b'CHANGING THE GUARDOF Bro. Ed Violett and Fr. Bob Jones answer call to lead provinceBy Tina SteckF rom Honolulu to Kathmandu, Nepal, and Boston to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marianist Brother Edward (Ed) Violett and Marianist FatherRobert (Bob) Jones bring a wealth of global and domestic experience totheir new roles as provincial and assistant provincial of the Marianist Provinceof the United States.They will assume their new roles on July 1, replacing provincial MarianistFather Oscar Vasquez and assistant provincial Marianist Brother Bernie Ploeger,whose terms expire June 30.Although from different generations and backgrounds, Bro. Eds and Fr. Bobsjourneys to provincial leadership have crossed paths, though not always at thesame time. While Bro. Ed was earning his masters degree at University of Notre Damein South Bend, Indiana, Fr. Bob was just a child growing up in Indiana. WhileBro. Ed was serving as a member of the General Council in Rome, Fr. Bob wasstudying at the Marianist International Seminary there. Bro. Ed served at theMarianist Retreat & Conference Center outside St. Louis 30 years before Fr. Bobspent his pastoral year at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish less than 20 miles away. In addition, both attended Marianist universities for their undergraduatestudies; both have teaching, ministry, and administrative experience on highschool and college campuses; and both are solidly prepared to chart the directionof the Society of Mary in the United States. I look forward to accompanying our brothers with a renewed attentivenessto the Spirits movement, Bro. Ed said. What excites me the most is the chanceto help shape a vision that is both faithful to our Marianist Charism and responsiveto the realities of today and the needs of the Church. (This) role invites creativity,collaboration, and strategic thinkingespecially in engaging young adults,cultivating vocations, and deepening our spiritual life.8Call 1.800.348.4732'