Blogs

shutterstock_Christmas Included Download

Joy to the World!

“Joy to the World” is more than just one of the most famous Christmas carols of all time; it is a song about the second coming of Christ. The verses remind us that Jesus will return to Earth as King, celebrating the joy of God’s faithfulness to His people. The song’s lyrics were written by English poet and clergyman Isaac Watts in 1719 and were inspired by Psalm 98:4-9.

Joy to the World is also the title of the Marian Library‘s new exhibit, which brings together two treasured holiday traditions: Christmas crèches and carols.

This free, family-friendly event on the University of Dayton campus is open to the public until Jan. 17, 2025. Visitors are invited to explore a collection of Nativity sets, artwork, rare books, and archival materials that celebrate the songs of the season.

“Music helps us celebrate and tell the story of the Nativity,” said Marian Library Director Kayla Harris. “We invite the community to enjoy the variety of Nativities pulled from our 3,600-set collection and keep the tradition of the crèche alive for new generations.”

The exhibit highlights song lyrics paired with corresponding Nativities—from familiar classics like “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” and a Nativity with Santa to lesser-known pieces like “The Cherry Tree Carol.” This medieval carol tells of Mary asking Joseph for a cherry on their journey to Bethlehem. When he refuses, the tree miraculously bends down, allowing Mary to pick cherries herself. You can also learn about Los Posadas, a religious procession celebrated in Mexico and parts of the United States.

To see all areas of the exhibit, you are encouraged to visit the Marian Library between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday through Jan. 17, 2025. Click here for more information to help plan your visit. An audio guide will be available to allow you to listen while you look. Bringing young children? In addition to an ornament craft and seek-and-find activity, you can find books, coloring sheets, a magnet board Nativity scene, and more in the reading room on the seventh floor.

Can’t make it to the exhibit in person? No problem. Click here to travel the world by browsing the crèche collection online.

In The News

UD Grad Named Cardinal

Pope Francis named Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto, a two-time graduate of the University of Dayton, among 21 people from around the world as a cardinal. The installment ceremony, known as the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, was held on Dec. 7 in Vatican City, Italy. Click here to watch a recording of the ceremony.

Leo graduated from the joint International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) program between UD and the Marianium in Rome. He earned his Sacred Theological Licentiate in 2002 and his Sacred Theological Doctorate in 2004. His dissertation, The Virgin Mother in the Sermons of Fra Girolamo Savonarola, was directed by Fr. Thomas Thompson, S.M. and may be downloaded through the UD eCommons website.

Beyond his service as an ordained minister of the Church, Cardinal-elect Leo has maintained an active scholarly life. Gloria Dodd, research professor in IMRI and the UD Department of Religious Studies, recalled Cardinal-elect Leo as a “wonderful colleague” during his tenure teaching at the International Marian Research Institute, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024. Click here to read more, including a prayer for all the cardinals.

Congratulations to Moeller High School Educator

Congratulations to Dr. Justin Chmiel on his acceptance as a member of the International Boys School Coalition Action Research Team for 2025-2026, researching Foundations for Learning: Facilitating Boys’ Executive Foundation and Self-Regulation in the Classroom.

As part of the action research cohort, Dr. Chmiel will attend the annual conference in Boston, MA, this year and the annual conference in Sandton, South Africa, in 2026. This continues to be a phenomenal professional learning opportunity available for all Moeller educators. Moeller English teacher Mr. Eric Eble has participated in this for the past two years. Click here to read more about the organization.

Christmas on Campus

St. Mary’s University’s annual Christmas celebration transformed the Texas campus into a wintery wonderland as carolers sang around the Nativity and the Christmas tree was lighted. The Alumni Association collected unwrapped new toys from guests to support the St. Mary’s University Miracle on 36th Street toy drive.

The University of Dayton (UD) celebrated its 61st Christmas on Campus with more than 1,000 Dayton Public School students. Undergraduates were paired with students for a free night of fun, which included pictures with Santa, a live Nativity, crafts, model trains, treats and more.

“Christmas on Campus is a time for us to spread joy and connect with our community,” said co-chair Claire Ogburn. “UD’s Catholic and Marianist heritage places an emphasis on community, and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to continue this tradition.”

It has become one of the nation’s largest single-day, on-campus community service events. It has a student organization devoted to preparing and running this event, which is considered an integral part of the campus spirit.

StMU Christmas tree — St. Mary's University – Tree Lighting

Christmas Tree Lighting 2 — St. Mary's University – Mascot with Students

UD Christmas 2- 2024 — University of Dayton – Live Nativity

UD Christmas 2024 — University of Dayton – Guest Meets Santa

Marianist Ministries in Action

Advent Retreat

Bro. Esteban Reyes, Bro. Stan Zubek, and Fr. Dave McGuigan, members of the Cape May Point Community, facilitated an Advent Retreat at Divine Mercy Parish in Vineland, NJ. Fr. Dave put his recent Spanish studies in Puebla, Mexico, over the past few months into immediate action – the retreat was 99% conducted in Spanish.

Bro. Esteban says the brothers consider it a blessing and a call from God to serve the Hispanic community. This commitment extends to their relationship with the Marianist Lay Community in Bridgeton, NJ. The retreat helped parishioners to prepare their hearts for the Advent journey.

Click here to listen to a song composed by Bro. Esteban that he played at the retreat.

A Marianist Moment

Mary’s Trust

Fr. Renny Markose is one of three Marianist Specialists-in-Training at the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) this year. He created the following reflection for the NACMS newsletter.

By Fr. Renny Markose, SM (Region of India)

Growing up in a hot and humid part of the world, where power outages were very common, I spent many hours as a child outdoors on starry nights to escape from the heat indoors. With it came my hobby of counting the number of stars. Needless to say, I never succeeded beyond a few hundred stars. Later in my school years, I learned that there are not just stars but also constellations of stars, and then there are galaxies, and there are billions and trillions of such galaxies.

Once, my science teacher made a staggering claim that if we could count all the galaxies in the universe, they would be more than the sands of the earth in number! And then came the stunning revelation from my catechism teacher just before Christmas that a tiny child named Jesus, lying in a manger, is the Creator of this unimaginably gigantic and massive universe! What shocked me the most was her statement: “He came down to save the little, minute, micro creatures called the human beings!” Who would believe this? No one but a little girl named Mary of Nazareth!

Though Mary never comprehended the size of the universe, she certainly understood the magnitude of God’s love for humankind! That’s why, though uncertain of her future, she said her famous “yes” to the Creator. In complete trust, she then surrendered herself completely to be guided by God’s Spirit and God’s ways. Perhaps her “science of faith” is what we need as we walk this Advent—the knowledge that no one else but God, the Creator of the Universe, is the best guide for one’s life. The best thing I can do is to allow God to take control of my life. Let the loving will of God be done!

Click here if you’d like to sign up to receive the NACMS monthly online newsletter.

From the Archives

Last Moments of Fr. Chaminade

This month’s archival treasure takes you into the archives vault located in Treadaway Hall on the campus of St. Mary’s University. Bro. Henri Vabre, SM (1895-1984) created the oil on canvas painting seen below, which is titled and depicts “The Last Moments of Fr. Chaminade” as imagined by Bro. Henri. This is one of two renditions of the same painting showing the scene of Blessed Chaminade in his final hours.

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

Pray With Us

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

Bro. DuWayne Brisendine, 89, died on Dec. 18, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, with 71 years of religious profession.

His obituary is forthcoming and will be posted here as soon as possible.

Click here to see pictures of Bro. DuWayne through the years.

Good to Know

Adopt-a-Family Harvest Food Drive

Students at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, participated in the 16th Annual Adopt-a-Family Harvest Drive. The school’s Interact Club sponsors this long-standing tradition, which involves working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Little Flower Parish to feed families in the greater Hollywood area. This year, they collected enough food products and personal items to feed and help more than 100 families in the community.

“This event manifests our school’s Marianist Charism, especially in its social justice dimension. As Marianist educators, we are called to educate for service, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. The Adopt-a-Family Harvest Drive inspires students to apply what they learn about God, work toward a better world, and put it into practice through concrete actions,” said the school’s Director of Mission Integration Bro. Jack Ventura.

Students Respond to Call of the Poor

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis, MO, answered the call to help a local food pantry whose stocks were critically low going into the holiday season. With no time to spare, a school-wide food drive was launched. Despite a fair portion of the students being underserved themselves, they responded immediately, delivering a carload of food to the pantry well before their Christmas break began.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Association of Marianist Universities – Executive Director (OH, TX, or HI)

• Purcell Marian High School (OH) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

Region Update #87 from the Marianist Region of India

FatherSide Chats is a web video series featuring Fr. Gene Contadino. Discover new episodes every Tuesday about a variety of topics. Click the graphic to view episodes. Click here to read more.

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Mission: Possible – Youth Now

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “It takes a village.”

The following mission is no different – it requires the whole Marianist Family.

XXXVI Gen Chapter 2024-official — General Chapter of the Society of Mary

General Chapter - Bob Jones Oscar Vasquerz Crop — Fr. Bob Jones at General Chapter meeting

This past summer, the General Chapter of the Society of Mary met in Rome, as it does every six years, to discuss issues and plan for the future.

For 21 days, 34 brothers from 18 countries, speaking different languages, focused on Marianist Ministry with and for young people. The endeavor of evangelizing to young people is a priority for the Society of Mary, and it involves you, as detailed in a letter to the entire Marianist Family.

“We all have a responsibility for the evangelization of the young, and we take it seriously. So, we are truly thankful for all who further the faith development of the young and provide accompaniment on their spiritual journey,” said U.S. Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez.

In fact, it is fundamental to the Marianist Charism. “One thing I hear from young people is that they are looking for guides to help them on their spiritual path and to help them navigate life’s opportunities and challenges,” explained University of Dayton Chaplain Fr. Bob Jones.

How does the Society of Mary intend to embark on this mission? It proposes a four-fold path of Encounter, Mercy, Accompaniment, and “Todos” or unity that is laid out in a Letter to the Young, which in part states, “We want to create a culture of encounter where we discover together who we are and where we are going.”

Rather than alluding to young people as the future, it reiterates that youth are the “now” of the Church. “They are the Church of today. The young are called to step up to the plate and get involved. I encourage them to attend Church, read at Mass, volunteer, be a part of the youth or young adult group or help teach CCD (PSR – Parish School of Religion). This initial involvement allows them to meet people and be a part of the parish, Church, or school family,” said Fr. Oscar.

“Young people are full of energy and creativity, seeing the world with a fresh new perspective. They have much to offer to our Marianist Mission, and there is much to learn from them as well as all of us learning from each other and growing in faith with each other,” said Fr. Bob.

Marianists are keen on education of all kinds, offering accompaniment in their high schools and universities, listening and being present. Click here or on the video image below to hear from today’s youth and learn about the plan to address their desires.

Everyone is asked to do their part— “Invite the young to get involved in your Church, create a warm, welcoming, and accepting environment, assist them in their faith-filled journeys, but also be willing to step aside,” requested Fr. Oscar.

In The News

Enhancing Worship for Children With Disabilities

The University of Dayton received a nearly $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to create and enhance worship opportunities for children with disabilities.

The funding comes from Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, which helps Christian congregations engage children in meaningful intergenerational worship and prayer practices.

“We want to make worship come alive for children with disabilities, whose needs and gifts are often overlooked,” said Jana Bennett, chair of UD’s religious studies department and initiative leader.

The work will address accessibility concerns such as cost and space that often prevent churches from including these children in worship in meaningful ways. UD faculty from disability and ministry is working with 12 congregations in the Dayton region to address this during the next five years to test and develop new worship practices using Montessori-based materials. The team aims to produce 24 practical worship aids that enhance participation for children with disabilities. Additionally, they will develop a resource book with theologies of children and disability and adaptable prayer practices.

Click here to read more.

Lay Marianist Community Makes National News

The Lay Marianist Community, called Spiritus, was created when the Queen of Apostles parish in Dayton, OH, closed last December. The first Spiritus gathering occurred on Epiphany, and its debut was successful. While about 80 people of the 120 original congregation continue, members realize they need younger members in order to remain sustainable.

The National Catholic Reporter delves into the work it requires and highlights how it may be a model for other parish communities facing similar situations. Click here to read the full story.

Saluting Our Veterans

Veterans were honored across the campuses of many Marianist schools. At the University of Dayton Research Institute, a breakfast was held to honor the many veterans among the ranks there. A drive, in collaboration with the local Blue Star Mothers, was also held to collect and provide items for troops currently serving overseas. At St. Mary’s University, veterans and their families were welcomed to the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower for a prayer service and show of gratitude.

UD Veterns Day — University of Dayton Research Institute hosts Veterans breakfast

UD Veterns Day 2 — VFW 8312 Honor Guard attended UD Breakfast

StMU Veterans 2024 — St. Mary's University Veterans Celebration

Marianist Ministries in Action

Promise of Life

The General Chapter of the Society of Mary recently released a document titled The Promise of Life. It is, in part, a handbook to help bring new life to and for young people through meaningful encounters. One section reads:

“Together with the Marianist Family, go with young people to meet the poor and those who remain on the outside. Let young people take their own initiatives, at the risk of upsetting us, on their own themes (ecology, the common home, justice and peace, etc.)”

The Marianist Family Encounters Project, now in its third year, took this tactic to heart, inviting the public to an immersive conference in October. More than 70 participants attended the gathering at Bergamo Center, Mount Saint John, in Dayton, OH.

Marianist Encounters co-chairs Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI, and Bro. Jesse O’Neill, SM, were joined by various members of the Marianist Family who contributed to the conference as presenters, Marianist ministries site coordinators, and Mount Saint John tour guides.

Bro. Steve O’Neil shared a slideshow with images of inspiring Marianist Encounters stories from throughout the Marianist Family – its schools, universities, retreat centers, institutions, lay communities, and more.

The three-day event included workshops on a wide range of topics, from ecological education, nature-based spirituality, sustainable development and solar power to social justice. Sessions focused on the Marianist Charism, with its gifts and challenges in encountering the cry of the poor, the earth, and the youth today. Prayer services, tours, and time for meditation and reflection also filled the function. “The Marianist Family Encounters Project supports not only Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Action Platform but also the call from our General Chapter document for pastoral ministry with and for young people in the context of the Marianist Family. May God continue to bless this most important initiative in our life as Marianists,” said Bro. Jesse O’Neill.

Click here to experience a day-to-day schedule of activities. Click here to view more photos from the conference.

A Marianist Moment

All Saints Day With a Sing-Along

Fr. Oscar Vasquez concelebrated All Saints Day Mass at Archbishop Riordan High School with San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and School Chaplain Fr. Greg Heidenblut, O.S.A. “We learned that it was Fr. Oscar’s birthday on November 1, and so after Mass, the student body sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. Afterward, several faculty members and I took him to lunch to celebrate with a special dessert,” said Director of Campus Ministry Alex Datoc.

The North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) recently released a Community Meeting Kit, “Spectacle of Saints,” which explores Marianist candidates on the path to sainthood and examines how we are blessed with ordinary saints in our lives today. The meditative and prayerful resource is a wonderful way to engage your community with the themes of Christian sainthood. Click here for the free and downloadable kit.

We ask that you pray for our Marianist Blesseds in their cause for sainthood. God gives us the saints to encourage and guide us on the path of Christian life. It is important not to let this help be lost, especially when it concerns our Marianist Family. Beatification or canonization is, above all, the fruit of the people’s devotion and attachment to this witness whose power of intercession we use, bringing about graces and miracles. Click here to explore ways you can help promote these causes.

Archbishop Riordan Fr Oscar All Saints 1.2 — L to R: Aly Garcia, Fr. Michael Rocha, Danielle Jow, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Danny Curtin, Therese Halsey, Melanie Aguas, Deacon Iwan Soegiharto, Tim Reardon, Fr. Oscar Vasquez

Archbishop Riordan Fr Oscar All Saints 2.2 — L to R: Alex Datoc, Melanie Aguas, Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Cara Garcia, Aly Garcia, Leo Magnaye, Danielle Jow, Deacon Chris Mariano

Archbishop Riordan Fr Oscar All Saints 5 — Fr. Oscar Vasquez enjoying birthday desserts

From the Archives

Baby Boom Build

Did you know the Marianists were asked to build a high school to accommodate a baby boom?

Maryhurst, sitting on more than 100 acres in Kirkwood, MO, served as a Marianist novitiate beginning in 1921, but the landscape was transformed in 1960 when St. John Vianney High School was built on the tract.

By the late 1950s, the first wave of Baby Boom babies started crowding the local high school, so St. Louis Archbishop Joseph Ritter proposed a new private Catholic high school for boys in south St. Louis County. At the archbishop’s request, the Society of Mary agreed to sponsor the school built on the grounds of Maryhurst. Classes began in the fall of 1960 with 33 seniors, 35 juniors, 35 sophomores, 215 freshmen and a faculty comprised of 13 Marianists and two lay teachers.

Today, the Marianist novitiate is located in Dayton, OH, on the grounds of Mount Saint John. However, a Maryhurst namesake remains in MO—the Maryhurst Memorial Cemetery remains on the grounds in Kirkwood. Click here to discover some of those memorialized there.

Maryhurst Vow Class of 1936 Kirkwood, MO

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

Pray With Us

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

Fr. Timothy Dwyer, 89, died on Nov. 18, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, with 70 years of religious profession.

His obituary is forthcoming and will be posted here as soon as possible.

Click here to see pictures of Fr. Timothy through the years.

Good to Know

Advent Retreats Available

All three of the Marianist retreat centers are offering retreats for the Advent season.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning invites you to gather around its cozy fireplace lounge and enjoy time for prayer, crafts, and yummy treats. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center near St. Louis, MO, is holding its annual Advent retreat Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The theme is “The Word is Still Becoming Flesh,” and it will have a trio of presenters, Steve Givens, Lucia Signorelli, and Fr. Tom Santen. It will include time for silence, fellowship, scripture-opening teaching, experiences of various kinds of contemplative prayer, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sunday Mass, and small group sharing. Click here for more information.

Family retreats are a focus this Advent at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May, NY. Eight to ten families will come together for a week or weekend to form a Christ-centered community. Here is what you can expect: Mass and other family liturgies complemented by skits, presentations, family sharing, peer group discussions, and fun activities. Click here for more information.

Lyrical Lessons from Rapping Teacher

No PhD in rhymes and beats,
but she mixes lessons with metrical feats.
With chalk in her hand and a beat in her soul,
Making grammar lessons rock is her ultimate goal.

When Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) graduate Donna Kay Fisher, MA ’16, EdD ’24, was a kid, she couldn’t get enough of “Schoolhouse Rock” with cadences like “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?”

Fast forward to Fisher’s life in the classroom today at Kapolei Middle School and she’s got her own catchy rhymes. You can check them out on YouTube; her handle is @Englishraps4u. There, you’ll find her rapping about clauses and adjectives, fragments and run-ons, and even dangling modifiers—all with an electronic keyboard backing her up. “I hope my rap lessons are just as enduring as ‘Schoolhouse Rock,’” said Fisher, who dubs herself the “educational rapper.”

Fisher, who this past spring was part of the inaugural cohort at CUH to graduate with a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change, is a veteran English teacher in Hawai’i public schools with a passion for engaging her students.

Click here to learn how even a heart attack didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams and dropping her beats.

ALIVE Magazine – Fall Edition

The new fall edition of ALIVE magazine is now available.

Inside, you will discover why an 85-year-old former St. Mary’s University employee refers to Marianist giants, the reason the Marianist Novitiate is compared to a reality show, and how a Black Orchard cake is a cause for celebration.

Click here to read those stories and more in the digital version.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Purcell Marian High School (OH) – President

• Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

Region Update #86 from the Marianist Region of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

SocietyOfMaryUSA_Celebrating_175_Years_v2

Pilgrimage of Listening Proves Lifechanging

A UD Students 2 Dolls in Rome — On far left is Kelly Adamson; Mason Hennessy is fifth from left in white shirt

AA Synodality Rome UD Delegates 2024 — UD faculty and students gathered with other university delegates at the Synod in Rome

“Lifechanging. That is the word I heard most often from University of Dayton students who were in Rome during the Synod on Synodality,” said UD Campus Minister Kelly Adamson.

Earlier this month, 11 UD students and three faculty members were among more than 120 college youth from across the U.S. who participated in Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality in Rome. They met with Roman Catholic Church leaders, attended Pope Francis’ general audience, and participated in communal prayers and a live question-and-answer session.

“The fact that UD Campus Ministry chose students from all different majors, ethnicities, and life paths to go on this pilgrimage, I think, exemplifies the idea of synodality within the Marianists. One of the main charisms of the Marianists is that everybody has an equal place at the roundtable. What could be more synodal than that,” stated Mason Hennessy, a UD theology and communication student.

Each university invited to attend was asked to bring a symbol of the school’s spirituality. UD representatives brought a model of a Marianist round table, signifying inclusion and deep listening. Inside that table were the names of UD community members they held in prayer and those praying for them. “As we encountered members of other universities, delegates, Marianists, and others in Rome, we added their signatures to our circle of prayer. Our Marianist and synodal round table continue to expand,” explained Adamson.

They also brought other Marianist symbols to accompany them on their journey, including replica dolls of Marianist Founders Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous, and Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon taking pictures with the poppets around Vatican City.

The pilgrimage proved to highlight the path the Church is taking from just listening to young adults to acting with them, realizing they are not the Church’s future but rather the “now” of the Church. It was a vital topic of the Society of Mary’s General Chapter meetings in Rome this summer, where a Letter to the Young was composed, in part stating, “We want to create a culture of encounter where we discover together who we are and where we are going.” A video based on this letter will be released soon, stay tuned!

The UD students toured where those meetings took place, visiting the Marianist Generalate while in Rome and meeting with members of the General Council. “The Marianist Generalate was full of love and hospitality. From the moment I stepped in the doors, I felt the warmth of smiles and laughter gleaming at me. Afterward, we all agreed that the same feeling of homeyness we feel at UD was identical to the one we felt eating dinner at the Generalate,” said Hennessy.

He went on to say, “My experience was one of feeling listened to. My biggest takeaway from this pilgrimage is that our Church is one of encountering and experiencing the faith in a way that cannot be taught.”

The findings from the three-year Synod on Synodality process were finalized and voted on on Oct. 26, 2024. It was the first time in history that non-bishops, including lay women and men from more than 110 countries, had voting rights on what was recommended to the Pope, which may suggest doctrinal changes. Pope Francis will ultimately decide what will come of the recommendations and how to proceed. Click here to view more pictures.

In The News

Marianist World Day of Prayer

This year, Marianist World Day of Prayer was observed on Oct. 13, 2024, and highlighted the National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Africa, Mother of All Graces. Located in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, this shrine is a place of prayer, spirituality, and pilgrimage – welcoming 4,000 pilgrims a week. The brothers in that community place particular emphasis on welcoming pilgrims as part of the Pastoral Care program.

During the 1970s, Lay Marianist affiliates in St. Louis, MO, began a prayerful gathering on the Sunday closest to Oct. 12, the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. The Provincial at the time, Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth, invited the whole Province of St. Louis to join in prayer. When Fr. Quentin was elected General Assistant for Religious Life in Rome in 1981, he invited the worldwide Marianist Family to share in the annual gathering. Fr. Jose Maria Arnaiz, elected General Assistant for Religious Life in 1991, extended the annual day of prayer by identifying a specific Marian shrine each year. Click here to read more.

Ribbon Cutting Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovation Center

StMu Blank Bldg Ribbon Cutting - Fr. Oscar 2

StMu Blank Bldg Ribbon Cutting - Frs. Oscar - Thompson

St. Mary’s University and its School of Science, Engineering, and Technology officially opened its new $20-million Blank Sheppard Innovation Center.

The 30,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in the fall of 2022, will support Advanced Manufacturing research and instruction. It features laboratories, including Robotics and Smart Manufacturing, Data Science and Machine Learning, Engineering Design, and classrooms. The Center will also house labs and classrooms dedicated to the new Nursing Program, which St. Mary’s University launched this fall. The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology plans to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

“So many partners — our St. Mary’s University family, donors, area officials and more — created the momentum to bring the vision of the Blank Sheppard Innovation Center to reality,” said St. Mary’s University President Dr. Winston Erevelles. “This incredible new facility represents one of the tenets of a Marianist education: to educate for adaptation and change.”

St. Mary’s University was also recently ranked number one in U.S. News & World Report as the Best Value in the West. The 2025 ranking also highlights the university’s excellence in social mobility and serving veterans. Click here to read more.

Catholic Bioethics

Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) hosted a Marianist Lecture Series featuring a presentation by a professor known for her work in the fields of bioethics, ethics, medicine, and theology.

Therese Lysaught, PhD, is a tenured professor at Loyola University Chicago, teaching in the Stritch School of Medicine’s Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Care Leadership, as well as the university’s Institute of Pastoral Studies.

Her lecture, titled “Catholic Bioethics: Catholic Social Tradition and Human Flourishing,” was held in the Mystical Rose Oratory at CUH and focused on how Catholic social tradition “can help expand how we think about the moral dimensions of illness, health, and medicine and their ethical implications.”

Click here if you’d like to listen to a recording of the lecture.

Tidings For You

Did you know that in its inaugural volume last fall, the Marian Library’s updated newsletter, Tidings, won a national public relations award?

In its newest publication, the Marian Library celebrates the 25th anniversary of one of its most popular — and largest — sculptures, introduces you to some of the new items added to its collections, reflects on a special day with Catholic educators, and provides a by-the-numbers look at the past year’s successes. Click here to read Tidings: An Annual Communiqué from the Marian Library.

Click here if you would like to sign up to receive the annual Tidings.

Also, mark your calendars for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m.! The Marian Library is co-sponsoring a musical performance by The Marian Consort in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. The concert will be perfectly in tune with the Christmas exhibit Joy to the World!, which will feature nativities and artwork accompanied by beloved Christmas music from around the world. Visit go.udayton.edu/christmas-exhibit for updated information.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Crucifix Crusade

It’s a problem, albeit a good problem. The Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MRCC), located in Eureka, MO, ran out of crucifixes.

MRCC offers a table of free stuff, including stickers, prayer cards, and, oh yes, crucifixes this year.

“Teens flock to our free stuff table, which is a sign that they’ve experienced some kind of spark or fire in their hearts during their retreat experience with the MORE Team,” reported MRCC Program Director Paul Masek.

Masek says he’s stopped keeping track, but just since initiating the project in early August, they’ve given away more than 150 crucifixes. Having depleted its supply, they took to social media asking for donations. “It’s been amazing; crucifixes keep arriving here almost every day, some from anonymous sources,” said Masek.

He said the endeavor means the world to him personally. He has had many powerful prayer experiences simply staring at the crucifix, knowing Jesus thought his life was worthy of dying for – a message he believes many teens need to hear. “I don’t know for sure why so few teens seem to own a crucifix, but one thing I do know for certain is that if we can get crucifixes to as many young people as possible, we are helping them to more deeply understand the great love God has for them.”

That sense of worth, great love, and sacrifice symbolized in the crucifix is one many youth want to share.

“On a retreat, a young man took a crucifix and then sheepishly asked if he could take an additional one because he wanted to give one to his girlfriend. We think that is absolutely amazing; what a beautiful thing to do for someone you care about,” exclaimed Masek.

Click here or use the QR Code to discover ways you can help in this Crucifix Crusade.

A Marianist Moment

A Review of Our Marianist Saints

As we approach November again, the Church spends time to reflect on the men and women who have gone before us in faith. Nov. 1 recognizes the official Communion of Saints, and we are invited to see particular saints for whom we may have an affinity as role models in our lives. We are also called to remember the unofficial saints who have impacted our lives because of the holiness that they demonstrated. Nov. 2 is the day when we honor the men and women that we personally have known before they died and pray for them since they were important people in our lives. Because of my role as the promoter of the Marianist Saints, I have become more aware of these individuals, and remembering them has become a part of my prayer life.

An important resource in this endeavor has been Daniel Ellsberg’s “Blessed Among Us” short articles in the monthly Give Us This Day missalette published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN. He gives snippets of saints’ lives, official and unofficial, for us to reflect upon six days each week for the month. Examples have been Saint Luke, St. Teresa of Avila, Blessed Carlo Acutis, Amos the Prophet, Thomas Keating, and Maura O’Halloran. It has been fascinating to see how holiness has been enacted in the lives of men and women who we may have never been aware of in the world. Click here to read more.

From the Archives

Memory Lane Provides History and Health Benefits

The Marianists have 175 years of history in the United States, which means 175 years of documents, photographs, blueprints and buildings, artwork and members. Keeping track of all these items, researching them, and correctly identifying them is a monumental task. Who better to help recollect than those of an older generation?

That is why the National Archives of the Marrianist Province of the United States recruited members of the Marianist Residence Community in San Antonio to help identify some of the countless photos in its collection.

The trip down memory lane, with the brothers adding anecdotes and life stories to the pictures, also provided health benefits to the assistants.

According to Psychology Today, nostalgia is a social-cognitive-emotional experience that can motivate us to reconnect with and enhance our appreciation of loved ones in our present. Research also shows that reminiscence therapy, or storytelling, is a form of therapy that can improve quality of life and life satisfaction and help alleviate symptoms of depression in older adults.

The Marianist Province Archives is indeed a “place of memory” where the life of the Province in the United States, within the larger body of the Society of Mary, is documented.

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

Pray With Us

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

Bro. Kevin Whelan, 83, died on Sept. 27, 2024, in Cupertino, CA, with 65 years of religious profession.

Brother Kevin was a beloved teacher, guidance counselor, vocational mentor, social worker, and driver’s education instructor who devoted his professional career to shaping young lives, and who cherished the opportunity to help people embrace a path of salvation in Christ. Brother Kevin took to heart the motto he chose upon taking first vows – “Duc in altum” (Launch out into the deep) – joyfully accepting every assignment he was offered as a Marianist, even those he found
personally challenging.

Click here to read his full obituary.

Click here to see pictures of Bro. Kevin through the years.

Good to Know

Marian Consecration

Earlier this month, six students in the current Marianist Lay Community in San Antonio, TX, made their Marian Consecration at St. Mary’s University. They were joined by a student in an earlier MLC who was not able to make her consecration with her MLC. In addition, Paul Pruski, an Aspirant, and Julie Sanchez of the Stella Maris MLC, who are helping form the group, also made their consecration. In the photo, the students are holding their signed consecration forms.

Seen in picture Back Row: Arlene Chaidez, Paul Pruski, Nick Urbina, Ulisis Rodriguez, Brianna Valadez, and Fr. John Thompson; Front row: Bro. Dan Klco, Julie Sanchez, Anne Steck, Esmeralda Lopez, and Emily Do

Silverswords Gather for Aloha ‘Āina Event

Vice President for Mission and Rector of Chaminade University of Honolulu Bro. Ed Brink proudly shared information about students, faculty, and staff gathering on Indigenous Peoples Day for a special Aloha ‘Āina Kalaepōhaku event. It celebrated the Hawaiian value of mālama ʻāina with community service projects, hands-on activities, educational workshops, and lectures.

“Our Marianist mission and values of the university really focus on community,” said University President Dr. Lynn Babington.

As part of the daylong event on campus, supported by a grant from Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu, participants planted native flora and weeded community gardens on Chaminade’s campus. A group of students also ventured to Cromwell’s Beach to conduct invasive limu removal.

Check It Out Now – Funk Soul Students

CLICK THE IMAGE to watch the documentary.

University of Dayton (UD) students won the collegiate equivalent of an Emmy award for their documentary about Dayton’s funk music scene. Funk: The Sound of Dayton won in the non-fiction long-form category of the 2024 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Production Awards, Ohio Valley Chapter. The film explores the origins of funk in Dayton and its cultural impact.

“It’s about the music — the fusion of jazz and blues and rock — but the real story is about the people and the history they built around that type of style,” said Brayden Chayer, ’24, who is credited as a writer, audio editor, and production manager for the film. “It was really great to be recognized for highlighting the voices of people in the community who still live here and had such an important impact,” Chayer said. Read more on UD’s website.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Purcell Marian High School (OH) – President

• Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

Region Update #85 from the Marianist Region of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Marianist-Sponsored High School Garners National Attention

St Marys South Side Catholic HS Trade Program — L-R: Instructor Kelly Stokes, Student Roderick Brown, Instructor Tracy Hykes

St Marys South Side Catholic HS Trade Program 2 — L-R: Instructor Kelly Stokes, Student Michael Gallaway

St Marys South Side Catholic HS Trade Program 3 — L-R: Students Omar Navarette, Roderick Brown, Samuel Wynn

An unconventional high school program at St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis, MO, is being touted in Labor Tribune and IBEW publications, Tech Ed Magazine articles, local TV news stories, and most recently, in the National Catholic Reporter.

The Marianist-sponsored high school began an elective pre-apprenticeship curriculum for juniors and seniors in the fall of 2022. The skilled trades education program is the first (and currently only one) of its kind in the state. The Missouri Works Initiative partnered with the school to create courses and schedule guest instructors as well as fully fund it for the next four years. The Federation of Area Trades donated $250,000 to purchase equipment, supplies, and certifications for enrolled students.

“We were the first school in Missouri to offer this pre-admission program,” said Principal Valerie Todd. This is not something new at St. Mary’s. “We have had, over the years, some kind of trade opportunities,” said Todd, who has been at St. Mary’s for 27 years. “We used to have electricity and HVAC classes for a while. Probably since the 2019-20 school year, we have had a partnership with Ranken.” Ranken Technical College in St. Louis specializes in degrees and certifications for automotive, electrical, construction, IT, and manufacturing. Todd stated that St. Mary’s students could participate in “dual enrollment,” spending half days at both the high school and Ranken.

President of MO AFL-CIO and St. Mary’s alum Jake Hummel jumped at the opportunity to get involved in the program. He reported that the class travels off campus to job sites to visit apprentice training centers across the St. Louis region.

The high school would like to extend this emerging program, possibly adding a new building on campus dedicated to supporting students pursuing skilled labor trades.

Click here to read an in-depth article on this “vocational education” in the National Catholic Reporter.

In The News

Marianist Educational Associates Launch New Year

**Top**: Jason Pierce, Celine Jacquemin, Michael Losiewicz, Angel Tazzer Rodriguez, Liza Sánchez **Bottom**: Tim Bessler, Linda Muller, Patricia Garcia, President Winston Erevelles, Julie Sanchez

St. Mary’s University Marianist Educational Associates (MEA), President Winston Erevelles, and Marianist Religious gathered at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX, to celebrate and launch the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Marianist Educational Associates is an initiative among the three Marianist universities to build strong partners with members of the Society of Mary. Each year, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to deepen their understanding of and commitment to the traditions and beliefs of a Marianist community.

The formation program includes readings, reflections, and insights sharing. MEAs meet once a month from Sept. to May to continue their formation by developing, strengthening, and advancing our Catholic and Marianist philosophy of education. At the end of the academic year, during a special service, MEAs make a public commitment to sustain and enrich the university’s Catholic and Marianist character.

National Merit Scholars and Acing the ACT

Two students at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, have been named National Merit^® Semifinalists. A certificate from the National Merit^® Scholarship Cooperation will be presented to William Bimonte and Alexander Rose on Oct. 28, 2024.

These academically talented high school seniors now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for thousands of scholarships worth nearly $26 million. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Alex Rose earned another impressive honor – a perfect ACT score! The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1-36. Only about one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school class of 2023, only 2,542 out of more than 1.39 million students earned a score of 36.

“We are so proud of Will and Alex. They earned this honor through hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity. They exemplify what it means to be a Man of Moeller through their dedication and commitment to excellence. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish beyond Moeller,” said Dr. Christine Brookbank, provost of Archbishop Moeller High School.

The Legacy of Chaminade University – Honolulu

The first Marianists arrived on the island of Hawaii in 1883. A new video recently released pays homage to the Society of Mary’s deep roots in Hawaii. It delves into the bond Marianists made with the royal family before the monarchy was overthrown and how that relationship helped create an educational venture that celebrated the unique cultural aspects of the islands. Click here to experience the Chaminade Mission Tour, which takes you from ‘Iolani Palace to the original Saint Louis College to the current university and beyond.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Grieving Grandchildren Create a “Wee-Woo” Fund

Even through times of disorientation and confusion as she battled triple negative breast cancer and then dementia the past few years, Kathleen Wicker‘s face would light up saying, “Wee Woo,” mimicking ambulance sirens when she’d see her two EMT-certified grandchildren.

Emily Burgess, Kathy’s granddaughter, is a Crew Chief/Lead and the Assistant Chief of Personnel for University of Dayton Emergency Medical Services (UD EMS). Her grandson, Joseph Niederschmidt, is a crew member and a second-year organization member.

Cousins Joseph Niederschmidt and Emily Burgess

UD EMS is a non-profit organization comprised of approximately 42 full-time undergraduate students and 18 students-in-training who volunteer their time serving the campus community as nationally-registered and state-certified Emergency Medical Technicians. The students — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — help provide basic medical care and ambulatory rides to the hospital to students on campus for free.

In loving memory of their grandmother, Kathy, who passed away in St. Louis, MO, on Aug. 27, 2024, Burgess and Niederschmidt created a GoFundMe page in lieu of flowers, with proceeds benefiting UD EMS and new uniform shirts to help observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Click here if you would like to donate.

“We hope to honor her legacy and bring comfort to others facing similar battles. Every contribution will help keep her spirit alive and support a cause close to our hearts,” said Niederschmidt.

“Our cherished grandmother’s warmth and wisdom touched every soul she met. Her life was a beautiful story of love, kindness, and unyielding strength. She always had a special way of making everyone feel valued and understood. Her legacy of compassion and grace will forever remain a guiding light and path of service,” added Burgess.

A Marianist Moment

Nurturing Teachers Through Community and Faith

Magdiel Perez finished a hard day during her first year as a classroom teacher, exhausted, embarrassed, and unsure how to calm her busy mind. Fortunately for Perez, she is starting her second year in a program designed to help with the intricacies of teaching and provide encouragement.

The Lalanne program at the University of Dayton offers two years of mentored teaching experience while earning a master’s degree. It is specifically designed to support educators by combining service and teaching in Catholic schools.

Students in the program are placed in a Catholic school, receive intentional support from their school administrators, take master’s coursework in the summer, live in community with other Lalanne teachers and grow in their faith with the guidance of spiritual mentors.

“I truly believe that the community aspect is very important and beneficial,” Perez said. “We’re all teachers, so we understand how draining and exhausting our days can be. If we need our time alone, we understand that. When we need advice, we’re able to listen and give tips where needed.”

The program celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer. It reports that 90 percent of its alumni are still working in education, which is impressive considering that many teachers seek out a new career after about five years, citing burnout, stress, inadequate preparation and unrealistic expectations.

Click here to read the full story.

From the Archives

Blue Army: Joining the Ranks of Our Lady

What do Our Lady of Fatima and the apparitions in Portugal have to do with Russia? Michele Jennings, an archivist in the Marian Library, researches the history of this image.

In 1946, the head of the Scapular Apostolate, American John Haffert, traveled to Portugal to meet with Lúcia dos Santos who witnessed the apparitions, and the origins of the Blue Army came into focus. Joining forces with Monsignor Harold Colgan in 1947, the two worked to found the Blue Army and bring the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fátima on a tour of the United States. Millions of American Catholics honored the Pilgrim Virgin and prayed for the conversion of Russia. Devotion to Fátima in the United States took off during the Cold War and made anticommunist sentiment a mainstream aspect of American life as well as American Catholic religious and political practice. This included pop culture, such as the popular song “Our Lady of Fátima,” originally performed by Gladys Gollahon and eventually covered by jazz singer Tony Bennett. By 1952, membership had reached two million.

Click here to read more.

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

Pray With Us

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

Janson - Chris 1973 - ordination photo — 1973

Fr. Christian Aloysius Janson, 83, died on Sept. 14, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, with 64 years of religious profession. Father Cris, born in St. Louis, MO, was one of 14 siblings. He was a beloved teacher, pastor, chaplain, campus minister, and vocation director who considered learning “the core passion” of his life. As a young man in formation, Cris noted that he had “no special desire to be sent to the missions.” Still, his priestly ministry would take him to Mexico for 16 years. He literally came to be identified by this mission work, adopting “Cris” as his nickname because it was easier for Spanish speakers to pronounce.

Click here to read his full obituary.

Click here to see pictures of Bro. Christian through the years.

Good to Know

“A Spectacle of Saints” Community Meeting Kit

The North American Center for Marianist Studies has released a new Community Meeting Kit, “A Spectacle of Saints.” It explores the Marianist candidates on the path to sainthood and how we are blessed with ordinary saints in our lives today. As we approach All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, this meditative and prayerful resource can be a wonderful way to engage your community with the themes of Christian sainthood.

Click here to download the free kit.

Retreat on “Seeing God in All Creation”

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center (MRCC) is offering a weekend retreat based on Laudato Si’. The focus will be on the call for action to protect the Earth. It will be held Oct. 11-13 and will include large group presentations, small group discussions, and plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of MRCC. It is located on 120 acres in Wildwood, MO, and offers ample opportunities to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation through personal reflection, outdoor prayer experiences, and hiking. Click here for more information and registration.

Statue Dedication Ceremony

Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis, MO, cordially invites you to the Fr. Ralph Siefert statue dedication ceremony on Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Skip Viragh Center Rotunda. Fr. Ralph (1945 – 2021) was a pillar of the school community where he served as president for 33 years. He is credited with putting the school on firm financial footing and for helping secure a transformative donation of $28 million to build the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts on campus. The center, which opened in 2011, includes a 1,000-seat theater, art classrooms, music rehearsal rooms and an art gallery. Among the artwork displayed at the center are photographs taken by Father Ralph. During his tenure, he took thousands of photos of school events and activities every year.

“We are who we are as a school because of Fr. Ralph,” stated Chaminade President Dr. Todd Guidry in the obituary. “Our strong academic program, extracurricular and faith-development programs, our financial stability, our world-class campus, our deep embrace of the Marianist Charism, and the loyalty of our faculty, staff, alumni, and parents are all a direct result of Fr. Ralph’s leadership.”

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

Region Update #85 from the Marianist Region of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

The Society of Mary embarked on a journey to expand its communities of faith to America. This voyage led Marianists across the ocean to the Ohio River, arriving in Cincinnati, OH, in 1849 to take the first step in creating a Province in the U.S.A.

Service Work Kicks Off New School Year

About 450 incoming University of Dayton (UD) business students built walls for a Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton house during move-in weekend in mid-August.

“At UD, our students embrace the call to serve from day one,” said School of Business Administration Dean Trevor Collier. “Our business students engage in meaningful community work throughout their undergraduate careers—administering microloans through the Greater West Dayton Incubator, managing investments for the Dayton Foundation, assisting with income tax filings, and much more. These experiences help them see their careers as a calling, deeply connected to their communities.”

“Last year’s Flyer Nation Habitat for Humanity Build was a huge success and allowed us to build a home in the Edgemont neighborhood near UD Arena. We are excited to begin working on Flyer Nation Build #2 and hope this continues to be an annual event,” said Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton’s Development Director David Mauch.

St. Mary's University Continuing the Heritage 2024

At St. Mary’s University, about 400 volunteers comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni came together on Saturday, August 24, for Continuing the Heritage – a longstanding day of service benefiting an array of local nonprofits.

“Beginning the school year with a day of service sets a tone of community, collaboration and purpose,” said Pete Oviedo, Director of Community Engagement. “It aligns with the St. Mary’s mission to develop leaders who are committed to service and social justice. Service work encourages students to connect with each other and the community in a meaningful way, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose from the outset.”

Some of this year’s volunteer sites included SAISD Book Buddies, San Antonio Food Bank, City of San Antonio Graffiti Wipeout, and St. Stephen’s CARE Center. Since 1997, 24,547 volunteers have offered more than 66,681 hours to organizations that provide much-needed services throughout the area. Oviedo estimates those volunteer hours equate to more than $2 million in economic impact.

Students at Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) carved time out of their schedules to dig deep into the campus garden, cultivating a true sense of community as they collaborated to beautify and enrich their environment.

The mission is to empower students to define and deepen their experience through impactful ʻāina-based community building rooted in Marianist and Native Hawaiian values.

They also took time to pause and be mindful during the Fall Spiritual Convocation, also known as “Red Mass,” a longstanding tradition at CUH. One of the pillars that characterize a Marianist education is to educate for formation in faith. “It also affords the opportunity to ask for God’s blessing on our Chaminade ‘ohana as we come together as a community to live and learn,” said University President Lynn Babington.

In The News

Renewal of Vows

The Marianist Sisters in Dayton celebrated the renewal of temporary vows for Srs. Emily Sandoval and Rose Rucoba on Wednesday, July 31st. Fr. Timothy Eden presided at the Mass. Bro. Dennis Bautista and novices Alex Roman and Pepe Gutierrez also participated in the blessing and the following meal. Congratulations, Emily and Rose and blessings on your continuing ministries!

Youth Hostel in India Promotes Marianist Education

In Jharkhand, one of the poorest states in India, just outside the city of Ranchi, the Marianist Sisters run a hostel for girls. Adèle Hostel is where young students are cared for and provided a safe space to live during the school year. The sisters work on a small neighborhood scale but with a larger perspective. Education, concern for others, a well-integrated view of life, and spiritual growth are all essential for quality human relationships, and the dignity of every man and woman is natured. Click here to view more.

50 Years Leading in Faith, From the Heart

By University of Dayton President Dr. Eric Spina

I have witnessed Fr. Jim Fitz‘s pastoral care in numerous settings — from presiding over Baccalaureate Masses before thousands to sharing tenets of the Marianist philosophy of education with new trustees. He provides thoughtful reflections and blessings at groundbreakings and building dedications. In times of sorrow over the death of a student or colleague, he offers words of solace and support. In times of joy over the beginning of a new academic year, he personifies the inclusive hospitality of the Marianists who welcome and respect the gifts that all bring to our campus.

Not every administrator wants to live next door to college students, but living in community is meaningful to Fr. Jim. He shares a house with other Marianists in the heart of the student neighborhood, where his religious community hosts weekly spaghetti dinners and conversations with students. That ministry spills out into other parts of the neighborhood. As co-advisers for various Marianist Student Communities over the last several years, Fr. Jim and my wife, Karen, enjoy sharing a bowl of ice cream or a potluck meal with students as they encourage them to explore their faith and follow their dreams.

In Fr. Jim’s world, no dreams are impossible if you have faith. Click here for the full article.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Sisters Celebrate 60 Years in Africa

by Sr. Clémence Nabede, FMI

As part of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the presence of the Marianist Sisters in Africa, a new ministerial commitment became a reality. In the land of Burkina Faso, the sisters assumed the responsibility of managing the Lycée Sainte Eugénie. The diocesan school is located in the central-eastern region of Burkina Faso, in the province of Boulgou, and the beautiful city of Tenkodogo.

Saint Eugénie Secondary School was founded in 2017 by Fr. Athanase Guiri. In a context where the schooling rate for girls remains low, the main goal is to provide human and spiritual formation, offer an integral education to the students in the light of Gospel values, and develop a better society.

Youth ministry is one of the mission’s priorities besides conducting the school – inspiring hope despite great economic and security challenges. Click here to watch a video.

A Marianist Moment

Making Marianist Connections in Camino

Former National Coordinator for Marianist LIFE Toni Mesina participated in a pilgrimage this summer to the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James. The Camino de Santiago has many different route options, from a 74-mile walk to a challenging almost 500-mile trek and even a 621-mile adventure that leads to the shrine of St. James the apostle in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in northwestern Spain.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has long united people across the globe, serving as a dynamic crossroads of cultures. Its rich blend of traditions, languages, and stories creates a mosaic of exploration and global connection. For Philadelphia resident Mesina, one connection was unlike any other, for she met a fellow Marianist from the United States on her spiritual journey.

She started her expedition in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, climbing the Pyrenees on day one and hiking more than 500 miles in 37 days. In the last two weeks of her travels, she met Michael Christiansen, who graduated from Chaminade High School, a Marianist college preparatory high school for boys in Mineola, Long Island, New York. He had started his devotional venture in La Puy, France, walking more than 1,000 miles.

“We both laughed at the coincidental randomness of it all. We ended up hanging out with a solid group of international pilgrims and finishing together. It was great,” Mesina exclaimed. “The Marianist world gives you family wherever you go!”

From the Archives

Lost Larynx But Not Gift Of Gab

Bro. Walter Hausfeld (1897-1981) had his voice box removed in 1961 while teaching at a school in Cleveland, OH. But this Marianist Brother didn’t let a thing like that silence him. He was described in his obituary as “a self-made optimist.”

He spent the greater part of his life teaching in various schools of the Society of Mary, from New York to Pennsylvania and Ohio to California. When his voice became hard to hear, he started using a loudspeaker in his classes at Purcell High School, where he taught mechanical drawing.

Hausfeld mastered the esophageal speech method to retain his oral communication ability. An article published in the Catholic Telegraph in 1964 focused on his health hardships and perseverance, which earned him the reputation of “a great talker who would not be denied the gift of his tongue.”

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

Pray With Us

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

a - FOL Sullivan Jerry - September 1962 — 1962

Bro. Gerard “Jerry” Anthony Sullivan, 93, died on Aug. 3, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, with 73 years of religious profession.

Bro. Jerry was a beloved teacher, substance abuse counselor, pastoral associate, retreat leader, and prison chaplain, as well as a grateful friend of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He thought of his life in the Society of Mary as “an incredible adventure,” once writing that “I get on my knees every night and thank Mary and God for the wonderful gift of my vocation.”

Click here to read his full obituary.

Click here to see pictures of Bro. John through the years.

Each year, the Society of Mary recognizes brothers and priests who are marking milestones in their first profession of vows or priestly ordinations. Thank you to our 2024 Jubilarians! The FamilyOnline highlight concludes this month, but you can find them all here. Below is a picture from the Jubilee celebration in Dayton, OH, this month. Click here to see more pictures from the event.

BROTHER DANIEL KLCO

50 Years of profession

I first met the Marianists in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1970 when I needed a place to stay while attending Western Michigan University. At the time, I was discerning the diocesan priesthood, but the experience of prayer, community, and ministry in the community and the example of the brothers’ lives changed everything. Click here to read more.

FATHER ROBERT BOUFFIER

50 years of ordination

Fr. Robert Bouffier entered the Marianist Novitiate in Rose Hill, VA, in 1966 after graduating from Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY. He professed his first vows in August 1967 in Charlottesville, VA, and graduated from University of Dayton in 1970. Fr. Bob finished his MA in theology in 1972 and went on to study theology at the Boston College-Andover Newton Joint Doctoral Program. He was ordained a priest in November 1974. Click here to read more.

FATHER JAMES FITZ

50 years of ordination

In the book of Proverbs, we read: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Marianist life has given me a vision. It is a vision expressed well in the opening chapter of our Rule of Life: “Our goal is to be transformed into His (Christ’s) likeness and to work for the coming of His kingdom.” (article 2). In whatever I have done as a Marianist religious, the vision and dream of God’s kingdom have been the inspiration for my ministry and life. Click here to read more.

FATHER JOHN THOMPSON

25 years of ordination

It has been a joy to serve the Church and the Society of Mary as a priest these past 25 years. Celebrating the sacraments, preaching, accompanying youth and young adults on their faith journey, and being with people in their most joyous times and in their most vulnerable times have been a gift to my life. Serving as a Marianist priest in schools, parishes, positions of leadership and in the missions allowed me to share the gift of our Marianist Charism in various cultures and different languages. Click here to read more.

Good to Know

Solidarity Walk in St. Louis

The Archdiocese of St. Louis Immigration Task Force and St Louis University are hosting a Solidarity Walk and Mass in honor of the World Day for Migrants and Refugees. The Mass will be on September 29, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral.

The Marianist Province of the U.S. is a proud sponsor of this event. The Catholic Church has been celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914; this will be its 110th celebration. The Archdiocese reminds us as Catholics that it is important to stand in solidarity with our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters, and we believe this event will be a public way to show support.

There is no need to RSVP. Bring one of your community members and/or a friend to the walk and the Mass celebration with Bishop Rivituso. Click the picture for more details.

Embark on a Marianist Encounters Journey

The entire Marianist Family and ministries are invited to a transformative weekend at the Marianist Encounters Conference in Dayton, OH, at Bergamo Center, Mount Saint John, Oct. 3-6, 2024. This immersive gathering will deepen the commitment to Pope Francis’ calls to action through the Global Compact on Education and Laudato Si’ initiatives.

Registration is open! The program includes:

Field trips & site visits to Marianist ministries and dialogues on justice themes
Tours of Mount Saint John’s 100 acres of natural areas and sustainability features including the solar farm
Plenary talks, workshops & breakout sessions led by experts from Marianist ministries
Prayer, reflection, and networking

Join us as we encounter Mary’s spirit of hope and renew our commitment to promoting justice, the integrity of creation, and global education.

Learn about the Marianist Family Encounters Project goals, view conference information, and register here. For questions, contact the co-chairs: Bro. Jesse O’Neill, SM or Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI.

Marianist Women’s Summit and FMI (USA) 75th Anniversary

The Marianist Sisters invite you to a “Marianist Women’s Summit” and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of its USA Foundation from Oct. 25-26 in San Antonio. The summit will provide an opportunity for lay and vowed women in the Marianist Family to visit, pray, and converse about Mary’s Magnificat call in our lives.

The event will take place at the Marianist Sisters’ Our Lady of the Pillar Community on Friday and at St. Mary’s University School of Law on Saturday. The guest speaker will be Dr. Neomi De Anda, a theologian and Lay Marianist who serves as the Executive Director of the International Marian Research Institute and is an Associate Professor in Religious Studies at University of Dayton.

All attendees must register. The final registration date is Oct.1, 2024. Refunds for cancellations will be issued up to Oct. 10, 2024. If you would like to register online and pay by credit card, please visit tinyurl.com/marianistwomenssummit or use the QR code.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #85 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

The Disconnect to Reconnect

Most teenagers can’t fathom not having their cell phones in their hands, making TikToks, posting on Instagram, or getting streaks on Snapchat for an entire day, much less a whole week. But Marianist Summer LIFE is all about a different kind of connection.

“Being in a space centered around God for a whole week without phones and no connection to the outside world was one of the most refreshing and powerful experiences I have ever had,” said Weston Grabow, a senior at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis.

This year’s LIFE program centered around a song titled What a Friend by Matt Maher with lyrics like “What a friend we have in Jesus” and “His heart is my home.” Program Director Erica Duarte explained that the “theme helped us weave together the ideas of friendship with Christ, our communities, and ourselves. We then tied them to the pillars of the Marianist Charism.”

Dorothy Hansen, a LIFE moderator at Central Catholic High School, was thrilled to see her students absorb these ideas and excited that they want to share them with their classmates. One Central Catholic senior, Nikolai Aleman, put it this way, “One of my main takeaways was realizing that God is our friend. I learned that our relationship with God is to be made like a deep relationship with a great friend.” That realization and many others “were life-changing,” he said.

When Christopher Shaver, a math and theology teacher at Chaminade-St. Louis reflected on his experiences with students at Summer LIFE sessions; he couldn’t help but be moved. “I loved seeing the joyful energy of the students as they sang and danced and became one unified community,” he said.

Shaver served as a LIFE moderator for Session One, which took place June 16 – 21 in Occidental, CA, and as a Coordinating Team member for Session Two, held in Dayton, OH, from July 11-16.

Quite a few Marianist Brothers participated, too. In Session One were Frs. Peter Heiskell and Marty Solma; Bros. Peter Sennert, Chicago Schuller, Mark Motz, and Brandon Alana. Session Two included Fr. Sean Downing, Bro. Mark Motz, Novices Alex Roman, Pepe Gutierrez, and incoming Aspirant Paul Pruski.

“Students frequently commented about how much they appreciated the opportunity to get to know, spend time with, and learn from our Marianist Brothers,” said Duarte.

While the theme and participants for each year’s LIFE program change, one thing remains the same. “I say this every year, but it is so true. Watching the next generation love God, want to grow in their faith, and build faith-based relationships with others is powerful,” exclaimed Hansen. Sometimes, you just have to disconnect to make meaningful connections.

Click here to see more pictures.

In The News

New General Council for the Society of Mary Elected

Superior General, Fr. André-Joseph Fétis (FRA), Fr. Pablo Rambaud (ESP) Office of Religious Life, Bro. Dennis Bautista (USA) Office of Education, and Bro. Abora Jérôme Balakiyema Office of Temporalities (Togo)

At the General Chapter of The Society of Mary, held in Rome this month, Fr. André-Joseph Fétis (France) was re-elected as Superior General. He and the three elected assistants listed below will compose the new General Council.

Fr. Pablo Rambaud, (2nd term) Assistant General for Religious Life (Spain)

Bro. Dennis Bautista, Assistant General for Education (USA)

Bro. Abora Jérôme Balakiyema, Assistant General for Temporalities (Togo)

Join us in congratulating these members of the new General Council, and let us pray that our Blessed Mother guides them in these leadership roles.

Click here to read the announcement regarding the election from the 36th General Chapter and learn more about each member.

New Office of Sponsorship Coordinator

The Marianist Province of the U.S. is pleased to welcome DeDe Barth to its Office of Sponsorship. In her new role as Coordinator, DeDe will assume the responsibilities of the Marianist LIFE Coordinator and offer support to formation programs.

DeDe most recently worked as the operations manager for the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Campus Ministry at Nolan Catholic High School, where she developed a passion for the Marianist Charism and, specifically, for the mission of Marianist LIFE.

In her 15 years with LIFE, she’s obtained vast and varied experience, along with her perspective as a theology teacher, campus minister, and Mission Integration Team member.

Stanley, Meet Chaminade

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (’16) posted a photo on social media of himself and his brother Brady Tkachuk (’18), who plays for the Ottawa Senators. The two are seen on the steps of their high school alma mater, Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis, bookending the Stanley Cup, which the Panthers won this year.

Tkachuk had the Stanley Cup for an extended amount of time, taking it to several of his hometown hotspots, such as the Budweiser brewery, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, his elementary school Villa Duchesne, local police and fire stations, and an Italian eatery, where toasted ravioli may or may not have been dipped in marinara from Lord Stanley.

To see more pics from Tkachuk and Stanley’s St. Louis visit, click on NHL.com and Florida Hockey Now.

Embark on a Marianist Encounters Journey

Registration is now open! The program includes:

Field trips & site visits to Marianist ministries and dialogues on justice themes
Tours of Mount Saint John’s 100 acres of natural areas and sustainability features including the solar farm
Plenary talks, workshops & breakout sessions led by experts from Marianist ministries
Prayer, reflection, and networking

Join us as we encounter Mary’s spirit of hope and renew our commitment to promoting justice, the integrity of creation, and global education.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Missionary Priest Drawn to Marianist Education

Fr. Balentine Bawel Talang (LL.M. ’24) was ordained a priest with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Bangladesh in 2010.

To continue their dedication to a peace and law ministry, the Oblates determined that a younger priest should study to become prepared to carry on this work. So, they decided that Talang should further his studies by concentrating on international law. A fellow priest working in peace and justice for the Oblates in Washington, D.C., suggested Talang consider studying international law at St. Mary’s University School of Law.

“I decided to come to St. Mary’s University to study law because of the ideals of the Marianists who established the University,” said Talang, who arrived in San Antonio in July 2023 to begin the LL.M. in International and Comparative Law. “The elements that characterize the Marianist approach to education spoke to me, especially educating for service, justice, and peace. I knew this was the right place for me.”

The area’s appeal grew even stronger for Talang when he discovered San Antonio’s warm weather, like that in Bangladesh, and friendly people — including the welcoming Marianists he has lived with on campus. “The atmosphere, professors, and students all create a family spirit,” he said.

After finishing his St. Mary’s coursework in July, Talang hopes to complete a law internship in New York City before returning to Bangladesh. “I wanted to learn about treaties and international law,” he said. “As a member of an indigenous community in Bangladesh, we find that people are struggling with their rights and even their existence. I wish to continue doing peace and justice ministry when I return home.”

A Marianist Moment

Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lisbon

The 2025 Marianist Pilgrimage trip focuses on Fatima, the world-famous Marian shrine located in Portugal. It is where three children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, began to see apparitions of Mary in 1917. Our Lady’s appearance was preceded by an angel, who appeared to the children several times in 1916. The Blessed Virgin appeared between May and October on the 13th day of every month at Cova de Iria. She delivered messages from God, with the overriding message being that all humanity return to God and make reparation for their sins.

Would you like to explore Fatima firsthand and experience Marianist moments? Only a few spots remain for Fr. Tim Kenney’s anticipated pilgrimage to Portugal from March 23 to April 2, 2025.

The trip includes three nights in Lisbon at the Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa, a seven-night Douro River cruise, daily mass by Fr. Tim Kenney, lodging, many meals, ground transportation, and much more.

Click here for a full itinerary and reservation details.

From the Archives

Mary’s Vocation

In today’s world, a religious vocation is not a common path. The Marianists have forever encouraged people of faith to follow their calling. A vocation is an integral part of sharing the Marianist devotion to the Blessed Mother and helping others answer the call to serve the community and the Church.

Pictured here is a different kind of vocation poster in 1983 — about Mary’s vocation. It highlights a quote from Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, “Some persons complain of the pompous praises given to Mary; they have not known the gift of God in this miracle of His omnipotence. How great is the vocation of Mary, through whom God gives Jesus to the world!”

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

Pray With Us

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

Bro. John Richard Lemker, 91, died on July 4, 2024, in Centerville, OH, with 72 years of religious profession. Bro. John was a beloved teacher, religious formator, and acclaimed photographer whose images appeared in prominent publications such as Time-Life Books and International Wildlife, as well as anchoring Gallery St. John at Mount Saint John in Dayton, OH. He considered his work “behind the lens” a form of prayer.

Click here to read his full obituary.

Click here to see pictures of Bro. John through the years.

Click here to see a collection of his photographic artwork.

BROTHER ROGER BAU

60 Years of profession

Bro. Roger Bau was born in Milwaukee, WI, on Sept. 1, 1945. He attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and St. John Cathedral High School. He went on to graduate from St. Mary’s University with a B.A. in History, Notre Dame University with an M.B.A. in Not-for-Profit Institutions, and Loyola University with a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies. Click here to read more.

BROTHER JAMES CONTADINO

60 years of profession

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to choose to remain a Marianist religious, a member of a community of men as part of the larger Family of Mary, consecrated to her, calling others to work together to bring life. With Mary as our model, we are helped to carry in us the care and tenderness that welcomes and heals, the courage to “Do whatever He tells you,” and the faith and endurance to stand at the foot of the cross. Click here to read more.

BROTHER LAWRENCE CORBIN

60 years of profession

Looking back on my 60 years as a Marianist, the one word that keeps coming up is ‘CHANGE.’ Change in the World, Church, Society of Mary, The Province, Community, Ministry, and Self. The only thing that did not change was the Lord’s love for me. There were times when I questioned this love, but Mary would remind me that Her and the Lord’s love was there. Click here to read more.

FATHER TIMOTHY EDEN

60 years of profession

The brothers at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco were my inspiration for joining the Society of Mary. Their commitment to the students was part of it, but the fraternity they showed us in their life together, and the masculine, religious tone they gave to the school were what convinced me that I wanted to join them. It is the Society that taught me how to love scripture and has sustained me throughout the years. And it is the Society that taught me to love Mary and appreciate the power of her presence and meaning in the church. Click here to read more.

BROTHER JOHN HABJAN

60 years of profession

I became impressed with the Marianists while a student at Cathedral Latin School. They were a very happy community of Marianists. I can remember them standing on the porch of the Marianist residence laughing. I was thinking of joining the Marianists when a brother encouraged me to do so. I joined a group of students who talked with the Marianists about joining. The rest is history; I went to the novitiate in July 1963. I know I still have a lot to learn and a lot to share with my brothers. I am extremely grateful to Mary and to my brothers for all I have learned through my years as a Marianist. Click here to read more.

BROTHER RONALD OVERMAN

60 years of profession

“Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” That quote from Corinthians sums up much of my life as a Marianist. I’ve been blessed with many opportunities and experiences these past 60 years.

I look upon the experiences and ministries in the past and realize that each one brought unique and gifted people with whom to work. I was blessed to have so many generous people as colleagues. I think the Society of Mary mirrors the quote from Corinthians, we have many gifts and a variety of ways of using them for the ministry of the Church. Click here to read more.

BROTHER THOMAS PIEPER

60 years of profession

What attracted me to Marianist life? The Marianist Brothers and Priests who taught in my high school inspired me to live this life. I liked how they went out of their way to help others, treated everyone as equals and lived a strong faith and community life. They were the teachers who were really alive at the school. They made me and everyone else feel important and worthwhile. I liked how they prayed, lived in community and were very happy with their lives. As I celebrate this 60th year of my Marianist profession, I am so grateful for my Marianist vocation and for the many brothers, family and friends who helped, challenged and walked with me to live this sacred and wonderful Marianist life each day! Click here to read more.

Good to Know

Christmas in July?

Why might Fr. Chris Wittmann sing Christmas carols in the middle of July? The Hawaii Catholic Herald highlights the answer in a one-on-one interview.

“There are many different moods in music. There is a reason why we have minor tones in Advent or Lent. Advent is the season of longing for Christ’s return. Lent is more of a penitential season, but it also has the mood of the Psalms. There are also joyful seasons like Christmas and Easter. I do sing certain Advent or Christmas songs all year long to myself,” admits Fr. Chris.

Click here to discover one of his favorite Christmas hymns and read the full article that explores keeping body and soul healthy.

One Great Family

“One Great Family: Marianist Fraternity and Inclusion” is a new three-week online conversation group utilizing the documentary “Renewal, Fidelity, and Community: The Society of Mary General Chapter of 1981” (produced by NACMS) to provoke discussion about the roles of fraternity and inclusion in our lives. Participants will watch the documentary before the first conversation and will revisit small portions of it, in addition to reading short articles during those three weeks.

Sessions will be held on Zoom from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ET) on the following Tuesdays: Sept. 10, Sept. 17, and Sept. 24. The cost to participate is $15. Registration is available through the NACMS online bookstore and must be received by Thursday, Sept. 5.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – President

• Mother Seton Academy (MD) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #84 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Do Not Be Afraid To Say “Yes”

“Just like Mary, do not be afraid to say, ‘yes.’ Have courage because you never know what doors God may open for you,” advises 23-year-old Sophia Bair.

Sophia said “yes” to participating in a year-long service project through the Marianist Partners in Urban Leadership, Service and Education or PULSE program, which has inspired her to pursue pediatric medicine. “I was drawn to participate in the PULSE program because I was introduced to the Marianist Charism during my time at University of Dayton (UD). I have been inspired by the mission ever since. I believe our faith requires us to take action,” she said.

PULSE is a Marianist-sponsored post-graduate initiative that matches volunteers with non-profits for a one or two-year commitment. “I wasn’t apprehensive to commit to a whole year of service, but my parents certainly were. They were concerned I would lose interest in returning to school as I planned to continue to medical school after my year of service, but in reality, this year helped solidify my desire even more,” Bair stated.

Sophia and two other volunteers doing music therapy for guests

The pre-medicine UD graduate from Indianapolis just completed her “gap year” by volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Gateway Shelter for Women and Families. She reported that the most challenging part of her volunteer work was also the most rewarding, “It is difficult to work in a homeless shelter and meet people oftentimes on the worst days of their lives. But, I had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, and it was a privilege to be with them and hear their stories.”

Bair is heading to Michigan State in the fall to begin medical school. “Because of my PULSE experience, I want to be a pediatrician who serves homeless children,” she said. Adding, “This year of service has been one of the best experiences of my life. I am eternally grateful to this program and the Marianist family for their constant support. “

Next month, three other young adults will begin their journey with the PULSE program for the 2024-2025 year. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please click here for more information.

In The News

First Vows Celebration for Guillermo “Memo” Peña Contreras

Bro. Guillermo “Memo” Peña Contreras professed First Vows in the Society of Mary (Marianists) on June 8, 2024, at Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe) in Querétaro, Mexico. Director of Novices Bro. Dennis Bautista and Assistant Director of Novices Fr. Tim Eden presented Bro. Memo as a suitable candidate for the profession of vows after a period of formation and discernment. His vows were received by Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez, who was the principal celebrant, with Assistant for the Office of Religious Life Fr. Tim Kenney concelebrating.

Born in Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico, he excelled in school and received a law degree from Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro in 2013. While practicing law, one day, he was invited to join prayer in a chapel at a Marianist community that he’d walked by a thousand times before on the way to his grandmother’s house. During Holy Week of 2019, he decided to join those Marianist Brothers.

“The Marianists are always very close to people, especially those in need, the poor, and the sick from schools, communities, and parishes. Marianists are always willing to help, to listen, or to give some of their time to hear others. Working as a brother is not just working like any other job. Working as a brother is showing that all that we do is for God and our blessed Mother,” said Memo.

Memo will begin his service at the Querétaro Marianist Community.

Click here to read more. Click here to view photos from the ceremony and celebration.

Service Awards

Sr. Grace Walle, FMI, was recently honored by the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative for more than 20 years of service on the Anti-Death Penalty and Restorative Justice Issue Team. She has also served on the MSJC Steering Committee for 14 years. Bob Stoughton, one of the first Marianist volunteers, was also honored for more than 20 years on the issue team, many as chair. Lay and religious Marianists from the Dayton, OH, area attended the awards event along with leaders from Death Penalty Action and local members of Ohians to Stop Executions.

Serra Immortal Awarded to Provincial Council Member

Congratulations to Fr. Tim Kenney, Assistant for Religious Life of the Marianist Province of the U.S. He was one of three alumni from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, CA, honored at an awards luncheon as a Serra Immortal. The school describes a Cavalier Serra Immortal as an alumni, coach, administrator, or dedicated supporter who, after leaving the school, excelled in their chosen field and promoted the school’s advancement. It is someone who inspires both current and future Cavaliers to dream of achieving the same distinction.

“Fr. Kenney is an example of an alumnus who has made exceptional accomplishments in the education field. Through the years, Fr. Tim has given exceptional service in local, state, national, and world affairs, which has made a positive impact on society,” said Serra Alumni Association President Brian Cooper.

Some of Fr. Tim’s family and friends who attended the ceremony included province employee Kathy Cooper, Marianist Brother Fr. Ted Ley, his brother Kevin Kenney, sister Theresa Kenney Martinez, Lay Marianists Marty and Doloris Procaccio, Marianist pilgrimage participants Terry O’Neill and Diane Lawrence, as well as Tom and Ellen Celaya and fellow ’73 graduate Michael Lievans.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Let’s Taco ‘Bout It

Affiliates of the Ahava and L’Esperance Lay Marianist Communities (MLCs) in Dayton, OH, gathered to reflect on prayer and God’s presence. Members Marianne Cipolla-McCulloch and Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch hosted the event at their Miamisburg home.

A taco bar was enjoyed by all as conversation flowed, centering on the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) podcast featuring Fr. Quentin Hakenwerth. A key idea emphasized in the discussion was Fr. Quentin’s challenge to observe the importance of prayer and to consider ways their vocation as Marianists can help them heed the presence of God in their lives.

Caitlin, who was recently named the NACMS Program Administrator, described it as a “fruitful meeting that brought together two MLCs at different ages and stages of life.” Click here to listen to the podcast and, perhaps, create your own prayer challenge.

A Marianist Moment

Marianist Women’s Summit and FMI (USA) 75th Anniversary

From the Archives

Celebrating 175 Years of Marianists in America

With Mary as their model, the Marianists arrived in the U.S. in 1849, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to begin building communities of faith. That makes this year – the 175th anniversary – a milestone to celebrate! See the images below for background on the first U.S. Provincial and the start of what is now University of Dayton. If you’d like to read more on Fr. Meyer and the joys and struggles of founding the Society of Mary in the United States, the North American Center for Marianist Studies has a book available. Click here for more information.

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

Pray With Us

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

cahill - early years resized cropped — Date Unknown

Fr. Joseph Donald Cahill, 95, died on June 18, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, with 75 years of religious profession. He was set to celebrate his jubilee this year. You can read his bio here.

His obituary is forthcoming and will be posted here as soon as possible.

Click here to see more pictures.

Each year, the Society of Mary recognizes brothers and priests who are marking milestones of their first profession of vows or their priestly ordinations. Thank you to our 2024 Jubilarians! We will highlight them over the course of the next few months in FamilyOnline. Click here to see pictures from the Jubilee celebration in Cupertino, CA, earlier this month.

BROTHER WILLIAM BOLTS

70 Years of profession

I was born on September 7, 1935, in San Francisco, CA. I attended St. John the Evangelist Grade School, Archbishop Riordan High School, and Saint Mary’s College. I earned a master’s degree from UCLA and a PhD from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. I am thankful to God and Mary, my family, my nurturing home parish, and fellow Marianists. To all who made this unfold — I am most thankful! I am most grateful to have been called to be a Marianist religious brother in a society founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade for the glory of God and the honor of Mary. Click here to read more.

FATHER TIMOTHY DWYER

70 Years of profession

Thinking back over these years, I’ve come to realize how important “family” has been throughout my entire life. I was born an only child but into a large, extended Irish-American family. I don’t think I was ever very conscious of being an “only.” We actually referred to our family as a “tribe” – parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and numerous cousins. We belonged to each other. So, family was important to me from the beginning. What has been most rewarding has been living in community and working side by side with men and women committed to embodying the spirit of Jesus and Mary in their lives and in the lives of others. That, for me, is what Marianist priesthood is all about. Click here to read more.

BROTHER WILLIAM GRUNDISH

70 Years of profession

I have enjoyed my life as a Marianist. My life as an active Marianist could be seen as a life as a teacher, a counselor, and a coach. My life as a Marianist is a constant backdrop to this life. When I began teaching, I was more interested in “doing the job.” Over time, I discovered that being a Marianist, I took in more than the students I taught, counseled, or coached and all whom I met. Finally, is my life as a Marianist. When I retired from working in high schools and moved to Cincinnati, I realized more clearly my life as a life of service to the people with whom I work and to my community. Click here to read more.

BROTHER IRWIN WACHTEL

70 Years of profession

I was born on February 21, 1936, in Smithton, IL. My formal education included Saint John the Baptist Grade School, Maryhurst Postulate, Marynook Novitiate and St. Mary’s University, where I earned a degree in History. A neighbor’s family had a son who was a Marianist whom I admired. I entered the postulate at Maryhurst, which led to the novitiate. I was always interested in things scientific and technological, and I enjoyed providing for the physical needs of the community and institution wherever I was assigned. It has been a fulfilling life dedicated to the advancement of the kingdom of God. Click here to read more.

FATHER BERTRAND BUBY

60 Years of ordination

I was born and raised in Braddock, Pennsylvania. I professed my first vows in Marcy, New York, in 1952 and was ordained in 1964 in Fribourg, Switzerland with 24 other Marianists from other Provinces of the Society of Mary. My service includes ministry at high schools, University of Dayton, the Provincial Council and the International Marian Research Institute. There are so many graces we have received in these many years. “What can I ask of the Lord? I will take up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will say my vows to the Lord.” Psalm 116:12-14. Click here to read more.

FATHER JAMES RUSSELL

60 Years of ordination

As a grade-schooler at St. Norbert parish in Pittsburgh, I greatly admired our associate pastor. This led me to choose the priesthood as my vocation, and I entered a high school seminary. Having failed freshman algebra, I had to retake it in summer school. It was available at North Catholic, where I met some impressive Marianists. As they say, the rest is history. I am profoundly grateful for having been called to the Marianist life – a life of ministry and service flowing from faith and Fr. Chaminade’s charism. The motto I chose in the novitiate was “Behold your Mother.” Click here to read more.

Good to Know

Now Accepting Seed Grant Applications

Do you have a project that needs additional funds? The Visitation Marianist State Community may be able to help. The community of vowed Lay Marianists provides grants in the following categories:

Strengthen Marianist Lay communities and networks
Assist in building the Church
Impact the faith and involvement of young adults in the Church
Social justice, including economic justice, environmental justice, and human rights

Grants are intended for special projects, not for general operating funds. Grant proposals must be sponsored by a member of the Marianist Family. For more information or to request an application form, click here. Applications are due by August 31, 2024.

The Ripple Effect of Family Spirit

Linda Muller never planned to attend St. Mary’s University (StMU). But with three degrees (B.A. ’86, B.B.A. ’86, M.A. ’03), a wedding, eight children and a 30-year career, currently as Director of Enterprise Systems and Services at the university, Muller is happy with God’s plan.

On the last day of orientation all those years ago, the Houston native made the long drive to San Antonio on a whim. Already packing up for the day, the staff took one look at Muller and took her to the cafeteria to get something to eat before helping her settle in.

“From that moment, I was sold on St. Mary’s,” Muller said. “When people arrive on campus, they are our family, whether they’re here for one day or whether they’re here for four years or 30 years. Family spirit is the foundation of everything at St. Mary’s.”

Her promotion of the family spirit earned her a spot as one of the 2024 Marianist Heritage Award honorees for showcasing faithfulness to the University’s Marianist heritage.

Click here to discover how StMU played a role in meeting her husband and just how many of her children decided to become Rattlers too.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – President

• Mother Seton Academy (MD) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #82 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Graduates of Resilience – Commencements of Hope

One of the characteristics of a Marianist education is Adaptation and Change. Many 2024 university graduates had to begin their college journeys adapting to an environment of social distancing and virtual learning while developing skills to create positive change.

Commencement speeches everywhere included the challenges students faced. However, at Marianist institutions, the focus was on how fear and adversities did not define them; they only strengthened them with God’s guidance.

Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Chris Wittmann thanked God as he addressed the audience at Chaminade University of Honolulu’s (CUH) invocation. “You blessed and carried them through a world pandemic that took some of their loved ones and changed their education, through devastating fires on Maui, a typhoon in Guam, news of war, devastation, and division.”

The CUH commencement ceremony honored almost 600 graduates. The Commencement Speaker, Executive Counselor for the Asian Pacific Islander Health Forum, Dr. Kamanaʻopono M. Crabbe, told them, “Each one of you represents not just academic success but a journey of determination, resilience, and hope.”

That message echoed through the University of Dayton Arena (UD) as graduates received medals depicting Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. Provost and Executive VP of Academic Affairs Dr. Darlene Weaver asked students to don their medals, saying, “In Chaminade’s ever-inspiring example, we entrust you to go forth living humbly, acting boldly, and working imaginatively and prayerfully to build community.”

UD conferred a record 1,805 undergraduate degrees this spring. Hogan VanSickle was among the 177 UD School of Law graduates almost eight years after a near-fatal car accident left her with quadriplegia. The health care and systemic challenges she faced inspired her. “My accident was a catalyst to pursue a career in law. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg aptly noted, ‘So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be good fortune,’” VanSickle said.

UD President Dr. Eric Spina reiterated that notion, “I hold much hope in my heart for your class. Educated at this Catholic Marianist university, you have internalized a moral compass that will guide you to work for the common good and make a difference in the world. “

St Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, celebrated 565 new graduates in two commencement ceremonies. Its School of Law awarded 281 law degrees where convocation presenters spoke to the challenges students faced and how the Marianist Charism helped them overcome and flourish, selflessly helping those around them.

Dean of St. Mary’s University School of Law Dr. Patricia Roberts told the graduates, “In the face of adversity, you embodied the Marianist pillars of community, mission, and inclusivity. Your class amassed over 17,000 hours of law and pro bono service, positively impacting communities across our region and the nation. Our Catholic Marianist values call us to lead lives of service and to use our gifts to uplift others.”

Collage CUH — Chaminade University of Honolulu

Congratulations to all graduates! May you continue to carry, lean on, and use the fundamentals of your Marianist education throughout your lives.

In The News

First Vows Celebration for Chicago Schuller

Bro. Chicago Joe Schuller professed First Vows in the Society of Mary on May 18, 2024, at Queen of Apostles Chapel in Beavercreek, OH. Director of Novices Bro. Dennis Bautista and Assistant Director of Novices Fr. Tim Eden presented Bro. Chicago as a suitable candidate for the profession of vows after a period of formation and discernment. His vows were received by Provincial of the Marianist Province of the U.S. Fr. Oscar Vasquez.

“Fr. Jim Tobin was the first Marianist I ever met. His gentle and prayerful presence helped me as I was rediscovering my faith in God and prayer with Mary. Fr. Larry Doersching reminded me that the brothers are normal guys called to do grand things for Mary’s mission. Without his guidance, I would not be here today. And Bro. Mike Sullivan taught me what it means to be a man who builds community. These men of great faith helped cultivate my calling,” said Schuller.

Bro. Chicago will be assigned to the Maryland Ave. Community in St. Louis. He will serve in campus ministry and institutional advancement at St. John Vianney High School.

Click here to read more. Click here to view photos from the ceremony and celebration.

Lay Community Commitment Mass

The Flor de Fe Marianist Lay Community (MLC) celebrated its commitment Mass on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in the Assumption Chapel at St. Mary’s University. Flor de Fe is Spanish for Flower of Faith. A member of the group suggested the name because he saw their MLC as a place where their faith can continue to bloom. One member of the group, not pictured below, is Madeline Emke. She made her commitment on Sunday, May 5.

cropped — L to R: Bro. Dan Klco, SM, Irene Urbina Zuniga, Doug Weller, Mary Sommer and José Chaman (a member of the Sub Tuum MLC who assisted in their formation)

Back row, L to R: Bro. Dan Klco, SM, Andrew Villarreal (aspirant), Arty Cantu, Paula Ferradas Hiraoka, Fr. John Thompson, SM Front row, L to R: Suzy Ibarra, Eliana Villarreal, Irene Urbina Zuniga, Doug Weller, Mary Sommer and José Chaman

Chaminade University Awarded $1.5 Million

The U.S. Senate passed the second half of a bipartisan government funding bill that included $31.8 million in new congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks, secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Chaminade University of Honolulu was awarded $1.5 million, which will be used to build the capacity of the Higher Education in Prison program to expand it from male prisoners only to include incarcerated women as well as a bachelor’s track. Click here to read more.

Marianist Ministries in Action

“Singing is Praying Twice”

At St. Anthony School, a Marianist-sponsored K-12 Catholic school on Maui, the Marianist Doxology is being sung to a new tune.

Senior Rob Ryane Gonzales, who lends his musical talents to his parish by playing piano for Masses, decided to harness his hymn and harmony skills and provide instrumental accompaniment for a daily school prayer as part of his senior project.

“I looked at the use of sacred music in the Catholic Chuch and evangelizing and sanctifying the faithful. So, part of my senior project is I took one of the pieces we usually sing during lunch prayer. It’s the last part of the Marianist Doxology, but we never had actual sheet music to go off of, so I worked with our parish music director to write out a piece and have it played on the piano so we could have instrumental music to sing with,” explained Gonzales.

The sound is striking a chord with students! Click here or the play button in the red box to hear from the impressive young composer himself as he comically explains why it’s a melody in the works but believes singing is like praying twice.

He created a YouTube channel for his works, including the Marianist Doxology. You can check it out by clicking here.

From the Archives

Did You Know?

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), among the most well-known churchmen of the 20th century – garnering the cover of Time magazine in 1952 – was taught by the Brothers of Mary. He graduated from Spalding Institute in Peoria, IL, in 1913. The Marianists staffed this school from 1899-1933.

An extraordinary communicator, Fulton began the “Catholic Hour” radio program in 1932 and, from 1951 to 1957, hosted the highly acclaimed television series “Life is Worth Living.” Fr. Lawrence Monheim, S.M. (1905-1985) presented Sheen with the Marian Library Medal in 1953, the same year he won an Emmy Award—the only time an Emmy was given to a religious program in prime-time TV.

On his show, he mentioned the “daily three Hail Marys” he remembered from the Brothers of Mary in high school, who he described as “excellent teachers, given to discipline, yet much beloved.”

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

Pray With Us

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

BROTHER JAMES LEAHY

80 years of profession

I was born on September 2, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY. I have three brothers and one sister. I professed my first vows on August 20, 1944, at Marianist Prep in Beacon, NY. I was blessed to serve in many schools before I retired in 2008 to the Cupertino Marianist Community in Cupertino, CA. I learned quite early in life that I would not be able to do everything for everybody but would be able to do something for somebody. Click here to read more.

FATHER DONALD CAHILL

75 years of profession

I was ordained on June 11, 1961. There were four of us: me, Don Cowie, a Japanese Marianist, and a Spanish Marianist, who went to a nearby German diocese to be ordained with their ordination class. I returned to the United States and celebrated my first Mass at my home parish, Holy Redeemer in Detroit, with my family present. In all my ministries, I continue to know that there is no end to God’s mercy and that He never gives up on us. It has been a blessing. Click here to read more.

BROTHER RICHARD DIX

75 years of profession

I first met the Marianists during my freshman year at Don Bosco High School. The school was just opening, and I was the sixth student to register. I had all Marianist teachers and was impressed by their cheerfulness, happiness, and caring attitude toward the students and each other. This was impressive since they were temporarily living and sleeping in empty classrooms with bedsheet partitions. I was very impressed by what they were doing and how they were doing it. I could see myself doing this. In my junior year, I became a postulant in St. Louis and, a year later, went to the novitiate in Galesville, Wisconsin. Click here to read more.

BROTHER CHARLES GAUSLING

75 years of profession

As a senior at Purcell High School, I was approached about a vocation to be a Marianist. God gave me the grace to devote my life in service to Mary — doing her work — which has been a challenge ever since. I accomplished this by serving as a teacher in the United States and in the missions. In living out my religious life, I have found the need for a solid prayer life which, with God’s grace and Mary’s help, I have tried to do. I thank God for all the graces he has given me, and I pray for Mary’s help to continue to cooperate with them. Click here to read more.

FATHER ROBERT E. HUGHES

75 years of profession

I first met the Marianist brothers at a very young age, they taught at my grade school, Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C. Of particular influence was Bro. Joe Weber in eighth grade. I probably also developed a special devotion to the Blessed Mother at that time. When I asked my parents if I could go to the Postulate at Mount Saint John in Dayton, OH, they were very supportive. After seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland, I learned to love the Church in a special way because of my years of service at the Vatican writing letters to various bishops regarding Vatican II. Click here to read more.

BROTHER LEO SLAY

75 years of profession

Bro. Leo Slay came from a family that had been in the restaurant business since 1911 and has been actively engaged in food service in the Society of Mary since 1949. He’s been a consultant for all types of food service operations, has organized and directed numerous culinary institutes and workshops, and has served as a food service director at Marianist schools. Bro. Leo says, “I believe there is no better way to be happy than to be of service to others.” Click here to read more.

Good to Know

Dedication of Blessed Chaminade Bust on Maui

On April 17, 2024, Fr. Roland Bunda blessed a bronze bust sculpture of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade at St. Anthony of Padua Church and School on Maui. He was accompanied by the ‘Ohana ‘O Malia Marianist Lay Community, Oahu Lay Marianists, Monsignor Terrence Watanabe, Parochial Vicar Fr. Ese Ese “Ace” Tui, and other guests.

When the Marianist priests and brothers left Maui on June 30, 2021, Most Rev. Bishop Larry Silva dedicated a perpetual area in the church courtyard, including a glass enclosure, to commemorate the 138 years of pastoral care to the parish.

Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez commissioned a bust sculpture of Blessed Chaminade by Emeterio Valderrabano Garrido in Mexico. The local Marianist Lay Community then researched an appropriate pedestal to enhance the statue and secured the expertise of sculptor Tim Garcia. He created a harmonious balance of shape and form to let the natural beauty of Maui influence his work. The finished product is a wooden pedestal clad in marble, showcasing two commemorative plaques with the Marianist logo and dates. Click here to see more pictures.

MLC-NA Member Meeting

The Marianist Lay Community of North America’s (MLC-NA) annual Member Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, this year.

This is an opportunity to learn more about upcoming initiatives, ask questions, and hear from other Lay Marianists. This year’s meeting will also feature an opportunity to hear from candidates for the Heads of Office for Temporalities and Spirituality, both of which are up for election this fall.

While MLC-NA’s Member Meeting will focus on the affairs of the lay branch, the meeting is open to all who wish to attend.

Click here for the Zoom link. The times are as follows: 3 pm Eastern | 2 pm Central | 12 pm Pacific | 9 am Hawaii

Join Us!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – President

• Mother Seton Academy (MD) – President

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Director of Advancement

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #79 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Earth Day Is Everyday for Marianists

Earth Day was celebrated this spring on April 22 with environmental activities across the globe. For the Marianist Family Encounters Project, protecting the planet is a year-round pursuit. The Marianist Family wants to thank all those who devote time and energy to making an ecological difference around campuses and neighborhoods. Highlighted this year are three Marianist-sponsored schools for fostering environmental clean-up, recycling, spreading the charism, and sustainability initiatives.

Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore, MD, the smallest school in the Marianist sponsorship collaborative with just 80 students, had almost half the school commit to a neighborhood clean-up project. It began last spring with a community neighborhood clean-up and plantings at the pocket park across from the school. This year, they started “green teams” comprised of about six members who pick up trash at the park and surrounding area. “I was overwhelmed with the response from the students,” said Linda Clarke-Tucker, ministry lead and science educator/STEAM coordinator at Mother Seton. “The students hope that their efforts will foster a spirit of hope in the community and encourage adults to maintain the area along with them,” said Clarke-Tucker.
Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, TX, under the leadership of Ministry Lead and Guardian Angel Moderator James Bendele, continued its dedication to two different projects. “Our Guardian Angels and Environment Club teamed up for our annual Basura Bash,’ said Bendele. “We spent a morning and afternoon cleaning up plastics at OP Schnabel Park and the Leon Creek Greenway. The following week, the Guardian Angels cleaned out the stables at the Saddle Light Center. This organization uses horses as therapy for children with various disabilities ranging from Down’s Syndrome to Muscular Dystrophy and other concerns. “It was awesome being able to do this work and spend time with the horses, too,” said Bendele.
Colegio San José students in San Juan, PR, who participate in the Environmental Committee and EcoSchool, organized a virtual workshop on composting under the leadership of Ministry Lead and School Counselor Edilmari Longo Vega. The tutorial was offered by agronomist Dalma Cartagena, who gave an overview of the fundamentals of composting. The workshop included moderators and students from the Ecology and Recycling Clubs “and strengthened our sense of family and reinforced our commitment to sustainability,” said Longo Vera.

Online Opportunity

“We are encouraged by the environmental work undertaken by our Marianist schools,” said Bro. Steve O’Neil, who also invites Marianist Family members to sign up for an online opportunity called Reversing Global Warming. “Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start,” said Bro. Steve. “This five-week series from Apr. 25-May 23 will help you recognize ways you can make a difference.”

Click here to register for the online series

There will also be a Marianist Encounters Conference this fall that advances the Marianist Family’s efforts in implementing the goals of Laudato Si’ and the Global Compact on Education. Click here for the Save-the-Date.

Cental catholic 2 — Central Catholic High School

In The News

Annunciation, Birthday, and Solar Celebration

This year, the Feast of the Annunciation fell on Monday, April 8, 2024, which was also Blessed William Joseph Chaminade’s 263rd birth anniversary. If that wasn’t enough to celebrate, a total solar eclipse coincided with these events.

To mark this historic alignment, friends, donors, volunteers, and Marianist Family members in the Dayton, OH, area gathered at Mount Saint John for refreshments, socializing, and prayer. Fr. Johann Roten briefly talked about Astronomical Events in Scripture and Marian Images. Fr. Roten is a Marianist priest and internationally recognized scholar on Mary, the mother of Christ, and transhumanism. He is a scholar in residence with the University of Dayton International Marian Research Institute.

Congratulations Bro. Thierry

Bro. Thierry Kadja (from Togo) participated in the “Flyer Pitch” competition at University of Dayton and was awarded $50,000. He was seeking funding to advance his PhD research project, which is a portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect diseases in farm animals. A PCR test, used during COVID-19, identifies genetic material in a sample to diagnose infectious diseases and genetic changes. Click here to read more.

Dispute Resolution Team Wins National Championship

From left, Delaney Montez, Max Massey, and Jacklyn Dhaemers

While many students took time off during Spring Break, the St. Mary’s University’s School of Law ’s National Dispute Resolution Team was hard at work. The team was crowned national champions in an American Bar Association competition and will represent the United States internationally in Poland in May.

“We continue to be impressed with the dedication, hard work and talent of our students and coaches,” said Dean of the School of Law Patricia Roberts, J.D.

The national championship builds upon a record-breaking season for the Advocacy Program. St. Mary’s School of Law is the first and only law school in the history of American Bar Association competitions to have teams advance to national finals in all five advocacy categories in the same academic year. Those categories are appellate competition, arbitration, client counseling, mediation, and negotiations.

Marianist Schools Partnership

St. John Vianney High School began every day of its Mission Week in March with a lesson on Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School (OLN), located in the largest and worst slum in Nairobi, Kenya. For the 1,900 children enrolled at OLN, education offers an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in which they were born.

Students at Vianney partnered with OLN, raising enough money during its 2024 Mission Week to sponsor a classroom for a year. The relationship developed when Fr. Gabriel Kirangah, the director of OLN, had his students write letters to the students of Vianney. For two years now, students from the two Marianist schools have been corresponding.

In 2023, students donated enough money to build a water point at the school. This year, Ministry Lead and Marketing/Communication Director Sapna Jos reports more than $6,000 was raised. “Mission Week this year included competitions and a coffee bar that helped raise the funds,” said Jos. Additionally, every theology course at Vianney dedicated one class to teaching about Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School. Vianney looks forward to continuing its partnership with OLN in the months and years ahead.

International Extravaganza Gets Rave Reviews

Chaminade University of Honolulu hosted its annual International Extravaganza with much fanfare. Student-led performances of cultural dance and song delighted the crowd of students, teachers, families, and the Marianist community, including Fr. Chris Wittmann and Bro. Ed Brink, as seen above. In typical Marianist tradition, there were plenty of Hawaiian delectables for everyone to sample.

It’s an opportunity to learn more about all the different cultures represented at the university. Jessica Laird is a second-year student from Chicago. Laird is a study abroad student from the University of Dayton, and this was her first time experiencing International Extravaganza.

“My favorite parts were when each culture would drag the crowd in to come dance with them,” said Laird. “My friends and I wished we would have joined one of the clubs at the beginning of the semester to learn all the dances, so when we got asked to go and join them it was so much fun. International Extravaganza was my favorite event on campus so far.”

Marianist Ministries in Action

Farewell, and Thank You!

Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., known for his tremendous energy and administrative talent, is about to embark on a new chapter in his life. On May 31, 2024, he will retire as president of St. Mary’s University, a position he has held for the past 12 years.

Looking back at his time at St. Mary’s, he credits the Marianists for instilling in him the importance of “walking humbly with the Lord,” an attitude that he saw reinforced by many members of the St. Mary’s community who exude humility, gratitude, and charity.

“I saw this not only in the leadership team and my direct reports but also Ida, my favorite housekeeper on campus, and Luis, the best landscaper in Texas, who beautified our campus grounds,” he said. “It was also evident in Fr. Jim Tobin, my holy Father, and Fr. John Thompson, the singing, guitar-playing Marianist who inspires faith and servant leadership among our students.”

He is hesitant to claim his many achievements at St. Mary’s because “there were so many good colleagues who shouldered responsibility for them,” he said. But three initiatives stand above the rest.

First is the deepening of St. Mary’s Catholic Marianist identity. “I underscore ‘Catholic’ here,” said Mengler. “The Marianist Charism begins and ends with Mary as Mother of Jesus – and of Jesus as our Savior, who became man, suffered on the Cross, and rose from the dead. Our Catholic Marianist identity is stronger today in a number of ways, including through the Center for Catholic Studies.”

The second is the success of The Defining Moment Campaign, which raised more than $165 million, ten times larger than any previous campaign. “As important as the funding we received from our generous benefactors were the numbers – more than 11,000 individual donors,” said Mengler. “These numbers alone show the gratitude of our alumni for their St. Mary’s education, and they certainly suggest that St. Mary’s future will be bright.”

The third is the culture of excellence and continuous improvement, now deeply embedded in the fabric of the university. “It was not so 12 years ago. I am so proud of and confident in St. Mary’s leadership team, especially Winston Erevelles, who will soon be the 14th president of St. Mary’s University. I am pretty sure Mother Mary could not be happier.”

Mengler’s retirement is one of those bitter-sweet moments in life. “I’m not yet sure what’s next for me other than to continue to use my gifts and talents for the greater good.” He is looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren. “Nothing could top that, other than the continuing joy of family and friends. My wife, Mona, and I have so many good friendships at St. Mary’s,” said Mengler.

A Marianist Moment

Marianist Women’s Summit and FMI (USA) 75th Anniversary

Save the date! The Marianist Sisters invite you to a “Marianist Women’s Summit” and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of its USA Foundation from Oct. 25-26 in San Antonio. The summit will provide an opportunity for lay and vowed women in the Marianist Family to visit, pray, and converse about Mary’s Magnificat call in our lives.

The event will take place at the Marianist Sisters’ Our Lady of the Pillar Community on Friday, Oct. 25, and at St. Mary’s University School of Law on Saturday. On Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4:00 p.m., the Marianist Women’s Summit participants will join the wider Marianist Family and guests to celebrate the 75th Anniversary Mass, which will be held in The Blessed Adele Chapel at Central Catholic High School. Following Mass, there will be a social, meal, and presentation.

From the Archives

Click play below to watch the history of Bro. Stephen’s Faith Journey

A parishioner of St. Augustine in Old City Philadelphia, Marianist brother, and child psychologist, Bro. Stephen Glodek shares his faith journey delving into the Marianist founding in France in 1817 and reflecting on how Mary helps guide him in his interactions with youth today.

Pray With Us

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

The University of Dayton (UD) is saddened to announce that former Flyer men’s basketball captain and head coach Don Donoher passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 92. The all-time winningest coach in UD basketball history, Donoher is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. One of the top coaches of his generation, Donoher was an assistant coach on the United States’ gold medal-winning team at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living coach to have taken a team to the Final Four. Click here to read more.

Good to Know

Exploring the Lives of the Marianist Founders

The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, located in Eureka, MO, is offering a free, enlightening, three-part series on the profound legacy of the Marianist founders. The sessions will celebrate the lives, teachings, and enduring impact of these remarkable figures, with a special focus on what they have to say to us today.

The sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from May 1 to May 15, and special speakers will include Fr. George Cerniglia, Bro. Jesse O’Neill, and Fr. Sean Downing.

Click the image to see more details.

Book Your Family Summer Retreat

Explore the opportunities offered at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ.

Retreat weeks start each Monday, beginning June 24 through Aug. 17. While single-parent families are always welcome, the week of July 15-20 is specifically designated for single parents.

Join together with other families for the week. Mass and other family liturgies are complemented by skits, presentations, family sharing, peer group discussions, sunset beach walks, and other fun activities.

Scheduled recreation and free time (4-5 hours daily), with ocean swimming (the beach is a 1/2 block away), are part of all family retreats. The cost includes meals, room, program, beach access, and more!

Click here for more information or email: [email protected] or call 609-884-3829 – financial aid is available.

Join Us!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Chaminade College Prep (CA) – Assistant Director of Student Activities

• Marianist Province of the U.S. (MO) – Coordinator, Office of Sponsorship

• Marianist Province of the U.S. (MO) – Digital Communications Marketing Coordinator

• Director Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning (OH) – Executive Director

• Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MO) – Director of Hospitality

• Purcell Marian High School (OH) – Principal

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Asst. Principal and Director of Advancement

• North American Center for Marianist Studies (OH) – Program Administrator

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #79 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.

Forever Marianist

If you stroll around University of Dayton, you’ll inevitably notice a palpable sense of community, intellectual curiosity, and a faith-filled welcoming presence – hallmarks of the Marianist Charism.

But it’s when you shake hands with a Marianist Educational Associate (MEA), one of 127 specially trained faculty and staff at UD, that you’ll notice the warmth of the Marianists. More precisely, you’ll find yourself in the care of “a champion of our Marianist and Catholic identity,” as Fr. Jim Fitz, vice president for mission and rector, describes them.

With fewer Marianists occupying a visible role in university activities, simply due to the increasing age and decreasing number of brothers, the importance of MEAs and lay champions has taken on greater significance.

It’s one reason an initiative called Forever Marianist was launched by a handful of UD alumni donors in 2021. The goal was to increase financial support for the formation and funding of MEAs and other lay leaders, as well as the work of Campus Ministry, the Marian Library, the Center for Catholic Education and other academic programs that advance UD’s Catholic, Marianist philosophy of education.

Bro. Tom Giardino, executive director of the Association of Marianist Universities, whose goal is to develop strong Marianist lay leaders, sees the MEAs as a critical link in sustaining a stable Marianist presence. “We need a significant number of university employees who are steeped in the Catholic and Marianist traditions of education and willing to incorporate these traditions into the culture of their university,” said Bro. Tom. “They also must be capable of adapting these traditions to forge an engaging response to challenges in American higher education while contributing toward global justice – an integral goal of the Marianist Charism.”

That’s a tall order. One that Ryan Allen, an MEA since 2014, found a bit intimidating.

As executive director for UD’s Center for Online Learning, Allen “never thought when I began at UD, let alone even now, that I should be the one talking about what it means to be a Marianist,” he said.

Yet he has found that people need to hear this coming from other people besides vowed religious. “I think that’s part of being an MEA. You don’t have to be a priest. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to be a perfect Catholic. You have to be somebody aspiring to learn more, do better, and build connections on this campus in a way that the collective gets better.”

Click here to learn more about Marianist Educational Associates at all three Marianist universities.

In The News

March to Dublin, Ireland

The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (STVM) marching band made its international debut on March 17 at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Participants reported perfect weather and an amazing crowd of about half a million spectators. Those marching in the parade included current students, ten alumni, one majorette, and one Irish dancer. Director of Bands Brian Campbell received a citation from the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

The marching band started raising funds for this opportunity after receiving an invitation to march in the parade back in 2022. The STVM community raised more than $100,000 for the trip, which significantly reduced the cost for students.

Click here to view a video reel from the parade.

Click here for a video performance in Dublin.

March Madness

For the first time since 2017, the University of Dayton (UD) Flyers men’s basketball team battled in the NCAA Tournament. The season ended for the team in the second round, falling to ninth-ranked Arizona.

It was UD’s 19th NCAA appearance. The Flyers reached the Final Four once (1967), the Elite Eight three times (1967, 1984 and 2014), and the Sweet Sixteen seven times (1952, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1984 and 2014). UD made it to the NCAA championship game in 1967, losing to the first of the Lew Alcindor UCLA teams.

Girls HS Basketball History

The Purcell Marian High School girl’s basketball team has scored three state titles in a row! The Cavaliers defeated Shaker Heights Laurel School 79-52 in the Division II girl’s basketball state final at University of Dayton Arena to win their third-consecutive state championship. The team is the sixth girl’s team in OHSAA history to do so.

Purcell Marian won the 2023 Division II state title, the 2022 Division III state title, and was a 2021 Division III state semifinalist.

St. Mary’s Draws Policymakers and Experts to Address Homelessness

St. Mary’s University recently led a discussion on how the community can help people experiencing homelessness. The event, moderated by University President Dr. Thomas Mengler, included a panel of policymakers and experts — such as U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and Mayor of San Antonio Ron Nirenberg.

To continue St. Mary’s University’s dedicated pursuit of fostering meaningful dialogue for the community’s well-being, the St. Mary’s Center for Catholic Studies presented the latest conversation series called Finding Common Ground for the Common Good. The discussion was free and open to the public. Click here to read more.

Gala of Gratefulness

Chaminade University of Honolulu held the Silverswords Gala, a benefit dinner for student and athletic scholarships. The gathering served a purpose woven into the fabric of education and opportunity.

In a video presentation, Chaminade senior Audrey Pilar ’24 described how she cried for an hour after learning she received a scholarship. “These scholarships are way more than just a financial burden lifted off someone’s shoulders,” the forensics major said. “It’s way more than just money to a person because to me, I think you’re giving someone hope, and you’re giving someone a chance.”

“Education transforms lives,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington, adding, “Our students set out to change the world—they are making a difference.”

Marianist Ministries in Action

Eagle Scout Pays Homage to School, Scouts, and Mary

When Sam Wynn, a senior at St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School in St. Louis, began strategizing how he could earn an Eagle Scout Award, a process that involves garnering 21 merit badges, he knew one thing. “I wanted to build something for my school.”

He especially wanted a project that would emphasize the mission of faith formation through education. That’s when he came up with the South Side Reflection Garden – a prayer space on campus near the Chapel. “It’s so much more than a prayer garden,” declared Wynn. “The area can be used as an outdoor classroom for teachers and students. It can also be used by our school’s counselors or anyone who wants to use it as a meditation space.”

The project took on a life of its own when Eagle Scout Sponsor Tony Duncan invited Sam to build a prayer bench at his house. St. Mary’s students Soren Hennies,’24, Drew Harden,’26, Julian Christians and Justin Waeltermann,’28, also members of Troop 51, pitched in to help him build and sand the bench.

Having now installed the bench and a statue of Mary, the garden is starting to come alive. “Some of the scouts planted perennial seeds near the statue, so those should be blooming soon,” said Wynn.

“To earn an Eagle Scout Award requires determination, planning, and preparation,” said St. Mary’s South Side Catholic Principal Valerie Todd, who, along with Facilities Director Ryan Reynolds, helped Sam navigate the decisions and approvals about the implementation of his plan. “This project not only showed Sam’s commitment to the tenets of scouting but also his love and dedication to St. Mary’s,” said Todd.

Reflecting on his time in scouts, Sam lights up with enthusiasm: “I have enjoyed every minute of Boy Scouts,” he said. “It opened my eyes to so much in nature.” Sam is also grateful for everyone who helped him along the way. “I had a strong support system. Not everyone is given the opportunity to do something like this.”

EAgle Scout Sam Wynn Staned Bench cropped

Sam Wynn St. Mary's HS 1 cropped — Sam Wynn

Sam Wynn St. Mary's HS 3 cropped — Sam with friends and fellow troop members

A Marianist Moment

Celebrating the Resurrection as a Moment in Time and a Mystery That Endures

When celebrating the Resurrection, we are remembering an event in which Jesus was raised from the dead after experiencing arrest, interrogation, torture, and crucifixion. Jesus’ followers were unaware that this could be a possibility since they were not fully paying attention to Jesus’ predictions of his passion, death, and rising. Their fear led them to flee and hide since they felt that they might experience the same fate if they were found out to be a follower of Jesus. But it was the event of Jesus’ rising that eventually led the apostles to remember the importance of Jesus’ words and action while he was alive (see John 2:22, Luke 24:30-32). Understanding the importance of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery, then, enabled the apostles to engage in the process of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was their diligence and perseverance that allowed them to keep the memory of Jesus Christ alive.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (renowned Jewish theologian, and philosopher) said, “Memory is a source of faith. To have faith is to remember. Jewish faith is a recollection of that which happened to Israel in the past. The events in which the spirit of God became a reality stand before our eyes, painted in colors that never fade. Much of what the Bible demands can be comprised in one word: Remember.” (pg. 2 of Chap. 1, Thunder in the Soul: To Be Known by God, ed. Robert Erlewine).

I believe the same thing can be said about our Christian faith. Our faith is a recollection of that which happened to the Christian community in the past, and the Christian Scriptures are testaments to the events of Jesus Christ’s life and the early Christian community. It has been the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude and the Book of Revelation that have provided the memory for us to preserve the Paschal Mystery for generations and, of course, into the future.

Click here to read more.

From the Archives

Miracle Moment

Reference and Research Archivist for the Marianist Province of the United States Lisa Finnie shares a miracle moment in Marianist history that occurred 25 years ago.

In October 1999, following extensive inquiry, the miraculous cure of Elena Otero, attributable to the intercession of Venerable William Joseph Chaminade, was unanimously authenticated by the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops. On December 20, 1999, the Promulgation of the Decree of Approbation of the miracle was declared.

It was that miracle that merited the beatification of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade by Pope John Paul II the following year.

Elena Graciela Otero de Gaudino of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland in early 1991 at the age of 49. While awaiting surgery, she and her friends, Marianist religious and lay Marianists, prayed for healing through the intercession of Fr. Chaminade. The tumor completely disappeared without any medical intervention, and her cure was determined to be scientifically inexplicable by the Medical Board of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Otero lived to the age of 72, maintaining her strong faith till the end.

Pray With Us

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

Bro. Frank (Paco) Gomes, 83, died on March 13, 2024, in Cupertino, CA, with 64 years of religious profession.

Known affectionately as Brother Paco, Brother Frank served in teaching
ministries for more than 30 years both in his native Hawaii and in Mexico. He also devoted much of his energy toward promoting Hispanic culture in the schools where he served and in community support organizations.

Click here to read more.

Click here to see more pictures.

◆ 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

Good to Know

Mass of Thanksgiving and Art

Join us as we celebrate our artists in Ohio. After more than 34 years of displaying the creative talents of the Marianist Brothers, Gallery Saint John on the campus of Mount Saint John closed on March 1, 2024.

On April 14, 2024, a Mass will be held in honor of the artists who use their God-given talents to inspire others. Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, creation, and goodness, and these brothers capture that essence with their artwork.

Click here for the invitation and RSVP details.

Imago Dei Assembly – June 27-June 30

The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative’s (MSJC) LGBTQ+ Initiative will host Imago Dei: Embracing the Dignity of LGBTQ+ Persons, an assembly for the Catholic LGBTQ+ community. Imago Dei commemorates the 50th anniversary of a 1974 groundbreaking conference centered on LGBTQ+ inclusion and ministry. It will honor those who developed pastoral outreach and envision how to continue to respond to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community within our Church. Scholarships are available. Click here to learn about speakers, sessions, and other details.

ALIVE Magazine – Spring Edition

The new fall edition of ALIVE magazine is now available.

Inside, you will find stories about three high school attendees of the Marianist LIFE (Learning in Faith Experience) summer program drawing on lessons they learned in the program to meet the challenges of life and a Marianist Novice celebrates his Texas roots with tasty appetizers and margarita recipes.

Click here to read those stories and more in the digital version.

Join Us!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

• Marianist Province of the U.S. (TX) – Director of Resident Services

• Marianist Province of the U.S. (MO) – Digital Communications Marketing Coordinator

• Director Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning (OH) – Executive Director

• St. John Vianney High School (MO) – President

• Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MO) – Director of Hospitality

• Purcell Marian High School (OH) – Principal

• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH) – Asst. Principal, and Director of Advancement

• North American Center for Marianist Studies (OH) – Program Administrator

Check Out More Marianist News

Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary

Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

District Update #79 from the Marianist District of India

Follow Us On Social Media

FamilyOnline Submissions

We welcome and encourage submissions of interest to our nearly 3,600 subscribers. Please send them to Theresa Petry.

GET CONNECTED!

Stay in touch with the Marianist Province by downloading our new mobile app!

Download your free copy today for easy access to information that supports the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries. Compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.