Casa Maria Marianists

Room blessings in the residence halls are a part of the many services offered by University Ministry to help foster an atmosphere of faith and spiritual growth within the university community. This video features room blessings of various residents at Marian Hall as led by Brother Brian and Ministerial Assistant Francesca.

Brother Bob Jones, S.M., (right) takes a moment to pause for a photo-op during supper at tonight’s Casa Tuesday.

Brother Ed (center) with former aspirants Brothers Dennis (left) and Bob (right)

Brother Ed Longbottom, S.M., district superior of Mexico, was the first Marianist guest to the Casa María community of the new academic year. Brother Ed, a former member of the community from 2003-05, was the aspirancy director who worked with current Casa María members Dennis and Bob.

Brother Ed, district superior of Mexico and Brother Brian, director of Casa María

Camotes de Santa Clara Puebla

New faculty and staff at St. Mary’s University joined Marianists from the local communities to gather for a social and dinner at the Marianist Residence on Friday, August 28, 2009. This annual event connects professed Marianists in San Antonio with the newest employees of the university.

A highlight of the meal included edible purple orchids that decorated appetizers, entrees and desserts. See more photos at our Flickr set.

A magnificent pagoda, cascading waterfall, bright flowers, colorful koi fish… of course, I could only be describing my 20 here in Texas. A couple of weeks ago some of the Brothers and Aspirants decided to take an afternoon break from meetings to check out one of San Antonio’s hidden (kinda) treasures, the Japanese Tea Gardens at Brackenridge Park.

Some background: In 1915, Mrs. Emma Koehler, widow of Pearl Brewery owner Otto Koehler, donated an 11-acre tract of land between the quarry and San Antonio River. Through the inspiration and hard work of city parks commissioner, Ray Lambert, a unique Japanese garden was created here. In 1926, at the City’s invitation, Kimi Eizo Jingu, a local Japanese-American artist, moved to the garden and became its operator. Even after his passing, his family continued to operate the tea garden until 1942, when they were evicted because of anti-Japanese sentiment during World War II. It was then renamed the Chinese Sunken Garden. In 1984, the garden was rededicated as the Japanese Tea Garden. Interesting huh.

In addition to this garden adventure was a cool train ride and an amazing guinness ice cream cream cone… so good.

Over 50 students joined the Casa María community to celebrate Mass at Founders Hall, the newest residence hall at St. Mary’s University, on Thursday, August 27, 2009.

After a brief welcome by Residence Hall Director Anthony Noriega, Rev. Tim Dwyer, S.M. presided at the first-ever Mass celebrated in the new building and Brother Bob Jones, S.M. led the music.

See more photos of the Mass at our Flickr site.

Each week, the Casa María Marianist community hosts “Casa Tuesdays” where students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to prayer and supper with the brothers each Tuesday evening, beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Follow St. Mary’s students Tim and Francesca as they head toward Casa María for the first “Casa Tuesday” of the semester on Aug. 25. Listen for a special invitation from Brother Brian Halderman, S.M., to join them each week.

See more photos on our Flickr site.