b"A Messagefrom the ProvincialDear Friends of the Marianists, Holy Rosary Parish as a hub for young adults andyouth in the community. A partnership among St. Mary's,Greetings and peace from St. Louis. I started thisHoly Rosary and Catholic Charities has developed aletter in the quiet of our beautiful Our Lady of Pillar service project in which neighborhood children haveChurch. I'm feeling the stillness of the empty church.a safe place to spend their summer days while allevi-I joined the Society of Mary in the middle of my ating the stress of costly child-care options for parents.third year of university studies. Since that time, my Theres no cost for families, and the San Antoniolife has been an adventure as a teacher, ad- Food Bank provides lunch and snacks. The Holyministrator and associate pastor. The Marian- Rosary camp accommodates 45 children between ist Charism has helped me understand that the ages of 6 and 17. Under the tutelage of studentthe vision of our founder, Blessed William interns from St. Marys, children engage in fun Joseph Chaminade, is alive and well today. educational activities in areas such as math, science,Blessed Chaminade was a strong believer reading, music and physical education.in sodalities, gathering young adults and Meanwhile, the student interns live together inpeople from all walks of life to look at the community while working to implement the servicesigns of the times and help change the project, giving them a shared mission through whichworld. The brothers and priests of the Society to enter into deeper faith formation and a more pro-of Mary continue that tradition. found sense of living in a small Christian communityToday, Id like to share with you how two guided by the Marianist Charism. This wonderfulof our educational institutions (a high school partnership helps to stimulate and educate childrenand a university) are living and modeling during the summer break, and it helps universitythis behaviorColegio San Jos in San students learn what a life of service and education isJuan, Puerto Rico and St. Marys Univer- all about. sity in San Antonio.The Marianists sponsor three universities and 17 highOn Marianist Mondays at Colegio San Jos, schools across the United States. I could have used anyFather Oscar Vasquez, SM Marianist Life groups meet and share the faith after of these institutions as examples of how we continueschool. Students from these groups may apply for the the Marianist Mission of formation in faith and edu-summer program of faith education and service tocation. One of our goals is to assist students, familiesassist poor families in the mountains of Puerto Rico. and faculty in our school communities to be the peopleAbout 25 young men undergo a semester of weekly that our world needs them to be.training to prepare for the two-week summer program. Thank you for the many ways that you assist us inThen, they bring the face of Jesus into the mountains our mission of formation in faith.and teach the faith to the young. They also provideservice to build, repair or fulfill whatever the need maybe. Through this experience, they see what needs to bechanged, then work at that systemic change for families. In San Antonio, St. Marys University and the Rev. Oscar Vasquez, SMMarianist Province have been working to animate Provincial2 Call 1.800.348.4732"