Volume 5, Number 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
www.marianist.com

THREE MEXICANS ENTER NOVITIATE IN CHILE

The Querétaro community said their goodbyes to novices Uziel, Nereo and Jesús with a prayer service followed by traditional Mexican food and music.

Congratulations to Mario Uziel Verduzco Deniz, Nereo Ramírez Hernández and José Jesús Ruiz Santillán who left the Querétaro, Mexico, pre-novitiate community Feb. 27 to begin their two-year novitiate in Chile.

Uziel, 26, from Pihuamo, Jalisco, Mexico, attended school in Pihuamo and studied technical drawing and accounting in Guzmán, Mexico. This past semester Uziel worked as a librarian at IVES Preparatory in the Coatzacoalcos community.

Nereo, 27, was born and educated in Santa Isabel, Tancanhuitz, Mexico. He attended seminary school in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and studied philosophy at the Conciliar Seminary of Tampico. Nereo taught in preparatory schools until 2005.

Jesús, 52, was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. For the last 10 years, Jesús has worked in parish and sacramental pastoral ministry. Our prayers for their continued growth!

CHAPTER MEETING WRAPS UP IN ST. LOUIS

The 9th session of the Provincial Chapter met in Eureka, Mo., from March 3 - 7 at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center. Chapter members held lengthy discussions about the future structure of the Chapter. The group decided that a consultation among the brothers would be held before a final decision was made at the October 2006 Chapter.

The Chapter also decided that when the new Provincial Council is appointed, the Provincial will appoint two or more additional members to participate in Council meetings, bringing variety and specific wisdom to the Council.

The Chapter Vision Committee presented its report on work towards a Province vision statement. The district of Mexico offered an extensive report on its activities. Also discussed were the Province budget, Marianist parishes and Province development. Bro. Ed Violett was elected moderator of the next Chapter in September.

On Sunday night, brothers from the St. Louis area joined Chapter members for dinner and a discussion on the challenges and actions the General Chapter should address at its gathering this summer in Rome.

A full report on the Chapter from Bro. Stephen Glodek will be distributed in the near future. Read Chapter documents on the PORTAL.

NEWS ABOUT VOCATIONS

Read the Feb. 27, 2006, issue of Vocation News from Bro. Charles Johnson.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Bro. Ron Overman (Meyer Hall, Dayton) has joined the staff of the University of Dayton in the new position of business manager, effective March 6. Bro. Ron will work with investments, insurance and purchasing. The Province community extends deep gratitude to Bro. Ron for his eight years as director of the Marianist Mission in Dayton, and prayers for his future ministry. Read the Province statement.

AN INTERVIEW WITH . . .
FR. MARTY SOLMA, DISTRICT SUPERIOR , EASTERN AFRICA

Fr. Marty Solma operates Our Lady of Nazareth school in Nairobi, Kenya. Find out about the crises the children of this region face, what Marianists are doing to help and how you can help. View our videocast interview (right). Look for the full story in the May edition of ALIVE magazine. (Note: The videocast is available with QuickTime or Windows Media. Please allow a few moments for download.)

Fr. Marty Solma Fr. Marty talks about Our Lady of Nazareth School and what the children need.

KUDOS FOR THE COLORING BOOK

Aspirant Tom Farnsworth with a class at St. Agatha-St. Aloysius school in Cleveland. Tom is reading from the Blessed Chaminade coloring book.

In July 2005, Bro. Charles Johnson debuted the Blessed Chaminade coloring book to introduce children and adults to the story of our founder. Since that time, Bro. Charles has distributed nearly 1,000 copies. Even the Holy Father has one! Read the Vatican's letter to Bro. Charles.

BROTHERS ON WHEELS

Bicycling enthusiasts Fr. Roland Bunda (left) and Novice Dennis Bautista set out from the Provincial offices on a cool March day. Fr. Roland was in St. Louis for the Provincial Chapter.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: NOW RECRUITING

The Marianist Volunteer Program (MVP) is recruiting volunteers to begin in August 2006, with placements available in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas and Mexico. Volunteers must be 21, with a college degree or equivalent life experience, open to community living and to the Marianist charism, and fluent in Spanish for placement in Mexico. Volunteers will serve one year in the United States (two years in Mexico) and will receive room and board, health insurance and a stipend. View the MVP application. Preference will be given to those applying before April 3, 2006. Contact Coordinator Dan Richter with questions or visit our Web site.

MVP HOLDS COMMITTEE MEETING AND RETREAT

The Marianist Volunteer Program steering committee met Feb. 13 - 15 in St. Louis. In addition to discussing current and future plans, the group welcomed four new committee members: Madeline Bialecki, Neomi DeAnda, Mary Niebler and Antonio Vasquez. At the meeting, seated: Bro. David Betz, Mary Niebler, Dennis Bautista (novice) and Bro. Brian Halderman. Standing: Fr. Ralph Siefert, Antonio Vasquez, Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Larry Hufford and Bro. Brian Zampier. NOT PICTURED: Dan Richter, MVP program coordinator, and Bro. Jack Ventura

MVP volunteers attended a mid year retreat Feb. 20 - 23 at the TECABOCA Retreat Center in Ingram, Texas. The retreat, facilitated by Jeff Campbell, Dan Richter, MVP program coordinator, Maureen O'Rourke, assistant MVP coordinator and Jim Vogt, began with a Mass and brunch hosted by the Marianist sisters in San Antonio. Shown, MVP volunteer program members, Maureen O'Rourke, Nick Raddell, Robert Bowie, Tom Mole, Dacian Vogt, Jim Vogt and Liz Cooke

FROM THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Read the March 2006 issue of Via Latina.

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

Florence Baricevic, Earl Moorman, Marie Murphy, Charlotte Perabo, Parameswa Rao and Maura Sullivan. Read more.

SPRING TIME AT QUEENY PARK LAKE, ST. LOUIS

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 . . .

Fr. Charles Oyabu (Helotes, Texas), who is suffering from liver and colon cancer. Fr. Charles has moved to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio.

Bro. Louis Pinckert (Chaminade Waldron, St. Louis), who will have cataract surgery on March 8, 2006.

Please pray also for Norbert Alberts, Barney Karpfinger, Clarence Neumann, Al and Eileen Prendergast, Angeline Stratman and Sue Wesselkamper. Read more.

MYSTERY MARIANIST

In 1940 in Chicago, this Mystery Marianist's mother was experiencing the "terrible twos" times two! One of her twin sons, pictured on right, went on to make first vows in 1957 and worked in Chile, Peru and India. Who is he?

WHO'S DOING WHAT

Bro. Ron (left) receives award from former Moeller Principal Dan Ledford '66.

Bro. Ron Luksic (Montgomery Road, Cincinnati) received the Bro. Lawrence Eveslage Award from the Archbishop Moeller High School alumni association. The school honored Bro. Ron for two decades of service. His numerous contributions include programs for school admissions, community outreach, service, pastoral care and the new "house system" program which increases student care, leadership skills and school participation. Congratulations to Bro. Ron!

Bro. Bill Farrell visited the Marianist High School at Los Conches, Guatemala. Bro. Bill has ministered in Guatemala since May 2005, assisting two Spanish Marianists.

Fr. Charles Miller (Chaminade Community House, San Antonio), who is a professor of theology at St. Mary's University, represented the Archdiocese of San Antonio at the annual meeting of the Texas Conference of Churches in Houston, Feb. 20 - 21, 2006.

Bro. Fred Rech (Dublin, Ireland) wrote a story for the February Intercom Magazine, an Irish Catholic publication, on the new prayer space at St. Laurence College in Dublin, a project he coordinated. Bro. Gerry Mc Auley did the welding, and teacher Ted Doherty and Alan Kelly from maintenance did the woodwork. Teacher Angela Joyce and parent Bernie Norris created the stained glass windows.

Stained glass windows at St. Laurence

Fr. Joe Uvietta was awarded the Marianist Youth Medal at the annual Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MRCC) dinner on Feb. 26. The tribute dinner raises funds that allow the center to continue its mission of serving thousands of youth and adults every year in faith formation.

Fr. Joe (left) with John Parres, MRCC Governing Board Chair

Fr. Raymond Middendorf (Lincoln Street, Hollywood, Fla.) received his first and second degrees in the Knights of Columbus, Fr. M.J. Monahan Council 4851 in Hollywood.

Fr. Dan Doyle (Lincoln Street, Hollywood, Fla.) recently completed a parish mission at St. Mary's in Farmington, N.M. Over 600 Anglo and Hispanic parishioners came together to explore coping mechanisms for today’s changing world.

Pati Krasensky is serving as acting director of the Center for Marianist Spirituality and Communities in Philadelphia, following the death of Bro. Walt Oberster. Pati is president of Marianists for Long Island Family Experience, which offers parish family retreats. She is a member of the MSJC anti-racism issue team and Cor Maria, a Marianist small faith community.

Marianist Artists at Work
BRO. JOHN LEMKER - CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Bro. John Lemker (Novitiate, Dayton) has been a nature photographer for more than 35 years. Bro. John began to take photos of the earth's natural beauty in 1969 with a grant from the National Science Foundation to prepare a new high school earth science course. He has used his photos not only in the classroom, but in retreat presentations, scripture study groups and photography workshops. His photos have appeared in Time-Life and Sierra Club publications as well as numerous international publications through a stock photo agency. Bro. John's work has been exhibited at Gallery St. John in Dayton and at galleries throughout Michigan and Ohio. While continuing to recover from a car accident that occurred last summer, Bro. John writes, "I look forward once again to being able to hoist the tripod on my shoulder and the pack on my back and be struck by that 'beauty which leads to contemplation.' This same sentiment was expressed by the late Galen Rowell, who wrote: ' The act of visualizing a meaningful photograph has more in common with meditation than professional skill.' "

NEXT ISSUE: If you're an artist and would like to be featured, e-mail dguerra@sm-usa.org. (This feature was produced by Novice Dennis Bautista.)

Autumn reflections at a small cascade, Michigan


PHOTO LEFT: Crepuscular Rays, Dayton PHOTO RIGHT: Prairie Sunset, Dayton

NEW AFFILIATES RECEIVED IN CUPERTINO

Fr. Jack Rielly (seated) welcomed five new Marianist Lay Affiliates in a special ceremony and Eucharist Feb. 11 at the San Juan residence in Cupertino. Shown above, Kathie Van Sickle, Mary Szelong, Jerry Szelong, Eileen Hunton and Yo Convertino proudly displaying their Affiliate certificates. Blessings to our new Affiliates! Photo by Bro. Jim Leahy

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND ANNOUNCES RETREATS

Tim, Mary Ellen and Katie Dillon enjoy a sunset on the water on Governor's Island.

Bro. Don Smith (Meyer Hall, Dayton) and Anne Petratis (Family of Mary, Well Community) are organizing family vacation retreats at Governor's Island in Huntsville, Ohio, July 11 - 15 and July 18 - 22. If you are interested in volunteering or attending, please contact Bro. Don at 937.426.7852, Donald.Smith@notes.udayton.edu or Anne at 937.258.3825, Anne.Petratis@kmcnetwork.org.

SHARING FUND PRESENTS GRANTS

Representatives of the St. Louis-area ministries that received grants from the Sharing Fund are pictured Feb. 22 at the Province office. Also shown: Myles McCabe (kneeling, far left), Sr. Mary Beth Hefti and Bro. Richard Dix (standing, far right); and Bro. John Laudenbach (seated, second from right). The Marianist Sharing Fund Committee has allocated $253,950 to 94 projects. In addition to St. Louis, grant checks were presented in Baltimore, Cape May, N.J., Cincinnati, Dayton, Honolulu, San Antonio and Washington, D.C. For more information about the Sharing Fund, visit our Web site.  Read a letter from a grant recipient.

PHOTO LEFT: Bro. Joe Nu'uanu presents a check to Edita Cruz to support a food program at Martha's Kitchen in San Jose, Calif. PHOTO CENTER: Fr. Ted Cassidy (right) receives a grant from Bro. Charles Johnson for the Cape May Retreat Center. PHOTO RIGHT: Fr. Gene Contadino makes a presentation to Alexzandra Shade of Leaders for Equity in Action in Dayton (LEAD).

MARIANIST LIFE SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP MEETS

High school teachers from Archbishop Riordan, Chaminade-Julienne, Chaminade St. Louis, Chaminade West Hills, Nolan Catholic, North Catholic, Purcell Marian and Vianney met Feb. 25 on the West Hills campus to discuss ways to integrate the LIFE program with social justice efforts in schools.

Front row, Mary Kay Fitzpatrick (Vianney), Marilyn McCrate (Chaminade-Julienne), Marlena Johnston (Riordan), George Lisjak (Provincial Education Office), Ali Tracy (Purcell Marian), Mary McCullough, (Nolan Catholic); Back row, Myles McCabe (Province director of peace and justice), Kristin Firestone (Chaminade West Hills), Greg Evans (North Catholic), Ray Harter (Chaminade St. Louis); Not pictured, Brian Reavey (national coordinator, Marianist LIFE)

FROM THE SCHOOLS . . .

ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL celebrated Catholic Schools/Chaminade Week with special events honoring the Characteristics of Marianist Education. Highlights included a half-year anniversary celebration of the school's new "house system." The program, led by Bro. Ron Luksic, aims to provide a caring environment that breaks down barriers between grade levels and encourages student participation. Fr. Paul Marshall presided at a special Founder's Day Mass. Moeller's Founder's Day Chaminade Award was presented to Mary and Jack Teuschl for their nearly two decades of service to the school.

Fr. Paul (photo left) and Bro. Howard Lohrey and Bro. Ron at Moeller's Founder's Day Mass.

CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL in California also celebrated Catholic Schools/Chaminade Week. The school welcomed Cardinal Roger Mahoney, who presided at a special Mass. In addition, each student wrote an essay based on this year's theme "Character, Compassion and Values."

Chaminade students pose with Cardinal Mahoney.

SAINT LOUIS SCHOOL in Honolulu was featured in the Feb. 27 issue of the Honolulu Star Bulletin. Bro. Jim Dods is quoted in a full page story about the school's 160-year legacy and its ability to connect generations through faith and family. Read more.

Saint Louis School students gather for a Chaminade Day assembly in the school gym to prepare for class community service projects.

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Students from Chaminade-Julienne, Purcell Marian and Archbishop Moeller High Schools participated in their third Community Service Exchange Program meeting Feb. 27 at Moeller. The group's goal is to unify the schools in their Marianist vision/mission and to develop a collaborative service project. Each school has hosted a meeting and coordinated a volunteer project for the group at a local non-profit agency.

Students in the exchange program, front row, Ella Frede, Sean Branick, Shana Harris, Brian Scott, Jenna Bethel, Susan Gilbert, middle row, Kenya Brock, Robert Thomas, Artem Shperling, Mickey Humler, Joe Esbenshade, Sean Cuddihee, Sierra Zumwald, Elizabeth Bible, Blake McNamara, back row, Dan Brandel, James Ewing and Eric Schmitt

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

LONG ISLAND MARIANISTS GATHER

The Parish Family Retreat team -- Marianists for Long Island Family Experience sponsored by CMSC at St. Mary's Parish, East Islip, N.Y. - met recently, from left, Bill Peo, Sue Peo, Brendan Peo, Allison McNicholas, Karin Casson, Joan Cooper, Pati Krasensky, Joann McNicholas, Deacon Joe McNicholas, Jen Lyon, Bill O'Keefe and Chris Finnegan.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

MUSIC, RETREAT MINISTRY. Fr. Chris Wittmann announces two director positions in Campus Ministry at the University of Dayton. Both are full-time with full benefits. Deadline is March 15. Music Ministry position and Retreat Ministry position.

NEWSLETTER CENTRAL

MSJC. Read the March 2006 issue of Justice Jottings.

Read Fr. Steve Tutas' March 2006 Maui newsletter.

MYSTERY MARIANIST UNVEILED . . .

It's Bro. Lester Kaehler, who is currently on sabbatical after living in Nirmal Deep, India, for the last five years. His life lesson: "The Lord has done great things for me."

JUST ONE MORE . . .

Bro. Charles Johnson was having an identity crisis on March 1, when he and other brothers and Province staff in St. Louis attended a basketball game between the University of Dayton and Saint Louis University. Should he ignore both teams, and just remember his dearly loved Philadelphia Eagles? Root for the Dayton Flyers? Or wear blue and white, the colors of the SLU Billikens? Well, Bro. Charles always goes with the winners, so he went to the UD camp, which won the game in overtime, 72-70.

March

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DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS MARCH 14

Editor: Joan Suda; 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.