Congratulations to Fr. Varghese Manooparampil from the District of India, who graduated from the University of Dayton on May 7, 2021, with a master’s degree in Religious Studies. The title of his comprehensive project was: “The Evolvement of Marian Thought After Vatican II in the Society of Mary: An Indian Perspective.” There was a gathering at the Stonemill-Kiefaber community to celebrate his accomplishment, and six members of the Religious Studies department came to honor Fr. Varghese along with other SM, FMI and fellow graduate students. Click here for photos.

Yesterday, I received an update from Bro. Darwin Joseph (Assistant District Superior) on our Brothers in India. The situation continues to improve. Please continue to keep our brothers in prayer.  Prayers, please. Click here to view the update from Bro. Darwin. For privacy reasons, please remember to not post names on social media or forward the names to other individuals or groups.  

The parish community of Saint Anthony’s on Maui is honoring the Marianists on Pentecost, May 23. Brothers from Honolulu and those who have served on the island have been invited to the Eucharist, luncheon and festivities. This will be live-streamed, and I will make the link available. Bro. Fred Silbereis will also celebrate his 60th Jubilee as a Marianist. Fr. Oscar Vasquez and I will represent the province at the celebration. The Marianists arrived on Maui in 1883.

Bro. Gerard Sullivan (70 years of profession), Bro. Daniel. Stupka (70 years of profession), Fr. Joseph Uvietta (70 years of profession and 60 years of ordination), Fr. Patrick McDaid (25 years of profession), Fr. Donald Cahill (60 years of ordination), Sr. Gretchen Trautman (50 years of profession), Fr. Joseph Rasky (70 years of profession) and Bro. James Jaeckle (60 years of profession). Not pictured, Bro. Norbert Karpfinger (70 years of profession).

Fr. Stephen Coffey, a Benedictine monk with the Camaldolese Congregation, will offer a spiritual direction course, some of which will be online. Please click here for more information.

The World of Finance. Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate financial markets and protect citizens. Watch video.

Thank you to the 33 brothers who participated recently in the Virtual Easter Sessions. Participants represented an array of brothers from across the province. Below is a reflection from Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, a member of the Hale Malia community, sharing his experience of the Virtual Easter time together.

Before COVID, I had always looked forward to province workshops, jubilees, retreats, for the fraternity that took place among brothers from across the U.S. When I saw the invitation in Notes from the Provincial Council, I knew it held the same possibility. I even liked the idea of signing up for a time and not knowing who would be in the group. I was with brothers from Cape May, Dayton, Beavercreek, St. Louis, San Antonio, and myself, from Honolulu. We had a great exchange about the blessings of COVID-19 time, hopes for the future, and a lot of laughs during Bro. Jesse O'Neill’s game.

Probably the most memorable moment for me came at the end when I shared a COVID-19 blessing. Being isolated in the lockdowns, I seemed to become more aware of the grace that would slip in the back door of my soul as I struggled with being hopeful, caring, energized, positive. The Lord showed up in ways I’d least expect. I joked that “even with all the detours, missteps, back steps and side steps, the Lord might be able to convert me yet.” When everyone smiled, I had the sense of being joined to these men by our common struggle to allow God’s grace to continue to refashion us to become the best of whom God created each of us to be. I thought what a gift to be part of these men.

May 13: Anthony Jansen

May 14: Robert Jones

May 17: Frank Spaeth

May 18: Martin Solma, Thomas Suda

May 13: Ascension of our Lord