Casa Maria Marianists

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Last Wednesday, August 22nd on the feast of the Queenship of Mary the community officially welcomed two aspirants to the community and the formation program. Andrew Giles joins us after meeting the Marianists in California, he is originally from Oregon. Allen Pacquing is from Hawaii, a graduate of St. Louis School in Honolulu, he has known the Marianist for some time. Andrew will be doing ministry at Central Catholic High School and Allen will be assisting in University Ministry at St. Mary’s University. We welcome these men to the aspirancy program and the Casa Maria Community, please keep their discernment in your prayer!

The brothers of the Casa Maria Community during their Fall retreat 2011.

The brothers enjoyed their semester retreat November 25th – 27th at TECABOCA, the Marianist Spiritual Renewal Center in Mountain Home, Texas. Over the course of the weekend the brothers did some personal sharing on the progress and challenges of the semester, discussed vocation ministry efforts of the community and reflected on an article on the topic of intimacy and affective maturity. They also found plenty of time for rest, prayer, quiet reflection and communal celebrations of the Eucharist. It was a wonderful way to welcome the new liturgical year, the season of Advent and the new Roman Missal. Now if we can just remember… “And with your Spirit”!

Bros. Brandon, Dennis and Brian at Vallambrosa Retreat Center - Menlo Park, CA during their annual retreat.

Happy Summer to all! Summer is a time of rest, meetings, and spiritual rejuvenation for the brothers of the Casa Maria Community. Here is a quick update on our happenings thus far. Bro. Brandon left in mid June for sometime in Hawaii to visit family and our Marianist brothers in the Islands. Bros. Dennis and Brian participated in a week-long workshop on Leadership in the Marianist Tradition along with a dozen other Marianist religious at a retreat center in Fremont, Ohio in mid June. Bro. Dennis then went on to Dayton to attend meetings of the Sponsorship Task force (exploring sponsorship issues of our apostolic works). Fr. Bill made his annual retreat in Dayton also in mid June. Bro. Mike left for Colorado at the end of May to spend most of this summer with his mother and large family.

Bros. Brandon, Dennis and Brian reunited during their annual summer retreat in Northern California this past week. The theme of the Province retreats is Faith, Mary and Mission with talks being given by members of our Provincial Administration. Bros. Brandon and Dennis flew further west to the Hawaiian Islands, while Bro. Brian return to San Antonio.

That’s our quick update for now. More later as the summer progresses. A blessed summer time for you and all your family – safe travels!

Today we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist Family. Thank you Fr. Chaminade for the gift you have given us in the Marianist family!!!! Above is a video of “Chami” dancing with students, faculty and staff at St. Mary’s University where we celebrated his birthday with a “Big Birthday Bash” on April 7th. Fr. Chaminade would be very pleased with the Marianist Family across the globe and the work we continue in building communities of faith. The Marianist Family spirit was certainly alive in our celebration here at StMU.

A new “Chami” mascot has been created to promote Blessed Chaminade during this Chaminade Year as we celebrate his 250th anniversary of his birth. He is inspired by a similar mascot created by the Marianist Family in Spain. Thanks to Leah Bowen, staff member in Campus Recreation at St. Mary’s University, for her fine sewing skills to make Chami come alive! Here Chami is pictured with Aspirant Mark Motz.

Bro. Mike Sullivan, SM was honored with the Art of Peace Award on Thursday, March 31st at the conclusion of this year’s President’s Peace Commission at St. Mary’s University. The award is given annually to an individual associated with the university who has made contributions to the arts and the promotion of peace through their work. Bro. Mike was surprised and over-joyed to receive this honor. He shared a video that he prepared with a significant portion highlighting the student immersion trips to Mexico that he organized and led for over ten years. The St. Mary’s Jazz Band performed one of Bro. Mike’s original compositions. After the award ceremony a reception was held in the University Center atrium.

This evening we hosted a gathering of high school students who have expressed interest in learning more about Marianist religious life. The students from Central Catholic and Keystone High Schools in San Antonio joined us for Mass, dinner and a discussion. We also welcomed Bros. Tim Pieprzyca and Rich Thompson both whom minister at Central Catholic High School and Sr. Gretchen Trautman, FMI, Marianist sister and coordinator of the local vocation office. Aspirant Mark Motz shared with the group his own vocational discernment journey and how he ultimately came to the decision to enter the aspirancy program with the Society of Mary. Following Mark’s presentation the young men asked excellent questions that were fielded by the brothers and sister present. We hope to stay in touch with these young men and continue to find ways to support their ongoing discernment.