Casa Maria Marianists

Brother Mike Sullivan gathered with a handful of St. Mary’s University students at Casa María to begin the process of writing lyrics for his second opera to be premiered in November.

Brother Mike will compose the music while the students contribute lyrcis based on an unpublished manuscript written by Diane Gonzales Bertrand, writer-in-residence for the university’s English and communication studies department.

His first opera, Caldo, Caldo, Caldo, which premiered in April 2009, also was based on a publication by Bertrand.

See more photos on our Flickr set.

Focusing on the theme of “community,” the brothers of Casa María spent the weekend on retreat at the Oblate Renewal Center on April 9-11. Rev. George Montague, S.M., led two sessions on the theme of community—one rooted in scripture and the other on its practical aspects.

To celebrate Blessed William Joseph Chaminade’s 249th birthday, several students from St. Mary’s University joined Casa María to celebrate Mass followed by an ice cream social at Flores Residence Hall lounge on Thurs., April 8.

Rev. Cris Janson, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, presided at the liturgy in the octave of Easter while two ‘ukulele and an ipu heke added a Hawaiian touch to the music sung in English and Spanish.

Sister Laura Leming, visiting campus as a member of the St. Mary’s board of trustees, made a cameo appearance following the Mass.

See more photos on our Flickr set.

Approximately 40 students joined the brothers of Casa María for an evening barbecue in front of Marian Residence Hall on Easter Monday, April 5.

Known as the “Pablo Party,” Brother Mike explains that this barbecue is named in honor of a former student at St. Mary’s who lived in Marian Hall and opted to barbecue his own food rather than purchase a meal plan.

Since then, Brother Mike has maintained this tradition as an annual event on Easter Monday, a day when classes are not in session as part of the long Easter weekend.

Marianist Sisters in San Antonio celebrated Easter Sunday with a feast at Casa María that included baked ham, pancit noodles, lumpia egg rolls, crab-stuffed potato, green bean casserole, won ton soup, salad and an assortment of dessert pies that included “Aloha Pie,” Caribbean Fudge Pie, Pecan Pie and Apple Pie.

Watch as the events of the day unfolded at Casa María, complete with the preparation of dishes; Easter hymn sung in English, Hawaiian and Spanish; traditional breaking of cascarones; post-party clean up; and a statement by out-going Provincial Sister Vange.

More photos on our Flickr set.

Celebrating a 61 years of life and 16 years in ministry at St. Mary’s University, Brother Mike Sullivan enjoyed a a special birthday dinner with the brothers of the Casa María Marianist Community on Monday, March 29. More photos on our Flickr set.

With spring break scheduled for the following week, Casa Tuesday celebrated an early St. Patrick’s day, March 9. Featuring a main dish of “Brother Brian’s Irish concotion” of cabbage, potatoes, squash, carrots and Italian sausage (as a substitute for corned beef), Hawaiian sweet bread (as a substitute for Irish Soda Bread) and Guinness chocolate cupcakes frosted with Bailey’s Irish buttercream and Shamrock sprinkles, the community made a valiant attempt to celebrate in style.

Guinness chocolate cupcakes frosted with Bailey's Irish buttercream and Shamrock sprinkles