Dear Brothers,

Happy Patronal Feast

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary–the patronal feast of the Society of Mary. It is a special day to honor the name of Mary the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This day also reminds us of how important Mary is to us as Marianists devoted to the her mission. Blessed Chaminade wrote, “I should have liked to speak of the August Protectress and Mother of the Society, the divine Mary ... of that Society which glories in bearing her name, of that Society, so weak and imperfect in the universality of its members ... which nevertheless feels powerful in the name of Mary.” (Chaminade, February 15, 1826) Let us join in prayer as we celebrate in our own communities. 

Marianist ID Cards

The Marianist ID card for each Brother will be mailed to the community directors on Friday of this week. Please contact Pat Stephens if there are any problems, missing or extra cards. These had not been updated in several years. We placed a date of expiration on the card.  

New Marianist Personnel

The Province Personnel Book 2019-2020 is in the mail. Please note: We intentionally limit the distribution of the Marianist personnel because we are increasingly conscious of both printing costs and the privacy of province members. Please respect these serious concerns; do not give a copy to someone outside the province. Please destroy copies of last year’s personnel; do not simply recycle them. You can also find a regularly updated copy on the portal. Please contact Ann Mueller if you have any questions. 

This Coming Week

Dear Brothers,

Updating Your Marianist Life Plan

As a means to deepen our life and foster conversation at the beginning of the community year, many Brothers update their Marianist Life Plan (i.e. plans for personal and professional development; dreaming about religious renewal and possibilities for ongoing formation in our Marianist life). Seven years ago, the general assistant for religious life provided a framework in the S.M. 3 Offices ( #136 ). Last year, at the director’s meetings, I shared a tool that could also be used. I want to encourage all of us to think about our ongoing formation and what we are trying to do in a practical way to grow spiritually, mentally and physically in order to be healthy ambassadors for Jesus Christ in today’s times. Please let me know if I can be of any help in this important process. 

Bro. Mark Motz Visiting Saint Louis

Bro. Mark Motz is visiting St. Louis this week. We have had some good and important meetings over the last week. Here he is working diligently at this desk!

Dear Brothers,

Supporting Boards of Sponsored Ministries

The Office of Sponsorship continues to build on the work previously done by the Office of Formation for Mission to support boards of sponsored ministries. The first project undertaken by the Office of Sponsorship was hosting a two-day board development workshop for CEOs of Marianist-sponsored ministries and their board chairs. The workshop was held in conjunction with the Marianist Administrators Conference in October 2018 and provided useful strategies for growing effective volunteer boards. The workshop yielded good results and another board development workshop is scheduled for October 2020. Going forward, the Office of Sponsorship will focus on the following:

Current Fiscal Year

Long-term Strategic Initiatives

Brothers, if you have any ideas or suggestions around this area of board formation please contact me or Dan Donnelly, director of the Office of Sponsorship. My special thanks to Dan and his team for their commitment and vision toward this most important area of board formation. 

Please pray for our brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

September 12: Nicholas Rufo

September 16: William Farrell

September 17: James Eppy, Joseph Kozar, James Russell

September 18: Thomas Thompson, Alex Tuss

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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