Dear Brothers,

Reminder: The Indian District Chapter

Last week, I announced that the Indian District will be hosting two important meetings:

• November 13–15: District Chapter

• November 17–19: District Workshop: Brothers in vow groups 1983 to 1994

Please remember to pray for this intention at your community prayer each day. Please also pray in thanksgiving for Fr. Marty Solma who will be facilitating the workshop and accompanying the Brothers during the Chapter.

Vocation Ministry

  

The Archdiocese of San Antonio recently published an informational booklet entitled “The Lord’s Call” listing some of the religious orders and their vocation programs. The Marianist Province was one of the featured congregations. Thank you to Bro. Mark Motz, national vocation director, for coordinating this effort. Bro. Mark wrote an article on discernment and the Marianist formation process. Please click here for the article.

 

This Coming Week

Dear Brothers,

Giving Thanks

During this month of November, one of our prayers is to reflect on gratitude in our lives, our communities, the Province and the world. Faith sharing and Lectio Divina are becoming more popular in our communities. I would like to invite Province members to think about a couple of questions in your own prayer:

Letter to Marianist Priests

Recently, I wrote a letter to our priests in the Province about the procedures regarding requests for Letters of Suitability. Please click here to read the letter.

From time to time, Catholic Diocesan Offices are also requesting letters of suitability for our Brothers. Please feel free to contact me if you are in need of a letter.

Marianist Formation Weekend: November 14-17

We will have upwards of 30 participants attending Formation Weekend starting this evening: half formators and half individuals in initial formation from the three Provinces (US, Meribah and the Marianist Sisters). We will gather in San Antonio at the Oblate Renewal Center.

The theme for this weekend is Celebrating 200 Years of Marianist Education! In addition to some wonderful presenters, we will also visit Central Catholic High School and join the Brothers at the Marianist Residence for dinner and a dessert social.

Please pray for our Brothers and Sisters in initial formation. This is an important weekend for them. It’s a great time for our communities to take some time to look at the faces of our Brothers in initial formation. Click here for the poster.

Upcoming Travel

Dear Brothers,

A Life of Hope & Joy: Bro. Ralph Neumann

There are many stories in the Province of our men who have served faithfully in various ministries all of their lives.  Bro. Ralph Neumann served in Peru for nine years and Mexico for 20 years. When he returned to the United States in 2005, he had a deep desire to remain in educational ministry.

Bro. Ralph was asked to serve at the Mexican American Catholic College near the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. He began working in the gardens, watering the plants and getting to know the people who ministered there. Ms. Cathy Bliquez, who was the assistant director, realized that Bro. Ralph was proficient in Spanish and asked if he would be willing to be a tutor in assisting students to learn English or Spanish. Like our Blessed Mother when asked, Bro. Ralph said “yes” and assisted close to a hundred students.

When asked why he said “yes” to this ministry, Bro. Ralph’s response was: “I love meeting people and assisting them whenever I can.” He also loved learning about other cultures. Bro. Ralph went to the Mexican American College three times a week and spent an hour educating students bringing much hope and joy to them. Among his more famous students was Archbishop Dolan. Bro. Ralph worked with Archbishop Dolan for two weeks when he was in San Antonio. He also assisted priests from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Africa and Vietnam.

Bro. Ralph did not know what the word “retirement” meant. He is a reminder to us all that our lives are to bring hope and joy to those we encounter until the day we are called home to God.

Bro. Ralph, thank you for your example and may you rest in peace.  

Bro. Ralph with one of his students, Jeffrey Gardner

Dear Brothers,

NACMS Podcast

The latest NACMS podcast, "Embracing Marianist Life and Service," features the Director of PULSE, Maureen O'Rourke. This new release and relaxing listen is an inspiring episode about justice, service, the Marianist Family and PULSE. Listen here. 

Linking Lectionary to Justice and Peace

Below you will find homily resources from CMSM members and other people of wisdom in our community for your reflection. If you are not preparing homilies, please consider sharing with your local presider.

Sunday, November 17 by Dan Horan, OFM

Sunday, November 24 by Dawn Nothwehr, OSF

Dear Brothers,

Correction from the Vocation Office

Last week, I thanked Novice Leno Ceballos, Pre-Aspirant Peter Evans and Fr. Varghese Manooparampil for a vocation talk in  Bro. Justin Quiroz’s classes. I mistakenly put Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School but they were at Bro.

Justin’s other ministry, Our Lady of the Rosary School.  

Please pray for our Brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

November 15: Thomas Redmond

November 19: José Degorio

November 14-17: Marianist Formation Weekend, San Antonio

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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