Casa Maria Marianists

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In what has become an annual tradition, Casa María hosted an Easter Sunday celebration with homemade appetizers, entrees and a variety of desserts. Guests this year included family friends of the Marianists and members of the university chapel choir.

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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!

Today we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist Family. Thank you Fr. Chaminade for the gift you have given us in the Marianist family!!!! Above is a video of “Chami” dancing with students, faculty and staff at St. Mary’s University where we celebrated his birthday with a “Big Birthday Bash” on April 7th. Fr. Chaminade would be very pleased with the Marianist Family across the globe and the work we continue in building communities of faith. The Marianist Family spirit was certainly alive in our celebration here at StMU.

A new “Chami” mascot has been created to promote Blessed Chaminade during this Chaminade Year as we celebrate his 250th anniversary of his birth. He is inspired by a similar mascot created by the Marianist Family in Spain. Thanks to Leah Bowen, staff member in Campus Recreation at St. Mary’s University, for her fine sewing skills to make Chami come alive! Here Chami is pictured with Aspirant Mark Motz.

Bro. Mike Sullivan, SM was honored with the Art of Peace Award on Thursday, March 31st at the conclusion of this year’s President’s Peace Commission at St. Mary’s University. The award is given annually to an individual associated with the university who has made contributions to the arts and the promotion of peace through their work. Bro. Mike was surprised and over-joyed to receive this honor. He shared a video that he prepared with a significant portion highlighting the student immersion trips to Mexico that he organized and led for over ten years. The St. Mary’s Jazz Band performed one of Bro. Mike’s original compositions. After the award ceremony a reception was held in the University Center atrium.

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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.