New: "young adult ministry hub" in San Antonio
For the past 18 months, the Provincial Council has been in dialogue with
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller about a new initiative in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
The archbishop is setting up four "young adult ministry hubs" in the archdiocese, with the goal of attracting, forming and supporting young Hispanic men and women in their faith. We see this as an appealing opportunity for our Province for a variety of reasons.
The archdiocese is designating Holy Rosary Parish as one of these hubs. The proximity of St. Mary's University and the opportunity to build synergy between the parish and the university -- as well as with the Marianist Sisters, Tecaboca and Central Catholic -- is a strong expression of Goal D of Vision 2020:
The Province of the United States, in partnership with other communities and individuals of the Marianist Family, will promote a network of sponsored apostolic organizations and faith communities in each of the geographical areas of the Province.
It was clear that the archdiocese would launch the ministry hubs this year, and that Archbishop Gustavo wanted the Society of Mary to lead the effort at Holy Rosary.
|
|
 |
|
Holy Rosary Parish
|
|
We've told the archbishop that we are committed to this initiative, and that we will sustain a community at Holy Rosary to support it.
We realize that such a commitment involves choosing priorities, and that it requires both good personnel and financial investment.
Although negotiations with St. Mary's University are ongoing, the leadership is supportive and willing to invest resources and facilities to ensure a successful beginning. A vibrant parish that is attractive to young adults is valuable to St. Mary's as it seeks to enliven its immediate surroundings on the west side of San Antonio. We believe this initiative will also support our Province vocation efforts.
The Provincial Council will nominate
Fr. John Thompson to Archbishop Gustavo to lead this multiyear commitment. John is willing and eager to take on this project, which we expect will begin this summer. We'll address the community configuration over the coming months.
Initially, John will continue to serve as a liaison with the Sector of Mexico. The Sector is undergoing some changes before an educational project can be started there. We will try to build capacity for such a project among the Mexican Marianists over the next few years.
I should mention that Holy Rosary's current pastor,
Fr. Cris Janson, is taking a long-planned sabbatical next year. We are grateful for his years of fine service at the parish.
The Provincial Council believes that the young adult ministry hub is a valuable and strategic commitment for the future of Marianist life and ministry in San Antonio. We will report more about this project as it unfolds.
To Eastern Africa, in good company
From Feb. 13-23,
Bro. Bill Campbell and I will accompany a group of eight Marianist friends and supporters to Kenya and Malawi. One of the couples,
John and Margie Simon of St. Louis, has been extraordinarily generous with Marianist projects in Karonga, Malawi, as part of our "Join Her Mission" endowment campaign.
Accompanying us will be
Mona Mengler, wife of St. Mary's University President
Tom Mengler; and
Karen Spina, wife of UD President
Eric Spina.
We will visit all of the Marianist projects in Kenya, and the Simons will visit Chaminade Secondary School and MIRACLE in Karonga.
While I'm gone,
Bro. Joe Kamis will be the point person for Province business.
