Tragedy in Texas Spurs Marianists Into Action
It was supposed to be a day of summer celebrations, but fierce flooding doused those dreams in an instant. At least 137 people, mostly children, reportedly lost their lives in Central Texas as fast-rising rainwater proved treacherous on July 4. Almost four weeks later, two people are still unaccounted for, and so, search operations continue in an attempt to offer loved ones at least some closure.
Amidst the chaotic uncertainty of the hours, days, and weeks that followed, one thing was certain—the Marianist Family was ready to help.
At St. Mary’s University, almost two hours away from the epicenter of destruction, the Office of Community Engagement, Student Veterans of America, University Police, and Summer of Service students sprang into action. They collected and delivered essential supplies to support first responders who tirelessly worked the front lines at the Kerr County Command Center. “As veterans and members of the Marianist community, we have a common pillar of selfless service. In return, we witnessed the true purpose of community and the impacts on those who need it,” said Student Veterans of America President Miriam Martinez.
Students at Central Catholic High School (CCHS), equally as far away yet just as committed to help, started their own relief efforts. Members and parents of the school’s JROTC organized a donation drive to assist Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville. “Family, friends, and neighbors came together to help however they could — collecting donations, filling 200 backpacks with essential items for those impacted. It was a true team effort, and every contribution made a meaningful difference,” said CCHS Communications Specialist Thomas Palomera.
The Marianist Province of the United States also stepped in to help those affected in the Texas Hill Country. Marianists have a longstanding connection in the area, having operated Camp Tecaboca for 88 years in Kerr County, just about 30 miles from Camp Mystic, which sits along the Guadalupe River.
For decades, Fr. Don Cowie presided at Mass on Sundays at many camps along the river. It gave him great joy to collaborate with Jane Ragsdale, owner and director of Heart’ O the Hills Camp and Dick Eastland, owner and director of Camp Mystic. The Province made a contribution to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund in honor of Jane and Dick, who lost their lives in the flood, and in memory of all those souls departed in this heartbreaking tragedy.
“Many in the Marianist community have inquired about the effects of the flooding on Tecaboca, which is located on a tributary of the Guadalupe River. It did experience some fairly minor damage due to the higher water levels, but none of the buildings sustained any harm,” reported Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez. “Let us, together as a Marianist Family, continue to help wherever needed and pray for all those in need.” Click here to see pics from Tecaboca.
In The News
Marianist-Sponsored High School Alumnus Appointed Archbishop
Pope Leo XIV appointed a St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School graduate as the 10th bishop and third archbishop of Mobile, AL.
Archbishop-elect Mark Rivituso, 63, is a St. Louis native who has spent much of his priesthood in his hometown. He served as an auxiliary bishop for St. Louis since the late Pope Francis appointed him to the role in 2017. Prior to that, he served as vicar general for the St. Louis Archdiocese, as well as a parish priest and a canon lawyer with the archdiocese’s Metropolitan Tribunal.
Rivituso succeeds Archbishop Thomas Rodi, who submitted his letter of resignation in March 2024 at the age of 75, the age at which bishops are required by canon law to submit their retirement to the pope. Archbishop-elect Rivituso’s new role involves shepherding an archdiocese with about 107,000 Catholics in 83 parishes and parish missions along the lower 28 counties of Alabama. Click here if you’d like to read more.
State Scholarships Allocated to Private Schools in MO
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, a Chaminade College Preparatory alumnus, signed a ceremonial house bill that will provide scholarships for students to attend religious and other private schools.
This is Missouri’s first time sending state general revenue — $50 million — directly to the MOScholars program. Kehoe signed House Bill 12 into law at Marianist-sponsored St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis. It’s a historic investment in Missouri’s Education Savings Account program. The Empowerment Scholarships will allow parents to receive funding to pay for tuition at the school of their choice, as well as other educational expenses.
St. John Vianney Alumnus Entertains Sold-Out Crowds
St. John Vianney High School alumnus, Noah Niznik, is a pitcher for the fan-friendly Savannah Bananas. Niznik, who played baseball for Vianney and helped lead the Griffins to a state championship in 2018, returned to his hometown of St. Louis in July as the Bananas performed at Busch Stadium two nights in a row. The sold-out crowds cheered loudly as he was introduced to the field. Click here to watch the video.
In addition to his pitching, Niznik joined the Bananas in their signature
dance moves and shenanigans, hamming it up to the song Country Grammar by singer and fellow St. Louis native Nelly, which says, “I’m from the Lou’ and I’m proud.” Click here to watch the video.
The Savannah Bananas have accumulated more than ten million followers on TikTok for their dance performances, walking on stilts, and backflipping while catching balls. Niznik told media outlets that being on the mound at Busch Stadium was surreal and wrote a letter to his hometown. Click here to read it.
Marianist Ministries in Action
Student Environmental Work Receives Honors from City
Marianist-sponsored Mother Seton Academy (MSA), in Baltimore, MD, was once again invited to the City Department of Public Works Eco-Warriors of the Future Luncheon, where it received an honorable mention, coming in fourth place among 73 schools in this year’s competition. The Baltimore City Council also conferred a special citation on the school for its work on the environment and helping to make the city a cleaner and greener place.
The school’s Green Team does a bi-weekly clean-up in its community, has an in-house recycling program, explored research on water filtration and urban socio-economics, and launched a new sneaker recycling initiative. Students collected 75 pairs of gently used shoes to distribute to those in need.
In the new school year, MSA plans to continue the initiatives mentioned above and grow food too. In the fall and spring, students will plant six raised beds in a community green space called Ujamaa Cove to provide vegetables for the school’s cafeteria.
Marianist Moments
LEAD = Listen, Encounter, Act, Deepen
LEAD with Mary is a distinctive example of collaboration among the three Marianist universities: Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH), St. Mary’s University (StMU), and University of Dayton (UD).
This year, 12 students (four from each university) participated in a semester-long formation process, then this summer gathered for a seven-day immersion program hosted in Dayton.
The goals of LEAD with Mary are expressed in the acronym from which it gets its name: L: Listen to the Holy Spirit and one another, E: Encounter the Marianist Family, A: Act for the Common Good, D: Deepen the call to serve
“LEAD with Mary gives students a broader experience of the Marianist Family, a deeper encounter with Marianist history and spirituality, an educational immersion into some of the social justice challenges of each city, and multiple opportunities for hands-on service,” explained Fr. Brandon Paluch, who helped direct the program along with Fr. Chris Wittman.
It is designed to be an engaging and enjoyable experience with other students and staff, and an opportunity to explore some of the gifts and blessings of each Marianist community and its local culture.
“The visit to St. Leonard’s and hearing the vocation stories from the older brothers really impacted the students. I loved watching the students create community amongst themselves. The StMU, UD, and CUH students shared stories, did karaoke, and made early morning coffee runs. They started the trip as strangers, and by the end of the trip, they created a true Marianist family,” said Amy Arismendez, Program Director with the Office of Mission at StMU.
As these students and ministry leaders return to their campuses, they plan to continue the conversation and spread what they’ve learned. “We hope to carry the LEAD with Mary spirit into our campuses by continuing to say ‘yes’ like Mary—yes to building inclusive communities, yes to serving with joy, and yes to deepening our faith through everyday encounters. Whether through faith and justice conversations, acts of welcome, or simply showing up with love, we lead by embodying Mary’s heart and God’s mission,” said Arumi Ortiz, Campus Minister for Digital Media Ministry at UD.
Pray With Us
Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.
Bro. William “Bill” Thomas Bolts, 89, died on July 3, 2025, in Cupertino, CA, with 70 years of religious profession.
Ever a teacher at heart, Brother Bill brought his love of education to classrooms in CA, HI, PA, and BC over the course of a 50-year career. He served in a variety of other settings as well, such as high school administrator, pilgrimage leader, pastoral associate, and a member of his province’s leadership team. He also wrote extensively on topics of local history, authoring three books.
Click here to read his full obituary.
Click here to see pictures of Bro. Bill through the years.
Each year, the Society of Mary recognizes brothers and priests who are marking milestones of their first profession of vows or their priestly ordinations.
Thank you to our 2025 Jubilarians! We will highlight them over the course of the next few months in FamilyOnline.
Click here to see pictures from the Jubilee celebration in Cupertino, CA, on June 21, 2025.
FR. JAMES FITZ
In the book of Proverbs, we read: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Marianist life has given me a vision – a vision expressed well in the opening chapter of our Rule of Life: “Our goal is to be transformed into His (Christ’s) likeness and to work for the coming of His kingdom.” (article 2). In whatever I have done as a Marianist religious, the vision and dream of God’s kingdom have been the inspiration for my ministry and life. Much has happened in the 60 years since I professed First Vows on August 22, 1965, in Marcy, NY. Click here to read more.
FR. PAUL FITZPATRICK
Though I have served in many varied ministries over the years, what gave me energy in all of them was the possibility of supporting people in their faith life. Whether it was in high school retreat work, sacramental ministry and preaching in parishes, teaching scripture at the university level, leading many biblical study trips, or family ministry, what got me out of bed every morning was the possibility of supporting others and being supported by them in their graced search for God. At this stage of my life, I hope that I can continue to find ways to nurture the faith life of the people of God. Click here to read more.
FR. JOSEPH KOZAR
As I look at the past 60 years of religious life, I see the serendipity of historical circumstances and opportunities. I professed First Vows on August 22, 1965, in Marcy, NY, just prior to the decrees of the Second Vatican Council being put into effect. That Advent, the Catholic Church changed. The grand Latin transcendent and universal liturgy gave way to the Mass in English. We went from “dialogue” Mass with a mix of English and Latin to awkward, make-it-up-as-you-go-along, loose-leaf binder liturgies to the return of the beautiful post-Vatican II liturgy that we witness today. Click here to read more.
BRO. MICHAEL KRASZEWSKI
Born in New York, NY, on December 24, 1943, I grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, where I attended St. John’s Home for Boys until the eighth grade. I went on to study at the New York School of Printing (1959-1963) before professing my First Vows on August 22, 1965, in Marcy, NY. My Marianist ministry has taken me from New England to the Caribbean in a variety of settings from the Marianist Postulate (1965) to the Hollywood Marianist Community in Hollywood, FL, (2010) where I continue my ministry in the local community as a volunteer at Nativity Parish, a hospital chaplain and Eucharistic minister at Memorial Hospital. Click here to read more.
BRO. GARY MORRIS
Leo Tolstoy: “The business of a Christian is everywhere and always one: to increase one’s fire and let it give light to everyone.” When I wrote a reflection on my Marianist life for my Golden Jubilee 10 years ago, I mentioned that many of my friends thought that the chance of my perseverance as a brother was a “long shot” at best. Well, 10 years later, that “long shot” has gotten better than ever. And my aim, despite my failing eyesight, has gotten keener. My target is perseverance because I was called to be a brother in the best way I know how. Click here to read more.
Good to Know
Sunrise Service Project
The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center (MRCC) in Eureka, MO, has a new addition to its sprawling property – a scenic overlook of the Meramec River. It would make an incredible sunrise prayer spot, and it’s courtesy of a young man named Luke Hayes. It was part of his Eagle Scout project, and the Marianist Family is grateful for his service project.
Join a Pilgrimage or Create One of Your Own
The Catholic Climate Covenant and its national partners successfully launched POHFC (Pilgrims of Hope for Creation).
You can click here to register for one or more of the monthly Catholic Climate Covenant’s Pilgrimage Planning Workshops.
If you are in the greater Dayton area or the Archdiocese of Cincinnati area and are interested, the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is planning a pilgrimage to visit the Marianist Nature Preserve at Mount St. John, particularly the Bro. Don Geiger, SM Prairie. This field trip will share how the Marianist Charism has embraced and enlivened integral ecology. If you are outside of Dayton and are interested in hosting a pilgrimage for Marianists in your area, please contact Tara Poling, MEEC.
Mark Your Calendars
On October 14-15, 2025, at the University of Dayton, the International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
This special two-day commemoration will include a special visit from Cardinal Francis Leo, a two-time graduate of IMRI, the current archbishop of Toronto, and diocesan partner for IPI. Click here for more information.
Check Out More Marianist News
Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary
Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies
All Things Marian podcast from the International Marian Research Institute
Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities
Region Update #93 from the Marianist Region of India
FatherSide Chats is a web video series featuring Fr. Gene Contadino. Discover new episodes every Tuesday about a variety of topics. Click the graphic to view episodes. Click here to read more.
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