marianist.com/donate • 21 come at issues from very different angles but with a shared love of the charism, the Marianist Family and a passion for ministry. This is our common ground.” A large community of support The two leaders will share responsibilities with a new Provincial Council comprised of Brother Joseph Markel as assistant for temporalities, Brother Jesse O’Neill as assistant for education and Father Tim Kenney as assistant for religious life. In addition, Father Charles (Kip) Stander and Brother Charles Johnson will serve as Councilors. Their first order of business will be to develop a long-term strategic plan. Although that may appear daunting, they follow in the path of strong leaders from previous administrations. “We want to thank Brother Stephen Glodek who guided the Province during its merger in 2002 and Father Marty Solma who has carried out our strategic plan, called Vision 2020, for the past eight years,” says Brother Bernie. “We are grateful for the tremendous care they have exercised in overseeing the ministries of the Province.” Also, they won’t begin their work in a vacuum. “We have received feedback from the Superior General and our members, especially our younger brothers and priests, about what we need to work on,” says Father Oscar. They also concede that a strategic plan for a religious order is different from a business entity. “We need time for discernment that incorporates the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” says Brother Bernie. “Right now, we are being very cautious. If we have too many ideas in our heads, we may not hear the answers.” Leaning into the questions Both men emphasize the need to look to the future through the lens of the Marianist founder. “We are in a unique moment in the history of the Society of Mary,” says Father Oscar. “We are getting smaller. We are getting older. At this juncture, it is important not to dwell on loss, but to recall our founder, Father Chaminade, who started with just a few members and, just as he partnered with the people of his time, we intend to expand our partnership with the Marian- ist Family. It means working in a broader sense with the laity and Marianist Sisters to help recreate our world in a more Catholic, Christian and Marianist way. Chaminade used the expression ‘the new wars’ and he was referring to the new challenges of his day. So we must ask: ‘What are the challenges of our time? How do we move forward in this new age?’” Adds Brother Bernie, “Chaminade said that we are all founders. Founders are free to do things differently. He was daring and free to respond to situations as they arose and emphasized that ‘new times require new methods.’ So one of our biggest questions is: ‘What new methods do we need to employ?’” While both Marianists are reluctant to make assump- tions about the future, they know that many of the critical issues of the new strategic plan will be carried forward from Vision 2020. These issues cluster around four areas: formation of the newest and youngest members; caring for senior brothers and priests; strengthening ties with the Marianist Family and supporting Marianist-sponsored schools and ministries; and caring for the poor, particularly in developing areas such as Africa, India and Mexico. Tackling these issues and the leadership that will be required is an act of faith. “Like Mary, I don’t think anyone who accepts a call like this knows what he’s getting into,” says Father Oscar. “But with the support of the brothers and the Marianist Family — and the prayers of many people — we will be successful.” He adds, “We are deeply grateful for the support of our many generous benefactors. They are critical to helping us continue the mission. Most important, we ask for their prayers as we begin our new mandate.” ■ Brother Bernard Ploeger, SM