Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Fr. Chaminade ministered in a time of fear, violence and division after the French Revolution and was influenced by the call for Fraternity, Liberty and Equality. We too, in this time of fear, violence, and division, must come together as a people of faith in need of healing and reconciliation. As we encounter Christ in the shadows of hate and violence may we pray and act for a more fraternal, free and equal society. We would like to encourage you to spend time reflecting on the hymn “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” during your prayers as we prepare for Easter. How you will act for peace, healing and reconciliation?

The Society of Mary (Marianists,) an international congregation of Catholic priests and brothers, announced today that it is withdrawing from St. Anthony’s Parish on the Hawaiian island of Maui, effective July 1, 2021. The departure results from multiple factors, including a declining and aging population of priests and brothers in the congregation. As part of the withdrawal, the Diocese of Honolulu will assume day-to-day operations of the parish and its spiritual community, with full details to be announced in the coming weeks.

“This was a difficult decision that we didn’t take lightly, especially given the Marianist’s historic presence in Hawaii and special relationship with the St. Anthony’s community,” said Father Oscar Vasquez, SM, Marianist provincial. “However, after reviewing all of our available resources, it was ultimately decided that the spiritual, physical and social needs of St. Anthony’s parishioners would be best served by the diocese moving forward, and we’re grateful for its support.”

Current Marianists assigned to the parish community include Pastor Rev. Roland Bunda, SM, Associate Pastor Rev. Sylverius Kerketta, SM, Pastoral Assistant Bro. Fred Silbereis, SM, and in residence Bro. Dave Quigley, SM. All will be assigned to other duties. Although the withdrawal will result in no active Marianists serving the island of Maui, the society will still maintain a significant presence in the region, including Chaminade University of Honolulu and Saint Louis School. The Marianists will continue to provide ongoing support and resources to the existing Lay Marianist groups both on Oahu and Maui. Similarly, we are pleased to continue our sponsorship of St. Anthony’s school.

St. Anthony’s is a special community, with its roots on the island dating back more than 150 years. Founded by the Fathers of the Order of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1848, the parish has grown over the decades to include a diverse parish of more than 900 families, many focused ministries, a preschool, cemetery and the only Catholic High School on the island of Maui. Although the Marianists formally assumed leadership of St. Anthony’s Parish in 1976, the order was already well known to the community, having founded the Wailuku School for Boys in 1883 at the invitation of the Sacred Heart’s Fathers.

The Marianists are planning a parish farewell event on May 23, 2021 to honor the many brothers and priests who have served the parish there and to thank the St. Anthony Community for their collaboration and support.

Bro. Allen Pacquing Professes Perpetual Vows

Bro. Allen Agpaoa Pacquing professed perpetual vows in the Society of Mary (Marianists) on Oct. 3, 2020, at Guadalupe Chapel on the campus of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Fr. Oscar Vasquez, provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, presided at the Eucharist and received the vows. Fr. Tim Kenney, assistant for religious life, concelebrated and presented Bro. Allen for the Rite of Religious Profession.

Due to precautions taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic, physical attendance of the celebration was limited to 45 friends and members of the Marianist community donning masks and socially distanced. However, the vow ceremony was livestreamed so that Marianist family members and friends from throughout the world were able to virtually witness the celebration.

Bro. Allen Pacquing, 50, was born to a religious, Filipino-American family and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He earned an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Santa Clara University in California, in 2003. In 2013, Allen asked himself, “Who would have guessed that I would enter the novitiate at this stage in my life? Certainly not me, but God had other plans. I just needed to listen and to be open to His call.”

After professing his first vows in Dayton, Ohio on May 23, 2015, Bro. Allen was assigned to Chaminade University of Honolulu as the Minister for Liturgy and Worship. He then transitioned to be the Coordinator of the Tutoring Center and Testing Services. In 2017, Bro Allen was promoted to Director of Campus Ministry.

With Bro. Allen’s expertise in student life and pastoral care, he was asked to be the Chaplain for Student Development at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas in 2019.  Living at the Holy Rosary Marianist Community, Bro. Allen continues to learn the culture and history of San Antonio and how our Marianist influence shaped the local community. With his knowledge and willingness to serve in the Division of Student Development, he accepted the position as the associate director of Community Engagement, Marianist Student Initiatives at St. Mary’s University.

Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Bro. Allen Pacquing and Fr. Tim Kenney | Photo Credit: Robin Jerstad
Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Bro. Allen Pacquing and Fr. Tim Kenney | Photo Credit: Robin Jerstad

Please click here to view/download the Liturgy/Profession of Perpetual Vows Order of Worship.

Please click here to view more photos for Bro. Allen Pacquing’s perpetual vows.

Please click here to view the beautiful reception videos for Bro. Allen Pacquing’s perpetual vows.

Thank you for remembering Brother Allen A. Pacquing, S.M. in your prayers.

SOCIETY OF MARY CELEBRATES TWO ORDINATIONS

On Aug. 22, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, the Marianist Province of the United States celebrated the ordinations of Fr. Michael Chiuri, S.M., and Fr. Brandon Paluch, S.M., during a Mass at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in St. Louis.

Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, bishop of the Diocese of Orange, California, presided at the Mass and gave the homily. Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, and Fr. Timothy Kenney, served as the principal concelebrants.

Due to precautions taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic, physical attendance of the celebration was limited to 75 family members, friends and members of the Marianist community donning masks and socially distanced. However, the Ordination was livestreamed so that more than a thousand Marianist family members and friends from throughout the world were able to virtually witness the celebration.


Fr. Mike Chiuri, 42, was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 1997 and worked as a consultant for the African Economic Research Consortium.  Read more.


Fr. Brandon Paluch, 37, was born in Green Bay, Wis., and raised in suburban Chicago. After earning his bachelor’s degree in religious studies and history at the University of Dayton in 2006, he served in Loyola Marymount University’s PLACE Corps through which he earned a master’s degree in education. Read more.

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Watch the Ordination.

Watch Fr. Brandon’s First Mass.

Watch Fr. Michael’s First Mass.

Marianist Province Condemns Racism

In the wake of the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests it has sparked in communities throughout the United States, the Marianist Province of the United States is calling for prayers and commitment to actions that eliminate the sin of systemic racism.

The Marianist Province of the United States stands with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) in publicly condemning racism and the use of excessive force in law enforcement, and we call for reforms to policies and practices that have oppressed Black Americans. We also pray for an end to violence and for a path forward that leads to true change. Read the statement released by CMSM.

A Journey Towards Healing

The Marianist Province has released a list of names of those found to have sexually abused a minor. Please go to marianist.com/healing.

Coronavirus: Communion in Solitude

In these challenging times of uncertainty, please know that you are not alone. The coronavirus is impacting us all as individuals, families, school and faith communities. As Marianists, we have always embraced adaptation and change; it is one of the core characteristics of a Marianist education. Blessed Chaminade said, “New times call for new methods.” The Marianist Family is doing just that. We are gathering in virtual prayer.  We are live streaming masses. We are sharing resources to inspire and encourage each other as we shelter in place and pray for an end to this pandemic.

We will be offering resources to keep us connected as people of faith. We encourage you to join us in prayer for healing and hope for those who are suffering from COVID-19. Join us in also praying for those healthcare workers who continue to risk their lives to provide care and for other workers who are providing essential services and goods. Finally, we ask that you join our Marianist Family in prayer that we may continue to find spiritual inspiration and thrive in faith as we adapt to this unprecedented time. Know that you are in our prayers as well.

May the Holy Spirit offer us strength and help us find solidarity in faith as we commune in solitude.

Fr. Oscar Vasquez
Provincial

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Coronavirus Resources

Join us for A Marianist Digital Retreat for a Pandemic. This four-module retreat can be completed on your own and at your own pace, but we encourage communities to make the retreat together and gather in small groups (virtually) to share in discussion, reflection, and prayer.

Pope Francis: The Vatican released a free downloadable book of Pope Francis’ homilies and prayers responding to the trial and suffering of the coronavirus pandemic. Download Strong in the Face of Tribulation.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops(USCCB):

Catholic Health Association: Coronavirus Resource Page

National Catholic Reporter: Coronavirus Feature Series

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center: This Little Light is a daily one stop space for music art, prayer and inspiration. Click here to read the latest edition. To sign up for this daily email go to https://mretreat.org/constantt-contact-form/.

 

Marianist Environment Education Center (MEEC): Words of Hope from the Holy Ones – A Marianist Environmental Education Center blog reflects on finding hope in this time of COVID19 crisis in Pope Francis March 27th urbi et orbi message and our experience of nature in springtime. Read it here.

North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS): To bring the Marianist Family together in this time of dispersion, NACMS is organizing a FREE online reading group. The first session of the group was centered on the book Short History of Marianist Spirituality. The next three sessions will focus on a variety of writings by the late Fr. Dave Fleming, SM. Click here for more information and to register.

If you have a resource you would like to suggest, please email us and let us know.