Tragedy in Texas Spurs Marianists Into Action
It was supposed to be a day of summer celebrations, but fierce flooding robbed them of their dreams in an instant. At least 134 people, mostly children, lost their lives in fast-rising rainwater, and more than 100 remain missing. Almost four weeks later, search operations continue in an attempt to at least offer loved ones some closure.
In The News
Marianist 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 the state 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 the first time Missouri will send 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.
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
First Marianists to Reach U.S.
Courtesy of the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS)
In late 1849, Marianist Bros. Damian Litz, Andrew Edel, John Stintzi, and Maximin Zehler bravely crossed the Atlantic from France to join Bro. Charles Schultz, SM, and Fr. Leo Meyer, SM, who had arrived earlier that July. This determined group established the first Marianist presence in the United States, ministering in the Cincinnati-Dayton area and founding institutions like St. Mary’s School for Boys in 1850. This institution eventually evolved into the University of Dayton, celebrating its 175th birthday this year.
For those traveling, we hope your summer adventures are far smoother than the arduous journey described by Bro. Damian Litz: “We got aboard a rickety, old merchantman in which a sort of den was made of rough boards to hold us and our originals. We did not sail: we rolled and rolled for forty-two and a half days. I was the first among the passengers to discover land. Brother Edel was sick of [with] dysentery during nearly the whole time. I myself got seasick at every heavy roll. (Brother Edel relates that during a severe storm the vessel received such a severe shock once as to make Brother Litz jump up and cry out “Salve Regina.”) Brother Zehler was once flung from one side of the ship to the other and was badly hurt.”
To delve deeper into the Society of Mary’s early years in the U.S., read Father Leo Meyer’s 13 Years at Nazareth, by Fr. John Graves, SM, available in the NACMS bookstore.
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 along the way.
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.
St. John Vianney Alumnus Entertains Sold-Out Crowd
St. John Vianney alumnus, Noah Niznik, is a pitcher for the fan-friendly Savannah Bananas. Niznik, who played ball for Vianney, returned to his hometown of St. Louis in July as the baseball team performed for a sold-out crowd at Busch Stadium two nights in a row. In addition to his pitching, he joined the bananas in their signature dance moves and shenanigans.
The Savannah Bananas have accumulated more than nine million followers on TikTok for their dance performances, walking on stilts, and backflipping while catching balls.
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 in making a pilgrimage, 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 pilgrimage 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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