As the season of Lent begins, we are called to conversion and to a deeper love for Christ and his paschal mystery. Let us pray for each other during this holy season.   

SM - Still Meeting

The Provincial Chapter is March 1-5. All of the members of the new administration will be present, along with three Marianists from India.

Fr. Sudhir Kujur is a non-voting member of the chapter. He will be joined by Bro. Darwin Joseph, who is the assistant district superior, and by Bro. Lucian Tigga, assistant for temporalities. After the meeting, these brothers will meet with Fr. Oscar Vasquez, Bros. Bernie Ploeger and Dennis Schmitz and me as a transition to the new administration.  

Please read the reports of the Provincial Council and the recently posted propositions on the portal. These documents will be useful for the pre-chapter meetings around the province.  

Also on the portal are the documents from the General Administration in preparation for the 2018 General Chapter of the Society of Mary this July in Rome. If you have any comments or recommendations concerning the lineamenta, please forward those to me or to another General Chapter delegate for inclusion in our response.

Purple Heart, Marianist heart

	Bro. Gerry wearing his Purple Heart

I was able to visit Bro. Gerry Hyland on Saturday evening just hours before his death. Although he was suffering, he asked me, "So, what are you going to do after July?"

I prayed with him and was happy for the opportunity to say goodbye. Bro. Gerry was a fine Marianist, one who faced suffering in his own life but who lived a vibrant religious commitment until the very end.

He was deservedly proud of the Purple Heart he received for his injuries in WWII. That medal hardly reflects the goodness and the caring of his real heart. Now, he can pray for us for all eternity, close to the heart of Christ and his Mother.

At our most recent meeting, the Provincial Council approved novice Joseph Kurt Nugent's request for profession of first vows in the Society of Mary.  

	Joseph Nugent

Congratulations, Joseph! The profession ceremony will be May 19 in Dayton.

New director of temporary professed

The Provincial Council also approved the appointment of Bro. Charles Johnson to the role of director of temporary professed brothers. Charlie replaces Fr. Oscar Vasquez.

Thank you, Oscar for 12 years of dedicated service and Charlie for saying "yes."

Our pilgrimage to Pascha

As we begin our annual pilgrimage to the great feast of Pascha, you may wish to read Pope Francis' letter of encouragement.

Notable Catholic author Christopher Kauffman died recently at age 81 in Baltimore.

Bro. Larry Cada and I were among a host of Marianists who worked with Chris in creating our history book, Education and Transformation, Marianist Ministries in America Since 1849.

We chose Chris from among a number of top authors, and he was a delight to work with. He was eager and interested, writing everything in longhand on legal pads.

We are grateful for his life and service. Read his obituary.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maryknoll offers reflections and actions for Lent, based on each week's Gospel reading and Dr. King's principles of nonviolence. Learn more.

 

Feb. 23 Prayer for Peace

Pope Francis asks us to pray for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn more.

Deportation guide for faith communities

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men shares a resource for faith communities regarding the treatment of immigrants. Learn more.

JPIC in the news

The National Catholic Reporter recently featured the work of JPIC directors (including me) serving with male religious orders. Read the article.