Casa Maria Marianists

Aspirants Eric, Joseph and Justin attended the 13th annual fall commencement of St. Mary’s University held on Saturday, December 14, 2013. As Marianists, they were seated in the VIP section and recognized during the ceremony.

“Members of the Society of Mary, you’ve taught each of us about the Marianist mission of education, a mission of excellence, of service, of community and of faith. Please stand and receive our very deep gratitude,” said President Tom Mengler as he recognized the group during the ceremony.

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Nearly 50 students, faculty, staff and friends of the Marianists celebrated the final Casa Tuesday of the fall 2013 semester on Dec. 10. The evening began with an evening prayer that commemorated Saint Juan Diego (Dec. 9) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), followed by a special blessing of graduates who will receive their degrees on Saturday. The celebration concluded with a pasta-themed supper and special desserts—graduation red velvet cake and gum drop cookies. Casa Tuesdays will resume next semester with a back-to-school edition on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.

Brothers from the Casa María Marianist Community made an annual visit to Devine Acres Farm to harvest a fresh tree for Christmas on Saturday, December, 7, 2013.

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There is light at the end of the tunnel!!! With one more week to go until final exams, a large group of St. Mary’s students gathered at Casa Maria for a quick break from the books to welcome the Advent season with the Marianists and guests.

On display was an Advent wreath, with one candle that had already been lit, to remind all that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Following prayers, everyone feasted on turkey soup and turkey sandwiches. Thematic desserts included Advent wreath cupcakes and corn flake treats.

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For the first time in four years, Casa Maria hosted the Thanksgiving meal. Nearly 30 gathered for the 2:15 p.m. dinner which included the Marianist Sisters, family members, an international Marianist guest and the Stoiber family from Michigan.

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Nearly 40 StMU students, staff, Marianists and guests “gobble gobbled” up the Thanksgiving treats at this week’s Casa Tuesday. After giving thanks during the prayer session, sharing announcements about campus activities, feasting on chicken nuggets, fries and salad, everyone was grateful for being able to indulge in the bounty of the fabulous fall flavors of Oreo turkey cookies and mini pumpkin cheesecakes.

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A day after America’s Veterans Day and Canada’s Remembrance Day, the Marianists of Casa Maria, along with 40+ students, staff and special guests (Tom Wendorf and Kevin Prada), gathered for a dinner social to pray for North America’s military men and women. This week’s thematic desserts included gelatin cubes in patriotic colors, basic brownies with flags and lemon poppy seed cupcakes.

The poppy flower, representing the red blood shed on the battlefield, is a military memorial symbol in the Commonwealth countries inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field” (written by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae during WWI-1915):

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

May God bless our veterans, St, Mary’s ROTC students and all those serving in the military. We live in the land of the free…because of the brave!