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BROS. XAVIER RAJ AND JOSEPH BARLA ORDAINED AS DEACONS

Bishop Agustín Cortés Soriano (center) presided at the Jan. 15 ordination of Bros. Xavier Raj and Bro. Joseph Barla as deacons in the Society of Mary.

On Jan. 15, Bros. Xavier Raj and Bro. Joseph Barla were ordained as deacons in the Society of Mary at Our Lady of the Pillar chapel in Rome. Bishop Agustín Cortés Soriano, brother of Superior General Manuel Cortés, presided at the ceremony and delivered the homily. Also in attendance were Provincial Thomas J. Cleary (Province of Meribah), Bros. Tim Phillips and Darwin Joseph. Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony.

Bros. Raj and Barla prostrate themselves during the Litany of the Saints. Photos courtesy Bro. Birendra Kullu

THREE NEW ASPIRANTS WELCOMED IN PHILIPPINES

On Jan. 20, Renato Alias, Melvin Azucenas and Jerson Descallar were received into the aspirancy program in Davao, Philippines. “We are very grateful for the gift of these young men as they begin their discernment process in search of the will of God in their lives. At the beginning of Chaminade Year, we think is a sign of hope for our charism in the Philippines,” said Fr. Pablo Rambaud.

The Davao, Philippines, community, back, Bro. Peter Kiama and Fr. Pablo; front, Bro. Raimond Toppo, Aspirants Renz, Melvin and Jerson, and Aspirancy Director Bro. Oscar Kerketta. Not shown, Bro. Jerry Valencia. Photo courtesy Bro. Jerry

ALLISON HEWITT NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Allison Hewitt has been named executive director of development for the Province of the United States, effective Jan. 31, 2011.

Allison will be engaged in all development and advancement efforts of the Province, including the Marianist Mission in Dayton. She will be located at the Province office in St. Louis.

“Allison is a faith-filled individual who brings to the Province team notable experience, a defined skill set, a professional and caring demeanor and a care and passion for our Marianist mission,” said Fr. Marty Solma, provincial.

A native of the St. Louis area, Allison received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Denver. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a past member of the National Catholic Development Conference.

Allison most recently served as chief development officer for the YWCA in St. Louis, where she managed all aspects of fundraising including major gifts, corporate and foundation solicitation, planned giving, and annual giving.

Prior to that Allison worked for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Belleville, Ill., as director of marketing and development. In that position she managed a national database of 2.5 million donors raising funds to serve the missionary priests and brothers who serve the poor in 70 countries. Her fundraising strategies helped raise over $30 million annually from direct mail and major and planned gifts.

Effective Jan. 31, Allison may be reached at ahewitt@sm-usa.org or 314.533.1207.

NEVI’IM COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAKE PUBLIC COMMITMENT

Members of the Nevi'im Community, back, David Weickart, Brandon Meyer, Mary Schroeder and UD Rector Fr. Jim Fitz; front, Liz Belt, Aubrey Hartnett, Gabby Gibeau, Bernadette Madden and Joan McGuinness Wagner (Director of Marianist Strategies) and A.J. Wagner, (President of MLNNA).

On Dec. 11, 2010, the University of Dayton community gathered in UD’s Immaculate Conception Chapel for Eucharist and the public commitment of members of the Nevi'im Community. The community is directed by Joan McGuinness Wagner and A.J. Wagner. Joan serves as the recruiter, mentor and facilitator for the student communities, and A.J. assists in mentoring and facilitation.

In preparation for the commitment, students met with vowed religious and lay persons as a way of deepening their faith life and understanding of Marianist spirituality. At the ceremony, they proclaimed their profession of commitment.

The Nevi'im Community was joined by other UD Lay Marianists who came in support of this new community. Also pictured, Fr. Jim Fitz (third row, second from right), Joan McGuinness Wagner (in green jacket) and A.J. Wagner (second row, second from right). Photos courtesy Office of the Rector

MARIANIST FAMILY RETREATS – FUN FOR EVERYONE

Marianist Family Retreats are “truly a vacation – and truly a retreat” according to Karen Brossart of North Bend, Ohio, whose family has made six retreats and continues to serve as volunteers.

Created by Marianists of the former New York Province in the early 1970s at Cape May Point, N.J., Marianist Family Retreats now take place from the East Coast to Hawai’i.

Led by teams of Marianist laity and religious, each year the retreats attract new families as well as returning families of the second and even third generation.

“Four elements make these retreats successful,” according to Anthony Fucci, director of the Family Life Center at Cape May Point. “The presentation of Gospel themes relative to modern-day family living; improving family communications; daily worship and prayer; and a lot of time for family fun.” Anne Petratis, coordinator of the Governor’s Island program at Indian Lake, says that each retreat is an “experience of community formed around Gospel values.”

The geographical diversity of the retreat locations makes each retreat unique – from the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean to the Hill Country of Texas and from the tropical beauty of Hawai’i to peaceful Indian Lake in Ohio.

The cost is affordable for most families. In some centers, partial scholarships are available, thanks to donors. The retreats range from weekend experiences to six full days. A few retreats are designed for families of single parents, minority and even military families.

“Since we began the retreats 15 years ago, everyone leaves with a smile and expresses the hope of returning, which many do,” says Bro. Paul Bredestege, director of the Marianist community at Governor’s Island.

Read more information about 2011 Marianist Family Retreats.

EAST ST. LOUIS MINISTRY CELEBRATES 2011 JUBILARIANS

On Jan. 18, East St. Louis, Ill., Marianists and local religious and community members gathered for prayer and celebration of 2011 Jubilarians Bro. David Betz (25 years), Sr. Mary Kay McKenzie, CCVI (50 years), Joe Hubbard (50 years with St. Vincent DePaul Society), Bro. Norbert Karpfinger (60 years) with Fr. Paul Marshall. The gathering, a long-standing tradition among those who minister in the area, was hosted by the East St. Louis Marianists and the Cordi-Marian Sisters at the Catholic Daycare Center. Bros. Norbert and John Laudenbach are associated with the center. Courtesy Bro. David

LAY MARIANISTS GATHER FOR RETREAT IN SPRINGFIELD

On Jan. 8, Lay Marianist Affiliates gathered for a retreat at the home of Terri Maze in Springfield, Ill. The retreat’s theme was "The Way of Mary: Praying and living her words." Standing, Bill Ledbetter, Bro. Richard Middleton, Bob Mandeville, Cliff Shehorn, Quinto Cimarossa, Ann Walker, Kate Rossi, Vickie Auth, Loretta Reisinger and Merle King. Kneeling, Donna Berte, Carol Shehorn, Alma Mandeville, Cyndi Ledbetter and Fr. Al McMenamy. Not pictured, Terri Maze. Photo courtesy Terri

SABBATICALS FOR 2011 - 2012

Province members who are considering a professional or spiritual sabbatical during the 2011-2012 year should contact the appropriate provincial assistant no later than Feb. 15, 2011. Those seeking a professional or educational sabbatical should contact Bro. Ed Brink, and those seeking a spiritual renewal sabbatical should contact Fr. Bill Meyer. They will provide the procedures for the submission of sabbatical applications.

WHO'S DOING WHAT. . .

Secretary General Bro. Michael McAward presented the “Saintliness of Fr. Chaminade” on Jan. 20 to a student assembly at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. The presentation was part of the school’s Marianist Heritage Week festivities.

Bro. Michael with Central Catholic President Bro. Peter Pontolillo and Principal Eddie Ybarra

"Cascade in Autumn Michigan” by Bro. John Lemker

Bro. John Lemker (Marianist novitiate, Dayton) is displaying 60 prints of his photography in an exhibit “Pause to Ponder” through Feb. 13 at Gallery Saint John in Dayton.  The exhibit includes photographs of local subjects as well as those taken on excursions to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Smoky Mountains and Texas Hill Country.

Buckon

Fr. Neal Buckon, 57, has been named an auxiliary bishop of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services by Pope Benedict XVI. Fr. Neal is a graduate of Cathedral Latin School in Cleveland, which was sponsored by the Marianists.

Bro. Lucian Tigga prepares to blow out the candles on his birthday cake, presented by Bro. Tom Pieper, during a celebration at the Stonemill-Kiefaber community in Dayton. Right, Bro. Sean Downing presents the community’s card to Bro. Lucian joined by Fr. Dave McGuigan and Bros. Ray Fitz and Charlie Wanda. Photos courtesy Bro. Charlie

WOMEN’S SUMMIT TO HONOR ADÈLE AND MARIE THÉRÈSE

A “Marianist Women’s Summit,” honoring 200 years of Blessed Chaminade’s collaboration with Adèle and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, will be held March 25 - 27, 2011, in San Antonio. The summit will be sponsored by the Marianist Sisters and the Marianist Center in Philadelphia. E-mail Pati Krasensky for information.

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

Bro. James Billo (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 85, who died Jan. 13, 2011, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. The Marianist Residence community prayed a rosary for Bro. Jim on Jan. 16. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 17 at the Marianist Residence chapel. Fr. Richard Wosman was the presider and homilist. Burial followed the Mass at the Marianist cemetery on the campus of St. Mary’s University, San Antonio. Read Fr. Richard Wosman’s homily. Bro. Jim’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. James Billo

Bro. James Abel, undated

Bro. James Abel, recent

Bro. James Abel (Mercy Siena Marianist Community, Dayton), 78, who died Jan. 6, 2011, in Dayton, Ohio. May he rest in the peace. Read Bro. Jim’s obituary. Read Bro. Mitch Schweickart’s homily. Read Fr. Tom Schroer’s eulogy.

Bro. James Pieper, 1962

Bro. James Pieper, recent

Bro. James Pieper (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 90, who died Jan. 6, 2011, in San Antonio. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Jim’s obituary.

Bro. Tomás De Luis (Province of Madrid), 85, who died Jan. 9, 2011, in Madrid, Spain. May he rest in peace. Bro. Tomás’ obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Alejandro Rodríguez (Province of Zaragoza), 84, who died Jan. 7, 2011 in Valencia, Spain. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Alejandro’s obituary.

Lawrence Kuda, Joseph Milner, Joseph Quatman, David Radzyminski, Sr. Francis Regis, OSU, Nous Toppo, John Wagner and Bishop John Ward. Read more.

SUNSET FROM LAHAINA, MAUI, HAWAI’I

The sun setting behind the island of Lanai. Photo courtesy Fr. Roland Bunda

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. James Dods (Center Marianist Community, Honolulu).

Bro. Michael Galvin (Holy Rosary, San Antonio).

Fr. Sylverius Kerketta (District of India).

Fr. Marianus Lugun (District of India).

Bro. Mel Meyer (Curé of Ars, St. Louis).

Fr. Gerald Pleva (Marianist Community, Wailuku, Maui, Hawai’i)

Bro. Bob Politi (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati).

Bro. Charles Roggemann (Mercy Siena, Dayton).

Bro. Michael Sullivan (Casa Maria, San Antonio).

Fr. Bill Wightman (Marianist Community, St. Louis).

Archbishop Robert Carlson, Richard Klein, Kevin Mullen, Patti Plosaj, Jossalyn and Savannah Walker, and Wilma Whorton. Read more.

CARDINAL ATTENDS CHAMINADE CELEBRATION

Bro. Daniel Odero Osino (Region of Eastern Africa), right, personally invited the new Cardinal of Zambia Medado Mazombwe to the Jan. 22 festivities at Matero Boys Secondary School Lusaka-Zambia marking the 250th anniversary of Blessed Chaminade's birth. The Cardinal accepted the invitation. Courtesy Bro. Daniel

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS VISIT WEST HILLS COMMUNITY

Fr. Ted Ley visits with a Chaminade senior. Courtesy Bro. John Bosco Shin

On Jan. 7 and 9, West Hills, Calif., community members Bros. Jack Dempsey, Skip Matthews, Tom Oles and Leroy Viera and Frs. Ted Ley and Jim Mueller visited with Chaminade College Preparatory seniors who toured the community with religion teacher April Risteff. The students learned about Marianist vocations and the daily lives of the community members. Bro. Jim Wiescaver was on retreat in Hawai’i and unable to attend.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . . ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, ST. LOUIS. Dr. Timothy M. Dilg has been named the new principal of St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, effective July 1, 2011. Timothy currently serves as principal of Springfield Catholic School in Springfield, Mo., and will succeed retiring principal Larry Keller. Read more.  SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY, SAN ANTONIO has been awarded the prestigious Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which recognizes the university’s dedication to service learning and community collaboration. Read an article. CJ Principal John Marshall, Bros. Sean Downing and Timothy Mazundah share lunch with CJ students Bro. Erick Otiende and CJ junior Jon Meyer CHAMINADE JULIENNE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, DAYTON. During the holiday season, Chaminade-Julienne scholarship students had the opportunity to share lunch with some of the people who help make it possible for them to attend CJ. Representatives from nine donating programs, including members of the Marianists and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur communities, the school’s sponsors, met with about 75 recipients. Representing the Marianists were Bros. Sean Downing, Erick Otiende, Timothy Mazundah and Sr. Nicole Trahan. Deacon Jim Walworth, director of development, and Ann Szabo, ’72, administrative assistant in the development department, organized the inaugural event. ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, ST. LOUIS. In honor of St. Mary’s High School’s support of deployed airmen, the school received a U.S. flag that was flown over Baghdad, Iraq, in an Iraqi Air Force Mi-17. The flag was presented by Marcus J. Jackson IV, captain of the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron, as a thank you to students who sent care packages to airmen at Camp Taji, Iraq. English teacher Teresa Jackson, whose husband is deployed in Iraq, and student council members helped organize the project. NOLAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, FORT WORTH, TEXAS. The pre-engineering program at Nolan Catholic High School was recently featured in the Fort Worth Business Press. Read the article. ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, ST. LOUIS. Now in its third year, the Care Team at St. John Vianney High School has become an integral part of the school’s mission. Made up of counselors, teachers and administrators, the team ensures that students who are struggling emotionally, socially or academically receive the support they need so they thrive during their high school years. The team is coordinated by Bro. Jim Maus. St. John Vianney High School’s Care Team, front, Bob Meyer, Kevin Walsh, Pattie Czajkowski and Kristin Radcliffe. Back, Fr. Tim Kenney, Tom Stevison, Kevin O’Toole, Bro. Jim Maus and Linda Sodemann

YOUNG LEADERS SPEND WORK WEEKEND AT TECABOCA

On Jan. 15 - 16, students from St. Mary’s University Marianist Leadership Program and young leaders from St. Matthew’s Parish spent the weekend painting, clearing brush and performing general maintenance at TECABOCA in Mountain Home, Texas. Chris Cantu (back row, third from left) directs the St. Mary’s MLP and helped to coordinate the weekend. Also in attendance was Aspirant Mark Motz (back row, second from right). Photo courtesy Kay Tally-Foos, TECABOCA executive director

GOOD TO KNOW

MSJC DEATH PENALTY TEAM HOSTS LUNCHEON Jim Vogt invites Marianist Family members to attend a Jan. 29 luncheon at the Provincial headquarters in St. Louis to learn more about ending the death penalty in Missouri. Read a flyer. BRO. ZAMPIER HOSTS SKETCHBOOK JOURNAL DAY Bro. Brian Zampier (St. Louis) invites Marianist Family members to attend a “sketchbook journal day” on Feb. 19 at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. Read a flyer. Jan. 28 - 30  Discernment Retreat, San Antonio Feb. 2  Presentation of the Lord Feb. 3 - 5  Provincial Council MORE FEBRUARY FEAST DAYS Fr. Bill Meyer, assistant for religious life, writes about important feast days in February. Read Fr. Bill's letter. Read the list of February feast days. 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.

FORMER CLEVELAND RETREAT HOUSE DEMOLISHED

A former retreat house located next to Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland was demolished earlier this month. The house was familiar to many in the Marianist Family as it was the site of directors meetings, province retreats and St. Joseph senior retreats. Now owned by the Hospice of the Western Reserve, the property will become a park. Courtesy Bro. Dave Murphy

ADORATION CHAPEL AT MARIANIST NOVITIATE IN LIMURU

Bro. Mark Ormond shares these photos of the adoration chapel at the Marianist Novitiate in Limuru, Kenya. The woodwork displays designs native to the area, and the “M” on the chapel’s window recalls the “M” on Pope John Paul II’s papal coat of arms and his prayer of Marian Consecration, “Totus Tuus.”

CYBER SPACE

BLOGGERS Read a daily prayer blog by the Our Lady of the Round Table Lay Marianist community. Read Malianika by Bros. Brandon Alana and Dennis Bautista and Novice Norman Capinpin. Read Scriptural Reflections from Fr. Bert Buby (Stonemill-Kiefaber, Dayton). Read the blog of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities by Isabella Moyer, president. Read "Letting Go of Stuff - Day by Day" by Susan Vogt.   Read Ponderings by A.J. Wagner   If you blog on Marianist topics, please send us a link to your blog. Contact Amy George Rush.

CAPE MAY. Read the January 2011 issue of The Beacon, the newsletter of the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J

MLNNA. Read the January 2011 issue of E-News, the newsletter of the Marianist Lay Network of North America.

MSJC. Read the January 2011 issue of Justice Jottings, the newsletter of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. 

JUST ONE MORE …

On Jan. 22, about 550 St. Mary’s University students, faculty, staff and alumni participated in the school’s “Continuing the Heritage” event, now in its twelfth year. This year’s theme was “Mission in Action.” Participants contributed more than 2,600 hours of community service at 28 service sites—planting gardens, cleaning and painting playgrounds, painting homes for the elderly, spending time with children in shelters and working on a building for Habitat for Humanity.

JANUARY               

FEBRUARY

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.marianist.com

Editor: Amy George Rush; 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. Fr. Martin Solma, SM, provincial; Bro. Joe Kamis, SM, assistant provincial. Read the 2011 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 Amy George Rush at arush@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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