b'know all of the young men and, as time goes on, I getto know everyone.Eye of the beholderEarlier, while at Purcell, Brother John applied for aNational Science Foundation grant so he could developa geology course. He then spent three consecutivesummers in Arizona, Colorado and Utah and recallsseeing all of the geological phenomena in those statesas glorious. To capture that glory, he borrowed a camera toshoot images for his class. I focused on geologicalformations, says Brother John, but I kept noticingthese magnificent trees. When I showed those photosto my community members, they really respondedto them. Thats when I saw new possibilities. When one of his images was published in a SierraClub calendar in 1981, and again in 1988, he beganreceiving letters from people from around the countrywho were awed by his ability to photograph suchabsolute tranquility. Several of Brother Johns photographs are on display at the Marianist Novitiate. They show adeep appreciation for the beauty of creation, whichis an important part of our faith and spirituality,says Father Chris Wittmann, director of novices.At his studio in the Gallery at Mount Saint John,Brother John mounted the words Standing in Awe inlarge gold letters on a cabinet. While many may overusethe word awesome, Brother John sees a deeper degree of awesome-ness than most people ever notice.Theres an art to seeing, he says. When lookingat nature, there comes a point when you can see withyour whole self, and your soul says, thats it. Turbulent Stream by Brother These were some of my most rewarding experiences As a man whose being radiates an appreciation forJohn Lemker, SM in ministry, he says. I enjoyed seeing so many people beauty, Brother John quotes Gerald Manley Hopkinsengage with Scripture in ways that made a real dif- poem, The world is charged with the grandeur ofference in their lives.God. Being able to capture and share this grandeurWhen he and other Marianists learned they were through his art is a gift. leaving Michigan for other assignments, Brother John Engaging with nature is like a relationship withwondered where he would move. Privately, he a person. The more you engage, the more you seethought how wonderful it might be to continue teach- and appreciate, he says.ing Scripture and study at the Marianist Novitiate in Brother John encourages everyone to take time Ohio. Before Brother John could voice those ideas, to stand in awe of Godeven if it is just a couplethe Provincial invited him to take that exact assign- of rocks.ment. It was thrilling, a sign from heaven, he says. Since then, Brother John has resided for more LeeAnn Meyer is program coordinator for the Office forthan 20 years at the novitiate. Its a privilege to Mission & Rector at University of Dayton.Please help the Marianists care for their senior priests and brothers. To donate,use the enclosed envelope or go to marianist.com/donate. Or contact Brother Alex Tuss, SM, at 937.222.4641, ext. 3003, or [email protected] Call 1.800.348.4732'