Last weekend, the members of the Provincial Chapter met at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka, Missouri.

In addition to reviewing the reports of the Provincial Council, the delegates had discussions about the recent "Envisioning the Future" meeting with brothers professed since 2002, the size and configuration of the Provincial Council, and issues around the bicentennial.

The Chapter heard reports from the Office of Development, the District of India and the Sector of Mexico. We addressed six formal propositions.

In the near future, I will report on this session of the Provincial Chapter in greater detail. I am grateful for the work that has been accomplished for the future of the Province and its mission.

For 11 days in February, I accompanied a group of nine friends and Marianist supporters to Kenya.

We were able to visit all of the ministries in Nairobi and Mombasa, and we celebrated the Eucharist at the parish of St. Martin de Porres in Bombolulu, Mombasa. (After the two-hour Sunday Eucharist, one member remarked, "I'll never complain about a 55-minute Mass again!")

The group included Bob and Anna Elizondo and Charles and Melissa Barrett of San Antonio; John and Margie Simon of St. Louis; Mona Mengler, wife of St. Mary's President Tom Mengler; Karen Spina, wife of UD President, Eric Spina; and Bro. Bill Campbell. We were warmly welcomed by the brothers of the Region of Eastern Africa.

We ended our time with a two-day safari in the Masai Mara.

It was a wonderful, inspiring excursion for everyone.

Visitors with the young Christians at St. Martin de Porres parish. At top center is Fr. Bernard Ombima, parochial vicar; at top right is Fr. Daniel Odero, pastor.

Over the next few days, we will gather to bid fraternal farewells to Fr. François, Rossier (today in Dayton), Fr. Joseph Tarrillion (Friday in San Antonio), and Fr. David Paul (Saturday in St. Louis).

Fr. François

Fr. Joe

Fr. Dave

We offer our condolences to the communities where these brothers lived. I am especially grateful to the brothers of the Chambers Street Community in Dayton, who gave generous and caring attention to Fr. François during his illness and death.

Let us pray for these brothers and ask their prayers for us.

The World Council of the Marianist Family has provided a prayer service in commemoration of the patronal feast of the Marianist Family on March 25.

The brief service includes two vocation stories, one from a Marianist brother, the other from a Lay Marianist.

I encourage you to use the prayer service in your communities, joining in solidarity with the worldwide Marianist Family. See the prayer service.

After Synods of Bishops on family in 2014 and 2015, the next summit of prelates convened by Pope Francis will be in October 2018. It will consider the theme "Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment."

Read the Synod's preparatory document.

If you haven't yet, be sure to sign up for your annual retreat. Online sign-up is required, even if you plan to make a private retreat, or a retreat at Cupertino, Siena Woods or the Marianist Residence.

The deadline is March 17. Sign up now.

If you'll be attending the National Catholic Educational Association Conference April 18-20 in St. Louis, we encourage you to join us at a gathering for Marianist educators.

The gathering will be Wednesday evening, April 19, at the Skip Viragh Center at Chaminade College Preparatory. We'll provide transportation to and from the convention center downtown.

St. Louis-area brothers not attending the NCEA Conference are also welcome to join us.

The event is intended to build community and encourage networking among Marianist educators. Please join us if you can! Learn more and register.

There are many organizations offering initiatives and information in support of our call to "welcome the stranger." We encourage you to learn more and take action.

Via the Conference of Major Superiors of Men:

• Sign on to letter for refugee resettlement.

Via the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:

• Information on migrant and refugee services
• Send a letter to your lawmaker (simple, online process)

Parish preaching this past summer was a tremendous success, raising $90,650 for our Partnering with the Poor program supporting our ministries in India and Eastern Africa.

I'd like to thank Frs. Jim Bartlett, Ted Cassidy, George Cerniglia, Mike Nartker, Kip Stander, Pat Tonry, Rich Villa and Rudy Vela for their time and effort throughout the summer as they covered eight different dioceses.

A special note of congratulations to Fr. Pat, who raised $53,000 from one parish alone!

Please join us online on April 7 for the next in the series of online Marian Forums especially for Marianists and Marianist Educational Associates.

The topic will be Mary and Ecological Spirituality. The forum will feature two speakers, followed by discussion.

The goal of the Marian Forums is to inspire fresh research in the study and teaching of Mariology

We ask that you register by March 17.

Read more from Fr. Johann Roten, director of the International Marian Research Institute.

Notes from the Provincial Council is featuring Marianists who hold leadership roles in the Province. We encourage you to learn more about these men, be grateful for all they do for us, and hold them in your prayers.



First profession: 1987
Leadership role: Director of Chaminade Community, St. Louis
Biography





First profession: 1985
Leadership role: Director of Marianist Community, Philadelphia
Biography