From Newspapers to New Opportunities – The Power of Volunteering

A dedication to recycling led to a passion Bro. Joseph Markel didn’t even know he possessed – one that is also improving his quality of life.

“I would regularly visit the Animal Protective Association (APA) of Missouri to drop off old newspapers to be used in the puppy room. Then, I would walk through the shelter looking at the dogs and cats. One day, the woman supervising the cat room suggested that I become a volunteer. I asked them what was the greatest need – it was dog walkers. I never had a dog or walked a dog, but I thought I would give it a try,” relayed Bro. Joe.

For almost three years now, he has volunteered twice a week for several hours walking dogs. Come rain, shine, sleet, or snow – the (dog) show must go on explained Bro. Joe. “Dog walking goes on every day of the year, even on holidays when the shelter is closed, whether it’s 3 degrees or 101 degrees. Time is spent on training and socialization, but oftentimes, the dog just wants to sit on a bench and cuddle.”

While the cuddles and puppy love are certainly a bonus, Bro. Joe says he’s also met a lot of interesting people, gets good exercise, and it affords him the opportunity to do something entirely different from his day-to-day responsibilities as the Assistant for Temporalities for the Marianist Province of the U.S.

Volunteering provides many benefits. According to a growing body of research and health articles, including one from Polara Health, engagement and community involvement have profoundly positive effects on physical and mental health. It’s been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain and heart disease. Volunteers often experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. It boosts self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Social interactions can boost mood, provide emotional support, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. A recent study even linked volunteering with slower biological aging.

It’s especially beneficial for seniors. A study by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for the nation’s volunteer and service efforts, found that 84 percent of older adults reported improved or stable health after just two years of service in the Senior Corps.

Bro. Joe is no stranger to service work, having volunteered as a tour guide at Woodland Cemetery for years when he was in Dayton and being a parish organist throughout his religious life, most recently at the Polish church in St. Louis for nine years. But his time at the APA, a non-profit founded in 1922, is near and dear to his heart. He’s received special training to handle difficult dogs and has learned a lot about the current crisis of the animal shelter industry, which is all the more reason to celebrate the adoption of 6,000 pets from the APA last year.

There is no better time than National Volunteer Month to encourage everyone to get involved in their communities, even if it’s just giving a few hours a week or month at an animal shelter or countless other non-profit organizations across the country. “I hear about how some people can spend hours scrolling through social media, playing video games, or watching television. Volunteering can be just as, if not more, relaxing but a lot more rewarding. It’s a blessing for me to be able to give these neglected and, oftentimes, abused dogs just a 10-minute walk of fresh air and affection,” said Bro. Joe.

If dogs could talk, no doubt they’d say, Bro. Joe was the blessing!

Click here for more benefits of community service. Click here to find volunteer opportunities in your area.

Mount Saint John’s Solar Project – The Power of Ewe

In response to Pope Francis’ call to integral ecology in the encyclical Laudato Si, the Marianist property of Mount Saint John, where Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning is located in Dayton, OH, installed a solar array in 2023. Today, its energy usage is net zero! A local TV station did a story on how they’re using the power of ewe to maintain the area. Click here for the story.

Transitions of Leadership

There is a passing of the torch underway at two Marianist institutions: the Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School (CJ) in Dayton, OH.

AMU announced the appointment of a new Executive Director, Dr. Allison Leigh. Since 2016, she has served as the Director of Marianist Strategies at the University of Dayton’s Office for Mission and Rector. Leigh also served for nine years in Campus Ministry at UD and received her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry and PhD in Educational Leadership. She is replacing Bro. Tom Giardino, who served nine years in the role and was instrumental in the development of new programs and initiatives. Bro. Tom is taking a new position with the North American Center for Marianist Studies.

President Daniel J. Meixner ’84 announced he will leave Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Meixner —the third CJ president— spent more than 20 years at the helm of the Dayton Catholic high school. “As the proud son and grandson of CJ alumni, father of two graduates, and uncle to four more, I feel blessed to have been part of a community that I love for so many years of my personal and professional life. This is a decision that my wife, Laura, and I made last fall.”

The CJ Board of Trustees has formed a president search committee that will include representatives of the school’s owners—the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Marianists. Trustees and representatives of the school community have already begun planning an extensive search process.

Diaconate Formation Cohort

A group of 36 students at Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) is embarking on a journey that is as much spiritual as it is scholarly. The students are part of CUH’s newest diaconate formation cohort.

Together, they’ll pursue a Permanent Diaconate Education Certificate—designed to provide the academic preparation required to serve as a deacon or deacon’s wife in the Catholic church. In addition, 15 members of the cohort are simultaneously pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies, while 12 are seeking a Master’s in Pastoral Theology.

A special orientation event held recently on campus offered the members an opportunity to learn from one another and about the program, including the academic pathway they’ll take as they build a strong foundation in scripture studies and theology.

Chaminade’s 264th Birthday

April 8 marks Chaminade’s birthday, and our schools and ministries celebrated in various ways.

The Office of Mission at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, hosted a birthday fiesta. More than 200 guests shared food and conversation, toasting Fr. Chaminade. “Since 2008, St. Mary’s University has celebrated Blessed Chaminade’s Birthday. It’s a gathering of students, faculty, staff, and administration to recognize and honor the man whose vision we follow.  It’s just a fun event to celebrate our Founder and keep us connected to the Marianist story,” said  Fr. John Thompson, Vice President Office of Mission and Rector.

The Casa Maria Community, also in San Antonio, invited students to a social hour to celebrate with cake and camaraderie.

At Chaminade University of Honolulu, the Office of the Rector invited everyone to the Sullivan Family Library Pavillion to enjoy cookies. Click here to watch a Facebook video created for the university’s namesake, who continues to be an inspiration.

The Marian Library in Dayton, OH, also highlighted Father Chaminade’s birthday on social media and noted another Society of Mary April birthday. On April 18, Bro. William Fackovec would have turned 100! Click here to read about Bro. Bill and his legacy in the Marian Library.

Celebrating 150 Years

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the Wanamaker Cottage, today referred to as the “Main House” at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ.

The “cottage” originally stood on Beach Avenue, which was lost to the sea. It was then moved to its present location on the corner of Cape and Yale Avenues. In 1916, John Wanamaker donated it to the Presbyterian Orphanage of Philadelphia, a.k.a. Sunny Corner. It remained an orphanage until 1959. In 1962, the Marianists acquired the property for a summer retreat center.

John Wanamaker, a prominent Philadelphia merchant and founder of Wanamaker Department Stores, and Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianists, were both visionaries. Their contributions to society intersected in the development of religious and cultural life, particularly in Cape May Point and its broader historical impact.

Wanamaker sought to create a place where religious and recreational life could flourish. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Sea Grove community at Cape May Point in the late 19th century. His efforts helped transform the area into a center for religious gatherings and retreats. He was deeply involved in creating spaces where people could connect with nature, religion, and leisure in a way that was unique for its time. That is why “the circle” in Cape May Point was created – an open space for people of all faiths to gather.

Chaminade’s visionary work revolved around establishing schools and religious communities dedicated to educating young people. He founded the Marianists to carry out this mission, believing that education and religious formation were essential to building strong, faithful communities.

Here’s to another 150 years of welcoming the faithful and families! Click here to view more pictures.

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

Join a Pilgrimage or Create One of Your Own

Marianist Mission Travels to Portugal

Fr. Tim Kenney guided a group of 23 Marianist Mission supporters from 10 states on a pilgrimage through Portugal, specifically to the sacred site of Fatima. As hopeful pilgrims, they experienced breathtaking landscapes and historical landmarks while also immersing themselves in local culture with the food, music, and warm hospitality of the Portuguese people.

They celebrated the Eucharist at significant sites, including the Lisbon Cathedral, the Church of Saint Roch, and the Chapel of the Holy Family in Fatima, in addition to daily Mass aboard the ship as they sailed the Douro River—a gentle reminder of God’s presence in the world around us. Click here to see the adventure through a series of photos set to an original song crafted by Kathy Cooper, a member of the journey.

Stay tuned – the Marianist Mission is already starting to plan the 2026 pilgrimage!

Mark Your Calendars

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