Peter Njoroge and Anastasia Wangari and assisted by Bros. Julius Nandi and Daniel Owidhi and Fr. Richard Loehrlein, visited the popular Resurrection Gardens to pray at the outdoor Stations of the Cross and have a picnic.

Peter Njoroge with the children at Resurrection Gardens. He led them through the outdoor Stations of the Cross.

GOOD TO KNOW April 12-13 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 “Letting Go of Stuff – for Lent and Forever” by Susan Vogt. If you blog on Marianist topics, please send us a link to your blog. Contact Joan Suda.

HONORING THE SUPERIORS GENERAL IN BANGALORE

The scholasticate community at Deepahalli in Bangalore, India, created a special shrine to honor the Marianist superiors general on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. Courtesy of Bro. K. Kumar

THE CLASSIFIEDS

PROGRAM ASSISTANT. The Murphy Initiative for Justice and Peace in Baltimore is seeking a part-time program assistant to work with the executive director. The successful candidate must demonstrate an awareness of social justice issues grounded in the Catholic tradition. Résumés must be received by May 1, 2010. Read more.

HARVEST WOMEN MLC HOSTS 4TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT

Participants in The Harvest Women MLC annual retreat in Hoyt, Kansas. Courtesy of Marceta Reilly

The Harvest Women Marianist Lay Community based in Hoyt, Kansas, hosted a women’s retreat for local parishes March 5 - 6.  Joanne McCracken (New Jersey) and Chris Suriano (Florida) served as retreat leaders. The theme was “The Women We Come From.” Participants recognized how God works in their lives and through others as they engaged in meditation, learning sessions and community prayer. The group created a picture “quilt” of the women who have influenced their lives.  Members of The Harvest Women MLC read and discuss spiritual books in monthly phone conferences. The retreat is an annual event that began in 2007. The mission of The Harvest Women MLC is to support and enhance women’s spiritual growth.

MARIANIST YOUNG ADULTS CELEBRATE EASTER

LEFT: Brian Reavey (national coordinator for Marianist LIFE, far left) with Jacqui Cocozza, Cheryl Mrazik, Christine Pluta (back) and George Larmour; RIGHT: Mom’s lamb cake. Courtesy of Brian Reavey

On March 28, several members of the Marianist young adult community in Philadelphia gathered for dinner and prayer at the home of Christine Pluta. Christine prepared a wonderful meal, including her mom's traditional "Lamb Cake" for dessert in preparation for Easter.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

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

JUST ONE MORE . . .

Bro. Jim Leahy next to a water cannon on a San Francisco Fire Department fireboat. John McCloskey, a retired deputy fire chief, graduate of Archbishop Riordan High School and friend of the Marianists, arranged a ride on the fireboat for Cupertino brothers and friends. Photo courtesy of Les Gremett (Marianist Affiliate)

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

APRIL

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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