Casa Maria Marianists

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Congratulations to StMU’s Class of 2013! On the last Casa Tuesday of the academic year, graduating seniors Brian, Alex, Selena and Ashley were honored with a cross cake, chocolate caps, strawberry muffins and banana bread. A special blessing was also extended to them:

We, the family, friends and guests of Casa María invoke God’s blessings upon you. May God keep you from all harm and bless you with every good gift. May God set his Word in your heart and fill you with lasting peace. May you walk in his ways, striving for what is right and good. May our Lady, Mary, the Mother of God, guide you and watch over you daily. May she bring you closer to God as you continue your life’s journey. When you return, may you always find St. Mary’s and Casa María a place where you are always welcome. And may the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.

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Oyster Bake on the campus of St. Mary’s this past weekend kicked off San Antonio’s city-wide 10-day celebration of Tex-Mex culture. And Casa Maria continued to celebrate Fiesta with prayers and postres (desserts). More than 40 students, staff, Marianists and guests were full of “fiesta fever” and enjoyed a backyard BBQ with sopaipilla cheesecake squares and margarita cupcakes. The colorful jello (provided by amigos Pat and Phyllis S.) matched the vibrant house decor (tissue paper pom poms crafted by Brother Brian). Viva Fiesta!

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Casa María continued its celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ by hosting its weekly prayer social with an Easter themed buffet (ham casserole and tossed salad with sliced boiled eggs) and colorful springtime desserts. Nearly 30 St. Mary’s students took a break from their books and came to enjoy spending time with the Marianists, staff, faculty and friends on Easter Tuesday.

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.” — Martin Luther

As reflected by the expressions of their faces, the brothers of the Casa María Marianist community concluded their spring retreat ready for the annual observance of Holy Week. After viewing the movie, “The Way,” the brothers shared reflections on their individual journeys of life as Marianists, drew parallels between themes presented in the movie and their own lives and closed the time with a celebration of the Eucharist at Lidwina’s Dwelling—a retreat facility at the St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery in Boerne, Texas, March 22-24, 2013.

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Upon returning from spring break, St. Mary’s students, staff, Marianists and guests celebrated the Feast Day of St. Joseph with a party for the new pope, Francis I. As this is Brother Jose’s name day, he led the prayers for the pope and the people. Festive foods included an Italian buffet of spaghetti, lasagna and salad with Italian dressing. Italian cream cupcakes topped with the Vatican flag were served alongside a traditional Italian dessert, sfingi di San Giuseppe (cream puffs of St. Joseph).

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The brothers of Casa María celebrated the baby shower of Jeffrey and Crystal Pardo at St. Dominic’s Piper Community Center on Saturday, March 16. After placing in several baby-themed games throughout the night, the brothers won a collection of prizes of gift cards and a gift basket of sweets; one even won a bedazzler!

Two years ago, the brothers were the couple’s wedding sponsor at Holy Rosary Parish. ¡Felicidades a Jeffrey y Crystal!

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Nearly 40 St. Mary’s students, staff, Marianists and friends followed the yellow brick road to taste some technicolor treats at a Wizard of Oz-themed prayer party hosted by Casa María. Coinciding with this weekend’s release of “Oz the Great and Powerful,” a prequel to the classic “Wizard of Oz” movie, the films have a familiar discussion theme of good vs. wicked and other religious allegories. Brother Mike shared his Oz pop-up book while all enjoyed the Emerald City gelatin, Toto shortbread cookies, lemon poppy seed muffins and “Over the Rainbow” cupcakes.