b'Donor SpotlightJOURNEYING WITH THE MARIANISTSAs laity, Kathy and Frank Fanger have built lives togetherbased on the charism they learned in religious life By Linda Norris BehrensG od knocks at your door whenever he wantsat Chaminade Preparatory in Canoga Park, California. to, said Kathy Fanger, a long-time MarianistHis final project as a brother was helping build the supporter who along with her husband, Frank,Marianist Center in Cupertino, California. answered that knock in a multitude of ways, alwaysFrank continues to use the carpentry skills he with a Marianist twist.learned as a brother. The Fangers began their journeys with the MarianistsAnd the Marianist Charism instilled in each of on opposite coasts of the United States and meanderedthem is lived daily as Lay Marianists and faithful through religious life with thesupporters of the Society of Mary. The Marianist CharismMarianist Brothers and Sisters. Yet, they felt that God had other plans.Serving as a Lay Marianist is in your lifes blood.God led us down this path,The wider Marianist Family includes committed Community is so Kathy said.lay men and women, who are dedicated to forming important to us. people and communities of faith through education, I cant even imagineThe journey beginsparish work, social justice, the arts, and other ministries. not being activeBorn and raised in California,The couple participates in bi-weekly gatherings at through the Marianists. Frank, 81, first met the Marianiststheir parish and monthly meetings with the Marianists. when he was in fifth grade and The Fangers attend Queen of Apostles Parish in San attended a summer camp for boysJose, which previously was staffed by the Marianists, at St. Joseph School in Alameda. Likewise, Kathy, 69,and the charism and spirit are still alive and well there. also first met them at a summer camp, albeit on theWe are part of a lay sodality that meets every two East Coast at the Marianist Family Retreat Center inweeks, Kathy explained. We are committed to meet, Cape May Point, New Jersey.pray together, learn about Chaminades charism, read They both discerned calls to religious life. FrankFather Quentin Hakenewerths books about the virtues, became a Marianist brother in 1964 in California.share with one another, and have so much fun. Kathy was a postulant and novice for the MarianistShe was referring to Growing in the Virtues of Sisters in San Antonio in the late 1970s.Jesus: The Marianist Method of Virtues for Use in After leaving their religious lives in 1981, theyGroups by Marianist Father Quentin Hakenewerth. found each other. Shortly after, their journeys con- We are part of a monthly gathering at the Marianist verged when they met in the chapel at ArchbishopCenter in Cupertino where we focus on different Mitty High School in San Jose, California. They weretopics that nurture our faith, our community, and married in December 1983 and have a son, Brian, 35.our integration of outreach to others, Kathy said. As a brother for 18 years, Frank was a carpenterThe Fangers were good friends with now deceased and helped build many of the brothers residences. HeMarianist Brother Robert (Bob) Juenemann, who also was a facilities manager and business managerraised funds for the Marianist Province of the U.S. 6Call 1.800.348.4732'