Volume 4, Number 17
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005
www.marianist.com

OSCAR VASQUEZ ORDAINED A PRIEST IN SAN ANTONIO

From left, Fr. Jim Fitz, Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Most Reverend Patricio Flores, archbishop emeritus of San Antonio, and Fr. George Cerniglia.

Fr. Oscar Vasquez, 41, was ordained Aug. 27, 2005, at Holy Rosary Church in San Antonio. The ordaining bishop was Most Reverend Patricio Flores, archbishop emeritus of San Antonio. Major concelebrants were Frs. George Cerniglia and Jim Fitz. Master of ceremonies was Fr. Larry Doersching. Provincial Stephen Glodek and Bro. Mike O’Grady, assistant for religious life, participated in the rite of ordination. All priests present laid hands on Bro. Oscar. Following the ordination, Fr. Oscar’s many friends and family gathered at St. Mary's University for a festive reception, complete with a mariachi band. Fr. Oscar presided at the Sunday Eucharist for the first time at his home parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Antonio, on Aug. 28, 2005. He is spending a year in ministry at Our Lady of the Pillar parish in St. Louis. Congratulations and prayers to Fr. Oscar!

Newly ordained Fr. Oscar with four members of his novitiate class (1986-87), clockwise from top right, Bros. Steve O'Neil, Tom Wendorf, Charles Johnson and Bob Donovan. During the ordination, the four brothers assisted Fr. Oscar with the stole and the chasuble.

Clockwise, from top left, Archbishop Emeritus Patricio Flores embraces Fr. Oscar; Fr. Don Cowie lays his hands on Bro. Oscar, followed by other priests in attendance; Fr. Oscar gives communion; and Fr. Oscar says his first Mass at his home parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Sunday, Aug. 28. The first and last photos are courtesy of Bro. Louis Pinckert

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL REPORT TO SEPTEMBER CHAPTER

Assistant Provincial Fr. Jim Fitz offers the Report of the Provincial Council to the upcoming session of the Provincial Chapter, which will be held Sept. 23-25 in San Antonio. The report is the Council’s response to a request from the March 2005 Chapter to review its priorities in the context of the new Province mission statement. Read the Provincial Council Report.

WELCOME TO NEW ASPIRANT PETER SUN

Welcome to new aspirant Peter Sun, 35, who will enter the aspirancy program in Cleveland with Fr. Mike Lisbeth (aspirancy director-Cleveland). He joins aspirants Tom Farnsworth and Luis Gamboa. Peter was born in Tangshang, Heibei, in the People's Republic of China. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu and owned a computer software company in Honolulu. Peter is the youngest of five children, one of whom is a religious sister in China.

PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bro. Howard Hughes has been appointed director of the Roland Avenue community in Baltimore for a third term of three years, effective Aug. 15, 2005.

Fr. Jim Tobin has been appointed director of the Our Lady of the Pillar community in St. Louis for a first term of three years, effective Aug. 15, 2005.

RIORDAN STUDENTS GIVE SERVICE IN PUERTO RICO

A group of seven students and two teachers from Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco spent several weeks in Puerto Rico this summer as part of the "Explore Your World Adventure Series." The purpose of the trip was to improve the group's Spanish skills, do community service and improve personal growth. The group built a greenhouse for a local school and helped families with daily chores. Here students Kyle Carmichael and Keith Cittar harvest pineapples. Teachers Patrick Allegra and Ben LeFebvre attended.

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

Florence Moran, 79, who died Sept. 7, 2005 in Girard, Ohio. May she rest in peace. Florence was the mother of Bro. Jim Moran (Seoul, Korea).

Earl Loehrlein, who died Sept. 2, 2005, of heart ailments. May he rest in peace. Earl was the brother of Fr. Richard Loehrlein (Malawi, Africa) and Sr. Marcy Loehrlein (West Ligustrum, San Antonio).

IT'S SUMMER . . . MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

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 . . .

Fr. Jorge da Silva (Los Gatos, Calif.), who is recuperating at home from a car accident.

Bro. Bob Kraft (Mercy Siena, Dayton), who is seriously ill and receiving specialized treatment at a nursing home in Troy, Ohio.

Bro. Herman Lambers (Mercy Siena, Dayton), who is recovering from hernia surgery.

Bro. John Lemker (novitiate, Dayton), who is recovering at Mercy Siena from broken bones suffered on Aug. 31 when he was hit by a car on the Mount St. John property.

Fr. Jim Russell (Governor's Island, Huntsville, Ohio), who is at Mercy Siena, rehabilitating from hip replacement surgery.

The mother of Bro. Lorenzo McBride (Puebla, Mexico), who is seriously ill with a kidney problem. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Bro. Lorenzo's brother-in-law.

Please also pray for Archbishop Raymond Roussin, Barney Karpfinger, Ann Rogers and Keith Allen. Read more.

TECABOCA REDEDICATES "CHAMINADE CHAPEL"

Celebrating the rededication of the Chaminade Chapel at Tecaboca on Sept. 4 are, from left: Deacon Denis Link, Tecaboca executive director, Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek, DD, auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, who rededicated the chapel, Bro. Jack Ventura, Office of Religious Life and board member, Paul Garro, chairman, Tecaboca Board of Ministry, and Bro. Bill McCarthy. The renovation was possible due to the generosity of the McCarthy family. Bro. Tom Suda directed the renovation. About 200 guests attended the ceremony.

ANNUAL REPORT TO DONORS BEING MAILED

Fr. Dave Paul, development director for developing regions, announces that the 2004-2005 Annual Report to Donors for Marianist ministries in developing countries is being mailed to all Marianist religious this week. Read the Annual Report. For extra copies, e-mail dpaul@sm-usa.org.

CHAPTER STRUCTURES COMMISSION MEETS

Members of the Chapter Structures Commission, first row, from left, Bros. Bill Bolts, Frank O'Donnell and Frank Damm. Second row, from left, Bro. Bob Wiethorn and Fr. Larry Doersching. Not present: Fr. John Thompson.

Members of the Chapter Structures Commission met in late July in Baltimore to review comments they received at the summer retreats about PRGs--Province Reflection Groups. (A PRG is a gathering of brothers from diverse locations and ministries who share reflections about key topics for Province growth and development.) The commission will implement a process for the PRGs for the fall and winter. Bro. Bill Bolts has been named the new chair of the commission, replacing Fr. Larry Doersching, who will continue as an active member. He asked to be replaced due to duties as the new director of the Fort Worth community and other responsibilities. We thank him for his fine work the past two years.

MARIANIST LIFE DRAWS MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS

Students in prayer at Marianist LIFE South held July 26-Aug. 2 at TECABOCA

Brian Reavey, Marianist LIFE (Living in Faith Experience) national coordinator, reports that the summer sessions of Marianist LIFE drew 227 students from 27 high schools and eight parishes, hailing from nine different states and Puerto Rico. About 100 adults participated as moderators and coordinating team members. Read Brian's report about the summer LIFE experience.

Students enjoy summer Marianist LIFE Pacific, held July 10-15 in Mission Springs, Calif.

Participants at Marianist LIFE Central from July 18-23 at Bergamo Center in Dayton.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: VICTIMS OF KATRINA Reuters Photo/Rick Wilking Many people and ministries in the Marianist Province of the United States are helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Myles McCabe reports on the status of our New Orleans Marianist community . . . what the Province is doing . . . how our schools and parishes are making a difference . . . and how you can help. REPORT ON KATRINA AT THE MARIANIST WEB SITE Contact Myles McCabe, Province Director of Peace & Justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

Marianist Sharing Fund in Action
KIDS CAFÉ PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS

Children in the Dakota Center's After-School Program eat nutritious meals from the center's Kids Café.

The late Fr. Philip Hoelle, together with Sharon Barrett-Mitchell, executive director of Dakota Center Inc., applied for and received a Marianist Sharing Fund grant for the Dakota Center Kids Café, which provides nutritious meals to inner-city youth enrolled in the center's after-school program. With the help of the grant, the center served almost 1,300 breakfasts and lunches from January to May 2005 to children in need. Fr. Philip founded the center 40 years ago as a refuge for neighborhood youth from Dayton's West side.

STONEMILL HOSTS ANNUAL LABOR DAY PICNIC

Fr. Jerry Chinchar reports that the annual Labor Day picnic at the Stonemill community in Dayton was a rousing success, with 75 Dayton area Marianists and lay collaborators attending. Fr. Paul Marshall organized the event and baked 12 pies — from scratch! PHOTO LEFT: Frs. Bob Backherms (left) and Matt Kohmescher; PHOTO RIGHT: Joan Schiml and Bro. Tom Giardino

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Bros. Martin McMurtrey and Herbert Janson have visited 44 parishes in San Antonio over the past four years to promote the knowledge of Blessed Jakob Gapp. Bro. Herbert has given more than 100 talks during the church visits, and parishioners have purchased more than 2,200 copies of Marianist Martyr-Blessed Jakob Gapp, SM. Thanks to 2004 book sales, Bros. Martin and Herbert donated $17,000 to needy students at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. They plan to donate $20,000 this school year. Congratulations!

Bro. Herb Janson

Bro. Bill Deanhofer, kitchen manager at Governor's Island in Ohio, reports that just during the month of July, more than 1,500 meals were served to those attending private retreats, day programs and overnights. Bro. Paul Bredestege says the kitchen team serves a variety of meals and stays flexible during busy times.

Sue Wesselkamper, president of Chaminade University of Honolulu, was profiled in the Aug. 15 issue of the Honolulu Advertiser. The article reports her hobbies include reading, hiking, watching movies and traveling. About Chaminade, she said, "...Our tradition is a Catholic tradition. Our sponsors, the Marianist brothers, have a special approach to education that's very holistic, so they're interested not only in students' academic performance but also how they develop in terms of their spirituality."

Frs. Vincent Plassenthal and Raymond Middendorf were honored on Aug. 21 with a farewell celebration marking the end of their service to Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Divina Providencia in Villalba, Puerto Rico (familiarly known as Misíon Noell).

Frs. Vincent (left) and Raymond

Congratulations to Srs. Audrey Buttner and Durie Hope Kim, who celebrated their golden jubilees at the University of Dayton on Aug. 27, 2005.

Sr. Audrey

Sr. Durie

UD President Dan Curran (left) and Bro. Ray Fitz at the jubilee

Ten students from Saint Louis School in Honolulu were part of the cast of the Tony-award winning "Aida" at the American High School Theater Festival, part of the Edinburgh (Scotland) Festival Fringe. Saint Louis School was one of 25 high schools that participated in the August festival.

Srs. Marcia Buchard and Stephanie Morales (W. Ligustrum, San Antonio) helped celebrate Bro. Oscar Vasquez's ordination on Aug. 27. Sr. Marcia works at St. Peter/St. Joseph children's home, and Sr. Stephanie is in chaplain ministry at NIX Health Care System.

Sr. Marcia (left) and Sr. Stephanie

Bro. Joe with his nephew and sister. Photo thanks to Bro. Don Winfree

Happy 90th birthday to Bro. Joe Gaudet, who celebrated the milestone at Mercy Siena in Dayton with his nephew, Leo Skenyon, and his sister, Eleanor Skenyon, from Rhode Island.

Check out the new Web site of the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka, Mo. at www.mretreat.org

SAN ANTONIO FLAVOR AT ORDINATION RECEPTION

A good time was had by all at the reception following Fr. Oscar Vasquez' ordination on Aug. 27. TOP PHOTO: from left, Bros. DuWayne Brisendine and Peter Pontolillo and Fr. Tim Dwyer; MIDDLE PHOTO: from left, Frs. Ralph Siefert, Bernie Lee and Gerry Pleva and Bro. Mike Sullivan; BOTTOM PHOTO: from left, Bros. Isak Keyman-Ige, Hugh Charlson, Callistus Jeje (seminary, Rome) and Joe Grieshaber

MYSTERY MARIANIST

Our "Mystery Marianist" was 25 years old when this photo was taken in 1941. Prior to his retirement, he was a longtime teacher at Central Catholic in San Antonio and in Peru. Who is he?

SCHOOL NEWS: NOLAN CATHOLIC JUNIOR HIGH TO CLOSE

Fr. Larry Doersching reports that Nolan Catholic Junior High in Fort Worth will close in two years, after the current seventh- and eighth-grade classes have graduated. The decision follows the recommendation from a joint committee of the Diocesan School Advisory Council and the school's board. The school's closing will enable Nolan Catholic High School to grow in size and academic offerings.

MARIANIST FAMILY RETREAT AT BERGAMO

Six of the 38 children who attended the second annual Marianist Family Retreat held August 5-7 at the Bergamo Center in Dayton. The retreat's theme, "Wagons Across the Prairie," was developed by Bro. Ray McQuade (N. Topsail Beach, N.C.) The retreat, attended by 12 families, addressed how to foster and sustain a healthy, strong and faith-filled family unit. Check out the "News" section on the Bergamo Center's Web site for more information about current events at the center. Photo thanks to Marissa McCray.

OUT AND ABOUT

Read the upcoming travel schedule of members of the Provincial staff in St. Louis

RENOVATION TEAM ON THE JOB AT MARYCLIFF

Bros. Irv Wachtel (left) and Tom Suda spent much of August working to renovate bathrooms at the Marycliff community in Eureka, Mo., where the brothers live in a 100-year-old house

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

CENTERPOINT.COM. Read the September 2005 e-newsletter from the Center for Marianist Spirituality & Communities.

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

MYSTERY MARIANIST UNVEILED . . .

It's Bro. Arnold Wurzel, who lives at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. In a letter requesting first vows, he wrote, "I have seen the ideal of sanctity put first by our venerated founder to his spiritual children ... and I hope to strive after this goal."

JUST ONE MORE . . .

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

September

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.marianist.com

Editor: Diane Guerra; 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 2005 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.