The Provincial Council met with members of the General Administration on Monday morning. We discussed their Province visit and reviewed the report from the last visit of the General Administration in 2010. Fr. Manolo, Fr. Andr�, Bro. Max and Bro. Mike are now in Hawai'i and will work their way across the Province. The Provincial Council will meet with them again on Oct. 17 in Dayton.

 

The General Council and the Provincial Council, 9.15.14: Joe Kamis, Ed Brink, Dennis Schmitz, Andr� F�tis, Manuel Cort�s, Max Magnan, Charlie Johnson, Bill Meyer, Marty Solma, Michael McAward, Francisco Gonz�lez

Fr. Manolo indicated that he would begin a consultation for Province leadership in early November with an appointment expected at the end of December or early January. Besides the written consultation, this will be a topic for discussion during personal interviews and visits to the communities. 

 

The GA visit at West Pine: front, Max Magnan and Manuel Cort�s; back, Francisco Gonz�lez, Brian Reavey and Deanna Snyder

 

Bro. Mike McAward reported that there are few materials from the Vatican for the Year of Consecrated Life. As these become available, they will be distributed to Province membership through the Office of Religious Life. The official beginning of this special year is Nov. 21.

 

Finally, the joint commission of members from the Society of Mary and the Marianist Sisters has been working on plans to mark the bicentenary for our two religious congregations. We can expect an official notice in the spring of 2015.

 

Please pray for the members of the General Council as they make their visit to the Province.

  

  

 

 

 

Left, new pre-novices in Mexico with Fr. Marty: Antonio de Jesus Mariano and Jorge Alberto Fiscal Cota

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

"Notes from the Provincial Council"

 

Brothers, you might have noticed that at the end of every issue of "Notes" we publish this statement: This publication is designed for brothers only, so I would ask you not to forward it.

 

I'd like to remind you of that request. We occasionally publish material in "Notes" that is for brothers only. This is an issue of privacy and respect for our SM members. Thank you. 

   

Fraternally,

 

  

   

 

Community contact persons

 

Below is a list of Provincial Council contact persons for Marianist communities for the 2014-2015 community year. I ask that community directors submit their community minutes to me and to their contact person. If any concerns or questions come up during the year, please first get in touch with your contact person. If needed, he will bring it to the Council. Thanks for your cooperation.    

READ THE LIST. 

 

 

Appointment of directors

 

The Provincial Council has appointed Bro. Tom Pieper as director of the Stonemill/Kiefaber Community for a first term of three years, effective immediately. We thank Tom for his openness to accept these responsibilities. The Council also thanks Bro. Ray Fitz, who held the position for many years. 

 

The Council also has renewed the appointment of Bro. Bob Wiethorn as director of the Mercy Siena Community for a second term of three years, effective from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017.    The Provincial Council thanks Bob for his service during the past three years and for his openness to this call to serve his brothers.

 

Let us pray for Tom and Bob and all directors for their service of leadership.

Many blessings,

  

 

 

My Dear Brothers:

  

The General Council has ratified the reappointment of Fr. Chris Wittmann as director of novices and Bro. Charlie Johnson as assistant director of novices for a second three-year term. I know you join me in extending our congratulations and promise of prayers to Chris and Charlie in this important ministry to the Society and church.

 

Our thanks to the following brothers who have accepted a three-year term on the Province Liturgy Commission: Bro. Brandon Alana, Fr. Dave McGuigan, Bro. Tom Pieper, Fr. Fran�ois Rossier and Fr. Richard Villa.

 

And finally, the Office of Religious Life will continue the good work of three committees -- Spiritual Renewal Committee, Aging with Grace Committee and Retreat Committee -- by establishing a new Lifelong Formation Commission. More information to follow.

  

With fraternal affection,

     

 

  

Office of Formation for Mission  

 

Bro. Bill Campbell has been appointed director of the Office of Formation for Mission (OFM), effective Sept. 22. He has extensive experience in board service to Marianist institutions. Most recently he served as executive director of the Chief Administrators of Catholic Education Department of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Bill will be based at the Province Office on West Pine. His new responsibilities mean that he will no longer serve on the Sponsorship Commission. 

   

The Provincial Council decided to appoint a new full-time director for OFM after Bro. Steve Glodek assumed his role with the National Religious Retirement Office. Both Bro. Steve and Bro. Jack Ventura will remain involved in the Office of Formation for Mission.   

 

The Provincial Council is grateful to Bro. Bill for his willingness to serve in this capacity. His experience in facilitating board training and serving on boards will be beneficial in his work with the OFM. 

  

Fraternally, 

   

  

Dear Brothers:

 

Let us continue to pray for an end to war and violence around the world. May these recent words from Pope Francis inspire us to model lives of Christian peace and non-violence:

 

 

(from a recent written message to a world summit of religious leaders)

 

 

To learn more about justice and peace initiatives related to Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Sudan and Ferguson, Mo., read CMSM's J/P Alert.