b'S to the dioceses in which we now have, or have had,ettling into his room in Nairobi, Kenya, forPHOTO: KEN BLAZEthe first time, Marianist Father Kip (Charles) ministries, Father Tim says. Theres a certain bond-Stander noticed something odd: a chamberstick ing that can happen, a memory that you tap into, ifcandle perched on the nightstand next to the bed. parishioners are familiar with a particular Marianist-So, I asked, Does this mean the electricity some- sponsored school, retreat house or community. Andtimes goes out? he says. More than sometimes, that helps them be open to the appeal.came the reply from his Marianist brothers. AsFather Kip agrees. Now serving in campus ministryFather Kip was soon to learn, a reliable power grid at University of Dayton, he has seen the family spiritwas not among Kenyas strong suits when he served blossom frequently as hes traveled across Ohio tothere in the mid-1990s. Left: Father Tim Kenney, SM,PHOTO: BERNADETTE MCCAFFREY GRONERBut Kenyas people? That was a different story: He assistant for religious life for thevery much enjoyed the energy and spirit they displayed, province, who helps coordinateespecially those living in challenging living conditions. the mission outreach and servesI found them very motivated and gratefulpartic- as a mission-outreach preacherularly the school children we served, he says. Opposite page:Father CharlesIts a story he relishes sharing with American (Kip) Stander, SM, greets aCatholics as part of a mission outreach effort sup- parishioner during one of hismission-outreach assignmentsported by the Marianist Province of the United States. at St. Josephs parish in AvonEach summer for the past 15 years, at least a dozen Lake, Ohio.Marianist priests and brothers have made missionappeals during weekend Masses at parishes aroundthe country. Their efforts have reached more than100 parish communities in 13 dioceses.These Marianist preachers make a vital contribu-tion to the success of the Missionary CooperativeProgram administered by individual dioceses nationwide. The co-ops serve a two-fold purpose,notes Marianist Father Tim Kenney, assistant for religious life for the province. He, along with assistant Deanna Snyder, coordinate and schedulethe mission outreach.First, its an opportunity for us to evangelize helping people locally to see that we belong to a uni-versal Church, he says. Second, it oftentimes givesthe pastor a chance to take a break. Since were willingto preside at all the Masses in a given weekend, itbecomes his chance to get away. preach at parishes in Cleveland and Akron. SomeFather Tim is, himself, a frequent participant in the families of students at Marianist schools have invitedmission outreach, offering reflections on the immersion him for meals, while many others with Marianist tiestrips hes taken through the years to countries including make a special effort to greet him after Mass.Guatemala, Mexico, Jamaica and Korea. Theres This common ground certainly can enhance thenothing more satisfying than to be in a place where impact of his message, Father Kip says. Still, he findsyou can see some resultssuch as when youre that even parishioners with no Marianist history oftenworking directly with a family to build a cinder-block will respond generously when they learn about thehome, he says. It helps me to feel that I am doing enormous needs in regions that I have visited andthe work of Jesus by promoting discipleship andpersonally seen. In years past, hes talked aboutfostering a more just world. Marianist schools in Eastern Africa. More recently, hehas shared stories about the provinces schools in India. Making meaningful connections First, I try to generate awarenessfor example,The Marianists are just one among hundreds of religious describing how there are half a billion people in Indiaorders that take part in such appeals across the U.S. who live under the poverty line, he says. Then I shareeach year. For that reason, we are starting to limit it my experiences about the children and families wemarianist.com/donate 21'