Casa Maria Marianists

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Casa Maria welcomed back from spring break nearly 40 St. Mary’s students, staff, faculty and friends for a celebration of two significant saints in March. St. Patrick’s feast day was on March 17, and St. Joseph’s feast day is on March 19. Shamrock shortbread cookies (made with real Irish butter) and green pistachio pudding cupcakes were served in honor of St. Pat, while an Italian-style cream puff (sfinge di San Giuseppe) was made in honor of St. Joe.

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Although Jesus Christ is always our superstar, a few St. Mary’s students shined at Casa María’s Oscar-themed night when they participated in an entertaining religious-movie related quiz. Winners walked away with an exclusive gold chocolate statuette. More than 60 students, staff, faculty and friends joined the Marianists this evening and enjoyed the Hollywood-style decorations and desserts, which included Casa María star cookies and a star-shaped cake frosted by Aspirant Justin. Plenty of popcorn was also provided. This weekly prayer dinner and social was celebrated ahead of the 86th Academy Awards presentation on March 2, 2014.

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Casa Maria is getting their “just desserts”—from Aspirant Justin who continues to learn decorating techniques from a Marianist family member. He created a cookie cake for the community dessert that evening; frosted a star-shaped cake using the star tip method; and made chocolate cake pops with drizzle designs.

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As the 2014 Olympic Games continue in Sochi, Russia, Casa Maria hosted over 60 St. Mary’s students, staff, faculty, friends and Marianists at an Olympic-themed prayer dinner and social this week to pray for safety at the Games and to show support for Team USA. In the spirit of sportsmanship, student teams participated in a Bible/Marianist trivia contest to earn a limited number of gold, silver and bronze cookie medals. Other Olympic-themed desserts served at Casa Tuesday included Olympic rings mini donuts as well as cupcakes with the Olympic flag.

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In honor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Aspirant Justin prepared cakes for Casa Tuesday’s celebration of her feast day. More than 50 St. Mary’s students, staff, faculty, friends and Marianists prayed, socialized with each other, made announcements about campus events, ate a light supper, then enjoyed the desserts. Some of the Marianists who had been to Lourdes, France, also shared their experiences about their pilgrimages to this special Marian site as well as told the story about St. Bernadette Soubirous and the apparitions of Our Lady. Learn about St. Bernadette, miracles and more here.

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Aspirant Justin has added dessert decorating to his formation program! A Marianist family member shared with him how to handle a pastry bag; use a star tip to pipe designs on chocolate cream and butterscotch pies (which the rest of Casa María enjoyed for dessert that evening); and crumb coat and add borders to cakes. Justin intends to practice his decorating skills more by making desserts for his lucky guinea pigs community and contributing his creations at Casa Tuesdays.

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“My dear friends, let us love one another, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

Nearly 70 St. Mary’s students, staff, faculty, friends and Marianists gathered together in friendship and love when Casa Maria hosted an early Valentine-themed celebration. Following prayer, everyone enjoyed a hearty buffet of stir-fry, rice and egg rolls, along with a variety of Valentine sweet treats.