The current Provincial Council of the Marianist Province of the United States was installed on Aug. 1, 2018. These men were chosen following a formal consultation process involving the brothers and priests who are members of the U.S. Province.
The Provincial Council includes:
Fr. Oscar Vasquez – Provincial
Fr. Oscar, 54, is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He professed first vows in 1987 and was ordained in 2005. Fr. Oscar has a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and a master’s in secondary school administration from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome. He has been a high school teacher, chaplain, and principal. He currently is ministering in St. Louis as chaplain at Chaminade College Preparatory and assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish.
Bro. Bernard Ploeger – Assistant Provincial
Bro. Bernie, 69, was raised in Cincinnati. He professed first vows in 1967. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and master’s and doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University. He has served as a professor and vice president of administration at the University of Dayton, and most recently as president of Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Fr. Timothy Kenney – Assistant for Religious Life
Fr. Tim, 65, is a St. Louis, Missouri, native. He professed first vows in 1971 and was ordained in 1982. Fr. Tim has a bachelor’s degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu and master’s degrees in private school administration and pastoral theology from the University of San Francisco and the University of St. Michael’s College, respectively. He has previously served on the Provincial Council as assistant for education. He currently ministers as chaplain and head of campus ministry at St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis.
Bro. Jesse O’Neill – Assistant for Education
Bro. Jesse, 56, is a native of Chester, Pennsylvania. He professed first vows in 1992. He has a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College and a master’s degree in educational administration from Loyola University. He has served as a middle school teacher and campus minister, and was vocation director for the former Marianist Province of New York. He currently is a campus minister and teacher at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore.
Bro. Joseph Markel – Assistant for Temporalities
Bro. Joe, 63, is a native of Euclid, Ohio. He professed first vows in 1973. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and a master’s in administration from the University of Notre Dame. He has been a high school teacher and retreat center director of operations. He currently serves as director of finance for the province. (The “temporalities” role oversees finances and promotion of social justice activities.)
Bro. Charles Johnson – Councilor
Bro. Charlie, 57, is a native of Chester, Pennsylvania. He professed first vows in 1987. He has a bachelor’s degree from West Chester State University and a master’s in Catholic school administration from Boston College. Bro. Charlie has ministered as a teacher and vice principal, as national vocation director and assistant novice master. He currently is area coordinator and local vocation director in San Antonio. This will be Bro. Charlie’s second term as a councilor.
Fr. Charles (Kip) Stander – Councilor
Fr. Kip, 67, is a native of Covington, Kentucky. He professed first vows in 1969 and was ordained in 1981. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and master’s degrees in divinity and counseling from the University of St. Michael’s College and the University of Dayton respectively. Fr. Kip has served in Marianist formation and administration in Eastern Africa and India. He currently is a chaplain at the University of Dayton.
Fr. Tim, Bro. Jesse and Bro. Joe will serve at the main provincial office in St. Louis. Bro. Charlie and Fr. Kip will remain in San Antonio and Dayton respectively, continuing their current ministries and helping provide a broader perspective on the province.
Please keep these new members of the Provincial Council in your prayers as they prepare for this important ministry of service.