b'Making a DifferenceI All those trips to the retirement community created ats impossible to live in Texas, with its big sky and wide-openspaces, and not be stirred by the boundlessness of the place. large circle of Marianist friends for the Crosbysone thatSurely Christopher Crosby, who immigrated to an area north would bear much fruit in the years ahead.of San Antonio in the late 1840s, must have been inspired byits rugged beauty and potential. Like so many Irish, he had Gratitude: A cup that overflowsleft his village in Balbriggan, north of Dublin, at age 18 when On June 19, 2017, Mary Anne experienced a sudden andthe Irish potato famine forced more than a million people to devastating stroke. The prognosis was not good. Fatheremigrate to the United States. Marty Solma, former provincial of the Society of Mary, sentLittle did he know that his arrival in the Texas frontier an urgent request to all Marianists worldwide asking forwould coincide with the Marianists, who opened its first prayers for Mary Anne.school in 1852 above a livery stable near downtown San I nearly died, she recalls. I had about a 25 percentAntonio. Desiring a Catholic education for his sons, Christopher chance of survival. I walked out of the hospital six weeksCrosby sought out the Marianists, who by then had built later, and my husband is convinced that I am alive todayMarys Institute, a boys school that later became Central because of those prayers.Catholic High School. He never could have known that this In the past year, Mary Anne and Tony have continuedwas the beginning of a relationship with the Marianists that their involvement with the Marianists, showing up for Mass,would span six generations, kindled by faith and a sharedfeast days, special services and family celebrations. I helpdesire to honor these ties of enduring friendship. Mary Anne with a Christmas party for the brothers that shehosts every year, says Marianist Brother Richard Dix, whoA widening circle has known the Crosbys for 35 years. They always have beenTony Crosby, Christopher Crosbys great-great-grandson, willing to help us financially with building improvementsgraduated from Central Catholic in 1956 and two of his at the Residence, and they have given generously to the sons attended the school. His father, grandfather and great- Pillar Society to fund Province ministries, he says.grandfather were all products of a Marianist education. Tonys father also was responsible for raising money forWeve had strong connections with the Marianists for so long, the Pecan Grove where the Oyster Bake is held each year,says Tony, who also is an alumnus of St. Marys University. says Mary Anne. The Oyster Bake is a fundraiser sponsoredThe Crosby familys relationship with the Marianists spans by St. Marys University alumni to support student scholar-nearly 140 years, says Mary Anne Crosby, Tonys wife, who ships and alumni programs.is a graduate of St. Marys Law School where she served as The Pecan Grove has become a school landmark, buta law professor and started the Schools first legal-aid clinic. when Tonys father first lobbied for planting a pecanTheir son, Patrick, also is a graduate of the law school. grove, the school was reluctant, says Mary Anne. TheyFor the past 60 years, Mary Anne and Tony gladly have had plans for more classrooms, so they jokingly called itcarried on the familys close connections to the Marianists, Crosbys Folly. For years there was a sign in the Grove bybut it was their relationship with the late Marianist Brother that name, she laughs.Martin McMurtrey (Brother Mac), a beloved English teacher While they savor these fond memories, it was the heartfeltat Central, that had the biggest impact. He was like a favorite friendships with Brothers Mac, Herbie Jansen, Bill McCarthyuncle to our family, says Mary Anne. and many others that always have buoyed Mary Annes andBrother Mac moved to the Marianist Residence in 2005 Tonys spirits. They see us as family, says Brother Dix.due to poor health and died two years later. It was during Mary Anne underscores those sentiments. I cant this time that the Crosbys frequently visited him and other emphasize enough how close we feel to the Marianists.Marianists who were ill. We were at the Residence so often,says Mary Anne, that we began attending Mass there on a regular basis. To learn more about the Pillar Society or ways you can support Marianist ministries, contact Allison Hewitt at [email protected] or call 314.533.1207, ext. 215. To donate now, use the enclosed envelope or go to marianist.com/donate. marianist.com/donate 19'