Volume 2, Number 18
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003
 

CHAPTER MEETING, DIRECTORS’ MEETING SCHEDULED

Assistant Provincial Fr. Jim Fitz reports that the fourth session of the Provincial Chapter of the Province of the United States will be held at Vallombrosa Center in Menlo Park, Calif., from Sept. 5-9, 2003. Chapter materials will be sent as attachments in FamilyOnline for Province members to review. Directors of the Province should "save the date" for the Directors' meeting Oct. 3-5, 2003, at the St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland. Bro. Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX, will be a resource for the weekend. A schedule will be sent to Directors.

PUPPET SHOW, MARIANIST-STYLE

The "founding puppets" delight children at summer family retreats at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May, New Jersey. Fr. Chaminade, Mother Adèle and Marie Thérèse teach the families about faith, Mary, mission and the discipleship of equals. See story in this issue about family retreats around the country.

AFRICA PROFESSION

The newly-professed Bro. Julius Nandi Bitinyu with Regional Superior Bro. Frank Annunziata (left) and Fr. Mike Nartker on July 19 at the Chapel of Ave Maria, Bro. Vincent House, Nairobi. Fr. Mike presided over the celebration that was attended by more than 100 friends and family. Bro. Peter Nato gave the exhortation and Bro. Frank received the vows. Congratulations and our prayers to Bro. Julius!

DIRECTOR ASSIGNMENTS

Bro. Fred Stovall will serve as acting director of the new community in Pinehurst, Texas.

Fr. Norb Brockman will serve as acting director of the Woodlawn community in San Antonio.

We offer our prayers to both Bro. Fred and Fr. Norb.

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

Bro. Edward Prochaska, 92, who died Aug. 1 in Dayton. May he rest in peace. Bro. Ed's visitation and Funeral Mass will be held Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the University of Dayton. Fr. Tim Dwyer will preside at the Eucharist. Burial will be Aug. 6 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Mount St. John. Bro. Ed's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Ed, 1963

Bro. Ed, 2000

Bro. George Schuster, 92, who died July 26 in San Antonio. Bro. George's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline. The wake and rosary for Bro. George were held July 28 at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. Fr. Franz Schorp presided at the funeral Mass on July 29; burial followed in the Marianist Cemetery on the campus of St. Mary's University. May he rest in peace.

Bro. George, undated

Bro. George, recent

Fr. Bernard (Ben) Stueve, 95, who died July 26 in Dayton. Fr. Ben's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline. The wake and funeral Mass for Fr. Ben were held July 29 at Queen of Apostles Chapel, Mount St. John in Dayton, with Fr. Phillip Hoelle presiding at Eucharist. He was buried July 30 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at Mount St. John. May he rest in peace.

Fr. Ben, undated

Fr. Ben, recent

Fr. Melchor Alegre (Province of Zaragoza), 74, who died July 11 in Victoria, Spain. To read Fr. Melchor's obituary, please click here:

Bro. Nicholas Matter (Province of France), 92, who died July 11 in Antony, France. To read Bro. Nicholas' obituary, please click here:

Bro. Eugene Claret (Region of Switzerland), 90, who died July 9 in Sion, Switzerland. To read Bro. Eugene's obituary, please click here:

James Miklich, brother of Bro. Ray Miklich (Rockaway, New York), who died July 30 in Cleveland. May he rest in peace.

Frances Orsini, mother of Fr. James Orsini (former Marianist and priest of the diocese of Honolulu), who died July 25 in Flagstaff, Ariz. May she rest in peace.

Miguel Castilla, 42, brother of Bro. Nicolás Castilla (Puebla, Mexico), who died Aug. 2 after a long illness. May he rest in peace.

Harold (Red) Freiburg, 80, who died July 22 in Quincy, Ill. Harold was the father of Sandy Freiburg, who belongs to a Marianist prayer group in St. Louis.

Mary Jo Hanna Sharer, 71, who died July 22 in North Hollywood, Calif., of cancer. Mary Jo was the sister of Laura Rueve, a Marianist Lay Affiliate and longtime cook at St. Mary's High School community.

SUMMERTIME AT YELLOWSTONE

Photo courtesy of Fr. Ralph Siefert, SM

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF...

Bro. Robert Wade (Villa St. Joseph, Cupertino), who has been diagnosed with cancer in one lung and is undergoing further tests.

Bro. Ed Kiefer (Madeleine House, New Orleans), who will undergo cancer treatment at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.

Bro. Jim Christiana (Center Marianist Community, Honolulu), who continues to recover from brain tumor surgery at UCLA Medical Center in California.

Bro. John Sheehy (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), who is in intensive care with bleeding problems.

Bro. Dick Rose, who was released from Miami Valley Hospital and has moved permanently to Mercy Siena Woods (nursing facility). Contact Bro. Dick at Mercy Siena Woods, 6125 N. Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45415, 937.278.8211.

Eloy Olivarri, who is recovering from intestinal surgery. Eloy runs the kitchen at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio.

Meaghan Hannigan, who is undergoing serious medical procedures. Meaghan is the daughter of Diane Read, secretary at Cape May's Family Retreat Center, New Jersey.

William Kiefer (Marianist Lay Affiliate and former member of the Society of Mary), who fell unconscious and was admitted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. Bill and his wife Marie have run St. Mark's bookstore in Dayton.

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Fr. John Mulligan (Meyer Hall Community, Dayton) has retired from the Marianist Mission after 16 years of devoted service. Fr. John was director of the Mission from 1986-1998 and later served four years as part-time coordinator of overseas tours for the Mission. Congratulations and a well-deserved retirement to Fr. John!

Bro. Bill Schlosser (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa) happily announces that MARO (Marianist Apostolic Resources Office) has a website. Please visit http://maro-ea.org. MARO is a fundraising branch for the Region of East Africa. Kudos to Bro. Bill!

Bro. Bob Rapp (Uxpanapa Valley, Veracruz, Mexico) reports that first-day sales of Lacteos Chaminade's new retail cheese and sausage shop (Quesabrosos del Valle de Uxpanapa - "Delicious Cheese of the Uxpanapa Valley") exceeded expectations. The shop in Coatzacoalcos sold about 500 lbs. (yes, 500 lbs.) of cheese during its first day of operation July 30. The Marianists own 65 percent of Lacteos Chaminade. A cheesy high-five to Bro. Bob.

Bro. Earl Leistikow (Woodlawn Community, San Antonio), archivist in San Antonio, offers proof of the value of a Marianist education. He reports that Spain's King Juan Carlos I (educated at Villa St. Jean, Fribourg) recently awarded the Medalla de Merito Civil to Dr. Felix Almaraz, professor of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio (graduate of St. Mary's University). The medal was presented by Don Javier Ruperez, Spanish ambassador to the United States (former student at El Pilar in Madrid).

PRAISE BE DIRECTORS

Directors play an important role in community life. As the Rule of Life states, "The director has primary responsibility for the religious life and mission of the community." (Article 105). In the name of all their brothers, the Provincial Council thanks and recognizes for their years of service, the following men who are completing terms as directors:

Bro. Larry Corbin, DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati
Bro. Fred Halwe, Woodlawn Avenue, San Antonio
Fr. Jim Imhof, Lincoln Street, Hollywood, Fla.
Fr. John Klobuka, Helotes, Texas
Bro. Stanley Murakami, San Juan, Cupertino, Calif.
Bro. Tom Pieper, Kiefaber Street, Dayton
Bro. Don Smith, Governor's Island, Huntsville, Ohio
Bro. Fred A. R. Stovall, Casa Maria, San Antonio
Fr. Stephen Tutas, Villa St. Joseph, Cupertino

FAMILIES BOND AT SUMMER RETREATS

Every year, summer family retreats at Marianist retreat centers help families grow spiritually and share good times. The retreats include peer discussion groups, family group activities, skits and activities such as volleyball, boating and swimming.

The Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May, New Jersey, offers nine, week-long summer family retreats with themes of communication, forgiveness, commitment and commissioning. Marianists serving this summer at Cape May included Bros. Charles Johnson, Jesse O'Neil, Rich Thompson, Raymond Kane, Ray McQuade, Walt Oberster and Steve O'Neill; Frs. Jose Ramirez, Dave McGuigan and Rich Kuhn; seminarian Gabriel Kirangah, Novice Isak Keyman-Ige, Aspirant Alfredo Chavez and FMIs Joyce Detzel and Mary Louise Foley.

At TECABOCA, A Marianist Center for Spiritual Renewal in Mountain Home, Texas, the third annual Marianist family retreat was held May 30 - June 1. Marianists staffing the retreat were Bros. Jack Ventura and Fred Stovall and Fr. Al McMenamy. Approximately 25 people attended.

Lay Marianist Nicki Prevou and her sons enjoy the family retreat at TECABOCA in the Texas hill country north of San Antonio.

At Governor's Island on Indian Lake in Ohio, six families enjoyed the eighth family vacation retreat July 3 - 6. Directors were Tony and Jean Fitzgerald with Bro. Paul Bredestege. Other Marianists on staff were Bros. Don Smith and Bill Deanhofer; Fr. Jim Russell; and Aspirant Andy Kosmowski. The Christian Family Living Center on Topsail Island in North Carolina hosts 11 week-long family retreats with Fr. Rich Kuhn and Bro. Ray McQuade. Frs. Roland Bunda and Al McMenamy have assisted. One of the weeks is designed for Spanish-speaking families.

Several young men portray the death and resurrection of Jesus during the family vacation retreat at Governor's Island in July.

MEXICO ON THE MOVE

Bro. Roberto Hanss reports that three members of the General Administration - Fr. David Fleming, Bro. José María Alvira and Fr. George Cerniglia - visited the Mexican sector June 28-July 10, with Bro. Jose and Fr. George making their first visit. The sector held its annual retreat July 14 -19 in Puebla, and ended the gathering with a mini-assembly July 19. To read Bro. Roberto's summary of the mini-assembly, please click here:

Visitors from Rome at the Mexican novitiate in Queretaro: Front row, from left: Novice Jaime Moreno, Fr. David Fleming, Bro. José María Alvira, Fr. George Cerniglia and Bro. Ralph Neumann. Back row, from left: Novices Josue Antonio Martin, Esteban Reyes and Roberto Carlos Gonzalez; Fr. Paul Neumann and Bro. Roberto Hanss. (Photo courtesy of Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth)

THE CLASSIFIEDS

Director, MSJC. The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative is seeking a part-time director to help articulate and implement a vision for social justice. Deadline for application is Aug. 29. For details about the position and application, please click here:

MARIANIST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TASK FORCE

The newly formed Marianist Volunteer Program task force met Aug. 2 in St. Louis and formed committees to create a mission and goals; time line; international and national coordination; and structure and staffing. Sr. Eileen Donovan directs the task force.

Members of the task force of the Marianist Volunteer Program, back row, from left: Sr. Eileen Donovan, Fr. Jim Mueller, Jeff Campbell, Kristi Schulenberg and Larry Hufford; front row, from left: Bro. Paul Galantowicz, Joan McGuinness Wagner, Anthony Fucci, Salvatore Trozzo and Sue Vogt.

SM 3 OFFICES - OOPS

To read the July 15 issue of S.M. 3 Offices from Bro. Javier Anso, please click here: This issue includes details about the solidarity funds distributed by the GA in 2002. (Sorry; our link didn't "link" in the last issue, so we're repeating it here.)

STUDYING AT THE NATIONAL PARK

Bro. Jim Eppy (Waldron, St. Louis), left, with a Chaminade College Prep student at Yellowstone National Park. Bro. Jim and another faculty member created an "outdoor education"class at the school six years ago. Students spend a week at a national park studying animals, plants and geology, as well as photography and sketching, keeping a journal and then writing a research paper. Fr. Ralph Siefert and other faculty joined the group this summer.

TECABOCA: GOD BLESS THE HAMMERS

Deacon Denis Link, executive director of TECABOCA in Texas, reports on the blessing of the retreat center's new workshop and toolshed and its dedication to Bro. Jim Burkholder, who celebrates 25 years at TECABOCA. Fr. Don Cowie's blessing included these wise words: "The miracle I pray for is that all tools will be returned to their proper place." Congratulations to Bro. Jim and all concerned.

At the toolshed, from left: Fr. Jim Mueller, Fr. Don Cowie and Bro. Jim Burkholder

ON THE PRESSES The 2003-2004 Personnel of the Province of the United States is at the printer and will be shipped at the end of the month. Congratulations to Ann Mueller for her unflagging work.

DIRECTORY COMMITTEE

The Province Directory Committee met July 23-24 in St. Louis, chaired by Fr. Jim Fitz. At the Chapter meeting in September, the committee will present a proposed outline and organization for the Directory and guidelines for involving Province members in the review process. Back row, from left: Fr. Ted Ley, Bro. Mike O'Grady and Fr. Fitz. Bottom, from left: Fr. Frank Morrisey, OMI, consultant, and Fr. Jack McGrath. Unable to attend: Bro. Ed Kiefer.

MSJC OFFERS WORKSHOP

Nancy De Honores invites all to a MSJC workshop, "The Heart of Multiculturalism," set for Sept. 12-14 at the Marianist Retreat and Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. For details contact Fr. Ted Cassidy at tcassidy@capemaymarianists.org or Cathy O'Rourke at cmsccathy1@aol.com.

MARIANIST TRIVIA What Marianist priest could add three-digit sums at the ripe old age of 3-1/2? Answer in the next issue of FamilyOnline!

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

NEW MOMENTS. To read the July 1, 2003, issue of New Moments, the newsletter of the Center for Marianist Lay Communities and Lay Spirituality, please click here:

Note: To view PDF files, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. If you're opening a "PDF" file and the publication is too small, pull down the "percentage" menu and increase the percentage to 100 percent or higher for easy viewing.

OUT AND ABOUT

To read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis, please click here:

A THOUGHT

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." George Bernard Shaw

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

(Note: To send an e-mail birthday greeting, just click on the individual's e-mail address below.)

August

ABOUT FamilyOnline

This biweekly e-mail newsletter is produced for members of the Society of Mary and the FMI. 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. Please 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. 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: Visit www.marianist.com/fol