Volume 5, Number 3
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006
www.marianist.com

MARIANISTS UNVEIL ICON FOR BLESSED CHAMINADE

Artist and iconographer, Joseph Malham (left) with Fr. Joseph Kozar, chairman of the Chaminade Project committee. Malham specializes in paintings of sacred Christian images. He is the artist-in-residence at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago.

The Province, in collaboration with artist Joseph Malham, recently unveiled artwork for a new icon to honor founder Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. The artwork was presented at a ceremony Jan. 24 at the Provincial headquarters in St. Louis. It will be reproduced and made available to all Marianist communities, schools, parishes and facilities in the Province. The icon depicts Blessed Chaminade’s special connection with Our Lady of the Pillar.

The idea to create the icon started in 2004 as a vocation project but grew to be part of the Chaminade Project, a program aimed at increasing devotion to Chaminade, chaired by Fr. Joe Kozar, a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton. Other members of the team include: Bros. Reinaldo Berrios, Brian Halderman, Charles Johnson, vocation director, Tom Pieper and Bob Resing. Plans are underway for the distribution of the icon in various formats. Watch for more details in upcoming issues of FamilyOnline.

PERPETUAL VOW PROFESSION FOR BRO. ERICK OTIENDE

Bro. Erick Otiende (center) at his perpetual vow ceremony with Fr. Martin Solma, Bros. Benjamin Mwai, Richard Dix, Chola Mulenga and Frs. Tim Kenney and Gabriel Kirangah. Right, Bro. Erick with a portrait of the “Three O’Clock Scene” given to him as a gift on his profession day.

Bro. Erick Odhiambo Otiende, 32, professed perpetual vows in the Society of Mary Jan. 14, 2006, at the Marianist Novitiate in Limuru, Kenya. Fr. Tim Kenney, provincial assistant for education, presided at the Eucharist. Fr. Martin Solma, district superior, and Bro. Chola Mulenga, deputy district duperior, accepted the vows. Fr. Martin also gave the homily. Bro. Erick was presented for profession by his family members and Bro. Benjamin Mwai. Over 300 people witnessed the event, which included singing, dancers from a local elementary school and food. Bro. Erick professed first vows in 2000 after attending Christ the Teacher Institute for Education at Tangaza College. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Marianist Community in Lusaka, Zambia. There he worked as a teacher, youth leader and most recently, recruitment coordinator. Bro. Erick will be assigned to the Faustino Formation Centre in Lusaka, which will open in early 2007. Our prayers and congratulations.

CHAPTER TO DISCUSS VISIONING, FUTURE STRUCTURE

From March 3-7, the members of the ninth session of the Provincial Chapter in St. Louis will discuss the visioning process recommended by the September 2005 Chapter. Other agenda items at the Chapter include the future structure of the Provincial Council and Provincial Chapter and preparation for the General Chapter (Read General Chapter documents). Read the convocation of the Chapter from Provincial Stephen Glodek. Propositions are due to Fr. Jim Fitz by Feb. 17, 2006. View the proposed agenda and meeting timetable. Our prayers for the Chapter members in this important work. (Note: All chapter documents are available on the PORTAL . Click on ”Documents” and then click on “Chapter Documents.”

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Read the January 2006 issue of Via Latina.

HAWAI'I DISCERNMENT WEEKEND

Brothers from Hawai’i, California and St. Louis, as well as Sr. Laura Leming and lay Marianists, assisted with a Vocation Discernment Retreat at Ewa Beach in Hawai’i Jan. 27-29, 2006. The retreatants came from Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, Pohnpei, Illinois and New Hampshire. The retreat was organized by Bro. Dennis Schmitz and the Hawai’i Vocation Team along with Sr. Laura, Bro. Charles Johnson and several other brothers from the mainland. Shown, front row, Bro. Jerry Bommer and Fr. Ken Templin; middle row, Jezga Elias, Norman Capinpin, Dustyn Lai-Ragassa, Brandon Alana, Reynard Nivera, Mike Shulz and Lionnel Ronduen; back row, Frs. John Bolin and John McEnhill, Dennis Bautista, Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Jeannie Pinpin, Bro. John Campbell, Amiee Gessel, Sr. Laura, Bro. Tom Spring, Dan Mannell, Nicole Trahan, Fr. Tim Eden, Bro. Charles, Bob Tupaz, Fr. Bob Hertweck and Bro. Jim Wisecaver

Sr. Laura Leming, FMI (center) with young women attending the Vocation Discernment Retreat at Ewa Beach in January, Jeannie Pinpin, Nicole Trahan, Aimie Gessel and Jezga Elias, photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Wisecaver

HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET?

A reminder to all brothers that registration for Province retreats is now open. Every brother with e-mail should have received two e-mails recently with online registration information. If you did not, e-mail Donna Tucker at dtucker@sm-usa.org for assistance. Please note that information regarding a retreat at TECABOCA was missing from the first e-mail (details below).

Main house, TECABOCA, Ingram, Texas

NEWS ABOUT VOCATIONS

Read the Jan. 24, 2006, issue of Vocation News from Bro. Charles Johnson, Province vocation director.

VOLUNTEER VIEWPOINT: An Interview with Thomas Mole

Tom Mole has been an MVP volunteer for six months. He is based in San Antonio and volunteers at Merced Housing Texas, a faith-based, non-profit organization providing economical housing to the poor.

Q. Why did you decide to become an MVP volunteer? I wanted to help those less fortunate and gain some hands-on experience. I also wanted to grow in my faith, which led me to look at a faith-based program.

Q. What are your primary volunteer responsibilities? Providing support work—research, paperwork—and working with residents and children at various apartment sites. When the Hurricane Katrina families arrived, our housing programs assisted them with food, shelter, clothing and household goods.

Q. Describe your volunteer experience. A mixture of fun, work, heartache, joy, success and setbacks. I have been blessed with two awesome, faith-filled roommates and wonderful Marianist communities, who are always willing to lend a hand. I have grown in my faith and as a person—gaining a greater understanding of simple living and social justice and my own strengths and weaknesses. Coming from a small, Midwest farming community, this experience has opened my eyes to the world.

Q. What would you tell others about being an MVP volunteer? Think about what you want out of the next year or two. If you are looking for a fun and exciting faith-filled experience that could likely change your life, after some serious prayer and reflection, go for it!

ANNUAL MID-LIFE MEETING IS HELD

Moderators from Marianist LIFE Central, Pacific and South met at TECABOCA Jan. 20-22. Keynote presenter was Fr. Bill Meyer. Shown above, Moderator Ashley McEnary, Bro. Tom Heinle, Moderator Mikaela VanMoorleghem and Fr. Kip Stander. Below, moderators and coordinating team members gather after celebrating the feast day of Blessed Chaminade.

MARIANIST.COM/LIFE DEBUTS

Brian Reavey, National Coordinator for Marianist LIFE, invites you to view the new LIFE web pages at www.marianist.com/life. 2006 summer program registration materials are available for download.

2006 JUBILARIANS; CELEBRATIONS

Bro. Louis Pinckert (right) with Bro. Stephen Glodek at the 2003 St. Louis jubilee celebration.

This year 32 brothers in the Province of the United States will celebrate the anniversary of their first vows; 10 Marianist priests will celebrate their ordination jubilee. Read the list of 2006 jubilarians. Six jubilee celebrations will be held in the Province—in Dayton, Eldersburg, Md., Hawai’i, San Antonio, San Jose and St. Louis. Read about the 2006 celebrations.

MUSP STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR VILLA ANGELA-ST. JOSEPH


Eighth graders at St. Joseph-Collinwood school in Cleveland selected as MUSP students, shown with principal Dr. Sandria Dixon (center): Mariesha Mikel, Jamal Chatman, Ariana Williams and Jermaine Martin

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. Eight 8th graders from two grade schools in Cleveland have been selected for the MUSP program at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland next year. Sr. Martha Mooney directs MUSP at VASJ. Shannon Lively directs MUSP at Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati.

Eighth graders at St. Agatha-St. Aloysius school in Cleveland selected as MUSP students with school secretary Barbara Jones (center): Sterling Uitenham, Jamal Parks, Harry Ruff and Ashley Holt

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

Fr. Florencio Murua Salterain (Province of Madrid), 93, who died Feb. 6, 2006, in Madrid. May he rest in peace. Read Fr. Florencio's obituary.

Please pray for Bernard Hicks, Joseph Majestic, Geraldine Malecek, John Nalivata and Louis Roesch. Read more.

WINTER TREE AT SUNSET, EUREKA, MO.

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. Jim Abel (Findlay Street, Cincinnati), who has left Mercy Siena and is recovering at home.

Bro. Jim Christiana (Center Marianist, Honolulu), who continues to be treated for brain tumors and related medical problems.

Bro. Bill Deanhofer (Governor's Island, Ohio), who will undergo knee replacement surgery Feb. 9 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

Bro. John Lemker, who has returned to the Marianist Novitiate community from Mercy Siena after recuperating from a serious auto accident.

Fr. Charles Oyabu (Helotes, Texas), who has been diagnosed with liver and colon cancer. He will begin chemotherapy this week.

Bro. Dan Stupka (DeSales Crossings, Cincinnati), who has left Mercy Siena and is recovering at home.

Please pray also for David Fitz, Darleen Lunde, John MacGillis and Maureen Zupancic. Read more.

MYSTERY MARIANIST

Our Mystery Marianist was a novice when this picture was taken during his novitiate year, 1964-65, in Santa Cruz, Calif. He was 18 years old. Who is he?

DAYTON MARIANIST FAMILY CELEBRATES JAN. 22

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Fr. Jim Heft (Trinity Avenue, Dayton) is the editor of a new book on the connection between faith and intellectual life. "Believing Scholars: Ten Catholic Intellectuals" is a collection of the University of Dayton Marianist Award lectures from the last decade. The book explores how faith influences the professional lives of 10 prominent Catholics. Read more.

Fr. John Manahan (Holy Rosary Parish, San Antonio) and Bro. Brian Halderman (Marybrook, St. Louis) attended the annual meeting of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty on Jan. 28, in San Antonio. The meeting addressed the organization’s legislative and advocacy work to abolish capital punishment. Texas leads the states in executions with 355. Find out more about TCADP and the work of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative Death Penalty Issue Team.

Bro. Ed with his sister, Patricia Violett, and mother, Eleanor Violett, at the awards ceremony.

Bro. Ed Violett (West Ligustrum, San Antonio) received a Distinguished Professor Award from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio Jan. 27, 2006. Bro. Ed, assistant professor of international relations, has taught at St. Mary’s since 2003. He counts bringing his missionary experiences in India into the classroom among his recent accomplishments. “Being this bridge between the developing and developed worlds is a challenge, but is also a key accomplishment in my life at this juncture.”

Bro. Ray Fitz (Stonemill Road, Dayton) recently attended meetings on the future of Dayton Catholic schools. More than 70 parish, school and community leaders in the Dayton Deanery shared issues confronting the schools. The meetings were featured in the Jan. 27 issue of The Catholic Telegraph. Read more.

Bro. Ray Fitz with Leslie Vondrell, principal of St. Luke School, and Anne Battes, deputy superintendent for archdiocesan Catholic schools, photo courtesy of Lenore Christopher, The Catholic Telegraph

Bro. Joe Kamis (DeSales Crossings, Dayton), superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is quoted in the Jan. 27 issue of The Catholic Telegraph about the future viability of area parishes and schools. Read more.

Marianist History
MARIANIST HELPS WRITE HISTORY OF SF ARCHDIOCESE

Bro. Bill Bolts (Queen of Apostles, San Jose) is a contributor to "Catholic San Francisco: Sesquicentennial Essays", a new book celebrating 150 years of the San Francisco Archdiocese. Bro. Bill details the development of Catholic high schools and the Marianist tradition in San Francisco. The Marianists came to California in 1884. They were among the religious who transitioned from teaching elementary school to high school. Bro. Bill describes events such as the 1906 earthquake, the opening of Archbishop Riordan High School in 1949 and the role of today’s Marianists. “As a third generation San Franciscan, I have always been interested in its history,” said Bro. Bill, who has advanced degrees in history from UCLA and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “As pastoral associate at Queen of Apostles in San Jose, I am able to use my historical and theological skills often.” Bro. Bill also was a consultant for the 150th Anniversary booklet of the Marianists in Cleveland by Bro. Jack Dempsey.

Historic photos of the Marianists taken from Catholic San Francisco: Sesquicentennial Essays. Photo left, Dedication of Riordan High School – 1950, San Francisco Mayor Elmer E. Robinson, Archbishop John J. Mitty, Founding Principal Bro. John McCluskey and Superintendent of San Francisco Schools Dr. Herbert Clish. Photo right, Statue dedication in Riordan courtyard -1955. Chaplain Fr. John Reilly, Superintendent of San Francisco Schools, Monsignor James Brown and Principal Fr. Paul Kelley with Riordan student body. Photos courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Burns.

PEACE & JUSTICE UPDATE: SHARING FUND The Marianist Sharing Fund Committee has allocated $253,950 to 94 projects. The committee received 136 proposals totaling over $950,000. Grant checks will be presented to the funded groups before March 1. Proposals for the 2006-2007 grants are due November 2006. Application forms will be available in April 2006. The Sharing Fund Committee which met Jan. 20-21 in Cupertino: Bro. Bob Moriarty, Myles McCabe, Dick Ullrich, Sr. Mary Beth Hefti, Bro. Jim Facette and Bro. Mitch Schweickart; not pictured, Judy Geelhoed. Photo courtesy of Bro. Jim Leahy STATE OF THE UNION—AND OUR VALUES. President Bush set his vision for the next year and beyond in his State of the Union address. Find out how you can organize and participate in a State of Our Values Watch. CONTACT Myles McCabe, province director of peace & justice, mmccabe@sm-usa.org. 314.533.1207, x. 235

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . .

Bro. Dave Quigley with students

CENTAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL celebrated Marianist Heritage Week with a tribute to Blessed Chaminade. Marianist brothers and priests visited classrooms to share their experiences with students. A special Mass celebrated by Fr. Richard Wosman honored Blessed Chaminade and the Marianist family. After the liturgy, Marianist brothers, priests and sisters renewed their vows.

Photo left, Central High School faculty members honored for their years of service include Pete Carrion (15 years), Carlos Enrico (30 years), Alicia Garcia (10 years), Bro. Jim Burkholder (30 years), B.J. Schanzer (10 years) and Deacon Pat Cunningham, principal (15 years). Photo right, Fr. Joe Tarrillion congratulates Central teachers George Connors (left) and Robert Trigilio, who received the Marianist Heritage Award for their leadership, service, school spirit and spirituality.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON held an all-day “teach-in” as part of its celebration of Marianist Heritage Week. The event brought professors, students and campus guests together to discuss various aspects of Blessed Chaminade’s life and legacy on Marianist campuses. The story was featured in the Jan. 27 issue of The Catholic Telegraph. Read more. That same issue profiles UD students and staff members who attended the vigil at the United States Army School of the Americas (SOA) at Fort Benning in November. The vigil memoralizes six Jesuit priests and others killed by SOA graduates. Read more.

CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP ST. LOUIS Students who are helping low-income residents repair their homes were featured in the Jan. 27 issue of the St. Louis Review. The effort, led by Dietrich Smith, director of Chaminade’s Multicultural and Diversity Office, emphasizes community outreach and leadership skills. Read more.

NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL is featured in a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on how Catholic schools differentiate themselves. Students and faculty were interviewed during Catholic Schools Week. Read more.

UD HELPS STUDENTS FIND MEANINGFUL LIVES

A new book, "Putting Students First: How Colleges Develop Students Purposefully," recognizes the University of Dayton as one of 10 religiously affiliated colleges nationwide that excels at helping students “find purpose and meaning in life.” Various chapters note UD’s deep commitment to social justice, community and the development of learning and living in community. Read more.

DESALES CROSSINGS CELEBRATES CHAMINADE DAY

The DeSales Crossings Marianist community in Cincinnati and two lay Marianist communities -- Anawin and Marishka -- planned a Chaminade Day celebration on Jan. 22. Approximately 150 people attended Eucharist at St. Francis de Sales Church, followed by a luncheon at Purcell Marian High School. Carol Ramey was the guest homilist at Eucharist. Marianists from Moeller and Findlay Street joined in the celebration as well as Alan Smith, a contact from Ireland, and Fr. Mike Reaume, who is helping at the parish. Read their handout. Visit the community Web site at www.desalescrossings.org/marianists

Bro. Bob Wiethorn speaks at the Chaminade Day luncheon with Fr. Ed Jach, Jim Vogt and Bro. Giancarlo Bonutti

The community created an award – the DeSales Crossings Marianist Community Award – which was awarded to Alex Sampson because he "lives the vision of Father Chaminade and embodies the ideals that DCMC had in starting DeSales Crossings.”

PRAYER SERVICE HONORS MLC FOUNDATION

On Feb. 2, 2006, Bro. Jack Ventura organized a prayer service and dinner at Our Lady of the Pillar in St. Louis to commemorate the 205th anniversary of the foundation of Marianist Lay Communities. Approximately 90 people attended, including St. Louis area Marianists. At the dinner: Bro. Lester Koehler, on sabbatical after ministry in India, Lay Marianist Mary Kay Fitzpatrick, Bro. Ken Jung and Ashley McEnary, a teacher at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis and a LIFE participant

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

MARIANIST ASSOCIATES HOLD PLANNING MEETING

The Marianist Association Service Council met Jan. 22 in Dumont, N.J., to plan events for the Marianist Associates. The group included Mary Linge, Helen Madden, Evelyn Smith, Fr. Ted Cassidy and Wally Rodier. The Association had its origins with the Marianists of Cape May Point, N.J., and their family ministry program. If you want to grow in faith and service to Christ and experience Marianist spirituality as an Associate, contact Wally Rodier at wrodi@optonline.net.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

Read Bro. Bill Farrell’s January 2006 Guatemala newsletter.

MSJC. Read the February 2006 issue of Justice Jottings.

Read Fr. Steve Tutas’ February 2006 Maui newsletter.

MYSTERY MARIANIST UNVEILED . . .

It’s Bro. Gary Morris, who is a Fine Arts Associate Professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Bro. Gary’s life lesson: “To make sure each day that the young people and pets entrusted to my care feel valued, confident and happy with the way things are. This means spending extra time to talk with students, and making extra time to give the dog a hug, a treat and a walk. After all, they are some of the ways that God is manifested in my life.”

JUST ONE MORE . . .

During a recent visit to the Marianist ministries in the District of Eastern Africa, Fr. Tim Kenney (left) and Bro. Richard Dix show off beaded leather belts that were given to them as a gift at Our Lady of Nazareth primary school in Nairobi. Approximately 1,500 children gathered at an assembly in the Marianists' honor.

February

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.marianist.com

Materials deadline for next issue is Feb. 14

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.