Dear Brothers,

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 

We have posted a message on the Marianist portal for members of the Society of Mary. Due to the sensitivity of this announcement, we ask that you please log into the portal and read the latest Provincial message. It will be located under "Provincial Special Communications" (the large blue button on the top right of your screen). You will find the announcement under "Provincial Special Communications/November 7, 2019." If you have any issues accessing the portal, contact Sandy Barnett. Please, please remember that this message is only for members of the Society of Mary.  

Indian District Chapter

Brothers once again, let me call the Province to join our Brothers in India in prayer as they prepare for two very important events.

  

Fr. Marty Solma will be facilitating the workshop for our more senior Brothers in India. He will also be accompanying the Chapter delegates. In addition to completing its work on the District Directory, they will treat any Chapter Propositions and the Report sent by the General Council on their visit to the District of India. I ask all communities to make this intention as part of the daily Eucharist.  

Province Support of Aid to Migrants

Recognizing the serious challenges that migrants are facing due to changes in US policy, the Provincial Council decided to make a donation of $25,000 to well-regarded agencies providing assistance. Through the help of our brothers in Juárez, Casa Del Migrante (a Catholic-sponsored agency) was identified in this city and, with the help of our brothers in San Antonio, Catholic Charities San Antonio was identified there. Both agencies provide significant direct services to migrants. Recognizing that, at present, the relative need is greater on the Mexican side of the border, the donation was divided $17,500 to Casa Del Migrante and $7,500 to Catholic Charities. Please continue to remember migrants and those who serve them in your prayers.

This Coming Week

Dear Brothers,

Final Invitation to Participate in Workshop & March in Washington, DC

Many thanks to those of you who have inquired about the Justice Workshop in Washington, DC, which is in connection with the March for Life. Due to the need for planning, holding rooms and making other arrangements, please try to move towards a decision by November 13.

Recently, the theme for this year’s March for Life was announced: "Life Empowers, Pro-Life is Pro-Woman." It will be a time to try and seek to "evoke confidence rather than fear" about unplanned pregnancy and motherhood, and advocate for community support for unexpected pregnancies. For information and application, click here.

Month of November  

Throughout this month of November, we continue to remember the dead. Recently, at the Offices on West Pine we set up our own “Dia de los muertos” altar. Everyone was invited to place pictures and symbols of persons in their lives for whom we prayed. 

Upcoming Dates

Nov. 11-14: CCP West Hills- Board and committee meetings

Nov. 14-17: Formation Weekend, San Antonio

Nov. 18-20: Visitation to Marianist Center for Lay Formation

Dear Brothers,

Administrators Gather for Annual Meeting in St. Louis

At the end of October, the Office of Sponsorship hosted its annual Marianist Administrators Conference (MAC) in St. Louis. The conference featured Ann Garrido as keynote speaker on the topic of “Redeeming Conflict.” Other conference topics included presentations on partnering with the province in communications, including Alive magazine and FamilyOnline. Fr. Oscar and Bro. Bernie provided an overview of the new province policies for protection of children and vulnerable persons.

MAC is attended by presidents and principals of sponsored schools and directors of sponsored retreat centers. The conference is a great opportunity to gain professional and spiritual insights and to network with leaders from other Marianist-sponsored ministries. As one participant wrote in her conference evaluation, “I enjoy this conference because I get to see my colleagues, which I don't see for an entire year. I get to know the province staff and the new administrators. It is important to make connections and to share our stories with administrators that have similar experiences to you.”

From left to right: Devin Oshiro, Kimberlee Gorr, Patrick Wheadon, Dan Donnelly, Fr. Oscar Vasquez and Bro. Jesse O’Neill

Dear Brothers,

Happy National Vocation Awareness Week 

This may be the official week for vocation awareness but October sure was a busy month for many Marianists who were out helping to spread awareness about our great vocation! I am so grateful for the many people who participate in vocation ministry. There is still more time if you have not completed the Vocation Interest Survey. I am compiling the results and will share the results with you next month. You can find an electronic version of the survey here.  

October began with the joyful perpetual profession of Bros. Juan Pablo Espinoza and Jean Dossous paired with a presentation at the Director’s Meeting and a Vocations Fair at St. Louis University.  Thanks to Fr. George Cerniglia, the Missouri regional vocation director, for joining me at the fair. 

In mid-October, I was invited to join the University Ministry Division Meeting at St. Mary’s University and present to the students in the Marianist Leadership Program about discernment and vocations.  

Many thanks to Fr. Ken Templin (the California regional vocation director), Bro. Dave Murphy, and Bro. Tom Oles for staffing a table at the career fair at Chaminade on October 16.  

I had the opportunity to attend three conferences back to back while in the Midwest. The first was the Marianist Administrators Meeting where I was happy to match names with faces of all the presidents and principals of our sponsored institutions. The second conference was a bit of professional development with the National Religious Vocation Conference focused on the Art of Accompaniment and Discernment. Finally, I joined the formation team for the Religious Formation Conference’s Biannual Congress. 

Many thanks to Bro. Mitch Schweickart, the Ohio regional vocation director, who staffed a table at the University of Dayton for a vocations fair October 21. 

Also, many thanks to Novice Leno Ceballos, Pre-Aspirant Peter Evans and Fr. Varghese Manooparampil who gave a Vocation Talk in Bro. Justin Quiroz’s classes at Chaminade Julienne High School.

Please pray for our brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

November 7: Johann Roten (SU), Daniel Stupka

November 11: Joseph Hartzler

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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