Casa Maria Marianists

Hermano Armando Añeses, S.M., a former resident of Casa María, professed his perpetual vows as a member of the Society of Mary during a Mass celebrated on the campus of Colegio San José, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, on the feast of Our Lady of the Pilar, Wednesday, October 12.

Rev. Oscar Vasquez, S.M., presided over the Mass and was the homilist, while Rev. Marty Solma, S.M., provincial of the Province of the U.S., received the vows.

Presently, Armando resides at the Marianist community at Comunidad Marianista San José and ministers as a teacher at Colegio San José.

As a second-year novice, Armando was a member of the Casa María community with ministry at Central Catholic High School.

Also present to witness the perpetual profession of vows was former Casa María member Brother Joseph Janosik, S.M., who spent one semester as an aspirant in San Antonio; he also resides and ministers at Colegio San José.

Note: There were some challenges in capturing video footage during the ceremony so we are grateful to those who collected these limited scenes for our website.

UPDATE: Below is a photo slideshow of the event, created by the Communications Office of the Marianist Province of the U.S.

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Casa Tuesday observed the Feast Day of St. Francis by feeding students, staff, faculty, friends and Marianists with animal crackers. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals.

Cas Tuesday also commemorated the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. After praying for a cure, everyone was treated to a pink ribbon lollipop.

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Adiós to summer and bienvenidos to autumn! As the first full week of fall begins, Casa Tuesday celebrated the change of seasons with fiesta foods to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month. More than half of all students at St. Mary’s are of Hispanic descent. So some of them joined faculty, staff, Marianists and friends for prayer and postres (desserts), which included Mexican wedding cookies, dulce de leche (caramel) macaroons and vainilla flan.

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The vigil of the Exaltation/Triumph of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14) falls between two Marian feast days, the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Sept. 12) and Our Lady of Sorrows (Sept. 15) this week. So Casa Tuesday commemorated both the cross and Mary with prayers, chili dogs and chips, a chocolate cross cake with blue flowers and a Mary statuette and chocolate cross lollipops.

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Members of the Society of Mary in San Antonio gathered with the Provincial Council at the Alumni Room of the Law Library at St. Mary’s University to review initial progress with the implementation of the Vision 2020 strategic plan on Saturday, Sept. 10.

All members of the provincial council were guests at Casa María during the weekend.

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Casa Tuesday commemorated the birth week of our Blessed Mother Mary with a tribute to Stella Maris—the Star of the Sea. St. Mary’s students and staff, faculty and friends joined the Marianists for prayer, a stir fry buffet dinner and a special blue-and-white birthday cake.

The Stella Maris centerpiece was a classic vanilla cake enrobed in blue fondant and decorated with white chocolate seashells and edible pearls. Members of the student chapter of the Catholic Daughters of America helped to blow out the candles on the cake, as their president, Selena Rangel, celebrated her 21st birthday at Casa María as well.

Tonight’s birth week bash befits Our Lady whose bright star lights the way toward her son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.

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“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden.” (Matthew 11:28)

Students, faculty and staff have been working hard since the fall semester began at St. Mary’s a few weeks ago. Whether studying, teaching or providing academic support services, they took a break for prayer and dinner with Marianists and friends at Casa María. Looking forward to the upcoming Labor Day weekend, everyone rested and relaxed for a little while and enjoyed a spaghetti buffet and desserts topped with the Stars and Stripes. The patriotic party theme was also a tribute to all those who labor in America.

 “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)