Society of Mary Celebrates Allen Pacquing’s 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 throughout the world were able to virtually witness the celebration. Bro. Allen said, “It was hard to embrace that my family and friends from Hawaii, other parts of the country, as well as Mexico, Canada and the Philippines, would not be present for this significant event for the Marianists and me. Yet, with the help of technology, I still felt connected, knowing that many people were with me virtually.”
Bro. Dennis Bautista led an opening Hawaiian chant and, “called upon our family and our Marianist ancestors who paved the way for our charism to be animated and lived each day of our lives,” said Br. Allen. Before the profession of vows came the Litany of the Saints through which all present (both physically and virtually) invoked the prayers and blessings of the communion of saints. This sacred invocation included Saints who ministered in Hawaii ( St. Damien of Mokoka’i and St. Marianne Cope) and the Venerable Ignacia del Espirtu Santo, a Filipino Saint with whom Bro. Allen’s family has a close connection.
This ceremony was the culmination for Bro. Allen of his vocation journey and the beginning of his life-long commitment as a Marianist. He said, “It was a moment of overwhelming joy and emotion. For life…with chastity, poverty, obedience and stability, I commit myself to Jesus whom we know and love through Mary.”
The following morning, Bro. Allen visited the Marianist Cemetery on the campus of St. Mary’s University to “offer flower leis and spend time in humble gratitude and to give thanks to all of our ancestors and Marianist family who have gone before us,” said Bro. Allen. ” I also asked them to pray and guide me as a newly perpetually professed Marianist.” Congratulations, Bro. Allen.
Watch Bro. Allen’s Perpetual Vow Ceremony video.
Read the post from The Hawaii Catholic Herald.
Classes Resume at OLN After Closure Due to COVID-19; GA Visits School
Like most schools across the globe, Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School (OLN) in Nairobi, was closed in March due to COVID-19. The school closing caused many hardships for families and students.
“Most students receive breakfast and lunch at school,” said Bro. Joseph Maricky, SM, OLN’s director. “After we closed, children began showing up at school hoping to find food. Many had been starving.”
A number of parents lost their jobs during the pandemic and have struggled to put food on the table – a situation compounded by extreme poverty in the slums.
To address these concerns, the Marianists launched a food relief program that provides families a weekly package of dry food consisting of corn flour, rice, beans, maize, sugar, cooking oil and a bar of soap. Families and students also have been offered counseling to address depression and other social concerns.
The school reopened on Oct. 12 with 525 students from Grade 4 and Grade 8. More students will resume classes in October. Still, most parents are without work or income.
On Oct. 15, Superior General Fr. André Joseph Fétis and Bro. Michael McAward, assistant for temporalities, with the Marianists General Administration, visited the school and helped distribute food and met with students and staff.
A Marianist Moment
By Bro. David Betz
What about our American Marianist Saints?
“May we strive to be saints showing Christ in our lives as Mary gave Christ to the world. As Mary’s missionaries it is our joy to do whatever God wills” (Bro. Howard Hughes, SM)
The above quote is the refrain from the hymn, “May We Strive to be Saints,” by Bro. Howard Hughes. I cite this hymn because the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls are upon us. These are two days where we remember the official saints recognized by the Catholic Church and the saints in our lives who have gone before us in faith, such as parents, friends, fellow Marianist brothers and sisters.
Marianist Ministries in Action
Brother Tom Pieper Emulates His Marianist Mentors
As a youngster, Bro. Tom Pieper lived just around the corner from a Marianist Community in Covington, Kentucky. So it may seem preordained that he become a Marianist.
But it wasn’t until he was a student at Covington Catholic High School, a former Marianist-run school, that Bro. Tom met several Marianists and began thinking about a religious vocation. Their infectious joy and sense of community greatly impressed Bro. Tom. “They cared deeply about all of the students and invited me and others to pray with them. It’s partly why I decided to join them.”
Bro. Tom now serves the Marianists at University of Dayton where he works in campus ministry. As cases of COVID-19 shot upward in Ohio this month, Bro. Tom emulates what he learned from his mentors at Covington Catholic. In addition to prayer and campus ministry activities, “we encourage students to get out and get some physical exercise,” says Bro. Tom. “It’s also important to listen to each other, show compassion and offer ideas as we all try to get through this together.”
Bro. Tom is featured in an upcoming article in 2020 Fall/Winter ALIVE magazine due to be published in November.
World Day of Prayer 2020 MLC
On Sunday, Oct. 11, as part of the observance of the Marianist World Day of Prayer, members of the Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) in Hawaii renewed their Marianist commitment and a number of aspiring members began the process of formation. Some were able to do so in person at the Mystical Rose Oratory(MRO) during the Sunday Eucharist while others joined virtually via livestream.
Bros. Dennis Schmitz and Ed Brink serve as guides and mentors for these groups. Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick was the main celebrant and spoke about God’s great banquet and how “we put on Christ” as though we are wearing a wedding garment.
MRO has been livestreaming Sunday Eucharist during the pandemic while attracting a faithful group of about 50 each week and hosting a student Eucharist in the evening. Everyone misses the wider community and the singing.
Congratulation to our MLC members.
Marianists Write Now Via Zoom
Do you want to explore your Marianist vocation through writing? If so, North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) has a new program that explores the question, “How am I called to be Marianist?”
Marianists Write Now! is structured so that members of the Marianist Family can share written reflections about their experiences of the Marianist Charism as it relates to designated topics. Written reflections will be completed within the weekend program and posted on the NACMS website.
Meetings will be held via Zoom on Friday evening, Nov. 13 and all-day Saturday, Nov. 14. (Please note: There will be periodic check-ins via Zoom, but most of the time is devoted to personal reflection and writing.)
Click here for more information and to register.
Marianist Affiliation Commitment Ceremony
An Affiliation Commitment Ceremony for Janet Hoben and Marcela Yerena was celebrated at the West Hills Marianist Community, CA on Oct. 11, 2020–Marianist World Day of Prayer.
Marcela met the Marianists as a student at Chaminade University. She was discerning a religious vocation with the Marianist Sisters but God called her to the married life. She is now a theology teacher at Louisville High School, Woodland Hills, CA and raising her two children with her husband, Javier.
Janet met the Marianists at St. John Eudes Parish where Bro. David Betz was the RCIA coordinator. She volunteered in the RCIA Program as a catechist. She continues to volunteer at the parish as a Eucharistic Minister and Hospitality Minister.
Marianist Family Members in the News
Father Eugene Contadino Retires
Fr. Gene Contadino retired from St. Francis de Sales Parish this summer. The Catholic Telegraph published an article about his legacy of social justice and his love for Christ which had a tremendous impact in the archdiocese of Cincinnati. Read the article.
Zooming in on Racism in Hawaii
The Hawaii Catholic Herald reported that COVID-19 led Mackey Marianist Lecture to celebrate it’s 25th Year lecture online with an added screen discussion on racism. Read the article.
Brother Frank O’Donnell in the news
Marianist Bro. Frank O’Donnell was featured in the Catholic Review of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The article is titled, “ After 60 years, a religious brother who practices law has no thoughts of slowing down.” Read the article.
Pray With Us
Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.
Bro. Michael Murphy – 1966
Bro. Michael Murphy – 2015
Bro. Michael Murphy, 81, died October 18, 2020. Bro. Mike had a varied career, serving first in administrative roles in Marianist schools. He then was drawn to social justice work and ministered among the struggling and marginalized in Rockaway Park, New York; in Bangalore and Ranchi, India; and in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bro. Wilbert Hamm – Early Years
Bro. Wilbert Hamm – 2015
Bro. Wilbert Hamm, 97, died October 20, 2020. Bro. Wilbert lived a fully Marianist life. He entered as a postulate at age 14 and served actively for six decades, mostly at Purcell High School and its successor school, Purcell Marian, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He will be remembered for his steadfast dedication to his vocation and to his students. He was a firm teacher with high expectations but also a sense of fun and affection.
Fr. John Manahan’s obituary: Fr. John died on September 16. His obituary was not completed in time for the September issue of FamilyOnline. It is available now. Read his obituary.
Fr. Rudy Vela’s obituary: Fr. Rudy died on September 29. His obituary was not completed in time for the September issue of FamilyOnline. It is available now. Read his obituary.
Read tributes to Fr. Rudy Vela:
St. Mary’s University – The Rattler
Good to Know
Marianists serving in Eastern Africa Celebrate Jubilees
Earlier this year, Bro. Carmine Annunziata and Bro. Timothy Phillips celebrated their jubilees while serving in Eastern Africa. Please click here to view photos from the celebration. Congratulations Bro. Carmine and and Bro. Timothy. Read more about Marianist ministries in Eastern Africa.
I’m Not Okay, But It’s Okay
Join Chaminade University’s BDK Fujitani Interfaith Program on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, from 10:00 – 11:30 am (HST) as they host the virtual event “I’m Not Okay, But It’s Okay: Finding a Middle Way.”
This free and informative event will featurex wisdom and practices from a variety of spiritual traditions about how to stay grounded when things don’t seem okay. The featured presenters are Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, University of San Diego, Reverend Noriaki Fujimori, Palolo Hongwanji and Kehaulani Lum, Ali’i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club.
For more information and registration, click here.
Stay in Touch
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AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities
The Fulcrum from the Marianist LIFE
District Update 39 from the Marianist District of India
Gifts and Tasks from the Int. Organization of Marianist Lay Communities
Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
Magnificat from the World Council of the Marianist Family
MLC-NA e-News from the Marianist Lay Community of North America
NACMS Newsletter from the North American Center for Marianist Studies
Via Latina 22 from the General Administration of the Society of Mary
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