Dear Brothers,
A Positive Note
In our world today, sometimes the only image of professed religious that seem to be shared are those of problems or concerns. Our very own
Bro. David Quigley (St. Anthony’s, Maui, Hawaii) was recently featured in an article in the
Hawaii Catholic Herald, the Diocesan newspaper.
Click here to read the article.
Items Emailed by the General Administration
Just a reminder that the General Administration sends out communication individually to each brother via email. So, in conversation with the General Administration, we are doing an “email check-up.” Here are a few questions:
Did you receive the email from the General Administration on Friday, December 13? It was the "Report of the World Council of the Marianist Family."
→ If
YES, great. Say "Amen, Alleluia!" Go to the next item on
Notes.→
→ If
NO, this may indicate one of the following items needs to be addressed:
- You have not provided an e-mail address to the General Administration(GA).
- The address the GA has on file for you is incorrect.
- The address is fine, but your e-mail program (Outlook, etc.) is interpreting it as spam and sending it directly to the spam folder or trash.
- You or your institution has blocked GA mailings.
- Your mailbox is full and not accepting more mail.
If you believe #1 or #2 to be the issue, please let
Pat Stephens know of your correct email address, and she will inform the General Administration.
If you believe #3, #4, or #5 could be the issue, please check your junk mail folder and email settings.
This Coming Week
- December 25: Merry Christmas
- December 28-January 2: Holy Rosary Parish and family visit, San Antonio
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Dear Brothers,
Province Ordo 2020
Each community director will receive in the mail a copy of the Marianist Ordo for 2020. There will also be a copy on the portal. Many thanks to
Fr. Richard Villa for these efforts!
Memorial of Blessed Ad
è
le, Foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate
Click here to read a letter from the General Assistant for Religious Life of the Society of Mary announcing a new approved Memorial for the Foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (the Marianist Sisters).
In addition to the cover letter from
Fr. Pablo Rambaud,
click here for the approved text for the Liturgy of the Blessed Marie of the Conception (in the world: Adelaide de Batz de Trenquelléon), Foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, an optional memorial for Society of Mary religious, celebrated January 10.
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Bro. Fred Greets the Pope
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As the Manziana Renewal Program completed the Fall schedule,
Bro. Fred Silbereis
was among many standing in the right place at the right time to shake hands with
Pope Francis
!
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Sabbatical Requests
From time to time, it is good for a Brother to take some rest for spiritual renewal, development and for the development of professional and ministerial skills. Some people have a desire to take a sabbatical at the time of transition into a new ministry or in a time of late adulthood as we age. There are many wonderful programs that help us face important questions in life and invite us to grow as part of our continuing formation.
If you are considering a sabbatical, I invite you to consult your local community. Once you have done this, if you would like to make an application to the appropriate provincial assistant (Religious Life or Education) by February 1, 2020.
Applications should include:
- A statement around your desire for spiritual renewal and development and/or professional/ministerial preparation;
- All details available to the Brother concerning the proposed program including goals or aims of the sabbatical;
- A statement of the way you envision using the knowledge and skills acquired for service in the Province and the Church;
- A statement as to the dates and timing for the future sabbatical as well as whether you have had a past sabbatical experience.
Advent Countdown
- The world tells us this is a time of plenty and extravagance. Give us eyes as Marianists, O God, to see those who do not have the basic necessities of life.
- The Scriptures tell us this is a time of waiting with joyful hope. Give us ears as Marianists, O God, to hear this message and to glory in its promise.
- Mary tells us that you are a God of surprises and incredible miracles. Give us minds as Marianists, O God, open to believe in your power in our midst, in our community life.
- John the Baptist tells us that it is time to make straight the pathways of the Lord, to do what is right and just for everyone. Give us the courage to act as Marianists with justice, compassion, and mercy, O God, in everything we do.
- The season of Advent tells us the great good news of our salvation, the incredible gift of God becoming one of us in the humblest of circumstances. Give us hearts wide enough as Marianist religious, O God, to embrace this wonderful mystery, and to spread that love and conviction to the humblest among us.
- The Spirit tells us not to fear, to test everything, to trust in God’s goodness and God’s faith in us. Give us as Marianists the spirit to embrace this promise, and let it guide us in our service to others as we approach 2020.
Visit to India!
Immediately after Christmas,
Bro. Jesse O’Neill and I will be traveling to the District of India. Please keep us in prayer as we try and be of service and support to our Brothers and the Marianist Family in that part of our world.
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Dear Brothers,
Advent in Cape May
How Many Ways Can You Say, Jesus?
Submitted by
Fr. Dave McGuigan
, chaplain at the Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, New Jersey
How many ways can you say, Jesus? We know that is our Savior’s name, and it means “the Lord saves.” But, there are many other names and references in the Scriptures that help us know who Jesus is and what he means for us. This year, the Advent family retreat weekends at the Marianist Family Retreat Center focus on “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus.” Families gather to appreciate the many ways that God loves the world in Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Bread of Life, Wonder Counsellor, Good Shepherd, and many more!
Unwrapping the names of Jesus that are nestled throughout the Scriptures is a wonderful, fun, deeply spiritual and moving way for families to name and claim their Christian faith and to reflect on how each one can live as an expression of our Lord’s many names and ways of loving. On Saturday evening, the families and staff gather to name our biblical ancestors in faith, and their own mentors in the faith and honor them by hanging hand-decorated ornaments on the Jesse Tree. Finally, chapel lights are dimmed and the lights of the Jesse tree shine as all sing, Silent Night. So, how many ways can you say, Jesus?
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Bro. Stan Zubek
picks out a joyful melody to help retreatants sing Advent praises.
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Office of Vocation Ministry - Bro. Mark Motz
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Dear Brothers,
Contact Retreat
Please pray for the upcoming annual Contact Retreat, January 3-5.
Fr. Bob Bouffier will be presenting on the
Rule of Life.
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Please pray for our Brothers who are celebrating their birthdays
December 22:
Timothy Pieprzyca
December 24: Michael Kraszewski, Edward Unferdorfer
December 25: Joseph Kamis
December 27: Paul Hoffman
December 28: Theodore Ley
December 30: Stanley Zubek
December 31: Charles Stander
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On the Calendar
December 25:
Christmas
December 27:
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
January 1:
Mary, the Holy Mother of God
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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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