Volume 3, Number 24
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004

"THE GATEWAY TO HISTORIC ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY"

The new fountain and plaza in front of St. Louis Hall at St. Mary's University. The statue of Mary - "The Immaculate Queen of the University" - was dedicated in 1954, the 100th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Dec. 8, 2004, is the 150th anniversary of the dogma (see story below).

"The Gateway to Historic St. Mary's University" is a $5 million campus beautification project that has greatly enhanced the main entrance and perimeter of the campus in San Antonio. The campus relocated from downtown San Antonio in 1894. On Nov. 12, 2004, hundreds of donors and friends attending the annual President's Dinner admired the new plaza and fountain in front of St. Louis Hall, the trellised metal archways, pedestrian walkways and perimeter fence with wrought iron and brick columns. The project also includes "Marianist Park" with a gazebo and rose-trellised arch at the entrance to the Marianist Cemetery.

PRESIDENT'S DINNER, ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY

Enjoying the President's Dinner at St. Mary's University on Nov. 12, from left, Fr. Terry Weik (Woodlawn, San Antonio), Fr. Tim Eden (Center Marianist, Honolulu) and Bro. Jerry Sullivan (Marianist Residence, San Antonio)

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION VISITS U.S. PROVINCE

During December, members of the General Administration in Rome are visiting Province communities. After a brief stop in St. Louis, they are traveling to New Orleans; California; Honolulu and Maui in Hawai'i; and Fort Worth and Denton, Texas. The second leg of the visitation begins in February 2005. The itinerary for that visit will be posted in an upcoming FamilyOnline. A warm welcome and prayers for safe travel to the General Administration. (Note: the December 2004 issue of Via Latina is linked at "Newsletter Central" below.)

At a reception at the Province office in St. Louis on Dec. 1, standing, from left, Fr. George Cerniglia, Bro. José María Alvira, Fr. Jim Fitz and Bro. Javier Anso; seated, Fr. David Fleming (left) and Bro. Stephen Glodek

PEACE & JUSTICE OFFICE ANNOUNCES COMMITTEES

Myles McCabe, director of the Province peace and justice office, announced the creation of three committees. Details of the work of the committees will be forthcoming. Bro. Stephen Glodek appointed the following committee members:
Sharing Fund Allocations Committee. Bro. Jim Facette, Judy Geelhoed, Sr. Mary Beth Hefti, Myles McCabe, Bro. Bob Moriarty, Bro. Mitch Schweickart and Dick Ullrich
Marianist Volunteer Steering Committee. Bro. David Betz, Larry Hufford, Myles McCabe, Bro. Walt Oberster, Dan Richter, Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Bro. Jack Ventura and Joan McGuinness Wagner
Peace and Justice Committee. Bro. Phil Aaron, Bro. Brian Halderman, Fr. Bernie Lee, Fr. Paul Marshall, Myles McCabe, Bro. Frank O'Donnell, Bro. Steve O'Neil, Bro. Jesse O'Neill, Bro. Dick Olsen and Fr. Steve Tutas

NOVICES ATTEND FORMATION WEEKEND

Pictured at the Marianist Formation Weekend held Nov. 12-13 at the Bergamo Center in Dayton are novices, from left: Isak Keyman-Ige, Luke Hoenigman, Dennis Bautista, Andrew Kosmowski, Jeffrey Warren and Armando José Añeses. The weekend program is an annual event coordinated by the Province office of religious life.

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

Fr. John, undated

Fr. John, recent

Fr. John Mulligan, 75, who died Dec. 5, 2004, at Mercy Siena in Dayton, apparently of a heart attack. May he rest in peace. Visitation for Fr. John will be Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. at Queen of Apostles chapel at Mount St. John in Dayton, followed by Mass at 11 a.m. After burial, a reception will be held in the Torch Lounge at the University of Dayton. Fr. John was second provincial of the Province of New York, director of the Marianist Mission for 12 years and rector of the seminary in St. Louis. Superior General Fr. David Fleming, a close friend of Fr. John's, said, " . . . he was a beautifully integrated and generous person, who loved Marianist life a great deal and lived his faith deeply and inspiringly." Fr. John's obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Maurice Brissinger (Province of France), 73, who died Nov. 18, 2004, in Mittelwihr (Alsace) France. May he rest in peace. To read Bro. Maurice's obituary. please click here:

John Contadino, who died Nov. 27, 2004. May he rest in peace. John was the father of Fr. Gene Contadino (Chambers St., Dayton) and Bro. Jim Contadino (sabbatical). A memorial Mass for John will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11 at Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Cincinnati followed by a reception in the parish hall.

Harriet Trautman, 85, who died Dec. 3, 2004, in Minnesota. May she rest in peace. Harriet was the mother of Sr. Gretchen Trautman (San Antonio). Visitation on Dec. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Meyer-Boehmer & Feucht Funeral Home, Dayton; Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the University of Dayton chapel.

Tony Lekan. May he rest in peace. Tony was the brother of deceased Marianist Fr. Joseph Lekan.

Donald Schram, 82, who died Nov. 29, 2004, after a long illness. May he rest in peace. Donald was a Lay Marianist Affiliate from Omaha, Neb.

VIEW FROM THE ATRIUM WINDOW, PROVINCE OFFICE

Photo courtesy of Bro. Bob Resing, S.M. Bro. Bob's images are available for sale as note cards or prints. To order, contact Bro. Bob at rresing@sm-usa.org.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Jim Christiana (Center Marianist Community, Honolulu), who returned to the UCLA Medical Center on Dec. 2 for cancer treatment.

Bro. Don Hebeler (Alumni Hall, Dayton), who is in Miami Valley Hospital with a low blood count.

Mildred Betz, who was hospitalized on Nov. 30 for heart and thyroid problems. Mildred is the mother of Bro. David Betz (Santa Cruz, Calif.)

Please also pray for Daniel Driscoll, Earl Kalal, Bill Matteucci and Mick Morgan. To read more about these intentions, please click here:

COLEGIO SAN JOSÉ STUDENTS DO MISSION WORK

Students from Colegio San José in Puerto Rico did mission work in Mexico last summer in Querétaro and Apaseo.

Bro. Francisco Gonzalez, principal of Colegio San José in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reports that students took mission trips last summer to Mexico and Puerto Rico. Bro. Francisco traveled with students and teachers to Mexico; Fr. Don Wallace joined teachers and students in the mountains of Puerto Rico.

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR MARIANIST FAMILY MINISTRIES

Bro. Jack Ventura reports on a strategic planning weekend in Baltimore Nov. 12-14 for the board of directors of the Marianist Family Ministries in N. Topsail Beach, N.C., front row, from left: Ed DeBerri, director; Carol Weiss, Bro. Jack, Joyce O'Toole and Phil Lohr, facilitator; back row, from left: Fr. Richard Kuhn, Jim Morris, Jim Girardi and Ted Galantowicz

REDS CELEBRATES MILESTONE WITH CHILDREN

Bro. Darwin Joseph (Bangalore, India) reports that "Children's Day" and the 25^th anniversary of the Ragpickers Education Development Scheme (REDS) were celebrated on Nov. 14. More than 700 children from REDS in Bangalore, the Skills Training Center in Deepahalli, and surrounding areas attended the festivities, which included a cultural dance and music program, a magic show, and an orchestra performance. Special guests Eshwara Prasad (assistant commissioner of police) and Fr. Ignase Arulappen (regional superior) addressed the children.

Pictured at the Nov. 14 celebration of Children's Day and the 25^th anniversary of REDS, from left: Bro. Sukrit Tirkey (associate regional superior); Bro. Darwin Joseph; Eshwara Prasad (assistant commissioner of police); Fr. Ignase Arulappen (regional superior); and Fr. Pragasam T.

A few of the 700 children who attended Children's Day on Nov. 14. The children enjoyed song and dance and a magic show.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Crèches from around the world are on display at the Marian Library at the University of Dayton (Nov. 29 – Jan. 7) and Gallery St. John at Mount St. John (Nov. 28 – Jan. 5). The highlight of this year’s exhibit is a collection of pueblo nativity scenes created by artists from Mesa Indian villages in New Mexico. Visit www.udnativity.org for more information.

Pictured here, "The Wedding Shawl," a crèche created by Alfred Aguilar of San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico.

Fr. Johann Roten, director of the International Marian Research Institute, an expert on crèches

Fr. Tom Thompson, director of The Marian Library at UD

CELEBRATING THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Dec. 8, 2004, marks the 150^th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX's declaration of the Immaculate Conception.

To commemorate this event, the Marian Library in Dayton is exhibiting illustrations of the dogma from two 17^th- and 18^th-century emblem books.

An emblem from the Marian Library's exhibition, Symbols of Grace: Emblems of the Immaculate Conception. It reads, "Most Beautiful is the Sun," and continues with a quote from St. Augustine: But so is Mary: "All beautiful, all fair, all delightful, all glorious are you."

Coinciding with the feast day, the University of Dayton will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the school's 50-foot monument to Mary. An evening prayer service is scheduled for Dec. 7 at the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Mass in celebration of the feast is set for 9 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the school's Frericks Center. St. Mary's University will present "Celebrate Mary" at Java City - Amphitheater at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 8.

Bro. John Samaha (Villa St. Joseph, Cupertino, Calif.) wrote an article entitled "Champion of Mary's Immaculate Conception: Blessed John Duns Scotus" for "Mother of All Peoples," a weekly Marian e-zine. This special issue commemorates the 150^th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception.

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY HOSTS TRAINING PROGRAM

CHRISTMAS PARTY, SAN ANTONIO

You're invited to a Christmas gathering at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio on Dec. 28. Liturgy begins at 4 p.m., followed by a social at 5 p.m. and dinner at 5:45 p.m. RSVP to Bro. Joe Grieshaber at 210.436.3745 no later than Dec. 21.

ST. JOSEPH'S SUPPORTS PERUVIAN SCHOOL

Bro. Brian Halderman (Washington St., Dayton) reports that St. Joseph's Catholic Community in Eldersburg, Md., hosted a fundraiser in late October for the Institutio Chaminade in Lima, Peru. Bro. Phil Melcher (Region of Peru) presented a slide show on the institute, which teaches young people job skills and encourages self-esteem. Pictured at the fundraiser, from left: Rosa Maria, a Peruvian living with a family from St. Joseph's; Fr. George Cerniglia (General Administration, Rome); Fr. Pat Tonry; and Bro. Phil

A Peruvian dancer performs at St. Joseph's Catholic Community in Eldersburg, Md.

GIVING THANKS . . .

. . . AT THE PROVINCE OFFICE, ST. LOUIS

The Province office hosted its third annual Thanksgiving luncheon, complete with turkey and all the trimmings, on Nov. 24. At the celebration, from left, Jill Pfeiffer (communications), Bro. John Habjan (education), Ann Mueller (communications, up to no good), Bro. Bob Resing (staff assistant), Bro. Jack Ventura (religious life) and Dan Richter (peace and justice). A prayer service began the event.

. . . IN SAN ANTONIO

The Casa Maria community and the Marianist Sisters in San Antonio gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving Day Mass and dinner prepared by the Sisters; front row, from left, Michael Detzel (son of Novice Joyce Detzel); Aspirants Bob Jones and Steve Paone, Bro. Tim Pieprzyca, Fr. Cris Janson and Bro. Mike Sullivan. Second row, from left, Bro. Ed Longbottom, Novice Joyce Detzel, Srs. Laola Hironaka, Eileen Cehyra, Marcy Loehrlein, Evangeline Escobar and Durie Kim, and Fr. Kip Stander. Not shown: Sr. Gretchen Trautman, who was attending an educators conference.

. . . AND AT DeSALES CROSSINGS, CINCINNATI

Bro. Bob Wiethorn reports that the DeSales Crossings Community hosted a Thanksgiving Day celebration for Cincinnati-area Marianist communities. After attending liturgy at St. Francis Parish, the brothers enjoyed a holiday feast. From left, gourmet chefs Bros. Bob Politi and Larry Corbin help prepare the trimmings.

Socializing on Thanksgiving at the DeSales Crossings Community, from left: Bro. Giancarlo Bonutti, Bro. Bill Grundish, Fr. Larry Schoettelkotte and Novice Isak Keyman-Ige.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: HIV/AIDS CRISIS; BUY A SHOPPING BAG Myles McCabe Province Director of Peace & Justice mmccabe@sm-usa.org HIV/AIDS – good info: Brothers visiting from Africa are discussing the growing catastrophe caused by HIV/AIDS in that country. For good information, visit http://www.africaaction.org/index.php Action on AIDS crisis: The AIDS crisis in Africa is fueled by the $300 billion debt owed by African countries to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United States. They will never be able to repay the debt, and they are unable to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS. To send a note to our government please click here. Reusable shopping bags: The MSJC’s Ecology Team and IMANI, a Marianist ministry in Kenya, have produced handmade, reusable canvas shopping bags with a Marianist logo. Your donation of $10 plus shipping supports IMANI. To order, e-mail Tara Poling at tara.poling@notes.udayton.edu. Buy nothing for Christmas? Food for thought . . . Canadian Mennonites suggest “Buy nothing for Christmas.” Visit http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/ Send ideas for articles or websites to me at mmccabe@sm-usa.org

MEETING SCHEDULE: MYLES MCCABE (revised)

The Peace & Justice office has had four regional discussions in New York, Baltimore and St. Louis involving more then 60 members of the Province. Seven other meetings are scheduled:

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Bro. Tom Jalbert (San Francisco), school librarian at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, was interviewed for "Exploring Careers - The Librarian," a new children's book by Deborah Underwood. The book is slated for publication in early 2005.

Bro. Tom assists Archbishop Riordan students with assignments and research papers.

Fr. Joe Tedesco (Alumni Hall, Dayton) delivered a presentation entitled "The Transitions of the High School Athlete" to more than 80 counselors and psychologists at the annual All Ohio Counselors Convention in November. Fr. Joe is teaching two psychology classes at the University of Dayton while pursuing a Ph.D. in sport psychology from San Diego University for Integrative Studies.

Bro. Bernie Stratman (Washington, D.C.), executive director of the National Catholic Educational Association's Seminary Department, reports that the department has received a grant of approximately $70,000 to study trends of international enrollment in Roman Catholic seminaries, theological education and ministry formation. Fr. Rudy Vela (W. Ligustrum Dr., San Antonio) is on the advisory committee for the study.

Bro. Brian Zampier (Lindell Blvd., St. Louis) reports that he painted this five-foot chicken, constructed by Bro. Mel Meyer. The chicken was sold to a gallery in Nashville, Tenn. And he isn't chicken about telling us.

Speaking of birds: The staff of the Marianist Mission in Dayton held its annual Thanksgiving raffle and dollar sale on Nov. 19. More than 15 cartons of food, one carton of sundries, and a frozen turkey were donated, and 34 grocery gift cards were purchased with the raffle proceeds as holiday gifts for local needy families.

Bro. Herb Janson (Marianist Residence, San Antonio) and Bro. Martin McMurtrey (Central Catholic, San Antonio) have written Awaiting the Resurrection Under the Pines - Maryhurst Cemetery, biographies of Marianists buried at Maryhurst Cemetery near St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis. Communities can order the $20 book by writing Bro. Herb at the Marianist Residence, 520 Fordham Ave., San Antonio, TX 78228. Checks payable to Marianist Scholarship Fund.

Fr. John A. Leies (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), tenured professor of theology at St. Mary's University, received the President Emeritus award for exceptional service to the university for the past 30 years. He has served as director of Campus Ministry, chairman of the graduate theology department, vice president and president for academic affairs and chair of the Department of Theology. Kudos to Fr. John.

REMEMBERING SPRING

Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Leahy

MYSTERY MARIANIST

Who is this serious young brother? The photo was taken in the late 1920s. The brother now lives at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio.

MARIANIST SCHOOL PROFILE: CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Bro. Jim Eppy and students from Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis. Fr. John Habjan, assistant director of education for the Province, reports that Chaminade College Preparatory was founded by the Marianists in 1910 in St. Louis. Today, more than 950 students in grades six through 12 receive an outstanding education at Chaminade. Three Marianists serve the school — Bro. Jim Eppy, Bro. Tony Pistone and Fr. Ralph Siefert. To read a full profile of Chaminade, please click here:

LONG ISLAND TEAM CONDUCTS RETREAT

Bro. Walt Oberster (Rockaway Park, N.Y.) reports that the Marianist ministry team from Long Island conducted a well-received family retreat on Nov. 20 at St. Mary's Parish in East Islip, N.Y. Fifteen families attended the program, which was inspired by the theme of gratitude. The Marianist ministry team from Long Island, pictured, from left: Mary Linge, John Linge, Chris Finnegan, Billy Peo, Carol Weiss, Joan Cooper, Pati Krasensky, Joanne McNicholas, Sue Peo, Jen Lyon, Brendon Peo and Bro. Walt. Not pictured: Melanie Benson, Daisy Krasensky and Kathy Weiss

2004-2005 PERSONNEL

TO READ CHANGES TO THE PERSONNEL, please click here: NEED MORE COPIES OF THE PERSONNEL? Just e-mail Ann Mueller at amueller@sm-usa.org

NACMS "CONVERSATION GROUP" MEETS

Carol Ramey reports that the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) "Conversation Group" met in Dayton the weekend of Nov. 20. Bro. Ray Fitz' topic was "Retrieving and Extending the Heritage of Fr. William J. Ferree, SM: A Challenge to the Marianist Family." The group meets twice a year to discuss topics about the Marianist Family. Those attending were Patti Gehred, Ray McCracken and Carol Ramey (NACMS); Marianist Srs. Laura Leming and Leanne Jablonski; Frs. Luis Melo (Region of Canada) and Bill Meyer; and lay Marianists Joanne McCracken, Mary Kay Fitzpatrick, A.J. and Joan Wagner, and Anthony and Erin Fucci.

Part of the Conversation Group, from left, Erin Fucci, Bro. Ray Fitz, Joanne McCracken and Sr. Laura Leming

OUT AND ABOUT

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

ARCHWAY TO ST. MARY'S

San Antonio lay Marianist Angie Cortez reports a group of Marianists took a tour of St. Mary's University beautification project - "Gateway to Historic St. Mary's University" - at the World Day of Prayer in October. The group held a prayer service and picnic. Shown under one of the new archways, from left, Aspirant Bob Jones, Bro. John Totten, Aspirant Steve Paone, Rita Castañon, Fr. Cris Janson, Felipe Barajas, Esther Rodriguez, Camille Avila, Bro. Mike Sullivan and Angie Cortez.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

VIA LATINA. To read the December 2004 issue of Via Latina from the General Administration, please click here:

THRESHOLD. To read the Dec. 3, 2004, edition of Threshold, a vocation discernment newsletter from the Bros. Charles Johnson and Brian Halderman, please click here:

VOCATION NEWS. To read news about vocations from Bro. Charles Johnson, please click here:

JUSTICE JOTTINGS. To read the December 2004 issue of Justice Jottings, the newsletter of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, please click here:

ALIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES. To read the new issue of Alive in the Philippines, the newsletter of the SM community in Davao City, Philippines, please click here:

The Marianist community in the Philippines and Superior General Fr. David Fleming met with Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao. From left, Bro. Richard Joyal (Region of Canada); Fr. David; Archbishop Capalla; Fr. Pablo Rambaud (Province of Madrid); and Bros. Victor Sahayaraj and Oscar Kerketta (Region of India)

MAUI REPORT. To read Fr. Steve Tutas' December 2004 report from Maui, please click here:

TOPSAIL, N.C. To read the December 2004 issue of High Tidings, the newsletter from the Christian Family Living Center at Topsail Island, N.C., 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.

Feast of St. Juan Diego December 9

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12 Mural at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Helotes, Texas - Art by Bro. Steve Erspamer

ON THE TOWN IN KOREA

Seen on the streets of Korea, from left, Patrick Hankey, a recent UD graduate who is volunteering at Daegun High School, Incheon; Fr. Joe Lackner, in Korea for a visitation and ordination of Fr. Francis Kim; Fr. Tim Kim, regional superior; and Bro. Jim Contadino, on sabbatical

ARE YOUR DATES POSTED ON THE CALENDAR?

A calendar that lists events involving Marianist brothers, Marianist sisters and lay Marianists is now available at www.marianist.com/calendar. The calendar also is available on the PORTAL at www.marianist.com/portal. If you'd like an event included, send the event, date, location and contact information to Pat Stephens at pstephens@sm-usa.org.

MYSTERY MARIANIST UNVEILED . . .

It's our good friend, Bro. John Totten.

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

December

ABOUT FamilyOnline

Editor: Diane Guerra; assistant: Ann Mueller. This biweekly e-mail newsletter 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. 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. If we can’t find a solution, 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: To subscribe, visit http://www.marianist.com/subscribe.htm. UNSUBSCRIBE: To unsubscribe, visit http://www.marianist.com/subscribe.htm.