Archive for the ‘Community News’ category

Marianist high school alumni dine at Casa

October 1, 2009

2009-10-01-casa-marianist-grads

Recent graduates from Marianist high schools—now freshmen at St. Mary’s University—joined the brothers at Casa María for dinner on Thursday, October 1st.

Since a number of graduates of Marianist high schools attend St. Mary’s University, the Casa María community hoped this event would foster relationships among these students who share a common Marianist experience and to invite them into the community.

Pictured above are (from left to right): Aspirant Norman, Brother Bob, Trevor (Central Catholic), Lauren (Nolan Catholic), Jenny (Gross Catholic), Cassie (Gross Catholic) and Brother Tim.

Casa María hosts The Rattler editorial staff

September 26, 2009

The editorial staff of The Rattler, the student newspaper of St. Mary’s University, enjoyed a quick break away from the newsroom during ‘press weekend’ to have dinner at the Casa María Marianist community. ‘Press weekend’ refers to the time when the staff produces the upcoming issue, which runs over the course of three days—Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Spending time together outside of the newsroom helps The Rattler staff build community with one another, develop positive relationships and foster a team-oriented attitude—characteristics necessary to meet a common, deadline-driven goal.

See the group photo and more on our Flickr set.

Thursday Mass at Founders Hall (Sept. 24)

September 24, 2009

2009-09-24-founders-mass

Rev. Norbert Brockman, S.M., delivers the homily during Mass at Founders Hall on Thursday, Sept. 24.  The Casa María community and approximately 30 students gathered to celebrate Mass this week at the newest residence hall on campus, which is celebrated every Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. throughout the fall semester.

Brother Bob captures “Uno Cup”

September 21, 2009

Community Director Brother Brian presents Brother Bob with the "Uno Cup" while Aspirant Norman congratulates the winner. Brother Bob led all scorers with a cumulative total of 184 point enroute to victory.

Community Director Brother Brian presents Brother Bob with the “Uno Cup” while Aspirant Norman congratulates the winner. Brother Bob led all brothers at Casa María with a cumulative total of 128 points for the victory.


By combining mathematical-like calculations, careful strategic planning and luck of the draw, Brother Bob Jones, S.M., totaled 128 cumulative points to capture the first Casa María community Uno Cup  on Monday night, Sept. 21.

After the victory, Brother Bob, head of the community’s Office of Religious Life, enjoyed an ice cream dessert and paused to reflect on the significance of this event.

“Like the first Christian community in Jerusalem who shares all in common—including ‘skips,’ ‘reverses,’ ‘draw twos’ and ‘wildcards,’” said Brother Bob, the Casa María community celebrated its first ‘community fun nite’ together by playing four rounds of the card game “Uno” and ice cream desserts.

While Monday nights typically are reserved for weekly community meetings, the brothers decided to rotate ‘community fun nites’ into the schedule periodically as way to foster community building, coordinated by Casa María’s Office of Education.

Brother Roberto Rivera, who—like Brother Bob—is a member of the first profession class of 2007, was second with 184 points.

See more photos on our Flickr site.

Box Score: At Casa María. Bautista 389. Capinpin 676. Caruso 261. Dwyer 221. Halderman 268. Jones 128. Pieprzyca 320. Rivera 184. Sullivan 469. Time-1:30. Attendance-9.
By combining mathematical-like calculations, careful strategic planning and luck of the draw, Brother Bob Jones, S.M., totaled 184 cumulative points to capture the first Casa María Community Uno Cup of the academic year on Monday night, Sept. 21.
After the victry, Brother Bob, head of the community’s Office of Religious Life, enjoyed an ice cream dessert and paused to reflect on the meaning of this win.
“Like the first Christian community in Jerusalem who shares all in common — including ‘skips,’ ‘reverses,’ ‘draw twos’ and ‘wildcards'” — the Casa Maria Community celebrates its first ‘community fun nite’ together by playing four rounds of the card game “Uno” followed by ice cream.
While Monday nights typically are reserved for weekly community meetings, the community decided to rotate “Community Fun Nites” into the schedule periodically as way to foster community building, coordinated by the community’s Office of Education.
Brother Roberto Rivera, a fellow member of the profession class of 2007, was second with 184 cumulative points.
Box Score:
At Casa María. Bautista 389. Capinpin 676. Caruso 261. Dwyer 221. Halderman 268. Jones 128. Pieprzyca 320. Rivera 184. Sullivan 469. Time-1:30. Attendance-9.

Sprucing up the front of the house

September 19, 2009

The Casa Maria Community sits on a rather large piece of land in the middle of the St. Mary’s University campus. Maintaining the grounds can be a rather large chore and one that not many of the brothers have much interest in doing. Bro. Mike waters the lawn and does his best in the midst of the drought and water restrictions to keep at least some patches alive. I have taken on the duty of caring for the flower beds in front of the house and what we call the prayer garden which is visible through the windows from our chapel. Last fall I mulched the prayer garden and added a bird feeder. It took the birds three months to find the feeder, but now they really chow down! I have been wanting to improve the front flower beds to enhance the appearance of the house, they were often run over by weeds. The grounds crew helped back before summer planting some nice flower plants. This weekend I finally got around to pulling all the weeds, laying down weed block plastic and mulching the beds. I got half done today and will finish the other half tomorrow. It is a great improvement and helps make the front of the community more inviting to all who come to the front door.

– Bro. Brian Halderman, SM

Bro. Brian mulched the front flower beds this weekend and now we have a new look!

Bro. Brian mulched the front flower beds this weekend and now we have a new look!

Interfaith Fair and the Marianists

September 19, 2009
Bro. Leo Willett, Fr. Rudy Vela and Sr. Gretchen Trautman at the Interfaith Fair on the Quad

Bro. Leo Willett, Fr. Rudy Vela and Sr. Gretchen Trautman at the Interfaith Fair on the Quad

University Ministry hosted an Interfaith Fair on the Quad at St. Mary’s University on Friday, September 18th. We had a variety of faith groups including various Christian denominations, Muslim and Jewish traditions. The Marianist Vocation Ministry set up a booth to honor our Spanish Martyrs and to help promote vocations. Many of the Marianist sisters and brothers spent time in the Quad conversing with students and others who passed by. It was a successful morning of activities that included an interfaith prayer for peace. I think a great way to honor our Marianist Martyrs!

Marianist Martyrs: Prayer, reception at St. Mary’s

September 18, 2009

To commemorate the martyrdom of three Marianists of Ciudad Real (Carlos Eraña, Fidel Fuidio and Jesús Hita) in 1936—along with Brother Miguel Ángel Quiroga’s own martyrdom in 1998—the Alumni Association of St. Mary’s University hosted a prayer and reception in the administration building on Friday morning, Sept. 18.

According to Brother Mike, approximately 40 faculty, staff and Marianists gathered on the second floor of St. Louis Hall for a brief prayer and reception which included breakfast tacos, fruit and coffee.