LATEST NEWS
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DISTRICT OF EASTERN AFRICA TO BECOME A REGION  Superior General Fr. Manuel Cortés announced Jan. 12 that the District of Eastern Africa, which is currently dependent on the Province of the U.S., will become its own Region, directly dependent upon the General Administration. The transformation will take place May 23, 2010. “The transformation of the District of Eastern Africa into a Region is great news for the entire Society of Mary,” said Fr. Cortés. “It is a sign of its development and its ability to be implanted into new cultures.” Provincial Stephen Glodek said the decision was unanimously supported by the Provincial Council and Provincial Chapter. “The hearts of the Province community are filled with gratitude in remembering the ancestors of our Province, who since 1957 have given their energy, their hearts, and in some cases their lives to establish the Society in Eastern Africa,” said Bro. Stephen. Read about the history of the District of Eastern Africa written by Bro. Fred Silbereis. Marianists in the District of Eastern Africa at a vow ceremony in 2009.
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FR. ROSSIER INSTALLED AS LEADER OF MARIAN LIBRARY/IMRI
On Jan. 25, Fr. François Rossier was installed as the new executive director of the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute in a formal ceremony and prayer service at Immaculate Conception chapel on the University of Dayton campus. Assistant Provincial Fr. Jim Fitz, Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr and several Church and university officials were in attendance. Fr. Rossier, born in 1957 in Fribourg, Switzerland, took first vows in 1984 and was ordained in 1991; he came to Dayton in 2003. His focus is on teaching and researching Biblical texts that speak of Mary. With a master's degree in literature, he also examines how Mary is portrayed in popular culture and contemporary literature. Part of his vision is to work more closely with the university's Department of Religious Studies on classes and degrees, such as a minor in Marian studies. He's teaching an undergraduate course this semester on the theology of Mary. Fr. Rossier succeeds Fr. Johann Roten, another Swiss Marianist, who headed the institute for more than 20 years. Read more from the UD Web site and the Dayton Daily News.
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VOCATION SUMMIT DRAWS NEARLY 100 MARIANISTS
Marianists in Ohio gathered Jan. 15-16 at Bergamo Center in Dayton for a vocation summit facilitated by Bro. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference. The summit was organized by Bro. Charles Johnson, national vocation director, and Bro. Sean Downing and was the third summit held by the Office of Vocations. More than 90 brothers, sisters and Lay Marianists attended. In addition to Bro. Paul, presenters included Fr. Tom Stanley and Novice José Julian Matos, who shared their vocation stories. Several of the younger brothers prepared the liturgies for the event. The summit concluded with Mass and a homily given by Provincial-designate Fr. Martin Solma.
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ASSISTANTS, ADVISORS NAMED TO PROVINCE LEADERSHIP TEAM  Provincial-designate Fr. Martin Solma has named three assistants and three councilors to the Province leadership team who will serve from 2010 to 2015. The announcement follows a consultation with Province members last fall. In addition to Fr. Martin and Bro. Joe Kamis, assistant provincial-designate, the new leadership team of the Province will include Fr. Bill Meyer, assistant for religious life; Bro. Ed Brink, assistant for education; Fr. Paul Marshall, assistant for temporalities (assisted by Bro. Joe Markel as Province treasurer); and three councilors: Bro. Francisco González (who will serve as liaison to the District of Mexico), Bro. Charles Johnson and Bro. Dennis Schmitz (who will serve as liaison to the Foundation in the Philippines). These appointments have been ratified by the superior general. The Province offers its prayers and best wishes to those who have served in Provincial Council leadership and those who will be joining the leadership team.
Fr. Bill Meyer Bro. Ed Brink Fr. Paul Marshall
Bro. Francisco González Bro. Charles Johnson Bro. Dennis Schmitz Read background information about the new leadership team. |
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HELP HAITI  Please pray for the people of Haiti as they deal with the devastating earthquake that hit the island Jan. 12. Read a special edition of Via Latina 22 which gives some early information about the Marianist Family in Haiti. Make a donation. (Under program designation, select Haiti earthquake relief) |
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CALLING ALL MARIANISTS!  The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative is in the planning stages for its next gathering April 9-11, 2010. This opportunity is for those interested in deepening their commitment to Marianist life through the formation of a Marianist Lay community and for existing community members to re-energize their communities. In addition, learn about the mentorship program for new communities. Find out more. |
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> MORE NEWS |
At the installation ceremony, Fr. François Rossier, Fr. Jim Fitz, Kathleen Webb, dean of University Libraries, and Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. Courtesy of the University of Dayton 
At the vocation summit, Provincial-designate Fr. Martin Solma, Bro. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC, and Bro. Charles Johnson 
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