Dear Brothers,

We are United in Prayer

In a world and culture that many times seems only to be about negativity and stressing conflict, there are angels among us. We received a note from a Marianist Affiliate in St. Louis. She stated, “Special thoughts and prayers for all Marianists! We're surrounded with angels all about us. The mission continues! United in prayer with the whole Marianist Family.” She sent this on the Feast of the Guardian Angels! Prayers!

Holy Rosary Recognized

Congratulations to Fr. John Thompson! His efforts to build a stronger parish and to focus on the youth/young adult ministry have been recognized by the “San Antonio Awards Program: Recognizing and Honoring the Best.”  Holy Rosary Catholic Church has been selected for the 2019 Best of San Antonio Awards in the category of Place of Worship. 

Thank you to Fr. John for gathering a staff that helps to set the tone of welcome and support. Fr. John’s energy and passion for ministry and life is something that we have all experienced. Please remember that this initiative was originally the inspiration of the Archbishop of San Antonio. It has become a true partnership between St. Mary’s University and the Marianists/Holy Rosary. Congratulations John!

Perpetual Vows, Mexico

This coming weekend, I will be traveling to Mexico with Fr. John Thompson (Provincial Council liaison to the communities in Mexico). I will preside at a Mass to celebrate the Perpetual Vows of Bro. Juan Pablo Espinoza. This will allow Bro. Juan Pablo to celebrate with his family and all the Marianists in Mexico.

Perpetual Vows, Haiti

The Provincial Council is in the process of organizing a celebration in Haiti to allow Bro. Jean Dossous to celebrate with his family, friends and Marianist Lay Communities in Haiti.  Bro. Bernie Ploeger will be the Provincial Council member representing the Province at this event. The school community at St. Martin’s Marianist School, Uniondale NY, is also organizing a celebration for Bro. Jean.  

Directors Meeting & Perpetual Vows

This past weekend, we held the annual Directors meeting at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center (MRCC) in Eureka, Mo. Thank you to Bro. Bernie Ploeger for his organization of the schedule and all the details for the meeting. A special word of thanks to Donna Tucker for assisting with a variety of tasks and handling all the travel arrangements.

Thank you to Fr. Tim Kenney for planning the perpetual vow Mass and reception and to  Terry Eversole who assisted with all the organizational details.  

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bro. (Doctor) Reinaldo Berríos who has been appointed Professor at the University of Puerto Rico. Bro. Reinaldo teaches three classes a semester in addition to walking with students who are working on their doctoral dissertations. Bro. Reinaldo continues to assist in the student financial assistance area at Colegio San José in San Juan. 

Marianist Family Council of North America (MFC-NA)

At the end of the MFC-NA spring meeting in March, Bro. Bernie Ploeger was elected as the chairperson of that committee. Thank you to Bro. Bernie for his willingness to be of service to the Marianist family. (Reminder: The MFC-NA is the leadership of the Marianist Sisters, the Marianist Lay Communities of North America and the Marianist Province of the US.)

We Gather in Spirit

Remember that this weekend we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Marianist World Day of Prayer. As a Province, we are separated by many miles but our common Marianist heritage can be a great opportunity to gather in spirit. Let us join ourselves with the Marianist Family for the Marianist World Day of Prayer on Sunday, October 13 at the Marian Shrine of our Lady of Atacora, Mother of Unity and Good Counsel. If you’d like more information on this prayer site, please click here.

This Coming Week

Dear Brothers,

Directors Meeting Follow-up

We just completed some very important and informative meetings with all of our community directors. We worked hard and celebrated well with our two Brothers, Jean Dossous and Juan Pablo Espinoza, who professed perpetual vows on Saturday evening.

Bros. Jean and Juan Pablo

I shared with the directors the following information:

Dear Brothers,

Sponsorship Commission Meets

Last week, the Sponsorship Commission met to discern and discuss ongoing decisions impacting our schools and retreat centers. The volunteer members of the Sponsorship Commission assist the Office of Sponsorship and the Provincial Council in ensuring that the charism of Blessed Chaminade and the mission of the Marianist Province and Catholic Church are served and advanced in the Province’s sponsored ministries. I am most grateful for the generosity and wisdom this gathering provides. Please read the reflection below on how one member of the commission, Don Eggleston, sees the mission of this work.

Beacons of Hope, Mercy and Community

A charism is described in theological terms as a “gift,” a “grace” that serves and enriches the church through the lives of those who embody gospel values and the foundational qualities of a religious community.

In a world that too often dissolves into cynicism, divisiveness, environmental indifference, human trafficking and economic disparities, the Marianist charism and the Characteristics of Marianist Education stand as beacons of mercy, hope and community which do not merely mimic the Incarnation but in fact participate quite fully in it.

Continue reading this reflection here.

Sponsorship Commission Members

Seated from left: Don Eggleston, Bro. Jesse O'Neill and Marge Cavanaugh

Standing from left: Deanna Snyder (administrative assistant), Tim Fallon, Bro. Ed Brink and Dan Donnelly

Dear Brothers,

New Medicare Cards

Last year Medicare began issuing new cards with a new number to all members in an effort to protect against identity theft. We received notification from Medicare that many of the new Medicare cards for our brothers were returned to their office through the mail. Unfortunately, they were not able to tell us why this happened or specifically whose cards were returned and they cannot remail them until they get a request from the cardholder. If you have not yet received your new Medicare card please read this notice on how to obtain your card or contact Gina Marty at 314.533.1207 x 220 for assistance. 

Healthcare Guide

At the Directors meeting last weekend in St. Louis, the document, A Community Guide for Recommending Healthcare Assignment was presented. This is a revised version of the 2004 document. Copies were given to all the directors. This document is also available in the Temporalities section of the portal under “Healthcare Information.”

This guide is intended to assist Marianist communities in better understanding the levels of healthcare available, the assessment or evaluation process carried out in determining the type of assignment needed and the administrative procedures involved in making a referral.

In addition to the healthcare guide, there are four other short documents in this section of the portal that you will find helpful. I am grateful to Bro. Bob Metzger for his work in editing and organizing all of these documents.

Dear Brothers,

New Resource for Communities

We invite you to delve deeper into the spirituality of justice, peace and integrity of creation, both individually and communally. We hope this provides an opportunity for ongoing conversation, education, formation and prayer for you and your community. Feel free to utilize this JPIC Resource as is, or adapt it as necessary to best meet the needs of your group. Please let us know how we can further assist you and your JPIC efforts at any time. The focus of this resource is Respect Life Month. Click here to access it.  

You're Invited to Washington, DC

Join other Brothers of the Province for both the March for Life and Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, DC from January 23-28, 2020. Since space is limited, Brothers are invited to apply on or before November 5 (Election Day). We hope you can join us. Click here for more information. 

Climate Strike

Bro. Jim Facette attended what was likely the largest climate rally ever, the "Climate Strike," on Friday, September 20. He reports, "Some 8 million people, over the entire planet participated. A 16 year old girl from Sweden, Greta Thunburg, was the primary initiator and organizer. The Climate Strike held at the fountain of the University of Dayton was organized by the Sustainability Student Leaders' Council. Some 200 people were present. Later, many also participated in the Sinclair College gathering and march to Dayton’s Old Court House. Another international Climate Strike took place on September 27. In between, the United Nations Action summit took place in New York under the direction of Secretary General, António Guterres." Bro. Jim recommends the following two videos.

Bro. Tom Pieper attending the Climate Strike

Changemakers Update

In order to allow for additional/more participants, Changemakers Philadelphia has been rescheduled to Spring 2020. Our keynote speakers are still able to join us during several compatible weekends. We will keep you updated when we finalize the date and location.

Please pray for our brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

October 12: Raymundo Domínguez González

October 13: Edward Loch

October 14: Charles Gausling

October 15: Leno Ceballos (novice), Timothy Dwyer

This publication is for members of the Society of Mary. Please do not forward it. Also, please provide a printed copy for brothers who do not use email.

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