Casa Maria Marianists

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The brothers of the Casa Maria Community hosted their first Casa Tuesday of the new academic year on Sept. 3, 2013, with a Back-to-School theme. More than 50 St. Mary’s students, faculty, staff and friends enjoyed a comforting casserole à la Pardo, salad and baked-and-buttered bread. A specially-decorated dessert table featuring cinnamon-cream cheese frosted apple spice muffins and orange-flavored cupcakes with chocolate chalkboards completed this evening’s Marianist mealtime. We were also blessed by the presence of our provincial, Rev. Marty Solma, who traveled from the St. Louis, Mo., headquarters to attend meetings on campus.

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Over 60 Marianists, family and friends of the community celebrated the Labor Day holiday with a barbecue at the Casa María Marianist Community on Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. Preparations for the event lasted all weekend, including a session on how to debone and remove the skin from chicken thighs late Sunday evening, Sept. 1.

After celebrating Mass as a community at 9 a.m., the brothers set up the dining arrangements, prepared dishes and even barbecued chicken and beef on an outdoor grill in 100+ degree heat! In the end, the community director, Bill Behringer, summed it up saying, “Well, a good time was had by all!“

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Serving nearly 500 burgers and 200 hot dogs at this annual event, the Marianists of Casa María partnered with the St. Mary’s Student Government Association to host Burgers with the Brothers on the lawn of the Casa María residence Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

Several hundred faculty, staff, alumni and students enjoyed the free hamburgers and hot dogs, a special visit from Father Chami as well as the cloudy skies that kept temperatures relatively ‘cool’ for an August afternoon in San Antonio.

Aspirants Joseph, Justin and Eric officially were received into the Casa María Marianist community during the Rite of Acceptance as part of the celebration of the memorial of the Queenship of Mary of Thursday, August 22, 2013. Rev. Bill Meyer, provincial assistant for religious life, presided at the  Mass and offered the homily. Pictured above: Dennis, aspirancy coordinator, Joseph, Justin, Eric and Bill.

With the arrival of three new community members over the weekend, all members of the Casa María Marianist community gathered for the first time to celebrate Mass, dinner and an evening walk for ice cream on Monday, August 19, 2013.

New community director, Bill Behringer, felt that—given the occasion—it was appropriate to gather as a community after dinner and celebrate by walking to Dairy Queen to enjoy ice cream, rather than hold a community meeting.

The brothers were grateful and approved unanimously the new director’s wise decision-making.

Pictured from left to right: Mike, Jose, Tim, Joseph, Eric, Jim, Bill, Justin (holding Chami) and Dennis.

Rev. Bill Behringer, S.M., officially was installed as director of Casa María during community Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thursday, August 15, 2013. Brother Dennis, the outgoing community director, presented Bill with the Rule of Life of the Society of Mary and the Key to the Community as part of the official installation rite. Blessings and best wishes to Bill as he begins his three year term as community director.

Congratulations to Brother Mark Motz, S.M., who professed his first vows in the Society of Mary, Province of the U.S., during Mass at Queen of Apostles Chapel at Mount Saint John in Dayton, Saturday, May 18, 2013. Rev. Bill Meyer, S.M. served as the main presider and Assistant Provincial Joe Kamis received the vows and presented Mark with the Rule of Life. A reception and dinner followed at the Bergamo Retreat Center. Mark was an aspirant with the Casa Maria community in 2010-11.