BRO. Guillermo “MEMO” PEñA CONTRERAS PROFESSES FIRST VOWS
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 Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Provincial and with the Assistant for the Office of Religious Life Fr. Tim Kenney concelebrating.
Many family members, friends, and brothers from the Querétaro and Puebla communities in Mexico and the United States attended the vow ceremony and reception that followed. The ceremony was also live streamed so that Marianist family members and friends from all over the world could witness the celebration virtually.
Bro. Guillermo Peña Contreras, 33, is the son of Antonio Peña Alegria and Silvia Contreras Mendoza. He is the eldest of his siblings, 20-year-old Lizbeth Peña Contreras and younger brother Jonathan Peña Contreras, who sadly passed away at the young age of just 16. 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, living with them in Querétaro as a Marianist Aspirant. “I like community life because you can feel the love and support of a family in not just a physical sense but also in a spiritual way,” said Memo.
He moved to San Antonio in December 2020 living at the Casa Maria Marianist Community as a pre-novice. He attended courses at the Mexican American Catholic College and began an intensive English program at St. Mary’s University. During his time in Texas, he also used his law degree to help several local charities. “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 Bro. Peña.
Memo will begin his service at the Querétaro Marianist Community. He recognizes that there are challenges in his path, “but with God’s help and the support of my brothers, I know I will learn and walk in the right direction.”
Please click here to view the ceremony and reception photos for Bro. Guillermo Peña Contreras
Thank you for remembering Brother Guillermo Peña Contreras in your prayers.
BRO. CHICAGO SCHULLER PROFESSES FIRST VOWS
Bro. Chicago Joe Schuller professed First Vows in the Society of Mary (Marianists) 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.
His mother, Kerry, and brother, Stingray, were joined by many family members, friends, and members of the Marianist community at the vow ceremony and reception that followed. The ceremony was also live streamed so that Marianist family members and friends from all over the world could witness his first profession.
Bro. Chicago Joe Schuller, 25, was born in Harlingen, Texas and raised in Mission, TX, where his mother faithfully raised him in the faith at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. Bro. Chicago Joe was greatly impressed by the humility and passion of his parish priest, Fr. Roy Snipes, OMI, whose down-to-earth homilies always left him with life lessons. He first met the Marianists upon entering college at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.
“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,” expressed Schuller.
He went through formation as a Lay Marianist while at St. Mary’s University, and after graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he applied for Aspirancy with the Marianists. He completed pre-Aspirancy volunteering as a farm hand at an urban farm co-op and assisting brothers with men’s small groups at University of Dayton. Bro. Chicago then moved back to St. Mary’s University, engaging in ministry with Holy Rosary Parish, Central Catholic High School, and TECABOCA (a summer camp for kids). For his apostolic year, his service was split between assisting in the Office of Temporalities for the U.S. Province in St. Louis, MO, and working at the Marianist Mission in OH.
After professing First Vows, Bro. Chicago will be assigned to the Maryland Ave. Community in St. Louis, where he will be engaged in ministry at St. John Vianney High School in Campus Ministry and Institutional Advancement.
Please click here to view the ceremony and reception photos for Bro. Chicago Joe Schuller.
Click here for his full bio.
Thank you for remembering Brother Chicago Joe Schuller in your prayers.