Casa Maria Marianists

The following is the toast given for Bro. Dennis Bautista, SM on the occasion of his profession of perpetual vows:

In the Hawaiian culture, it is customary to give honor and tribute to ancestors and those who have gone before us. We, in the Society of Mary, do the same at celebrations such as this one. The first Brothers to arrive in the United States (first to Cincinnati, OH and then to San Antonio) came from the Alsatian region of France and so they spoke German. Remembering our foundations and heritage, it has become tradition at our celebrations to offer a German toast for long life and happiness.

But first, a quick story…

A few years ago, those of us who are temporary professed were asked to read some articles on the vow of Marianist stability. We then had to comment on them via a blog. Of course Dennis was the first to post, probably not so much because of the articles, but because he got to use technology and I’m sure there was a video to go along with his posting. After all, anyone who can make a video about a new trash can in a community can make a video about the vow of stability.

This I do remember: he posted that he was learning to fall in love with the Society of Mary and learning to love in an unconditional way. Our novice director often spoke about having a Brother’s heart, and since Dennis’ first profession, his heart has grown and it is evident that he has fallen in love with our Society and Family.

And so I ask that you raise your glass in a toast to Dennis and his Brother’s heart. Dennis:

May you continue to fall more deeply in love with the Marianist life and Family each day.

May you be surrounded by sisters and brothers who will support you at all times.

May Mary always walk beside you in all that you do.

May God continue to shower you with abundant grace and mercy.

And in a celebration that has had many languages, here’s one more. Dennis: may you live well…ER LEBE HOCH!

The Alamo marked our successful completion of the Mission Trail(We have the visitor stamps to prove it!)

The legacy and history of San Antonio and this region began with a simple ceremony when in 1718 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located located along the San Antonio River. Equipped with bottles of water, rice crispy treats, and a camera, Brother Bob and Norm took advantage of their Oct. 12 holiday from Central Catholic HS to bike the “Mission Trail.” This 15+ mile trail included visits to Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission Espada, and for the adventurous and more extreme bikers (like Bob and Norm), city streets, sidewalks, and main roads lead to the most popular mission, The Alamo.

Rev. Cris Janson, pastor at Holy Rosary Parish, celebrated Mass with students of St. Mary’s University and the Casa María community on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Founders Hall. Approximately 25 attended this week’s Mass which the Casa María community sponsors every Thursday evening in the residence hall. Pictured above: Brother Bob Jones, Rev. Cris Janson and Aspirant Norman Capinpin.

With a special dinner menu  of pork tenderloin, apple sauce and coconut cream pie from Marie Callender’s, the Casa María community celebrated Tim Dwyer’s 74th birthday on Thursday, October 15. See more photos on our Flickr site.

Aspirant Andrew Caruso, Sister Grace Walle and Brother Brian Halderman enjoy homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies at the Marianist Sisters Convent.

To celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, the Casa María community made an evening “pilgrimage” to the Marianist Sisters Convent, Our Lady of the Pillar. Members of both communities gathered outside the statue of Our Lady of the Pillar for a brief prayer to commemorate the vision that inspired Blessed Chaminade to establish the Marianist Family. The Marianist Sisters hosted a brief social that included ice cream and homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies afterwards.

See more photos on our Flickr site.

Aspirant Andrew. Birthday Brother. Community Chef. On this night, he did it all, from A to Z—and the community was treated to a home-cooked meal in honor of the arrival of his parents and his own birthday. A special, third-generation Caruso family recipe of lasagne, garlic bread, salad and wine—topped off with a yellow cake with chocolate frosting made from scratch.

We prayed in gratitude for his parents’ safe arrival and their enjoyable stay, as well as for the gift of Andrew’s life and discernment with us. And, of course, the celebration was highlighted with the traditional singing of Las Mañanitas and Happy Birthday.

More photos on our Flickr set.

Approximately 25 students, faculty and staff gathered in Founders Hall to celebrate the memorial of St. Thérèse of Lisieux with the Casa María Marianist community for the weekly Thursday evening Mass at Founders Hall.

Experiencing a measured indoor humidity of 70 percent and temperature of 78 degrees, the congregation celebrated Mass with songs in English and Spanish, along with a communion hymn—God is Love (Mondoy)—set to a tune written by Hawaiian Queen Lydia Lili‘uokalani (O Makalapua) led by two Marianist ‘ukulele players.

Focusing on St. Thérèse’s “Little Way,” this week’s presider, Rev. Tim Dwyer, preached about how doing the “little things” with love and kindness toward one another can help us recognize that “the Reign of God is at hand” (Luke 10:11).