NACMS has released its newest podcast episode! Interviewing six different people, who attended Fr. Chaminade's Beatification which was 20 years ago, last month. NACMS presents reflections on attendees' experiences and what Chaminade being "Blessed" has meant to them. Click here to listen.

I received an email from Liturgy Training Publications (LTP) that focuses on the current election season. We ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit during this time, keeping in mind the poor and vulnerable, the sick, the rights of workers, the life and dignity of the human person, and care for all of God's creation. Click here. This prayer service is offered freely for use and is part of a forthcoming publication from Liturgy Training Publications, Prayer Services for Times of Need, available in January, 2021.

I received word from Fr. Brandon Paluch that he has started a podcast called Filius Mariae: Catholic, Marianist Reflections. It's a way to share homilies and other reflections via Apple, Spotify, Google and Stitcher. The most recent episode, "Why Filius Mariae?," provides more information. Please contact Fr. Brandon if you have any questions.

I am pleased to announce the results of the balloting for the geographic area representatives. Their term is for two years. They are:

Please join me in thanking these brothers for their willingness to accept this service and in offering them our fraternal support.

For the results of this balloting, please click here.

All of our communities should have received the vocation prayer inserts for your community binders. Many thanks to Bro. Mark Motz for his creative efforts of matching a photo to each of those in initial formation whom we are praying for each day.

This annual week-long celebration of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life is November 1-7. Plan now to speak, pray, invite and promote vocations!

In his new encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis offers some good advice to those who are in leadership and to those who are part of community:

“Each day offers us a new opportunity, a new possibility. We should not expect everything from those who govern us, for that would be childish. We have the space we need for co-responsibility in creating and putting into place new processes and changes. Let us take an active part in renewing and supporting our troubled societies. Today, we have a great opportunity to express our innate sense of fraternity, to be Good Samaritans who bear the pain of other people’s troubles rather than fomenting greater hatred and resentment. Like the chance traveler in the parable, we need only have a pure and simple desire to be a people, a community, constant and tireless in the effort to include, integrate and lift up the fallen” (77).

CMSM Homily Resource for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, October 25.

Several of you have asked about the face masks that you saw at the Perpetual Vow celebration. These can be ordered at Lands' End where some of you have ordered shirts. If you order the masks, it is a personal budget expense.

Here is the information where I had them done.

The face masks are washable, reusable and help you keep everyone protected at the workplace and beyond. Available in packs of 3 each. In a choice of 100% cotton or an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified blend, they’re made with the same attention to quality you expect from Lands’ End. Note: masks are excluded from discounts and promotions and cannot be returned.

Recently, I shared with you a letter from a former student,

from decades ago, thanking Bro. Kevin Whelan for his positive influence on that student’s life.

This week, I share with you a letter from a current student at Saint Louis School in Hawaii. He expresses his gratitude for his Marianist Tuition Assistance Scholarship. This financial support to our students is available because of the generous benefactors and donors who support our mission. We owe a debt of gratitude to each of them. Read Boston O's letter.

The first week in November is National Vocation Awareness Week. I want to ask you to participate in several ways. Please let me know what you are doing so I can send it out to the province and help advertise nationally. I will share what is happening around the province next week in Notes.

Here are a few suggestions for you to do personally or as a community:

October 22: James Mueller

October 23: Charles Miller

October 24: Earl Leistikow

October 25: Thomas Trager

October 26: Robert Bouffier

October 27: José Jesús Ruiz Santillán