Oct. 31, 2013  

From Fr. Marty Solma
 
  
 
 
Dear Brothers:
  

I want to update you on various projects that are underway within the Province. Thanks to Paul Marshall and Ed Brink for their time and effort in meeting with project committees. I also thank the committees and their chairs.

 

 

 

 

NACMS 

The North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) has moved from the Marianist Center building on the grounds of Mount St. John to temporary housing in the River Campus building at the University of Dayton. During the next year, the NACMS strategic plan will address a new "Chaminade Center," which will permanently house NACMS and provide facilities for the Marianist Family in the greater Dayton area. This project is slated to be completed by mid-2015. The strategic plan also will address the future direction and accessibility of NACMS and Marianist resources, especially with respect to the sponsorship of Province ministries. A special thank you to Carol Ramey and her staff for making the move so quickly and efficiently!

 

  

MARIANIST MISSION 

With the move of NACMS from the Marianist Center building, we will begin to renovate that facility to house the Marianist Mission. We hope the move can take place during June 2014, which is a slower time for the Mission. Allison Hewitt and Linda Hayes have done a marvelous job in heading the planning committee for this move.

 

 

NOVITIATE

As you know, we will demolish the present novitiate building and construct a more contemporary structure in keeping with Vision 2020, our present membership and our future needs. A big thanks to the novitiate community -- Chris Wittmann, Charlie Johnson, Jack Somerville, John Lemker, Allen Pacquing and Andrew Giles -- for their efforts in moving this forward. They have found temporary housing about 20 minutes from the present novitiate: four townhouses with 12 bedrooms.

 

They hope to move out of the present building the week of Nov. 18, with new construction beginning after the first of the year. We hope the new facility will be completed by November 2014. Chris and Charlie are planning a suitable goodbye to old "St. Ann's" and a decommissioning of the chapel. This move will entail much effort and we are grateful to the novitiate community for their generosity, time and good humor.

 

These plans are especially important because it is likely the Region of Korea will send two of their aspirants to join our novitiate program in July 2014. In preparation for that, the aspirants will attend an intensive English language program, probably in Honolulu. Both men have some English language skills.

 

 

ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY 

Bro. Ed Brink has discussed the consolidation of the Province archives on the campus of SMU with the leadership at St. Mary's University. We hope for a "heritage display" that will highlight the life and history of the Society of Mary in the United States since 1850. The SMU leadership is happy to assist. We anticipate completion by mid-2015. Ed will consult with Fr. Paul Vieson and Bro. Earl Leistikow, along with other religious groups who have consolidated archives. This project will require much time and effort. Special thanks to Becky Day, vice president for finance and facilities at SMU, for her help.

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

At UD, a site has been identified for a signature "Marianist House" similar to houses at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and Chaminade University of Honolulu. This community will eventually continue the mission of the present Stonemill-Kiefaber

community with a commitment for vocation ministry and formation, and it will provide a signature presence for the Society of Mary on that campus. Completion is set for 2015.

 

The university also is exploring options for the Marian Library, providing greater visibility and prominence for this wonderful treasure and legacy.

  
 

 Province Assembly
  

 

The last Province assembly was held in 2010 in Louisville, Ky., at the beginning of the present leadership mandate. We felt it would be opportune to hold another Province assembly as this mandate comes to an end, as we mark the mid-point of Vision 2020, and as we continue to look for ways and means to strengthen Province identity and mission.

 

When

Thursday, June 25 - Monday, June 29, 2015

 

Where

St. Louis

 

Assembly Committee Co-chairs

Fr. Oscar Vasquez and Bro. Jesse O'Neill  

 

Please mark your calendars. More information will be forthcoming once the committee begins its work.

 

  

 Personnel Announcements
  

 

A reminder that Fr. Manolo Cort�s is scheduled for prostate surgery on Nov. 6. The Province is invited to pray a novena of prayer for him before that date.

 

Fr. Ken Templin will stay at the Marianist community in Hollywood, Fla., for some time. The sudden death of his niece and his own life journey have surfaced important personal issues. He has asked for this period of rest and renewal with the brothers in south Florida.

 

Fr. Don Cahill has moved from his present community at St. John Vianney High School (Cur� of Ars community) to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. We wish Don Godspeed and richest blessings for this new chapter in his life.

 

Bro. Hugh Bihl has moved from Meyer Hall to the Alumni Hall Community in Dayton. In early November, Fr. Bob Hughes will move from the Alumni Hall Community in Dayton to the Cupertino Marianist Community in California.

 

Fr. David Paul was recently diagnosed with a recurrence of prostate cancer which has metastasized to the bone. Dave will work with his oncologist to determine the best therapy. I ask all Province members to pray for Dave and to commend his healing to the intercession of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.

 

Bro. Ed Violett will return to the Province at the end of November. He will take a period of sabbatical and will use the Philadelphia community as a base during this period. We welcome Ed back to the Province with open arms and a fraternal embrace.

 

A special thank you to Fr. Tim Kenney and the members of the Cur� of Ars community for the wonderful celebration of the life of Bro. Mel Meyer on Oct. 18. We commend him and Bro. Peter Loehr to the care of our Lord and our Blessed Mother.

 

Brothers, let us continue to pray for one another, that we might be both zealous and faithful.

 

Fraternally,

 

 

 

From Fr. Paul Marshall
  

 

 

Dear Brothers:

 

We have received a document titled "Principal Characteristics of Marianist Administration" from Bro. Ed Violett, general assistant for temporalities. The document applies to Marianist institutions as well as our communities, and it helps us appreciate what is distinctly Marianist. You and your community are encouraged to read and reflect on this document. 

  

For Province members who are administrators at Marianist institutions, many reflections in the document are already in place and should be affirmed, but there might be other guidelines that would have implications in the administration of your institution. 

 

This document will be sent to all those in leadership at Province sponsored institutions.

 

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.

 


 From the Office of Communications
  
Brothers who want additional copies of the new Personnel or the latest issue of ALIVE magazine should contact Ann Mueller.  
  
 
 

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