b'Making a DifferenceSIN THEPIRITThe memory of Marianist Father Dan Doyle still animates a charismatic prayer group that meets weekly, 52 years after it was founded.By John SchroederTheres a bit of mystery to the origins of this story: BrendanPHOTO: LARRY GATZDoyle and his sister Linda (Doyle) Reinfeld remember thattheir older brother, Marianist Father Dan Doyle, spent sometime at the University of Notre Dame in the late 1960s. He cameback a changed man.Thats where he got the Holy Spirit, recalls Brendan, althoughunsure of the precise setting or circumstances. But from that point,all manner of graces and blessings started flowing forth in thepriests ministry. One tangible example is the Chaminade-Nativity Community ofFaith, a charismatic prayer group that has met weekly in Hollywood,Florida, since 1968. Father Dan helped found the group, securinggathering space for it at Chaminade, the Marianist-sponsored highschool where he served. The school merged with Madonna Academyto become Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in 1988.The charismatic prayer group, based today at nearby Nativity Brendan and Rene Doyle beside a family crest that honors the late Father DanChurch, is something of an institutionand a marvelaccording Doyle, SM, at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatoryto Brendans wife, Rene. Similar prayer groups spun off Chaminade- For decades, the Doyle family and fellow prayer group membersNativity Community around the Archdiocese of Miami and across have worked to pay forward Father Dans many gifts through finan-the state. Its amazing how it touched so many lives, Rene says. cial contributions to the Marianist Mission and Marianist ministriesPeople were drawn to Father Dan because of his giftsthe gift in India and Eastern Africa that help lift families and children outof discernment, the gift of prophetic word and knowledge. He was of poverty through education.the instrument through which many people were healed in Jesus. In addition, they affectionately celebrate Father Dans memory byLinda recalls an unexpected testimony along those lines in the continuing to meet, share and pray weekly. Because of COVID-19,late 1970s at the Doyle home when she took a phone message for the prayer group now gathers via Zoom videoconferencing, ratherFather Dan, then in town for a visit. The woman went on and on than face-to-face. The virtual gathering has offered some unexpectedabout the miracles that were happening, and how grateful she was blessings, including the chance to reconnect with former membersto Father Dan, Linda says. Later, when I mentioned the call, he whod moved away. Theyre able to join us again, so its a beautifulimmediately redirected the praise to God, attributing everything gift, Linda says. About two dozen people take part in the prayerto the Lords work. group on Zoom each week.Beyond physical and spiritual healing, Linda notes, prayer group And while Father Dan is no longer with them, the Doyles still feelparticipants also learned a great deal about Marianist evangelization his presence in their weekly gatherings. He was such a humble,from Father Dan, who died in 2014. He showed us how it can be gentle spirit, says Rene. He had that graceamazing grace.very simple, she says. The first step in evangelization is to affirmone another, to meet the great hunger in this world to be loved. John Schroeder is a freelance writer from St. Louis.Interested in supporting Marianist ministries? Visit marianist.com/mission or call 1.800.348.4732.marianist.com/donate 21'