2 • Call 1.800.348.4732 Dear Friends of the Marianists, In early October, I had an opportunity to visit with Nelson Perez, the newly installed Bishop of Cleveland. I had been wanting to meet him for some time because of his many Marianist connections. When he was young, his parents hosted several Spanish Marianists in their home and, at one time, he considered joining the Society of Mary. Our loss certainly has been a gain for the Diocese of Cleveland. The visit with Bishop Nelson was engaging and enjoyable. Like Pope Francis, he exudes the joy of the Gospel. During our lunch, Bishop Nelson made a comment that touched me deeply. He said, “You Marianists certainly know how to run good schools.” Before his appointment to Cleveland, Bishop Nelson served as auxil- iary bishop in Rockville Center, New York, where the Marianists (from the Province of Meribah) run three outstanding schools. Yes, we Marianists know how to run good schools. In this issue of ALIVE, you will read how Brother Francisco González and the Marianists in San Juan, Puerto Rico, responded to the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. (See story, page 10.) Colegio San José, a Marianist-sponsored school, took a direct hit during the hurricane and sustained considerable damage. But there are two striking events in the aftermath of the storm that moved me most. First, the characteristically Marianist instinct of the brothers in Puerto Rico to bring the students back to the school soon after the storm and long before other schools were able to resume. They knew that providing a stable and safe routine for the students would go a long way toward healing the trauma caused by Maria. The second event is even more touching. There was an outpouring of personal and financial support from Marianist schools across the country, reaching out to help a sister school in trouble. The financial gifts will provide financial aid for currently enrolled students whose families lost much during the storm and who are unable to cover tuition costs. St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, the newest member of our educational network, reached out in a most loving way. You will read about the fascinating process by which this independent Catholic school became a member of our Marianist educational network. (See story, page 16.) After Hurricane Maria, the board and administration of St. Vincent-St. Mary offered to bring 20 students from Colegio San José to their school for the year, tuition-free. Although parents in San Juan preferred to keep their sons close by, the caring and generous response on the part of this school was most edifying. They already have a good sense of what “Marianist” means in a Marianist education. With the conclusion of our bicentennial celebrations on Jan. 22, the anniversary of the death of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, I offer all of you our heartfelt gratitude for what you do to help us advance the mission of the Society of Mary in our world today. Blessings in abundance, Father Martin Solma, SM Provincial Father Martin Solma, SM A Message from the Provincial A billboard at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School with Father Martin Solma, SM, and students Christian Wierzbicki and David Baldini celebrates the school’s membership in the Marianist educational network. PHOTO: KEN BLAZE