The Strategic Planning Committee for the District of India met with Bro. Dennis Schmitz and me May 26-29 to begin preparing for a strategic plan for the district.

The days were long and the discussions were honest and constructive. We focused on nine areas of concern: community life, recruitment, growth in Marianist religious life, governance, financial planning and transparency, communications, ministry development, MLC and mission.

The committee created a series of questions which will now be discussed in the district communities. The responses will be collated and prepared for a second meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee with Bro. Bernie Ploeger at the end of the year.

The draft plan will be shared with district membership, the District Council and the Provincial Council. It will go, finally, to the District Chapter of 2017 for approval and adoption.

Many thanks to Dennis and the members of the committee. Thanks, too, to the great hospitality of Bro. Basant Kujur and the scholasticate community at Deepahalli.

Members of the Strategic Planning Committee include, in front: Santosh Tudu, Joseph Barla, Sanjay Ekka and Josephraj R. Middle: Lucian Tigga, John Paul L and Dennis Schmitz. Back: Saju Chittadiyil, Sudhir Kujur, Chinnaiah Polishety and Marty Solma.

On June 30, Diane Guerra will retire as national director of communications for the Province.

We owe Diane a huge debt of gratitude for all she has done for the Province and its mission. She has been the driving force behind our communications, including ALIVE magazine, Notes from the Provincial Council, the website, portal, FamilyOnline, communications for Province assemblies, religious life, sponsorship, vocations and numerous other projects.

Diane was the first lay employee hired at West Pine in 2002.

She writes: "Thank you to Bro. Steve Glodek and Fr. Marty Solma for their support and kindness in my 14 years. And thank you to all the wonderful brothers, sisters and Lay Marianists I've met along the way, as well as my amazing staff. It has been an honor and a privilege."

As of July 1, communications personnel will report to the Office of Development.  The point person for communications after July 1 will be Ann Mueller, who will direct inquiries to the proper person.

We wish Diane God's blessings and the very best of luck in her retirement.

Let's be grateful for all the people who support the West Pine office and all those who partner with us in our mission.

At our May meeting, the Provincial Council appointed the following new directors:

Fr. James Mueller - Central Catholic Community in San Antonio for a first term of three years.

Bro. Paul Bredestege - Hollywood Marianist Community in Hollywood, Florida, for a first term of three years.

The council appreciates Jim's and Paul's willingness to take on this ministry of service.

The council also thanks Fr. John Klobuka, who served one year as acting director in Hollywood, Florida, and Bro. James Burkholder, who is completing nine years of service as director of the Central Catholic Community in San Antonio.

More than 150 members of the Province, guests, and members of the Marianist Family attended Bro. Justin Quiroz's profession of first vows in the Society of Mary.

Fr. Marty Solma received the vows and Fr. Chris Wittmann, novice director, preached an excellent homily.

Members of the novitiate community were all smiles for one of their own. From left, prenovice Marco Choi, Bros. Charlie Wanda, Jack Somerville, Justin Quiroz, Charlie Johnson, novice Joo Choi and Fr. Chris Wittmann.

Horizons is an international renewal program for young adult Marianists who have made perpetual profession. The program is sponsored by the International Center of Marianist Formation and the General Administration of the Society of Mary. The theme of this summer's program is To Know, Love and Serve.

Bros. Brandon Alana-Maugaotega, Tom Farnsworth and Andrew Kosmowski will be attending, as well as Bros. Nereo Ram�rez Hern�ndez and Jos� Jes�s Ruiz Santill�n from the Sector of Mexico.

The ICMF has invited each unit of the Society of Mary and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate to accompany in prayer two members of the Horizons Community during their time of renewal, July 1-25.

We are asked to pray for Sr. Prudence Adoki (Togo) and Bro. Luis Alfonso Renter�a (Columbia-Ecuador). I'll provide more information on this joyful assignment later this month.

Norman Capinpin has decided not to renew his temporary vows in the Society of Mary; Fr. D'Cruz Nicholas has requested incardination into the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His request is at the Vatican.

We thank Norm and Nicky for their lives among us in shared brotherhood and mission. We wish them well and promise them our prayers for the new chapters in their lives.

As we begin our Marianist Bicentennial, here is a beautiful personal prayer to Blessed Chaminade. It was written by Fr. Steve Tutus more than three decades ago and recently rediscovered by Bro. Brian Zampier.

Let us keep in our prayers our brothers who will wrap up their annual retreat at Tecaboca on Saturday.