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“I want y’all to know the lasting impact you have made across time and generations,” shared former camper Patrick Labay in an online public farewell forum.

It’s a sentiment that resounded across the more than 100 acres of Tecaboca, across social media channels, and well beyond as news traveled that the beloved camp was closing.

Originally opened in 1937, under the name of Texas Catholic Boys Camp (TECABOCA), the center in Mountain Home, TX, has welcomed generations of students while instilling Marianist values and life skills.

“At 79 years of age, I reflect, almost daily, on my time spent at the camp as a camper, lifeguard, kitchen patrol, etc. and how it left a permanent mark on my spiritual life,” reflected Ken Stupka.

On May 4, 2025, sunbeams danced across stained glass as Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez presided over the camp’s final Mass – a celebration of gratitude for 88 years of blessings. “We give thanks for the many young people and adults who have staffed Tecaboca and for the many who have attended the Boys Camp, LIFE, and high school and parish retreats. We’re thankful for all the Marianists and Lay Marianists dedicated to this venture over the years on what I call sacred ground,” said Fr. Oscar.

“I would refer to it as ‘Holy Ground’ because so many were blessed to experience everything the ministries did and provided for the last 85+ years,” exclaimed self-proclaimed Tecaboca patriot, Tim Marroquin!

More than 150 people attended the farewell gathering, and while most were from the San Antonio area, several visitors traveled all the way from Florida, Colorado, California, and even Montana. They were eager to reconnect friendships, share memories, and experience the peace of the property. It’s a destination Bro. Jim Burkholder has treasured since his first encounter.

“I first set foot on the property in the fall of 1961 for a senior retreat. During my scholasticate years at St. Mary’s University, we would have a couple of weeks of vacation there each summer. My real work there, however, began in 1979. Bro. Harry Cornell had become Camp Director, but he needed an assistant to handle all the maintenance on the property, and I was asked to be the Assistant Camp Director, aka maintenance engineer,” recalled Bro. Jim.

For 46 years, he helped look after everything from vehicles, plumbing, public water systems, roofing, grass cutting, transportation to the airport, and electrical work, to repairing campers’ eyeglasses and fishing gear. It was a labor of love in addition to his teaching duties at Central Catholic High School, one that, without a doubt, he will miss, but retains the connections he made. “I have fond memories of the friendships I’ve made with many of the former lay staff over the years. There were a number of camp staffers who continued working at the summer camp for several years in a row and became like a family,” expressed Bro. Jim.

For countless families, the camp has been a wellspring of memories, where roots run deep and journeys begin. “We were married on March 20, 1993, by Fr. Gerry Hammel, S.M. in the chapel at Tecaboca,” relayed Warren and Miriam Christilles appreciatively.

“I was also married there. It was such a gift to enter into this Sacrament in this beautiful place where my heart felt so at home. I’m still so thankful for this gift. In later years, I took my young children there to experience this grace-filled place that I loved so much,” said Julie Finger Kouremetis.

She then added, “The Marianist traditions, such as morning Mass and evening prayer, became very dear to me and created a routine I continue to use throughout my life. That spiritual connection was an integral part of our success at camp and an inspiration for us.”

It is said all good things must come to an end; however, the seeds planted and tended to at Tecaboca will be harvested by future generations as former guests continue to carry on the Marianist Charism.

Living Laudato Si’ 

Archbishop Moeller High School was recently recognized by the Cincinnati Archdiocese’s Catholic Social Action Office and Care for Creation Task Force as a school that lives out Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ message of caring for God’s creation.

A celebration service was held in the school’s chapel to commemorate the work of the following recipients, three out of four of which are Marianist: Archbishop Moeller High School, the Marianist Environmental Education Center, University of Dayton and  St. Bernard Parish.

To earn this designation, the organizations had to complete a facilities assessment and meet a target score for environmental stewardship practices, host a Care for Creation program, and motivate 10 percent of their member households to complete their own assessments.

Recipients received a letter of recognition from Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, a banner to display, and were featured on the archdiocesan website.

Prayers and Congratulations

Please join us in congratulating and praying for our Marianist Novices who are preparing to make their First Profession of Vows of Consecrated Religious Life.

The Mass, ceremony, and celebration for Carlos Alexis Roman Altamirano and Jose Manuel Gutiérrez Manzo will be held on June 7, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Querétaro, Mexico.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

From Newspapers to New Opportunities – The Power of Volunteering

A dedication to recycling led to a passion Bro. Joseph Markel didn’t even know he possessed – one that is also improving his quality of life.

“I would regularly visit the Animal Protective Association (APA) of Missouri to drop off old newspapers to be used in the puppy room. Then, I would walk through the shelter looking at the dogs and cats. One day, the woman supervising the cat room suggested that I become a volunteer. I asked them what was the greatest need – it was dog walkers. I never had a dog or walked a dog, but I thought I would give it a try,” relayed Bro. Joe.

For almost three years now, he has volunteered twice a week for several hours walking dogs. Come rain, shine, sleet, or snow – the (dog) show must go on explained Bro. Joe. “Dog walking goes on every day of the year, even on holidays when the shelter is closed, whether it’s 3 degrees or 101 degrees. Time is spent on training and socialization, but oftentimes, the dog just wants to sit on a bench and cuddle.”

While the cuddles and puppy love are certainly a bonus, Bro. Joe says he’s also met a lot of interesting people, gets good exercise, and it affords him the opportunity to do something entirely different from his day-to-day responsibilities as the Assistant for Temporalities for the Marianist Province of the U.S.

Volunteering provides many benefits. According to a growing body of research and health articles, including one from Polara Health, engagement and community involvement have profoundly positive effects on physical and mental health. It’s been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain and heart disease. Volunteers often experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. It boosts self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Social interactions can boost mood, provide emotional support, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. A recent study even linked volunteering with slower biological aging.

It’s especially beneficial for seniors. A study by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for the nation’s volunteer and service efforts, found that 84 percent of older adults reported improved or stable health after just two years of service in the Senior Corps.

Bro. Joe is no stranger to service work, having volunteered as a tour guide at Woodland Cemetery for years when he was in Dayton and being a parish organist throughout his religious life, most recently at the Polish church in St. Louis for nine years. But his time at the APA, a non-profit founded in 1922, is near and dear to his heart. He’s received special training to handle difficult dogs and has learned a lot about the current crisis of the animal shelter industry, which is all the more reason to celebrate the adoption of 6,000 pets from the APA last year.

There is no better time than National Volunteer Month to encourage everyone to get involved in their communities, even if it’s just giving a few hours a week or month at an animal shelter or countless other non-profit organizations across the country. “I hear about how some people can spend hours scrolling through social media, playing video games, or watching television. Volunteering can be just as, if not more, relaxing but a lot more rewarding. It’s a blessing for me to be able to give these neglected and, oftentimes, abused dogs just a 10-minute walk of fresh air and affection,” said Bro. Joe.

If dogs could talk, no doubt they’d say, Bro. Joe was the blessing!

Click here for more benefits of community service. Click here to find volunteer opportunities in your area.

Mount Saint John’s Solar Project – The Power of Ewe

In response to Pope Francis’ call to integral ecology in the encyclical Laudato Si, the Marianist property of Mount Saint John, where Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning is located in Dayton, OH, installed a solar array in 2023. Today, its energy usage is net zero! A local TV station did a story on how they’re using the power of ewe to maintain the area. Click here for the story.

Transitions of Leadership

There is a passing of the torch underway at two Marianist institutions: the Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School (CJ) in Dayton, OH.

AMU announced the appointment of a new Executive Director, Dr. Allison Leigh. Since 2016, she has served as the Director of Marianist Strategies at the University of Dayton’s Office for Mission and Rector. Leigh also served for nine years in Campus Ministry at UD and received her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry and PhD in Educational Leadership. She is replacing Bro. Tom Giardino, who served nine years in the role and was instrumental in the development of new programs and initiatives. Bro. Tom is taking a new position with the North American Center for Marianist Studies.

President Daniel J. Meixner ’84 announced he will leave Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Meixner —the third CJ president— spent more than 20 years at the helm of the Dayton Catholic high school. “As the proud son and grandson of CJ alumni, father of two graduates, and uncle to four more, I feel blessed to have been part of a community that I love for so many years of my personal and professional life. This is a decision that my wife, Laura, and I made last fall.”

The CJ Board of Trustees has formed a president search committee that will include representatives of the school’s owners—the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Marianists. Trustees and representatives of the school community have already begun planning an extensive search process.

Diaconate Formation Cohort

A group of 36 students at Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) is embarking on a journey that is as much spiritual as it is scholarly. The students are part of CUH’s newest diaconate formation cohort.

Together, they’ll pursue a Permanent Diaconate Education Certificate—designed to provide the academic preparation required to serve as a deacon or deacon’s wife in the Catholic church. In addition, 15 members of the cohort are simultaneously pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies, while 12 are seeking a Master’s in Pastoral Theology.

A special orientation event held recently on campus offered the members an opportunity to learn from one another and about the program, including the academic pathway they’ll take as they build a strong foundation in scripture studies and theology.

Chaminade’s 264th Birthday

April 8 marks Chaminade’s birthday, and our schools and ministries celebrated in various ways.

The Office of Mission at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, hosted a birthday fiesta. More than 200 guests shared food and conversation, toasting Fr. Chaminade. “Since 2008, St. Mary’s University has celebrated Blessed Chaminade’s Birthday. It’s a gathering of students, faculty, staff, and administration to recognize and honor the man whose vision we follow.  It’s just a fun event to celebrate our Founder and keep us connected to the Marianist story,” said  Fr. John Thompson, Vice President Office of Mission and Rector.

The Casa Maria Community, also in San Antonio, invited students to a social hour to celebrate with cake and camaraderie.

At Chaminade University of Honolulu, the Office of the Rector invited everyone to the Sullivan Family Library Pavillion to enjoy cookies. Click here to watch a Facebook video created for the university’s namesake, who continues to be an inspiration.

The Marian Library in Dayton, OH, also highlighted Father Chaminade’s birthday on social media and noted another Society of Mary April birthday. On April 18, Bro. William Fackovec would have turned 100! Click here to read about Bro. Bill and his legacy in the Marian Library.

Celebrating 150 Years

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the Wanamaker Cottage, today referred to as the “Main House” at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ.

The “cottage” originally stood on Beach Avenue, which was lost to the sea. It was then moved to its present location on the corner of Cape and Yale Avenues. In 1916, John Wanamaker donated it to the Presbyterian Orphanage of Philadelphia, a.k.a. Sunny Corner. It remained an orphanage until 1959. In 1962, the Marianists acquired the property for a summer retreat center.

John Wanamaker, a prominent Philadelphia merchant and founder of Wanamaker Department Stores, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianists, were both visionaries. Their contributions to society intersected in the development of religious and cultural life, particularly in Cape May Point and its broader historical impact.

Wanamaker sought to create a place where religious and recreational life could flourish. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Sea Grove community at Cape May Point in the late 19th century. His efforts helped transform the area into a center for religious gatherings and retreats. He was deeply involved in creating spaces where people could connect with nature, religion, and leisure in a way that was unique for its time. That is why “the circle” in Cape May Point was created – an open space for people of all faiths to gather.

Chaminade’s visionary work revolved around establishing schools and religious communities dedicated to educating young people. He founded the Marianists to carry out this mission, believing that education and religious formation were essential to building strong, faithful communities.

Here’s to another 150 years of welcoming the faithful and families! Click here to view more pictures.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Join a Pilgrimage or Create One of Your Own

Marianist Mission Travels to Portugal

Fr. Tim Kenney guided a group of 23 Marianist Mission supporters from 10 states on a pilgrimage through Portugal, specifically to the sacred site of Fatima. As hopeful pilgrims, they experienced breathtaking landscapes and historical landmarks while also immersing themselves in local culture with the food, music, and warm hospitality of the Portuguese people.

They celebrated the Eucharist at significant sites, including the Lisbon Cathedral, the Church of Saint Roch, and the Chapel of the Holy Family in Fatima, in addition to daily Mass aboard the ship as they sailed the Douro River—a gentle reminder of God’s presence in the world around us. Click here to see the adventure through a series of photos set to an original song crafted by Kathy Cooper, a member of the journey.

Stay tuned – the Marianist Mission is already starting to plan the 2026 pilgrimage!

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Almsgiving: A Pillar of Lent Across Marianist Schools

For many, Lent is a time for almsgiving. While many of our Marianist-sponsored schools participate in acts of giving back all year round, this time of year lends itself to focusing on unique ways to show compassion. “I’m excited to see our high schools and universities continuing the time-honored Catholic tradition of almsgiving. These efforts throughout the year,  especially during Lent, help teach students that this is a call of our God and our Church. We’re teaching them a way of life and reiterating that through acts of charity, everyone can help make a positive impact in the world,” said Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez.

At Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, students and staff recently kicked off a fundraiser called Change Race. It’s an opportunity for everyone to see how, as a community, even collecting “small change” can make a big difference. All the money raised at the end of the campaign is donated to Operation Give Back (OGB). OGB’s mission is to strive for educational equity and provide community outreach to students and families in need, inspiring all to realize their full potential and give back to society.

Theology students at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO, have been studying Mother Teresa’s life and her mission to serve the homeless. Inspired by her example and the call to love with the heart of Christ, these young men collected items to create care packages for those in need in St. Louis.

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, OH, and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, both held blood drives this month. In a combined effort, they collected 111 units of blood, saving an estimated 333 lives. The donations were overseen by One Blood and Versiti Blood Center.

The EcoSchool Environmental Committee, the Recycling Club, and the Senior class at Colegio San José in Puerto Rico participated in a clean-up of Ocean Park organized by the non-profit 7Quillas. In addition to collaborating with shoreline beautification, students received orientation on protecting reefs, troughs, and other coastal ecosystems. These exploration and conservation experiences strengthen their commitment to creating and building a more sustainable future.

Meanwhile, students at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA, spent time sorting through clothes and personal care items in a warehouse for the non-profit Dress for Success. It’s a global organization that serves as an employment resource for unemployed and underemployed women. The students learned how the organization served 4,000 clients in the community last year by providing clothing, confidence, and connections.

These are just a few examples of how the Marianist Charism teaches that we are all interconnected and that our actions can have a profound impact on others. “The Marianist General Chapter, Summer 2024, calls the Marianists to continue to live the call to accompany the young. They help all of us to see that our world is in good hands. They are committed to serving the people of God, and I pray their zest for doing so will be contagious for all,” concluded Fr. Oscar. Everyone is encouraged to find a way, however small or grand, to help our neighbor this Lenten Season.

Transformational $5 Million Endowment

St. Mary’s University received a $5 million gift to its School of Law from the Oatman Hill Foundation, which was created by the estate of law alumnus Bennie Walter Bock II. The transformational gift will allow the School of Law’s education in the intersection of business and law to flourish to an unprecedented level for future generations of students through the creation of the Bennie W. Bock II Center for Business and Transaction Law at St. Mary’s.

Bock, a seventh-generation Texan, was a public servant, businessman, attorney, and rancher. He earned his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. at St. Mary’s Law.

“St. Mary’s is the perfect vehicle, and the new center is the perfect avenue for advancing education in business and the law,” said Hon. William D. Old III, J.D., of the 25th Judicial District of Texas, who serves as director of the Oatman Hill Foundation. “Bennie found a home at St. Mary’s School of Law. He was proud to be a St. Mary’s graduate.”

Suzanne Bock Badger, Bock’s daughter, said the gift is a legacy that supports her father’s interest in innovations in the law. “Dad was a visionary who believed in using the resources that God gives you not only to better yourself but to help others,” she said. “Dad was very passionate about helping people in the community who needed it.”

National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award

Please join us in congratulating Bro. Andrew Kosmowski who was recently selected as a National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) recipient! He will be formally recognized at the Miami Valley Council Eagle Grand Slam event (OH) – at the minor league Dayton Dragons’ Scout Night baseball game this summer.

The award is presented solely to Eagle Scouts who demonstrate remarkable achievements beyond their scouting endeavors by excelling in their careers/vocations at local, regional, or national levels. NOESA recipients inspire others through positive actions, demonstrating excellence in their chosen professions, hobbies, community service, and adherence to religious beliefs.

Retaining Hope

In a time of great division in our country and the world, the Church has initiated this Year of Jubilee as Pilgrims of Hope. The purpose is to re-invigorate our faith and especially the hope contained in our belief.

I am led to reflect on the situation that our Blessed Founders lived through during the French Revolution. Blessed Chaminade and Blessed Marie of the Conception experienced chaos and uncertainty in the face of misguided leaders who believed they were making decisions for the good of the French citizens. Their communities were devastated, and the Church became an underground institution. It seemed that hope for them was dashed. But from the accounts and stories that we read about their lives, this was not the case. The phrase that keeps popping up in my reflection is the Providence of God. Chaminade and Marie firmly believed that God was the key to maintaining hope in spite of the troubles that they endured. Their trust in God led them to persevere in their lives and works. It was this hope in the Providence of God that led them to develop a network of communities of faith to share this hope among themselves and with others beyond this network.

I invite you to read an article that appeared in the Society of Mary’s General Administration newsletter, Via Latina, January 2025, pages 4 – 8. This article is about Blessed Chaminade’s hope. The title is Blessed Chaminade – Hope in God: Believe-Trust-Act.

This article and one that I will share next month concerning Blessed Marie of Conception’s hope are written in light of Pope Francis’ promulgation that 2025 is a Jubilee Year calling us to be Pilgrims of Hope. 2025 is the 2,025th anniversary of the incarnation of the Lord, “an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.”

Did You Know?

Did you know that St. Mary’s University was originally named St. Louis College? Marianists in St. Antonio, TX, operated Saint Mary’s Institute downtown but soon needed to expand. A second location on the outskirts of town was built in 1894 called Saint Louis College.

For a long time, Saint Louis Hall was the only building on that campus. It housed classrooms, administrative offices, student lodging, a dining hall, a chapel, and lodging for the Marianists.

Slowly, Saint Louis College expanded, adding new buildings to campus and eventually changing the name to St. Mary’s University in 1927. Saint Louis Hall retained its name, though, and today houses administrative offices vital to the university’s operations along with some classes.

Pictured here is a penny postcard depicting St. Louis Hall in its beginning years. The building is made of limestone and includes small fossils from ocean creatures.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Lessons in Service – Lackner Award

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Lenten Resources

There is no better time to reconnect with or deepen one’s faith than Lent, which begins on March 5 this year. As Ash Wednesday draws near, many wonder what to “give up” for Lent, but it’s also a time to recommit to your faith, focusing on reflection, repentance, and reconciliation. It’s a time to discover how to confess, the power of God’s forgiveness, and ways to renew and retain hope.

The Society of Mary offers several resources as you navigate your own path through the Season of Lent.

The North American Center for Marianist Studies provides podcasts and the following Lenten meditations, developed and written by Bro. Tom Redmond, SM, narrated by him and Gabby Bibeau.

• Lenten Meditation #1: Praying with Jesus in the Desert 
• Lenten Meditation #2: The Transfiguration
• Lenten Meditation #3: Confidence in God
• Lenten Meditation #4: Three O’Clock Prayer

Throughout Lent at the Marian Library this year, visitors can reflect on Mary’s grief at the death of her son, Jesus, with artwork depicting the Pieta. On loan from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection, the exhibit will be on display in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery from March 3 to May 9, 2025. “Amidst the sorrow in these scenes, some may find glimmers of hope — hope that must have given Mary strength, too,” said Curator Bridget Retzloff.  Click here for more details on this free exhibit and virtually view some of the artwork.

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, located in Eureka, MO, holds monthly prayer gatherings on the first Tuesday of every month. On March 4, the focus will be on Praying as a Busy Person during Lent. Click here for more information.

At St. Mary’s University, various student groups and organizations will commit to a 40-day service event. The school’s Office of Community Engagement also suggests the following ideas for getting everyone involved.

New Marianist Lay Community

Join us in welcoming a new Marianist Lay Community (MLC)—the Mis Pequeñitos, which means “my little ones.” It’s comprised of six students from St. Mary’s University. They made their commitment in the Guadalupe Chapel on campus during Marianist Heritage Month. Esmeralda Lopez, who graduated in December, was unable to attend the Mass and so will make her commitment at a later date.

Aspirant Paul Pruski and staff member Julieta Sanchez assisted in forming the community along with the guidance of Bro. Dan Klco. The name of the MLC was taken from Our Virgin of Guadalupe’s words to St. Juan Diego, where she calls him “my little one.”

Click here for the latest submission from the Commission.

History of Marianist Magazine

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Best Practice Award

St. Mary’s University received the Program of Best Practice Award at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) conference in Washington, D.C., last month.

The honor was for its work in “embracing Catholic, Marianist, and Hispanic serving identity” in the many aspects of campus life. Vice President for Mission Fr. John Thompson thanked all his colleagues in University Ministry, Admissions, Student Life, Inclusive Excellence, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Offices of the Provost, Deans, and Communications for contributing to this recognition.

The university’s liturgies, cultural events, print material, lectures, teach-ins, student initiatives, and programming all provide opportunities to share the Marianist Mission with students.

The award was presented by the Catholic Higher Education Mission Officers Network (CHEMON), an affinity group of the ACCU.

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills first closed both campuses on Jan. 8 as Los Angeles declared a state of emergency. On Jan. 9, the Marianist West Hills Community was told to evacuate as the Kenneth Fire quickly crackled its way closer. “Fortunately, the wind changed direction, pushing the fire in the opposite direction and away from the school. The evacuation order was lifted hours later, but residents were asked to be ready to evacuate just in case the fire changed direction again,” relayed Chaminade Chaplain Fr. Michael Chiuri, S.M. Thankfully, the Kenneth fire was 100% contained by Jan. 12.

However, tensions, fear, and sorrow continue as more tragic stories are uncovered, new fires ignited, and many are still unable to return home or have no home in which to return. “In our school community, one middle school faculty member lost her home in the Eaton fire, and two high school families lost their homes in the Palisades fire,” reported Chaminade President Robert Webb.

The constant crisis mode has everyone in the area still on edge, not knowing day-to-day what might be in store, and it’s taking a toll. “The plan is to have a ‘go bag’ with important documents such as passports and a couple of days worth of clothing and hopefully stay away from the fire zones. Unfortunately, no one can get more specific because it all depends on where the fire is burning. As I write this, a new fire, the Hughes fire, just erupted near the 5 freeway in Castaic,” wrote Fr. Michael on Jan. 23.

Although that community is almost an hour and a half drive from the school, he said the skies were already darkened and air quality likely affected by the newest fire. “Faculty/staff and students living there were allowed to leave early just in case the freeway was closed, and they could not get into the area to get whatever they needed in case of an imminent evacuation,” said Fr. Chiuri.

A junior retreat was also scheduled at an organization in that area, which needed rescheduling. It’s just one more upheaval in what has begun as a very trying year. Paradoxically perhaps, Pope Francis declared “Hope” as the theme of this year’s jubilee of the Catholic Church, encouraging us to share the “hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.”

Chaminade Campus Ministry has been key to offering hope through prayer, counseling, updated communications, efforts to organize donations, and a response to all those affected.

“The Chaminade community appreciates your concern and support and continues requesting prayers. Even for those not directly affected, it has been a stressful time for the school community. For them, it is sad to see parts of their beloved city in ruins. They also have many parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and employee spouses who serve as first responders and are risking their lives,” conveyed Webb.

If you would like to donate to help the teacher who lost her home, you can go to the Chaminade Employee Assistance Fund.

Below are also some vetted organizations supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

• Hope the Mission Fire Help
• Catholic Charities LA Wildfire Relief Fund
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles Wildlife Victims Emergency Fund

Chaminade’s Campus Ministry teams are also assessing the needs of the larger community and will create service opportunities for students and employees. While not everyone may be able to provide financial support, we can all contribute by flooding the area with prayers and offering hope.

Blessed Chaminade Day

The Marianist Family remembers founder Blessed William Joseph Chaminade on Jan. 22, the date of his death in 1850, with Masses and celebrations across the Province. At Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, TX, Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez ’82 concelebrated Mass with Fr. Patrick McDaid, S.M.

In St. Louis, Marianists gathered at the Chaminade Community on Sat., Jan. 18. Fr. George Cerniglia, S.M., celebrated Mass at St. John Vianney High School while Fr. Sean Downing, S.M., officiated at Chaminade College Preparatory.

Fr. Robert Bouffier, S.M., celebrated at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, where after Mass, members of the Marianist community and some lay members renewed their vows.

At Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, Provincial Assistant for Religious Life Fr. Tim Kenney presided at Mass. The school is celebrating 75 years and presented him an award as one of the 75 influential people in its history.

The Founder’s Day Mass at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, presided by Fr. Oscar on Jan. 21, recognized those in the Moeller community who demonstrate and live out the spirit of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and the Marianist Charism with a Founder’s Award.

For many schools in the Province, this day also marked the beginning of Founders Week, which is dedicated to Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Blessed Marie de la Conception, and Venerable Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous.

The week kicked off at Chaminade University of Honolulu with a special lei-draping ceremony and prayer service on its front lawn. Its neighboring St. Louis School also participated, with fourth graders leading the music and LIFE team members doing the readings. Fr. Chris Whitman, S.M. led the prayer service.

Founders’ Week allows us to affirm our Marianist spirit and carry forward the Marianist values. Let us recommit ourselves to living out our Marianist Charism – today and throughout the year. Let us pray for each other and all members of the Family of Mary. Let us join together in this prayer for his canonization.

Click here to see more pictures from events across the Province.

Largest Student-Run Investment Fund Marks 25 Years

The University of Dayton is celebrating its 25th year of a student-run investment fund, the largest in the country, with more than $80 million in assets under its management.

The Davis Center for Portfolio Management is home to the Flyer Investments Fund, which allows undergraduates to manage a portion of the University’s endowment and a pool of assets for The Dayton Foundation. Since 1999, student managers have generated more than $60 million in capital gains for the University and The Dayton Foundation.

“This isn’t theoretical; it’s about real dollars,” said Nate Jabaay, senior manager. “Managing the Flyer Investments Fund empowers us to make impactful decisions for the University and The Dayton Foundation. This experience launches our careers in finance.”

The Davis Center, made possible by the vision and gifts of UD alumnus Dick Davis and his wife, Sue, provides student managers with an environment similar to a Wall Street asset management firm equipped with industry-leading technology.

“The Davis Center opened my eyes to the future of finance,” said George Eckerd, a 2007 graduate and now research director at JPMorgan Chase.

Click here or the image to watch a YouTube video about this program.

You’re Invited!

In honor of Mary’s fiat – her “Yes” to God, the Marianist Lay Community of North America (MLC-NA) is proud to announce its Fiat Initiative. It is a new 3-year plan to build the lay branch of the Marianist Family, focusing on some of the following goals:

• Welcome and form at least 100 new Lay Marianists each year
• Provide new resources for Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) and share best practices
• Connect all Lay Marianists in search of an MLC with a new or existing community
• Launch Community Animation Series, a strategy designed to bring our MLCs together quarterly

Click the image to learn more in a YouTube video.

You’re also invited to build community through shared reflection and prayer within the Marianist Family in an online monthly prayer group via Zoom called Gathering in the Spirit.  Please join us for this prayerful experience on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. CST.

The next meeting will be held on Wed., Feb. 5, 2025. Click here to join the Zoom. The password to enter the group is: Marianist.

A Legacy of Colorful Love

From large murals to clip art, sketches to sculptures, landscapes to abstract pieces, Bro. A. Joseph Barrish enjoyed creating all sorts of art until his earthly parting at age 95 earlier this month.

Barrish’s works can be found in many public and private collections, adorning the pages of books and walls, and for purchase on eBay and Amazon.  He served as assistant professor of fine arts and commercial design coordinator in the University of Dayton Fine Arts Department, helped supervise Gallery St. John, and worked with Birgit Skoild of the Print Workshop in London, England.

In addition to artfully crafting images of Mary and the gospel, Bro. Joe had a fondness for capturing the landscape around him, often highlighting Dayton, OH. His creations captivated viewers and grabbed the attention of local news and magazines too.

Click here to get a glimpse of the colorful legacy of love he leaves behind.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Now Accepting Applications for Summertime Family Time

Apply now to enjoy a seashore setting for a unique and Christ-centered family experience at our Marianist Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ.

It’s an opportunity to enhance your family’s spiritual growth by joining other families and the Marianist Community in a week-long family retreat offering family and peer group activities, Eucharist and other family and community prayer, plus 4-5 hours of free time daily with ocean swimming!

These retreats always fill up fast, so consult your calendar to find a week between June 23 and Aug. 16 that works best and apply online today at www.capemaymarianists.org

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

UD Grad Named Cardinal

Pope Francis named Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto, a two-time graduate of the University of Dayton, among 21 people from around the world as a cardinal. The installment ceremony, known as the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, was held on Dec. 7 in Vatican City, Italy. Click here to watch a recording of the ceremony.

Leo graduated from the joint International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) program between UD and the Marianium in Rome. He earned his Sacred Theological Licentiate in 2002 and his Sacred Theological Doctorate in 2004. His dissertation, The Virgin Mother in the Sermons of Fra Girolamo Savonarola, was directed by Fr. Thomas Thompson, S.M. and may be downloaded through the UD eCommons website.

Beyond his service as an ordained minister of the Church, Cardinal-elect Leo has maintained an active scholarly life. Gloria Dodd, research professor in IMRI and the UD Department of Religious Studies, recalled Cardinal-elect Leo as a “wonderful colleague” during his tenure teaching at the International Marian Research Institute, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024. Click here to read more, including a prayer for all the cardinals.

Christmas on Campus

St. Mary’s University’s annual Christmas celebration transformed the Texas campus into a wintery wonderland as carolers sang around the Nativity and the Christmas tree was lighted. The Alumni Association collected unwrapped new toys from guests to support the St. Mary’s University Miracle on 36th Street toy drive.

The University of Dayton (UD) celebrated its 61st Christmas on Campus with more than 1,000 Dayton Public School students. Undergraduates were paired with students for a free night of fun, which included pictures with Santa, a live Nativity, crafts, model trains, treats and more.

“Christmas on Campus is a time for us to spread joy and connect with our community,” said co-chair Claire Ogburn. “UD’s Catholic and Marianist heritage places an emphasis on community, and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to continue this tradition.”

It has become one of the nation’s largest single-day, on-campus community service events. It has a student organization devoted to preparing and running this event, which is considered an integral part of the campus spirit.

Last Moments of Fr. Chaminade

This month’s archival treasure takes you into the archives vault located in Treadaway Hall on the campus of St. Mary’s University. Bro. Henri Vabre, SM (1895-1984) created the oil on canvas painting seen below, which is titled and depicts “The Last Moments of Fr. Chaminade” as imagined by Bro. Henri. This is one of two renditions of the same painting showing the scene of Blessed Chaminade in his final hours.

If you’d like to see more images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Adopt-a-Family Harvest Food Drive

Students at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, participated in the 16th Annual Adopt-a-Family Harvest Drive. The school’s Interact Club sponsors this long-standing tradition, which involves working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Little Flower Parish to feed families in the greater Hollywood area. This year, they collected enough food products and personal items to feed and help more than 100 families in the community.

“This event manifests our school’s Marianist Charism, especially in its social justice dimension. As Marianist educators, we are called to educate for service, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. The Adopt-a-Family Harvest Drive inspires students to apply what they learn about God, work toward a better world, and put it into practice through concrete actions,” said the school’s Director of Mission Integration Bro. Jack Ventura.

Students Respond to Call of the Poor

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis, MO, answered the call to help a local food pantry whose stocks were critically low going into the holiday season.  With no time to spare, a school-wide food drive was launched.  Despite a fair portion of the students being underserved themselves, they responded immediately, delivering a carload of food to the pantry well before their Christmas break began.

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Enhancing Worship for Children With Disabilities

The University of Dayton received a nearly $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to create and enhance worship opportunities for children with disabilities.

The funding comes from Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, which helps Christian congregations engage children in meaningful intergenerational worship and prayer practices.

“We want to make worship come alive for children with disabilities, whose needs and gifts are often overlooked,” said Jana Bennett, chair of UD’s religious studies department and initiative leader.

The work will address accessibility concerns such as cost and space that often prevent churches from including these children in worship in meaningful ways. UD faculty from disability and ministry is working with 12 congregations in the Dayton region to address this during the next five years to test and develop new worship practices using Montessori-based materials. The team aims to produce 24 practical worship aids that enhance participation for children with disabilities. Additionally, they will develop a resource book with theologies of children and disability and adaptable prayer practices.

Click here to read more.

Lay Marianist Community Makes National News

The Lay Marianist Community, called Spiritus, was created when the Queen of Apostles parish in Dayton, OH, closed last December. The first Spiritus gathering occurred on Epiphany, and its debut was successful. While about 80 people of the 120 original congregation continue, members realize they need younger members in order to remain sustainable.

The National Catholic Reporter delves into the work it requires and highlights how it may be a model for other parish communities facing similar situations. Click here to read the full story.

Saluting Our Veterans

Veterans were honored across the campuses of many Marianist schools. At the University of Dayton Research Institute, a breakfast was held to honor the many veterans among the ranks there. A drive, in collaboration with the local Blue Star Mothers, was also held to collect and provide items for troops currently serving overseas. At St. Mary’s University, veterans and their families were welcomed to the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower for a prayer service and show of gratitude.

Baby Boom Build

Did you know the Marianists were asked to build a high school to accommodate a baby boom?

Maryhurst, sitting on more than 100 acres in Kirkwood, MO, served as a Marianist novitiate beginning in 1921, but the landscape was transformed in 1960 when St. John Vianney High School was built on the tract.

By the late 1950s, the first wave of Baby Boom babies started crowding the local high school, so St. Louis Archbishop Joseph Ritter proposed a new private Catholic high school for boys in south St. Louis County. At the archbishop’s request, the Society of Mary agreed to sponsor the school built on the grounds of Maryhurst. Classes began in the fall of 1960 with 33 seniors, 35 juniors, 35 sophomores, 215 freshmen and a faculty comprised of 13 Marianists and two lay teachers.

Today, the Marianist novitiate is located in Dayton, OH, on the grounds of Mount Saint John. However, a Maryhurst namesake remains in MO—the Maryhurst Memorial Cemetery remains on the grounds in Kirkwood. Click here to discover some of those memorialized there.

 

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Advent Retreats Available

All three of the Marianist retreat centers are offering retreats for the Advent season.

ALIVE Magazine – Fall Edition

The new fall edition of ALIVE magazine is now available.

Inside, you will discover why an 85-year-old former St. Mary’s University employee refers to Marianist giants, the reason the Marianist Novitiate is compared to a reality show, and how a Black Orchard cake is a cause for celebration.

Click here to read those stories and more in the digital version.

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Marianist World Day of Prayer

This year, Marianist World Day of Prayer was observed on Oct. 13, 2024, and highlighted the National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Africa, Mother of All Graces. Located in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, this shrine is a place of prayer, spirituality, and pilgrimage – welcoming 4,000 pilgrims a week. The brothers in that community place particular emphasis on welcoming pilgrims as part of the Pastoral Care program.

During the 1970s, Lay Marianist affiliates in St. Louis, MO, began a prayerful gathering on the Sunday closest to Oct. 12, the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. The Provincial at the time, Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth, invited the whole Province of St. Louis to join in prayer. When Fr. Quentin was elected  General Assistant for Religious Life in Rome in 1981, he invited the worldwide Marianist Family to share in the annual gathering. Fr. Jose Maria Arnaiz, elected General Assistant for Religious Life in 1991, extended the annual day of prayer by identifying a specific Marian shrine each year. Click here to read more.

Ribbon Cutting Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovation Center

St. Mary’s University and its School of Science, Engineering, and Technology officially opened its new $20-million Blank Sheppard Innovation Center.

The 30,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in the fall of 2022, will support Advanced Manufacturing research and instruction. It features laboratories, including Robotics and Smart Manufacturing, Data Science and Machine Learning, Engineering Design, and classrooms. The Center will also house labs and classrooms dedicated to the new Nursing Program, which St. Mary’s University launched this fall. The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology plans to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

“So many partners — our St. Mary’s University family, donors, area officials and more — created the momentum to bring the vision of the Blank Sheppard Innovation Center to reality,” said St. Mary’s University President Dr. Winston Erevelles. “This incredible new facility represents one of the tenets of a Marianist education: to educate for adaptation and change.”

St. Mary’s University was also recently ranked number one in U.S. News & World Report as the Best Value in the West. The 2025 ranking also highlights the university’s excellence in social mobility and serving veterans. Click here to read more.

Catholic Bioethics

Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) hosted a Marianist Lecture Series featuring a presentation by a professor known for her work in the fields of bioethics, ethics, medicine, and theology.

Therese Lysaught, PhD, is a tenured professor at Loyola University Chicago, teaching in the Stritch School of Medicine’s Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Care Leadership, as well as the university’s Institute of Pastoral Studies.

Her lecture, titled “Catholic Bioethics: Catholic Social Tradition and Human Flourishing,” was held in the Mystical Rose Oratory at CUH and focused on how Catholic social tradition “can help expand how we think about the moral dimensions of illness, health, and medicine and their ethical implications.”

Click here if you’d like to listen to a recording of the lecture.

Tidings For You

Did you know that in its inaugural volume last fall, the Marian Library’s updated newsletter, Tidings, won a national public relations award?

In its newest publication, the Marian Library celebrates the 25th anniversary of one of its most popular — and largest — sculptures, introduces you to some of the new items added to its collections, reflects on a special day with Catholic educators, and provides a by-the-numbers look at the past year’s successes. Click here to read Tidings: An Annual Communiqué from the Marian Library.

Click here if you would like to sign up to receive the annual Tidings.

Also, mark your calendars for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m.! The Marian Library is co-sponsoring a musical performance by The Marian Consort in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. The concert will be perfectly in tune with the Christmas exhibit Joy to the World!, which will feature nativities and artwork accompanied by beloved Christmas music from around the world. Visit go.udayton.edu/christmas-exhibit for updated information.

Memory Lane Provides History and Health Benefits

The Marianists have 175 years of history in the United States, which means 175 years of documents, photographs, blueprints and buildings, artwork and members. Keeping track of all these items, researching them, and correctly identifying them is a monumental task. Who better to help recollect than those of an older generation?

That is why the National Archives of the Marrianist Province of the United States recruited members of the Marianist Residence Community in San Antonio to help identify some of the countless photos in its collection.

The trip down memory lane, with the brothers adding anecdotes and life stories to the pictures, also provided health benefits to the assistants.

According to Psychology Today, nostalgia is a social-cognitive-emotional experience that can motivate us to reconnect with and enhance our appreciation of loved ones in our present. Research also shows that reminiscence therapy, or storytelling, is a form of therapy that can improve quality of life and life satisfaction and help alleviate symptoms of depression in older adults.

The Marianist Province Archives is indeed a “place of memory” where the life of the Province in the United States, within the larger body of the Society of Mary, is documented.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Marian Consecration

Earlier this month, six students in the current Marianist Lay Community in San Antonio, TX, made their Marian Consecration at St. Mary’s University. They were joined by a student in an earlier MLC who was not able to make her consecration with her MLC. In addition, Paul Pruski, an Aspirant, and Julie Sanchez of the Stella Maris MLC, who are helping form the group, also made their consecration. In the photo, the students are holding their signed consecration forms.

Seen in picture Back Row: Arlene Chaidez, Paul Pruski, Nick Urbina, Ulisis Rodriguez, Brianna Valadez, and Fr. John Thompson; Front row: Bro. Dan Klco, Julie Sanchez,  Anne Steck, Esmeralda Lopez, and Emily Do

Check It Out Now – Funk Soul Students

University of Dayton (UD) students won the collegiate equivalent of an Emmy award for their documentary about Dayton’s funk music scene. Funk: The Sound of Dayton won in the non-fiction long-form category of the 2024 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Production Awards, Ohio Valley Chapter. The film explores the origins of funk in Dayton and its cultural impact.

“It’s about the music — the fusion of jazz and blues and rock — but the real story is about the people and the history they built around that type of style,” said Brayden Chayer, ’24, who is credited as a writer, audio editor, and production manager for the film. “It was really great to be recognized for highlighting the voices of people in the community who still live here and had such an important impact,” Chayer said. Read more on UD’s website.

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

Marianist Educational Associates Launch New Year

St. Mary’s University Marianist Educational Associates (MEA), President Winston Erevelles, and Marianist Religious gathered at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX, to celebrate and launch the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Marianist Educational Associates is an initiative among the three Marianist universities to build strong partners with members of the Society of Mary. Each year, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to deepen their understanding of and commitment to the traditions and beliefs of a Marianist community.

The formation program includes readings, reflections, and insights sharing. MEAs meet once a month from Sept. to May to continue their formation by developing, strengthening, and advancing our Catholic and Marianist philosophy of education. At the end of the academic year, during a special service, MEAs make a public commitment to sustain and enrich the university’s Catholic and Marianist character.

National Merit Scholars and Acing the ACT

Two students at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, have been named National Merit^® Semifinalists. A certificate from the National Merit^® Scholarship Cooperation will be presented to William Bimonte and Alexander Rose on Oct. 28, 2024.

These academically talented high school seniors now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for thousands of scholarships worth nearly $26 million. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Alex Rose earned another impressive honor – a perfect ACT score! The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1-36. Only about one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school class of 2023, only 2,542 out of more than 1.39 million students earned a score of 36.

“We are so proud of Will and Alex. They earned this honor through hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity. They exemplify what it means to be a Man of Moeller through their dedication and commitment to excellence. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish beyond Moeller,” said Dr. Christine Brookbank, provost of Archbishop Moeller High School.

The Legacy of Chaminade University – Honolulu

The first Marianists arrived on the island of Hawaii in 1883. A new video recently released pays homage to the Society of Mary’s deep roots in Hawaii. It delves into the bond Marianists made with the royal family before the monarchy was overthrown and how that relationship helped create an educational venture that celebrated the unique cultural aspects of the islands. Click here to experience the Chaminade Mission Tour, which takes you from ‘Iolani Palace to the original Saint Louis College to the current university and beyond.

Blue Army: Joining the Ranks of Our Lady

What do Our Lady of Fatima and the apparitions in Portugal have to do with Russia? Michele Jennings, an archivist in the Marian Library, researches the history of this image.

In 1946, the head of the Scapular Apostolate, American John Haffert, traveled to Portugal to meet with Lúcia dos Santos who witnessed the apparitions, and the origins of the Blue Army came into focus. Joining forces with Monsignor Harold Colgan in 1947, the two worked to found the Blue Army and bring the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fátima on a tour of the United States. Millions of American Catholics honored the Pilgrim Virgin and prayed for the conversion of Russia. Devotion to Fátima in the United States took off during the Cold War and made anticommunist sentiment a mainstream aspect of American life as well as American Catholic religious and political practice. This included pop culture, such as the popular song “Our Lady of Fátima,” originally performed by Gladys Gollahon and eventually covered by jazz singer Tony Bennett.  By 1952, membership had reached two million.

Click here to read more.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

“A Spectacle of Saints” Community Meeting Kit

The North American Center for Marianist Studies has released a new Community Meeting Kit, “A Spectacle of Saints.” It explores the Marianist candidates on the path to sainthood and how we are blessed with ordinary saints in our lives today. As we approach All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, this meditative and prayerful resource can be a wonderful way to engage your community with the themes of Christian sainthood.

Click here to download the free kit.

Retreat on “Seeing God in All Creation”

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center (MRCC) is offering a weekend retreat based on Laudato  Si’. The focus will be on the call for action to protect the Earth. It will be held Oct. 11-13 and will include large group presentations, small group discussions, and plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of MRCC. It is located on 120 acres in Wildwood, MO, and offers ample opportunities to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation through personal reflection, outdoor prayer experiences, and hiking. Click here for more information and registration.

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.