Dear Brothers,
General Council Visit
We are thankful to have received tentative dates (2021) for the rescheduled visit by the General Council. Please pray that our world will be in a safe place for the General Council to travel to the United States:
- Part I: September 19 to October 30
- Part II: November 30 to December 18
As we get closer, I will begin working on details for the visit. In the near future, I will reach out to the area coordinators to see if there are significant Marianist and/or ministry events during these dates. We will continue to monitor the vaccine distribution and health and safety issues in our country that may influence the schedule of their visit.
New District Leadership in Eastern Africa Named
Earlier this week, the superior general, with the support of the General Council, announced the appointment of Fr. Stephen Wanyoike Mburu as the next regional superior of Eastern Africa. The Marianist Province of the United States sends fraternal greetings and prayers to Fr. Stephen.
Father Stephen was born on April 25, 1973, in Kenya. He made his first vows on August 1, 1998, in Nairobi, Kenya. On January 22, 2005, he pronounced his perpetual vows. After three years at the Chaminade International Seminary in Rome, Italy, he was ordained a Marianist priest on October 24, 2009, in Nairobi, Kenya. Father Stephen will begin his first term of five years on May 23, 2021.
We would also like to thank Fr. Gabriel Kirangah and his Council for their years of service.
God is on Your Side: A Statement by Catholic Bishops
At the February 25 meeting of the Provincial Council, we acted to add our name to God is On Your Side: A Statement by Catholic Bishops on Protecting LGBT Youth, an effort organized by the Tyler Clementi Foundation. It reads in part:
“The Catholic Church values the God-given dignity of all human life and we take this opportunity to say to our LGBT friends, especially young people, that we stand with you and oppose any form of violence, bullying or harassment directed at you. Most of all, know that God created you, God loves you, and God is on your side.”
To read the entire statement and view the list of other signatories,
click here.
Personnel
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Bro. Giancarlo Bonutti is assigned to the Marianist Residence Community with ministry as the community director. The assignment will begin on July 1, 2021.
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Fr. Roland Bunda is assigned to a period of sabbatical. The assignment begins July 1, 2021. The formal assignment for after the sabbatical year will be made at a later time.
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Bro. Paco Gomes is assigned to a period of sabbatical. The assignment begins July 1, 2021. The formal assignment for after the sabbatical year will be made at a later time.
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Fr. Sylverius Kerketta is assigned to the Marianist Community at Governor’s Island with ministry at the Marianist Chapel. The assignment begins July 1, 2021.
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Bro. Dan Klco is assigned to a period of sabbatical. The assignment begins July 1, 2021. The formal assignment for after the sabbatical year will be made at a later time.
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Bro. Mike O’Grady is assigned to the Casa Maria Community with ministry as the director of the Aspirancy program. Bro. Mike will also assist Bro. Mark Motz with our vocation program in Texas. The assignment begins August 1, 2021.
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Bro. David Quigley is assigned to the Woodlawn Marianist Community with ministry of service at the Marianist Residence. The assignment begins July 1, 2021.
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Bro. Fred Silbereis is assigned to the Siena Woods Community with ministry of service. The assignment begins July 1, 2021.
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Fr. Chris Wittmann is assigned to a period of sabbatical. The assignment begins July 1, 2021. The formal assignment for after the sabbatical year will be made at a later time.
Thank You to All
The personnel time of the year is always a time to rejoice and to thank God for the generosity of our Brothers. Thank you! As Bro. Bernie and I both stated during the recent community meetings, “it has always been difficult to be an administrator of a Marianist work.” In the time of COVID, it is more difficult than ever. In the name of the Province, I want to thank our Brothers who are completing terms of service as administrators/pastors: Fr. Roland Bunda, Bro. Mike O’Grady and Fr. Chris Wittmann.
This Coming Week
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March 4: Confessions, Chaminade Collge Preparatory, St. Louis
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March 5: Provincial Chapter Meeting, virtual session, 1:00-5:00 p.m.