Thanks so much for your prayers and good wishes during my recent medical issue. Despite having none of the "risk factors" (overweight, diabetes, family history, smoking) and despite some good habits (fairly lean diet and daily walking), doctors found a major blockage in one of the arteries to my heart.

The cardiologist said that sometimes it's just bad luck. After the heart catheterization and the insertion of two stents, I was back at the community in time to share the Thanksgiving meal.

I'm lying low these days, having follow-up visits with the docs, and ingesting four new meds! I'm grateful for your prayers and good wishes. I've been told that a daily 20-30 minute vigorous walk must be a routine now. It's been a good wake-up call for me.

Consultation for assistant provincial

Last call: If you haven't yet completed the consultation for assistant provincial, please do so now. The deadline is tomorrow.

As Fr. Chinnaiah Polishety and Bro. Oscar Kerketta (attending the IRF program in Chicago) shared Thanksgiving with us in St. Louis, the American Marianists in India gathered for their own celebration.

Bro. Gary Marcinowski is at the UD Deepahalli program this term, and Bro. Dennis Schmitz is completing his third visit to the Indian communities. Bro. Tom Oldenski is healing well from his recent hip replacement surgery.

Thanks to all of these men for their support of our brothers in the District of India. Bro. Dennis will be meeting with the District Council this week before returning to his community in Honolulu.

At left are Bros. Tom Oldenski, Delmar Jorn and Gary Marcinowski. On the right are Bro. Dennis Schmitz, Fr. Varghese Manooparampil, and Bro. Basant Kujur

Special congratulations to Bro. Darwin Joseph who will receive a doctor of philosophy degree from Assumption University in Bangkok in January. This is a wonderful accomplishment that will serve the district's educational mission well.
At the same ceremony, Bro. Prakash Kunjur will receive a master's degree.

Congratulations to both!

My prayers for each of you as we begin the season of Advent this year. This poem by Carmelite Sr. Jessica Powers seems especially apt:

I live my Advent in the womb of Mary
And on one night when a great star swings free
From its high mooring and walks down the sky
To be the dot above the Christus i,
I shall be born of her by blessed grace.
I wait in Mary-darkness, faith's walled place,
With hope's expectance of nativity.
I knew for long she carried me and fed me,
Guarded and loved me, though I could not see,
But only now, with inward jubilee,
I come upon earth's most amazing knowledge:
Someone is hidden in this dark with me.

We celebrated the ordination of Armando Añeses last Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Archbishop Roberto Octavio González Nieves, OFM, was the ordaining prelate.

Although the aftermath of the September hurricane limited the number of guests in attendance, it was a warm, joyous celebration.

Armando is completing service in St. Louis at Our Lady of the Pillar. He will begin pastoral ministry with Fr. Don Wallace in San Juan in January. 

Among those at the Nov. 25 celebration were Bros. Dennis Bautista and Reinaldo Berríos, Fr. Oscar Vasquez, newly ordained Fr. Armando Añeses, Archbishop González Nieves, Fr. Don Wallace, Bro. Francisco González and Fr. Jim Schimelpfening.

2018 SM Ordo

Hard copies of the 2018 Ordo for Feasts Proper to the Society of Mary will be mailed to all communities next week.
 
Please post the ordo on the sacristy and community bulletin boards; it will also be available on the Province portal.  

Many thanks to Fr. Richard Villa for compiling the 2018 version.

Advent begins Sunday

You have my prayers and best wishes as we enter Advent, the great season of hope!

Please read my Advent letter.