b'Pat Stephens, administrativeassistant for the provincial andassistant provincialLaughterand the support of a lending handday-to-day lives of the brothersmake all the difference when maneuvering through have been especially reward-a maze of administrative changes. We all go through ing. But hands down, herbusy periods, and whenever someone is overloaded, crowning achievement there is no question that they can pick up the phone was working with Marianistand ask for help, says Pat. People are willing to Father Martin Solma and pitch in and go the extra mile. the late Father Dave Paul Looking back, they each can point to particular to launch Partnering with accomplishmentspeak moments that make them the Poor in 2005. Since itsfeel good about all of their hard work. For Donna, inception, the program hasthe 2007 Province Assembly in Tucson, Arizona, with sponsored educationalMarianist Brother Jack Ventura, was a high point.scholarships for 5,225 children It was the first time I had worked on an event that at Our Lady of Nazareth in Nairobi, Kenya, and two Donna Tucker, administrativebig, says Donna. I was especially happy that it came schools in India, says Kathy. assistant for the Office of off so well. EducationFor Ann, being entrusted with planning the 2018 The strongest threadProvince Assembly in St. Louis made me feel appre- While the lives of the provincial administrative staffciated and acknowledged, she says. That, plus the have been woven together through good times and19 personnel directories that she has produced for the bad, the strongest thread running through their col-U.S. Province, are achievements she has celebrated. lective story is Marianist Charism itself. The coreTheyre a bit like putting a puzzle together each time, values of family, faith and community resonate withshe says. these employees. The Marianists are like family toPat has similar feelings about her role on many me, says Ann, and it speaks well of the charismprovince committees. For example, I worked on the and who they are.Strategic Planning Committee and felt my ideas were Donna adds, Its not just the working relationshipsrespected and heard, she says. It was exhausting, with the brothers. Some have become close friends,but it also felt good. I know the brothers appreciate people I enjoy seeing outside of the office. I love thewhat I do and care about me. fact that they are so inclusive of everyone. They areKathy, who has visited 22 of 28 Marianist commu- good people, and theyve been in my life for almostnities, says that these opportunities to share in the 22 years. They mean a lot to me.\x00marianist.com/donate 21'