Called to Teach, Committed to Accompany
In a world where many young people feel uncertain about technology and democracy, overwhelmed or disconnected, Marianist universities offer something increasingly rare: communities where students are known, valued, and accompanied. That sense of belonging is possible in part because of dedicated educators and staff who go the extra mile to live the Marianist mission—proof that it takes the entire Marianist Family to form the next generation.
“People need companions more than experts. They need real communities more than platforms. They need presence more than decrees. They need witnesses more than influencers,” stated Provincial Bro. Ed Violett.
As a new academic year begins, Marianist Educational Associates (MEAs) at Chaminade University of Honolulu, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and the University of Dayton continue to answer that need. Through their teaching, leadership, and daily encounters, they bring Marianist Charism to life in classrooms, offices, residence halls, and across campus.
Following a year of formation and shared learning, MEAs publicly commit themselves to strengthening and sustaining the Catholic and Marianist identity of their universities. Their promise is not simply to preserve a tradition, but to ensure students experience it through a genuine sense of belonging, faith, and purpose.
At University of Dayton (UD), 13 new MEAs made their commitment on Sept. 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They join nearly 140 active and emeritus associates dedicated to UD’s mission. Guided by this year’s theme, “Missionary Imagination,” they are being challenged to remain open to the Holy Spirit and envision new possibilities. “They show up every day ready to think creatively about how to incorporate Marianist spirituality into their daily work,” said LeeAnn Meyer, who is herself an MEA working in the UD Office for Mission & Rector.
At Chaminade University of Honolulu, eight new MEAs took their pledge during the Mass of the Holy Spirit, while 36 longtime associates renewed theirs. Held in the newly refreshed Mystical Rose Oratory, the celebration included prayers in Hawaiian, Korean, Samoan, Tagalog, and Spanish—a beautiful expression of the diverse Chaminade ‘ohana (family) united by one mission.
St. Mary’s University (StMU) began the school year by bringing together its MEAs and Marianist religious for an evening honoring the “Bearers of Our Charism.” Bro. Ed attended the dinner on Sept. 12, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, and was able to personally thank them for carrying forward the spirit that has resonated across St. Mary’s for nearly 175 years.
“Through your commitment, generosity, and daily witness, you keep alive a spirit that has animated this community,” he said. “Together, we are called not simply to work for people, but to walk with them. Not merely to teach Christ, but to help form Christ within them.”
Fr. William Meyer, in the Office of Mission and Rector at StMU, also expressed gratitude for the many ways MEAs accompany students and the wider university community.
“Thank you for your faithfulness in teaching, administrating, coaching, and mentoring our students, their families and our alumni,” he said. “To ‘accompany’ is in our Marianist DNA.”
That spirit of accompaniment is what makes the MEA commitment so powerful. These educators and staff members do more than share knowledge or perform a job. They listen. They encourage. They build environments where faith can deepen, questions can be explored, and every student can feel that they belong.
Across all three universities, Marianist Educational Associates begin the year with a shared calling: to gather community as Mary did and help students become not only successful graduates, but people of faith, compassion, and courage.
In The News
A Gift That Will Shape Generations
A remarkable act of generosity is helping University of Dayton (UD) build not simply a new building but new possibilities for generations of students.
An anonymous donor gave an historic $15 million gift toward a new home for UD’s School of Business Administration. That extraordinary donation, coupled with incredible support from other donors, moves the university closer to creating a state-of-the-art space where students will learn by doing, collaborate across disciplines, and prepare to become leaders who serve others and the common good.
The planned 153,000 sq. foot, four-story facility will greatly expand space for experiential learning, classrooms, collaboration, and student programs while creating new opportunities for the School of Business Administration and School of Engineering to work together in areas such as entrepreneurship, analytics, and emerging technologies.
It will allow for expansion of nationally renowned programs and centers, including the Davis Center for Portfolio Management, Flyer Enterprises and Flyer Consulting, plus much more. The facility will include an event space, a student-run coffee shop, conference and meeting rooms, a student lounge, and an employee lounge.
“This gift is a profound investment in the future of the University of Dayton and in the students we educate,” said UD President Eric F. Spina. “We are deeply grateful to this thoughtful and generous donor, whose vision reflects the very best of the UD community.”
The gratitude extends to 10 additional donors who contributed gifts ranging from $1 million to $10 million, as well as dozens of others who have supported the project. With the campaign now entering its public phase, the UD community will have an opportunity to help bring the vision to life with groundbreaking expected as early as spring 2027.
U.S. Lay Marianists Elected to International Leadership
Two U.S. Lay Marianists will help lead the Marianist Family worldwide following recent elections at the International Assembly of Marianist Lay Communities in Bogotá, Colombia.
Matt Dunn was elected international president, while José Matos-Auffant was elected regional leader for North America, Ireland, and Australia. Both will serve four-year terms, bringing U.S. voices and experiences to the global Marianist community.
José currently serves as chair of Marianist Lay Communities of North America (MLC-NA). Matt Naveau will succeed him in that role on Jan. 1, 2027.
Also elected to the International MLC were Mercedes Quero Molina (Spain), Regional Responsible for Europe; Keyoshi Hirata (Japan), Regional Responsible for Asia; Lilliam Valle de Garagorri (Peru), Regional Responsible for Latin America; and Elvis Omondi Oweya (Kenya), Regional Responsible for Africa.
Congratulations and blessings to these leaders as they collaborate with our global Marianist Family and advance our shared mission around the world.
Marianist Parish to Bishop of Ponce
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV in June, Bishop Geraldo Ramírez Torres was ordained and installed as the Bishop of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on the Feast of the Assumption.
Bishop Geraldo is a Marianist affiliate, and his connection to our Marianist Family runs deep. He was born and raised in Villalba in the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Divina Providencia, a parish founded and staffed by Marianists for 50 years. He and his family were close to our priests and brothers, and he later returned to serve as pastor there from 2010 to 2019.
Over the years, he has also remained a good friend of the Marianist community at Colegio San José, presiding at student Eucharists, faculty retreats, and funerals. Fr. Armando Añeses, Bro. Reinaldo Berrios, and Bro. Francisco Gonzalez, along with Colegio Principal Carmen Camacho, were among those who participated in the installation celebration.
His episcopal symbols beautifully reflect that relationship. His Coat of Arms includes the Marianist cross, which he chose to represent the spiritual guidance and pastoral care he has received from the Marianist Family and the charism of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. His episcopal ring depicts the scene at the foot of the cross—an image especially meaningful to us as Marianists. Click here for more images.
Faith in Action: Teen Makes History
At just 18, Daniel Mozingo of San Antonio, TX, is already making history — simply by living his faith.
The Central Catholic High School graduate will become the first recipient of the St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Emerging Leadership Award from the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) during its national conference in Long Beach, CA, Nov. 20–21. He is also the youngest person ever to receive an NFCYM award of this kind.
But Daniel’s story is about much more than an honor. It’s about a faith that shows up in everyday life and ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
From being an altar server to serving as a LIFE (Living in Faith Experience) leader at Central Catholic High School, Daniel has discovered that following Christ means making room for others, stepping forward to serve, and helping people know they belong. “Service isn’t just an obligation or a task,” Daniel said, “but a vital part of who I am.”
That servant leadership already earned Daniel the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Archbishop’s Medallion Award, and his journey continues with a college baseball scholarship. Wherever that path leads, faith will remain at the center.
Daniel is a powerful reminder to young people that leadership doesn’t require a title or a spotlight. Sometimes it simply begins with faith, a servant’s heart, and the courage to make room at the table for someone else.
✨Service Spotlight 🔦
Rivals United in Faith
Cross country runners from St. John Vianney, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic, and Chaminade College Preparatory, all located across St. Louis, MO, came together at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MRCC) in Wildwood, MO, for the Marianist Invitational. On the course, they competed as rivals. But beyond the finish line, they gathered around the proverbial Marianist Table for food provided by MRCC and camaraderie rooted in Marianist Charism.
It was organized by longtime Vianney coach Dan “Coach D” Didier. “It is an honor to coach these runners and a privilege to recognize Lt. Dan Riordan and the Marianists on Mary’s birthday,” Coach Didier said.
Lt. Dan Riordan ’01, a former Vianney cross country runner, gave his life while serving our country in Iraq in 2007. His mother joined students, coaches, and the Marianist community for a tribute of remembrance to honor his sacrifice. Lt. Riordan was also among those honored in a Flags of Valor 9-11 display at Art Hill in St. Louis.
The runners came to test their endurance. They left with a greater challenge: to follow Lt. Riordan’s example by living courageously, serving generously, and allowing faith to guide the course of their lives.
Marianist Moments
Faith Takes Root During the Season of Creation
From the gardens of Castel Gandolfo in Italy to the tallgrass prairie of Ohio, the Marianist Family is celebrating the Season of Creation with prayer, conversation, and hands-on care for our common home.
The observance began Sept. 1 with Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass for the Care of Creation at Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo. Read Pope Leo’s message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Marianists continued the season with a Sept. 12 presentation on Transformative Mary Gardens, exploring how these sacred spaces can inspire ecological action.
On Sept. 30, the Marianist Environmental Education Center and the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative’s Integral Ecology Team hosted Living Water: An Invitation to Active Hope, an evening Zoom dialogue centered on faith, hope, and creation.
On Oct. 2–3, the 40th anniversary celebration of the Marianist Brother Don Geiger Eastern Tallgrass Prairie at Mount St. John in Dayton takes place. There will be tours, speakers, and outdoor activities to honor four decades of protecting a place where native life continues to flourish.
The Season of Creation concludes Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, but its invitation remains year-round: pray gratefully, act boldly, but tread gently upon God’s creation.
Click here to explore prayer resources for the Season of Creation
Pray With Us
Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.
Good to Know
Putting Purpose in Every Step
On Saturday, Oct. 3, runners, walkers and a few four-legged friends will make their way through more than a century of history during the 12th annual St. Mary’s University 5K for the Neighborhood.
The scenic course winds past St. Mary’s University’s historic buildings, but the event’s greatest impact reaches beyond campus. Proceeds benefit outreach programs at neighboring Holy Rosary Catholic Church and nonprofits serving the needs of residents in neighborhoods surrounding campus.
The 5K brings together students, families, alumni, and neighbors in a joyful expression of Marianist mission. It is a chance to get moving and give back because when Rattlers “Run with Purpose,” every step matters.
Can’t make the run? You can still support the cause as a “Restin’ Rattler”—no starting line required. Taking their places at the starting line as honorary starters will be St. Mary’s Alumni Association President Mike Martinez (B.A. ’85) and St. Mary’s University President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D. “Every year, we look forward to showcasing our family spirit and mission of service at the StMU 5K for the Neighborhood,” said Erevelles.
Check Out More Marianist News
Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary
Marianist Encounters Newsletters from the Marianist Family Encounters Project
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
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.
AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities
St. Leonard’s Ledger from the St. Leonard Marianist Community
Region Update from the Marianist Region of India
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