b'TEACHING, BUT AT A DIFFERENT LEVELFormer college professors apply experience to formation in NovitiateBy Dave LueckingI Bro. Bautista and Fr. Edenthe new director andn one respect, the new ministry for Marianist BrotherDennis Bautista and Marianist Father Tim Eden seemssimilar to their previous ministries: They teach.assistant director, respectively, of the Society of MarysNovitiateimpart knowledge and wisdom to guideyoung adults on their life journeys, just as theyve always done.But the former university professors are doing muchmore than just preparing college students for careersor grading midterm and final exams. Rather, theyrehelping the congregations novices build a rock-solidfoundation for a potential lifetime commitment asMarianist brothers. The Novitiate is a crucial step in the formation ofmen toward perpetual profession to the Marianists.It follows a year of aspirancy (also called pre-novitiate)and leads to the first profession of vowsor temporaryvowsafter two years. Temporary vows are repeatedannually for at least three yearsand up to six at themostbefore perpetual vows. Ive been teaching for a long time, but teachingthese subjects is new, said Fr. Eden, who taught formost of the past 20 years at Marianist-sponsoreduniversitiesChaminade University in Honoluluand St. Marys University in San Antonio. This isthe first time that either of us has been in formationwork at this level.Bro. Bautista brings some formation experience to Understanding these concepts and applying them Novice Juan de la Cruz (left)the table, having served as aspirancy coordinator in to their unique situations in formation enables novices and Marianist Father Tim EdenSan Antonio, though his primary ministry during to make an informed, healthy decision that becoming discuss a Gospel reading in theNovitiate chapel in Dayton, Ohio.that time was as a professor at St. Marys. Similar to a vowed Marianist is something you want to do withPHOTOS BY JULIE WALLING NOETHFr. Eden, he described teaching at the Novitiate level your life, Bro. Bautista said. Opposite page: Marianist as very different from the college level. Bro. Bautista, 48, made his perpetual professionFather Tim Eden (left) andMarianist Brother DennisStill, teaching experience comes in handy. Asin 2009, three years after his temporary profession. Bautista sit by the fireplace atBro. Bautista said, it translates well in guiding our Fr. Eden, 76, made his first profession in 1964 and the Novitiate Community innovices, helping them understand the concepts of final profession in 1970. Ordination to the priesthood Dayton, Ohio.Marianist life and Marianist Charism. came in 1977.marianist.com/donate 17'