Almsgiving: A Pillar of Lent Across Marianist Schools

For many, Lent is a time for almsgiving. While many of our Marianist-sponsored schools participate in acts of giving back all year round, this time of year lends itself to focusing on unique ways to show compassion. “I’m excited to see our high schools and universities continuing the time-honored Catholic tradition of almsgiving. These efforts throughout the year,  especially during Lent, help teach students that this is a call of our God and our Church. We’re teaching them a way of life and reiterating that through acts of charity, everyone can help make a positive impact in the world,” said Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez.

At Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, students and staff recently kicked off a fundraiser called Change Race. It’s an opportunity for everyone to see how, as a community, even collecting “small change” can make a big difference. All the money raised at the end of the campaign is donated to Operation Give Back (OGB). OGB’s mission is to strive for educational equity and provide community outreach to students and families in need, inspiring all to realize their full potential and give back to society.

Theology students at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO, have been studying Mother Teresa’s life and her mission to serve the homeless. Inspired by her example and the call to love with the heart of Christ, these young men collected items to create care packages for those in need in St. Louis.

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, OH, and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, both held blood drives this month. In a combined effort, they collected 111 units of blood, saving an estimated 333 lives. The donations were overseen by One Blood and Versiti Blood Center.

The EcoSchool Environmental Committee, the Recycling Club, and the Senior class at Colegio San José in Puerto Rico participated in a clean-up of Ocean Park organized by the non-profit 7Quillas. In addition to collaborating with shoreline beautification, students received orientation on protecting reefs, troughs, and other coastal ecosystems. These exploration and conservation experiences strengthen their commitment to creating and building a more sustainable future.

Meanwhile, students at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA, spent time sorting through clothes and personal care items in a warehouse for the non-profit Dress for Success. It’s a global organization that serves as an employment resource for unemployed and underemployed women. The students learned how the organization served 4,000 clients in the community last year by providing clothing, confidence, and connections.

These are just a few examples of how the Marianist Charism teaches that we are all interconnected and that our actions can have a profound impact on others. “the Marianist General Chapter, Summer 2024, calls the Marianists to continue to live the call to accompany the young. They help all of us to see that our world is in good hands. They are committed to serving the people of God, and I pray their zest for doing so will be contagious for all,” concluded Fr. Oscar. Everyone is encouraged to find a way, however small or grand, to help our neighbor this Lenten Season.

Transformational $5 Million Endowment

St. Mary’s University received a $5 million gift to its School of Law from the Oatman Hill Foundation, which was created by the estate of law alumnus Bennie Walter Bock II. The transformational gift will allow the School of Law’s education in the intersection of business and law to flourish to an unprecedented level for future generations of students through the creation of the Bennie W. Bock II Center for Business and Transaction Law at St. Mary’s.

Bock, a seventh-generation Texan, was a public servant, businessman, attorney, and rancher. He earned his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. at St. Mary’s Law.

“St. Mary’s is the perfect vehicle, and the new center is the perfect avenue for advancing education in business and the law,” said Hon. William D. Old III, J.D., of the 25th Judicial District of Texas, who serves as director of the Oatman Hill Foundation. “Bennie found a home at St. Mary’s School of Law. He was proud to be a St. Mary’s graduate.”

Suzanne Bock Badger, Bock’s daughter, said the gift is a legacy that supports her father’s interest in innovations in the law. “Dad was a visionary who believed in using the resources that God gives you not only to better yourself but to help others,” she said. “Dad was very passionate about helping people in the community who needed it.”

National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award

Please join us in congratulating Bro. Andrew Kosmowski who was recently selected as a National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) recipient! He will be formally recognized at the Miami Valley Council Eagle Grand Slam event (OH) – at the minor league Dayton Dragons’ Scout Night baseball game this summer.

The award is presented solely to Eagle Scouts who demonstrate remarkable achievements beyond their scouting endeavors by excelling in their careers/vocations at local, regional, or national levels. NOESA recipients inspire others through positive actions, demonstrating excellence in their chosen professions, hobbies, community service, and adherence to religious beliefs.

Retaining Hope

In a time of great division in our country and the world, the Church has initiated this Year of Jubilee as Pilgrims of Hope. The purpose is to re-invigorate our faith and especially the hope contained in our belief.

I am led to reflect on the situation that our Blessed Founders lived through during the French Revolution. Blessed Chaminade and Blessed Marie of the Conception experienced chaos and uncertainty in the face of misguided leaders who believed they were making decisions for the good of the French citizens. Their communities were devastated, and the Church became an underground institution. It seemed that hope for them was dashed. But from the accounts and stories that we read about their lives, this was not the case. The phrase that keeps popping up in my reflection is the Providence of God. Chaminade and Marie firmly believed that God was the key to maintaining hope in spite of the troubles that they endured. Their trust in God led them to persevere in their lives and works. It was this hope in the Providence of God that led them to develop a network of communities of faith to share this hope among themselves and with others beyond this network.

I invite you to read an article that appeared in the Society of Mary’s General Administration newsletter, Via Latina, January 2025, pages 4 – 8. This article is about Blessed Chaminade’s hope. The title is Blessed Chaminade – Hope in God: Believe-Trust-Act.

This article and one that I will share next month concerning Blessed Marie of Conception’s hope are written in light of Pope Francis’ promulgation that 2025 is a Jubilee Year calling us to be Pilgrims of Hope. 2025 is the 2,025th anniversary of the incarnation of the Lord, “an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.”

Did You Know?

Did you know that St. Mary’s University was originally named St. Louis College? Marianists in St. Antonio, TX, operated Saint Mary’s Institute downtown but soon needed to expand. A second location on the outskirts of town was built in 1894 called Saint Louis College.

For a long time, Saint Louis Hall was the only building on that campus. It housed classrooms, administrative offices, student lodging, a dining hall, a chapel, and lodging for the Marianists.

Slowly, Saint Louis College expanded, adding new buildings to campus and eventually changing the name to St. Mary’s University in 1927. Saint Louis Hall retained its name, though, and today houses administrative offices vital to the university’s operations along with some classes.

Pictured here is a penny postcard depicting St. Louis Hall in its beginning years. The building is made of limestone and includes small fossils from ocean creatures.

If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018

Lessons in Service – Lackner Award

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