Casa Maria Marianists

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With Fiesta in full swing all over the city of San Antonio, Texas, beginning with the annual Oyster Bake this past weekend on the campus of StMU, the celebration continued at Casa Maria, which was decorated in festive spring colors, including a vibrant welcome wreath at the entrance. Following a bilingual prayer attended by students, staff, Marianists and guests, a Mexican buffet dinner was served, featuring tacos, rice and capirotada. The latter is a traditional Mexican bread pudding for Lent with symbolism as rich as its taste. Viva Fiesta!

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Approximately 30 joined the brothers of Casa María for an eclectic Casa Tuesday evening that celebrated Brother Mike’s birthday and a Japanese-themed meal on March 29. Guests included a group of students from St. Mary’s high school in St. Louis, Isabella Moyer, president of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities and a number of students, staff and alumni.

Everyone prayed for the victims of the natural disasters in Japan. The menu included rice and teriyaki stir-fry as well as “dessert” sushi and a cherry blossom (sakura) birthday cake to coincide with the national and international cherry blossom festivals beginning this week.

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Celebrating a 62 years of life and 17 years in ministry at St. Mary’s University, Brother Mike enjoyed a a special birthday dinner with the brothers of the Casa María Marianist Community on Monday, March 28—the vigil of his actual birthday. Noted guests included Joe Kozar and Chami, who made his first appearance ever!

Six Marianist Educational Associates of St. Mary’s University gathered for an evening of prayer, supper and a Lenten reflection with the brothers of Casa María on Wednesday, March 23. Mark led evening prayer; supper featured soup and salad; and Rev. Bill Behringer offered a Lenten-themed reflection.

Over 150 students, faculty, staff and friends gathered outside of the Casa Maria Marianist residence to celebrate “Pre-Ash Bash” on Tuesday, March 8.

The event was an alternative Mardi Gras celebration that included carnival-style games, a New Orleans-inspired jambalaya and  king cake dessert.

See more of our Pre-Ash Bash photos on our Flickr set.

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Casa Tuesday celebrated the “Welsh way on St. David’s Feast Day.” After evening prayer, St. Mary’s University students, staff, Marianists, alumni, family, friends and special guests from Wartburg College in Iowa sampled Celtic cuisine, such as leek and ham tarts (leeks are associated with the patron saint of Wales) and traditional Welsh cakes. For those who favored familiar food, spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, cookies and brownies were also served. Cheers! – Iechyd da! (Yeh-chid dah)

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St. Mary’s students “Don’t Stop Believin’” that God gave them talent! So they were encouraged to share their gifts of song with staff, Marianists and guests at a Glee-themed night at Casa María. At evening prayer, everyone sang “Hail, Holy Queen” (“Sister Act” version). Other entertainment this evening included a sing-along of “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Cafeteria-style food was also served, such as corn dogs, French fries, chicken nuggets, jalapeno poppers, Cheerios bars and bake sale cupcakes. Some people stayed around after dinner to watch Glee on TV as a group.