Dear Brothers,

Our Marianist Martyrs

Earlier this week, September 18, we celebrated the feast of the Martyrs:  Blesseds Carlos Eraña, Fidel Fuidio, and Jesús Hita. Remember, if you are looking for the prayers or readings for Marianists Feasts, you can find these on the Marianist portal. You can also access the portal through our website by clicking the "portal" button on the bottom right. If you need assistance accessing the portal, contact Ann Mueller at the Provincial Office.

Community responses 

Once again, a thank you note to communities and individuals that have contacted me to let me know what prayer and penance practice(s) they are using in support of our efforts in solidarity and reparation for the sin of abuse in our Church. See the updated list.   

Sharing the work of the General Chapter

Individual copies of A Man Who Does Not Die: In Mission With The Marianist Family, have been mailed to each community, with a letter from me and a General Chapter XXXV book mark. My letter discusses how the work of the General Chapter will be disseminated to members of the Marianist Family and our collaborators in mission. My letter also calls for prayerful reflection on the document with focus on Articles 15, 16 and 51, to communities with a call for direct actions.

Items recently sent to directors/communities:

The Marian Library

Help celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Marian Library, you are invited to a virtual tour. 

Dear Brothers,

Appointment

Fr. Robert Bouffier has been appointed the director of the Hollywood, FL Marianist Community for a three year term. Congratulations and prayers for Bob and best wishes to him and the members of the community as he undertakes this important service.

Directors meeting

Directors and area coordinators are reminded to register for the coming directors meeting if they have not already done so. The meeting runs from the evening of Thursday, Oct. 4, to mid-day Sunday, Oct. 7. On Saturday evening, we will join the Perpetual Vows celebration of our brothers Bros. Mark Motz and Sylvester Burkemper.

Elections

All elected members of the Provincial Chapter are beginning a new term and the members of the new Provincial Council are now members by right. Thus, over the next week, all Chapter members will be contacted to begin the process of electing a moderator and forming the three standing committees. I appreciate your attention to this.

Dear Brothers,

What's happening

The Office of Sponsorship is putting the final touches on two programs it will be hosting in St. Louis this October:

• A Board Development Workshop will be offered October 19 – 20 for CEOs and board chairs of Marianist-sponsored secondary schools and retreat centers. This workshop will promote networking among the participants, and include presentations on effective board practices and managing for mission.

• The annual Marianist Administrators Conference will be held October 21 – 23. This year’s conference features presentations by Fr. Jim Fitz  and Bro. Bernie Ploeger , who will share their personal stories of serving as spiritual leaders. A second key presentation will be by  Bro. Armand Alcazar, FSC who will speak on the topic, "Accompanying our Youth on their Faith Journey". Bro. Armand is a contributor to the publication Going, Going, Gone , a comprehensive national study conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown and Saint Mary’s Press. Bro. Armand will guide conference participants through discussion and reflection on why young people leave the Catholic Church, and the implications this has on the work of Marianist-sponsored ministries.

Thank you to Dan Donnelly , Pat Wheadon , Larry Keller and Deanna Snyder for all their work in preparing for these formative events.

A message of hope and joy

(submitted by Brent Devitt – executive director of the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning )

Bergamo Center regularly receives heartwarming feedback from students regarding their participation in our Junior retreats led by our Bergamo staff. It is feedback like this that brings us joy in our mission and hope for our ministry.

 

“Hello, I recently attended my Junior Retreat at Bergamo. I would just like to extend my thanks and gratitude to you and all the facilitators. The activities, group bonding and talks were absolutely amazing and something I will never forget.

 

During the High/Low activity, I shared that my grandma had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, just a year after becoming cancer free. I told the group that it was an extremely hard time for me and my family, especially because the doctors told us they would be surprised if she made it to Christmas. I felt the love and support of the facilitators and my classmates immediately after sharing. 

 But after I got back from Bergamo, my grandma took a turn for the worse and passed away less than 2 weeks later. My whole family was heartbroken. But through the love from God and my classmates that I was reminded of at Bergamo, I was able to stay strong through this difficult time. 

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for doing what you do and changing the lives of those around you every day.”

Dear Brothers,

New Medicare cards

Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to prevent fraud and fight identity theft. The new cards will have a unique Medicare number made up of numbers and letters. The new cards will be mailed between April 2018 and 2019. Some of you already have the new cards. 

Once you receive your new card, start using it right away. Show the new card to your doctors and other health care providers.

 

Important: Mail or fax a copy of your new card to Sr. Mary Beth Hefti, OSF at the province offices. Do not send by email. Email is not secure. 

(Note: at the pharmacy you will continue to use your current Medicare D drug card. 

Dear Brothers,

Respect Life Month

October is right around the corner, and so is Respect Life Month. This year's theme is "Every Life: cherished. chosen. sent." and plenty of resources, including intercessions, homily helps, bulletin inserts, prayers, flyers and posters, can be found on the USCCB's Respect Life website.

Also, on August 2, 2018, Pope Francis made a historic revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which declared the death penalty "inadmissible" in all cases. In response to that call, people of faith are adding their names to the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty, and working to build a culture of life. Watch a two minute video from the Catholic Mobilizing Network called, "Inadmissible."

Integrity of Creation opportunities in October 

Pax Christi USA is co-sponsoring  "A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Appalachia" with Fr. John Rausch on Oct. 16-18, 2018. It is an opportunity to experience Laudato Si' up close and personal. Attendance is limited to 15 participants. Register as soon as possible or by October 1, 2018. If you're interested in participating and need help with funding, contact Brian Reavey for possible scholarship opportunities from the JPIC Office.

You are invited to join a one hour webinar with the Catholic Climate Covenant on September 27 to learn more about how climate change is leading to a rise in displaced people and communities. The website will also highlight Catholic efforts to prevent climate displacement and will consider how this year's Feast of St. Francis program can help your faith communities discuss and respond to the needs of vulnerable communities displaced by extreme weather and climate change. 

For more information and many resources on the St. Francis program, click here.

Save the date - Marianist PULSE

On Sunday, November 4, we will dedicate the Michael Means Marianist PULSE Community House in Dayton. Through the generous gift of Joan Means, the home will be dedicated in honor of longtime UD English faculty member and Dayton resident, Dr. Michael Means. The program will begin at noon with an open house following until 4:00 p.m. All are welcome and RSVP appreciated to [email protected]. 

Please pray for our brothers who are celebrating their birthdays

September 22: George Cerniglia

September 24: Timothy Eden

September 25: Edward Zamierowski

September 26: Raymond Malley

September 22: James Kunes, Edward Longbottom

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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