Dear Brothers,

Personnel

The following members of the Province received ministries as part of their preparation for the priesthood at the Marianist International Seminary in Rome.  Fr. Andre Fétis, Superior General, presided at the Mass. Let’s continue to pray for our Brothers. The second semester exams began on Monday, May 27.

Ministry of Lector

Ministry of Acolyte

Bros. Santosh Savarimuthu, Brandon Paluch, Michael Chiuri and Renny Markose

On Pilgrimage

A reminder that I am still on pilgrimage and will return to the Provincial offices on June 4. I have my cell phone with me if you need to speak to me. I will have limited access to email during my travel. Please feel free to contact Bro. Bernie Ploeger if you have an emergency need.

India Special District Chapter

Thank you to communities that signed up to pray for the District Chapter. Please continue to pray for the Special District Chapter. The Chapter ends on June 1.

This Coming Week

Dear Brothers,

Conversation & Discernment Marianist Parishes

I want to express gratitude to the 111 Province members who completed the parish ministry survey several months ago. The survey gave the Office of Religious Life, its Advisory Council, the Provincial Chapter and the Provincial Council a lot of feedback in discerning our future presence in Marianist parishes. At the present time, our Province is serving in six parishes and doing some amazing work for the Church. Currently, we have more than 75 ordained members of the Province with an average age of 77.3. Of the ordained members, we have 16 priests who are under the age of 70. Three of the six current pastors are over the age of 75.

As we look to the future we are not going to be able to maintain our presence in the six parishes that we are in right now. The Council believes that we may only be able to sustain our presence in two, possibly three parishes. We hope to arrive at a decision in the next couple of months.

We invite any Province member who wishes to share any further thoughts to submit those to me by the feast of Saint James, the Apostle on July 25.

As we continue to reflect on Marianist presence and administration in parishes, we acknowledge that there is also a desire to have our ordained serving in other key Province ministries as chaplains in our high schools, universities and retreat centers. It is all God’s work but we are at a point in the life of the Province where we must make some important decisions. I want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I believe the Holy Spirit is with us and the decisions that we will make will only help us as we move forward with hope!

Cupertino Retreat

Please pray for our Brothers next week who will be on retreat in Cupertino. The California jubilee will follow. Let us continue to remember those Brothers who are on retreat this week in Tecaboca.

Dear Brothers,

A Story of Hope and Joy

Submitted by Bro. Dan Klco , assistant novice director and coordinator for international Marianist students at the University of Dayton

What gives me hope and joy are my experiences of living and working with Marianists from different countries and cultures around our Marianist world. For the past four years, I have been the director of the Marianist International Program of Studies at the University of Dayton. This is a program for international Marianist priests and brothers to come to the University of Dayton to study English, work on advanced degrees or study in the International Marian Research Institute. Around 25 international Marianists have benefited from this program in the past and currently, there are five international Marianists at the University of Dayton.

Brother Blaise Mosengo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) graduated in May with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Brother Tchamiè “Thierry” Kadja (Togo) also graduated in May with a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Brother Thomas Njari (Kenya) is working on a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Brother Julius Muthusi (Kenya) is working on a master’s degree in English. Fr. Varghese Chacko (India) is working on a master’s degree in Theology.

For his research, Bro. Blaise focused on the Characteristics of Marianist Education as “distinctive traits of the Marianist approach to leadership that are appropriate for African and Congolese Marianist institutions.” Bro. Thierry has been working on a very small electrical device that can create openings in cell membranes making it easier for chemicals and drugs to be delivered into cancer cells – a promising new treatment for cancer.

I am very grateful to the Chambers and Stonemill/Kiefaber communities for their openness in welcoming these brothers. I have been blessed with the privilege of living with international Marianists in both communities and have been highly impressed with their dedication to their studies, their generosity and the quality of their Marianist life and presence. Many have had to overcome great difficulties with learning and studying in a new language and being far removed from families, cultures and former systems of support. These Marianists are my heroes and give me great hope and joy. 

Brother Tchamiè “Thierry” Kadja receiving two undergraduate awards from School of Engineering Dean, Eddy Rojas

Fr. Varghese Chacko, Bros. Thomas Njari, Julius Muthusi, Dan Klco and Blaise Mosengo.

Please pray for our brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

May 31: Victor Forlani

June 2: Carmine Annunziata, Walter Ebbesmeyer

June 3: Richard Villa

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.

View as Webpage