Volume 5, Number 1
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006
www.marianist.com

ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY RECEIVES $25 MILLION GIFT

St. Mary's University in San Antonio has been endowed with a $25 million donation from alumnus and longtime benefactor, Bill Greehey (B.B.A '60), chairman and CEO of Valero Energy Corp. The cash gift is the largest single donation in St. Mary's 153-year history and the biggest ever given to any San Antonio-area college or university.

Funds from the endowment will provide scholarships, outreach to high school students, technological advances and allow the school to retain and attract top faculty. "I believe Bill Greehey's leadership and vision will help advance the business school to national premier status and inspire future generations of students to lead by example," said St. Mary's University President Charles L. Cotrell. Greehey, who built Valero from a one-plant San Antonio company into North America's largest refiner, has spoken often of his dedication to St. Mary's and the Marianists who helped guide his studies and obtain financial aid. "I owe a lot to the Marianists, particularly to Brother Kohnen, who took me under his wing," Greehey said. "He took me in when I didn't have anything. He arranged for my student loans and made sure I was always headed down the right path. If it weren't for him and others at St. Mary's, I never would have enjoyed the success I have. And one of the things I learned from him was that you're never a success until you share your success with others." Read a story from the Business Wire.
Editor's note: Bro. George Kohnen died in 1962 in San Antonio at the age of 55.

CHRISTMAS SMILES

Bro. Norb Karpfinger, Fr. Gus Biehl, Bro. John Laudenbach and children from the Catholic Day Care Center in East St. Louis, Ill., spread holiday cheer at a Christmas party hosted by the staff of the Province Office in St. Louis. Festivities included a craft session, lunch and a special appearance from Santa. The children performed a Christmas pageant for their hosts.

CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED

The first workshop on child protection -- part of the Province's accreditation process from Praesidium Religious Services - was held this past weekend in Cincinnati, hosted by the Montgomery Road community. The workshops include a review of the Province's revised Child Protection Policies; education about the prevalence, identification and prevention of child sexual abuse; warning signs associated with sexual abuse; and education regarding protection from false allegations and sexual abuse. Any Province member in full-time ministry — or in part-time ministry that includes contact with children — is expected to attend this workshop. This includes volunteer work or saying Mass periodically at a parish. A full schedule will be sent when it is ready; upcoming workshops are:

• Puerto Rico            Jan. 26-28
• San Antonio          Feb. 4, Feb. 6
• Charlotte, N.C.     Feb. 9
• Hollywood, Fla.    Feb. 11
• Dayton                  Feb. 18, Feb. 20

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL?

Bro. Tom Wendorf's (Dayton novitiate) production of The Christ Child Comes to Beavercreek was brought to life by the "Dayton Community Players" including Bro. Jack Somerville as Gabriel (with a toolbelt) and novices Roberto Rivera and Bob Jones as shepherds. Members of Meyer Hall, Trinity Avenue and the Stonemill/Kiefaber communities, among others, were on hand for the premiere.

MUSP HOSTS DINNER FOR BOARD, STUDENTS

The Marianist Urban Students Program (MUSP) identifies high-potential students in urban Marianist elementary schools and offers them financial, academic and social support to succeed at Marianist high schools. MUSP at Purcell Marian in Cincinnati brought together MUSP board members and freshman MUSP students for a get-acquainted dinner. Front row, students Ashley Carloss and Javarri Lewis; middle row, Dr. Bill Shula, student LaKreshia McKenzie, Fr. Ed Jach, student Justin Brown, Bro. Bob Donovan, MD, and Diane Warren; back row, Tom Shessler, MUSP Director Shannon Lively, Montez LeGrand and Al Early

COUNCIL DRAFTS NEW STRUCTURE; ASKS FOR FEEDBACK

The Provincial Council has drafted a possibility of how the Provincial Council might be structured in the future, and the Council and Province Directory Commitee would like your feedback. To read the document, visit the PORTAL (under Documents) and respond no later than Feb. 19 to Fr. Jim Fitz at jfitz@sm-usa.org or by mail to the Province office. Please indicate the line of the document that corresponds to your comments. This document was requested by the Chapter at its September 2005 meeting, and will be presented at the March 2006 Chapter. It is being reviewed by the Corporate Reflection groups in January and February.

ST. LAURENCE COLLEGE NAMES BOARD

Fr. Tim Kenney (assistant for education) recently installed the newly-established Board of Management at St. Laurence College in Dublin, Ireland. Board members will serve a three-year term and work closely with members of the Irish school system. Shown, front row, Fr. Neville O’Donahue, Martin Duggan (chair) and Fr. Tim. Back row, Corrina Derham, Anne Morgan, Michael Redmond (principal), Bro. Gerry Mc Auley and Robert Nutty. Not pictured: Paula Kearns and Patrick Pender.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Bro. Esteban Reyes Durán completed his preparatory studies in December at the Jesuit Instituto Oriente in Puebla and is now assigned to the pre-novitiate community in Querétaro, Mexico. He will assist the staff in ministering to the poor. Congratulations, Esteban!

Bro. Nicolás Castilla López is assigned to the scholasticate community in Puebla, Mexico, to continue his teaching studies. Bro. Nicolas served for a year at the IVES preparatory school in Coatzacoalcos. He continues his full scholarship at UPAEP University in Puebla. Congratulations, Nico!

Bro. Victor Forlani is participating in the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program at the Oblates in San Antonio from Jan. 1 - May 15, 2006. Contact him at 937.469.3032 , 109 Oblate Dr., San Antonio, TX 78216 or forlani@udayton.edu.

Bro. Ray McQuade also is participating in the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program at the Oblates in San Antonio from Jan. 1 – May 15, 2006.

Bro. Tom Suda is assisting with the Cupertino healthcare facility project and will reside at the Alcalde House in Cupertino for the next several months.

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Read the January 2006 issue of Via Latina.

Read the 2005 Necrology and a list of the 2006 Jubilarians.

GENERAL CHAPTER 2006

Read an update from the Preparatory Commission dated Dec. 20, 2005, regarding the 2006 General Chapter to be held in July in Rome. Fr. George Cerniglia is chair of the commission.

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

Fr. Tom Schelble (Marianist Residence, San Antonio), 88, who died Jan. 7, 2006. May he rest in peace. A Mass of Christian Burial is being celebrated today (Jan. 10) at 4 p.m. at the Marianist Residence, with burial at the cemetery at St. Mary’s University. Fr. Tom served for 36 years as a foreign missionary, primarily in Peru. He taught religion, English, Latin and social studies and served as a moderator for school choir groups and football and basketball teams. Fr. Tom’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Herman Lambers (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 93, who died Jan. 5, 2006. May he rest in peace. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 9, 2006, at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount St. John in Dayton. Fr. Jim Fitz presided. Read Fr. Jim Heft’s homily. Bro. Herman was buried today (Jan. 10) at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Bro. Herman was a working brother who served in Dayton, Cincinnati and New York. He worked in maintenance and also served as a cook and business manager. Bro. Herman’s obituary will appear in the next issue of FamilyOnline.

Bro. Jakob Thalmann (Province of Switzerland), 95, who died on Dec. 30, 2005, in Sion, Switzerland. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Jakob's obituary.

Bro. Bernard Diethorn (Mercy Siena, Dayton), 85, who died Dec. 27, 2005, of kidney and liver failure. May he rest in peace. A Mass of Christian Burial for Bro. Bernie was celebrated Dec. 31 at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount St. John in Dayton, with burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Fr. Tom Schroer presided and Fr. Matt Kohmescher was the homilist. Bro. Bernie taught at the University of Dayton for 30 years. Read Bro. Bernie's obituary.

Bro. Paul Nomi (Marianist Hall, Honolulu), 64, who died Dec. 20, 2005, of pancreatic cancer. May he rest in peace. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Bro. Paul on Jan. 5, 2006, at the Mystical Rose Oratory on the campus of Saint Louis School and Chaminade University. Fr. Bob Hackel presided and was the homilist. Bro. Paul was buried on Jan. 6 at the Diamond Head Cemetery in Honolulu. Read Bro. Paul's obituary.

Bro. Paul, 2000 Bro. Paul, 1964 (Ed. note: the 1964 photo from the last issue of FamilyOnline was not correct.)

Bro. Remigio Franch (Province of Italy), 95, who died Dec. 13, 2005, in Rome. May he rest in peace. Read Bro. Remigio's obituary.

Fr. Juan Vesga Cuevas (Province of Zaragoza), 89, who died Dec. 9, 2005, in Valencia, Spain. May he rest in peace. Read Fr. Juan's obituary.

Please pray also for William Allen, Rita Bernadette, Ronald Kaven and Theresa O'Brien. Read more.

LAKE AT ST. MEINRAD

Photo courtesy of Bro. Bob Resing, S.M. Bro. Bob's images are available for sale as note cards or prints. To order, visit www.resingart.com

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF . . .

Bro. Walt Oberster (Rockaway, N.Y.), who is receiving care at Maria Regina Residence, 1725 Brentwood Road, Building 1, Brentwood, NY 11717.
Bro. Walt would appreciate cards or letters.

Bro. Dan Stupka (DeSales Crossing, Cincinnati), who is recovering from heart surgery at Mercy Siena in Dayton, Ohio.

Please pray also for the parents of Bro. Aaron Sonnenburg, Dr. Sue Wesselkamper, Stephen and Ezlyn Abel and their two children, Ethel Cahill, Mary Agnes Johnson, Marie Keifer, Earl Moorman and Margaret Murphy. Read more.

HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI HOU (HAPPY NEW YEAR)!

Novice Dennis Bautista reports that he spent New Year's Eve with members and guests of the Hale Malia community in Honolulu. Counting down to midnight together, first row, Bros. José Degorio and Jim Dods, Novice Dennis Bautista, Bro. Franklin Pao, Jolene Schmitz (Bro. Dennis Schmitz's sister), Fr. Ken Templin and Bro. Bob Hoppe. Second row, Bro. John Campbell, Fr. Roland Bunda, Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Nick Iammarino (visiting professor at Chaminade University) and Fr. Allen DeLong.

MYSTERY MARIANIST

It's 1945 in Philadelphia, and this spunky young sailor is imitating his dad, who's serving with the Navy in the Pacific Ocean. Today this Marianist brother has made peace and justice his main interest. Who is he?

ORIENTATION MEETING FOR IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Bro. Bob Rapp led an orientation meeting on Jan. 8 for students and parents from St. Mary's, Nerinx Hall and St. John Vianney high schools in St. Louis. The students will participate in the spring immersion experience in March in the Uxpanapa Valley, working with Bro. Bob for DECAMP, the Marianist Rural Development Project. At the meeting: student Jamey Murphy and chaperone Susana Mulkey (both from St.Mary's), chaperone Kevin Toben (Nerinx Hall), Bro. Bob, chaperones Matt Dailey (Vianney) and Becky Swofford (Nerinx) and students Rachel Bohn (Nerinx) and T.J. Klump (Vianney)

PICK ME A FLOWER . . .

. . . from a metalwork art bouquet created by Bro. Brian Zampier, artist assistant to Bro. Mel Meyer

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Bro. Charlie Wanda's (Kiefaber Street, Dayton) portrait, painted by Greg Stanforth, a former student of Bro. Charles' and current Art & Photography Department Chair at Archbishop Moeller High School, is featured on the cover of the Fall/Winter 2005 issue of Moeller Magazine. The issue pays tribute to Bro. Charles for more than 40 years of service as an art teacher and artist in residence at Moeller. Bro. Charles began a new assignment at the Marianist Regional Vocation Office at the University of Dayton earlier this year. Read the online edition of Moeller Magazine.

Fr. Tom Thompson (Alumni Hall, Dayton) and Fr. John Krumm concelebrated Mass on Dec. 11, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at Holy Family Church in Dayton. More than 300 members of the Hispanic Catholic Ministry of Dayton attended the Mass, which was followed by a reception and folk dancing.

Christine Hunter, principal of Chaminade Preparatory Middle School in Chatsworth, Calif., will participate in a Fulbright Administrator Exchange with Tom McCully, principal of Belmont Campus, a special-needs school in Derry, Ireland. Christine will travel to Derry and begin her exchange in March. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Exchange.

Belmont Principal Tom McCully, Christine Hunter and James Adams, president of Chaminade College Preparatory

Bro. Paul Bredestege (Governor's Island, Huntsville, Ohio) handcrafts birdhouses and nesting boxes which he mounts throughout the property to attract native birds, including eastern bluebirds, nuthatches and chickadees. The dark wood Bro. Paul uses is from a hickory tree felled by Bro. Bill Deanhofer.

Fr. Chris Wittmann (Trinity Ave., Dayton) gave the blessing at the dedication ceremony for the new $25.3 million RecPlex at the University of Dayton. The three-story, 125,500 sq. ft. facility features courts for basketball, volleyball, racquetball, floor hockey, lacrosse, tennis and squash; a climbing wall; an eight-lane natatorium; whirlpool; elevated indoor track, and a fitness center and weight room. Classrooms, meeting rooms and administrative offices also are housed there.

REDS CELEBRATES "ANNUAL DAY"

Bro. Birendra Kullu (Region of India) reports that REDS (Ragpickers Education Development Scheme) recently celebrated its "annual day" at Samlong Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Chand Farhana (center, in white sari), first lady of Jharkhand, attended the celebration. She said of REDS, "It is a good work of the society... I felt joyful in my heart to be here... REDS is helping to change the society." Pictured with the first lady are some of the more than 880 children currently helped by REDS.

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . .

President Sue Wesselkamper with Kumu John Lake, May 2005

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU is featured in an article in The Honolulu Advertiser that touts its dramatic growth and increase in enrollment over the last 10 years. The article attributes the school's record-breaking success to president Sue Wesselkamper, who took the helm in 1995. Chaminade also was boosted by a recent $1 million pledge from John and Mary Brogan to help fund an educational center at the university. John Brogan is a Chaminade regent, chair of the university capital campaign and former board chair. Read the article.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. President Dan Curran, with the Cincinnati Chapter of the UD Alumni Association helped celebrate "Christmas Off Campus" on Dec. 14 to benefit homeless children in the Cincinnati area. About 100 children attended the festivities, where they received gifts, ornaments and a visit from Santa Claus. (Story thanks to The Catholic Telegraph.)

Two groups of University of Dayton students, staff and their families traveled to Biloxi, Miss., during the university's winter break to help with Hurricane Katrina relief and clean-up efforts. The University's campus ministry organized both trips. (Story thanks to The Catholic Telegraph.)

VILLA ANGELA-ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL. VASJ's Web site has won the 2005 "Standard of Excellence" web award for Outstanding Achievement in Web site Development given by the Web Marketing Association. Tellus, Inc., worked on the site.

"MATACHINES" VISIT SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY

The Marianist Residence in San Antonio was recently invaded by "spiritual warriors" -- also known as matachines -- who performed traditional Aztec dances for them in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr. Bernard Meyer (left) and Bro. Dan Sharpe are shown with Lilly Ruiz and Angie Cortez, two members of the Holy Rosary Matachines, a Catholic lay organization. Ancient rituals, such as the dances performed by the matachines, are being used to appeal to the growing Latino Catholic population in the U.S.

CLEVELAND MARIANISTS TO CELEBRATE 150 YEARS

RENEWAL PROGRAM IN ITALY

Fr. Ted Ley (far left) offers this photo of Bro. Tim Phillips and Bro. Peter Pontolillo of the General Administration, and Fr. Pierre Karasuyama (Region of Japan) taken during Frs. Ted and Pierre's pilgrimage to Bordeaux, France. The two men recently completed a retreat-renewal program, co-directed by Bro. Tom Giardino, at the Spiritual Center of the Marist Brothers in Manziana, Italy. They visited the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain. Fr. Ted thanks Bros. Tim and Peter for arranging the pilgrimage to Bordeaux and for many other travel details.

UPDATE ON ALIVE MAGAZINE

Our new issue of Alive magazine will begin mailing this Friday. If you need additional copies, e-mail Ann Mueller at amueller@sm-usa.org. We're pleased that Jan Judy will again edit the magazine from her post in Colorado. She may be reached at jjudy@sm-usa.org.

OUT AND ABOUT

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

Read updated changes to the personnel. For more copies of the new personnel, e-mail amueller@sm-usa.org. Remember that personnel information on the PORTAL is updated on a regular basis at www.marianist.com/portal

SODALITY RENEWS CONSECRATION

Members of the Sodality of Our Lady of the Pillar (Long Island Marianist Lay Community), which was founded almost 50 years ago, gathered at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, N.Y., to renew their consecration. Members include, front row, Marion Pappalardo, Rose Anne Manfredi and Bob Kinpoitner (prefect). Second row, Barbara Hieronymus, Marcella LaRe and Mary Joan Collison. Back row, Joe Collison, Kevin Weiler, Ralph Papparlardo, George Nunez and Steve Hassett. Photo by Bro. Walt Oberster

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

CHRISTMAS LETTER. Read about Bro. Richard Joyal's second Christmas in Davao City, Philippines.

MSJC. Read the January 2006 issue of Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS. Read the December 2005 issue of the newsletter of the Marianist International Volunteers from José Luis Pérez, MIV coordinator.

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.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE PROVINCE

Santa gave terrific gifts to the brothers of the Stonemill/Kiefaber community, including Bro. Ray Fitz (top left) and Fr. Jerry Chinchar (top right). On the East Coast, the Rockaway Marianist community in New York gathered for a tree trimming and pizza party to honor Fr. Paul Landolfi’s birthday. Admiring their tree (bottom left) are Bros. Ray Miklich (left) and John Collins. In Puebla, Mexico, Christmas greetings came from Bro. Esteban Reyes, Fr. Mario Gonzalez and Bros. Lorenzo McBride and Gobi Torres

THE CLASSIFIEDS

CENTER DIRECTOR. The Marianist Family Ministry Inc. (MFM) seeks a director for the Christian Family Living (CFL) Family Retreat Center in Topsail, N.C. Read the job description. Contact Tina Bauman at tinab220@yahoo.com.

A THOUGHT

MYSTERY MARIANIST UNVEILED . . .

It's Bro. Frank O'Donnell, who works on peace and justice issues from Roland Avenue in Baltimore. Bro. Frank's life lesson: "It is important that we have integrity in our life and ministry. Parker Palmer, a noted educator, writer and activist says it well: 'What I mean by divided-no-more is living on the outside the truth you know on the inside.'"

SAVE THE DATE . . .

Bro. Jack Ventura invites all members of the Marianist Family from the St. Louis area to evening prayer and dinner to celebrate the 205th anniversary of the Foundation Day of Marianist Sodalities on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Pillar. Bring a favorite wine and dessert to share. For information or to RSVP, contact Donna Tucker at dtucker@sm-usa.org by Jan. 25.

JUST ONE MORE . . .

These three adorable "kings" from the East St. Louis day care center participated in the Christmas party at the Province office in St. Louis. Photo by Bro. Bob Resing

PROVINCE BIRTHDAYS

January

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.