b'Making a DifferenceTHE BELLS OF ST. MARYSRING TRUEFor many years, Melissa and Charles Barrett Jr. have lavished the Marianists with their generosity and goodwill, including funding St. Marys University bell tower, a focal point where faith and history meet. By Kevin ConwayF or Charles Barrett Jr., a special memory will always We thought the Marianist charism and traditionsring true: When my mother was dying of cancer, needed to be ingrained in individuals other thanI asked her if there was anything I could do for professed Marianists, says Charles. This ministryher, he says. The Bells of St. Marys movie meant a fosters those lasting values. The Barretts also becamelot to her, and she wanted to see it one more time. So Marianist Province donors in 2016 with a five-yearI found a copy of the film, and we watched it together. $100,000 pledge to the Join Her Mission campaign,That special memory left a deep impression. While an initiative to carry forward Marys mission of faithThe Bells of St. Marys is the universitys official formation and ministry.song, there were no bells or a bell tower on campus. Family connections run deepIn the late 1950s, the Marianists at Central Catholic High[THE MARIANISTS] HAVE A School mentored Charles. Later on, the Marianist BrothersSPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. at St. Marys did the same. He especially remembersTHEY BROUGHT GOD BACK the late Marianist Brother John Totten whose lessonsINTO MY LIFE, AND FOR THAT, in ethics and logic were life-changing, he says. Melissas father also attended Central Catholic andIM FOREVER GRATEFUL. St. Marys University, and she credits the Marianists Melissa Barrett for renewing her faith. They have a special place inmy heart, she says. They brought God back into mylife, and for that, Im forever grateful.When I had the resources, I approached the school The Barretts daughter, Laura, initially met theabout building a bell tower, says Charles. I thought Marianists as a Central Catholic High cheerleaderit would be an appropriate memorial to my mom. and also attended Tecaboca, a Marianist retreat center,Now, when the The Bells of St. Marys are sung and during the summer months where she became closerung, Id like to think it puts a smile on her face. to the brothers. She now attends University of Dayton.Thats how Charles, a St. Marys University distin- These connections have grown and multipliedguished alumnus, former board chair and trustee over the years, creating special bonds of friendshipemeritus, describes the inspiration behind the Barrett among the Barretts, St. Marys and many MarianistMemorial Bell Tower, named in honor of the Barrett leaders. Looking back, those influences have drivenfamily and Charles late mother, Susana. much of Charles life choices and generosity.Charles and his wife, Melissa, led the fundraisingeffort for the 100-foot tall campus landmark completed Beyond whats expectedin 2007. Theyve also funded other life-shaping Marianist Charles grew up in San Antonio and fostered a stronginitiatives. In 2018, the Barretts made a $1 million gift work ethic. He recalls delivering tortillas at age 10,to the Universitys Peer Ministry, a program designed later sacking groceries and sweeping floors. He alsoto strengthen and enrich the faith of students living juggled jobs while earning his accounting degree andon campus. graduating in 1962 from St. Marys. I considered law16 Call 1.800.348.4732'