As I announced earlier, Diane Guerra retires as the national director of communications for the Province effective today.



Please join me in thanking Diane for her generous service to the Province since its inception in 2002. The communication instruments she developed continue to serve us well. Thanks so much, Diane! We pray for your good health, peace and happy retirement.



Diane invites brothers to stay in touch with her. You may email her at [email protected].



As part of the communications restructuring and incorporation under the Office of Development, Ann Mueller will be taking on greater responsibility as "communications specialist." Carol Dexter continues as senior communications manager. I am extremely grateful to Ann and Carol for their commitment and dedication this past year and throughout this transition.



I visited the sector of Mexico about 10 days ago and had an extended visit with Fr. Raymundo Dom�nguez Gonz�lez. Due to some personal issues, Raymundo has requested time outside of the community. It will be a three-month period from July through September and carries certain conditions.



I have appointed Fr. John Thompson to serve as the sector coordinator with responsibilities similar to those of area coordinators in other parts of the Province. You may wish to read my letter to the brothers in Mexico.



The Provincial Council has appointed Bro. Nereo Ram�rez Hern�ndez as the director of the Marianist Community in Quer�taro, effective Aug. 15. We thank Bro. R�gulo Garc�a Hern�ndez for his service as acting director of this community during the past year. Bro. Nereo will continue to serve as vocation director for the sector.



There are numerous events taking place in the Province these days. Many of our brothers are on retreat, and some will be participating in the workshop on "Healthy Celibate Living" in California -- and at MRCC in early August. The first of the MSJC/JPIC "Changemakers" weekends happens soon in San Antonio. Many brothers are planning some R&R.



Let's remember all of these activities, pray for our brothers in the health care communities, and find time for rest, relaxation and renewal.



I want to remember, especially, Bro. Mike Sullivan as he and his family bid farewell to their mother on July 16 in Pueblo, Colorado. Thanks to Fr. Tim Kenney for representing the Province at the Mass of Christian Burial.

About three months ago, we received a letter from the pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Carlisle, Ohio, not far from Dayton.



Over the past two years, Fr. Jim Schimelpfening has been helping the parish develop an outreach program for the area's many Spanish-speaking Catholics. The parish asks for Jim to continue and expand his service in this important initiative.



In consultation with Jim, the Provincial Council supports this endeavor.



Jim will continue his ministry at the University of Dayton, but will live at Sacred Heart Parish beginning July 1. We are grateful for Jim's gifts and for his willingness to serve.



Bro. Jack Dempsey writes from the West Hills Community in California that the community will have as many as 10 rooms available that could accommodate adult small groups. He suggests that the community could host workshops, committee meetings or vocation live-ins, particularly during the winter months.



Please contact Bro. Jack for more information.



Bro. Richard Schrader has accepted reappointment by the Provincial Council for another year as acting director of the Holy Rosary Marianist Community. We appreciate Richard's openness to this role as servant leader.



With Richard's appointment, all the directors are set for the coming year.



The Directors' Weekend will be Oct. 6 - 9 at Bergamo Center in Dayton. We will start with Mass for travelers at 4 p.m. on Oct. 6 and end with lunch on Oct. 9.  Please make travel plans that include staying the entire time.

At our most recent meeting, the Provincial Council approved Bro. Sean Downing's request for ordination to the priesthood.



The Mass of Ordination will be Oct. 8 at noon in UD's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The Most Reverend Gustavo Garc�a-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio, will be the ordaining prelate. A reception and dinner will follow in Kennedy Union.



Let us join in prayer with Sean -- who is on retreat this week at Saint Meinrad Archabbey -- as he prepares to answer this call of priestly service in the Society of Mary and the Church.

After many years of service, Joan McGuinness Wagner is retiring from her role as the director of Marianist Strategies in the Office of Mission and Rector at the University of Dayton.



Joan has been instrumental in promoting the Marianist mission and identity at UD, and we thank her for her service. Please pray for Joan during this transition and for the search for a new member of the rector's staff.  



If you or someone you know may be interested in applying for the role, more information can be found here.

On behalf of the Bicentennial Committee, I'm pleased to announce that the bicentennial section of our website is now available.



The site includes information and resources that will be helpful for us, the Marianist Sisters and other members of the Marianist Family as we celebrate this milestone. We expect to add information as needed in the coming weeks and months.



Please visit the site; the name is easy to remember: marianist.com/200.



It's also accessible from our website's homepage, just click on "Bicentennial" in the top menu bar.



Let me know if you have any questions.

We have extended the registration deadline for Changemakers in San Antonio (July 22 - 24) to July 11. Please join other seekers of justice in exploring ways to address current challenges.



There are also spaces available for the Dayton Changemakers weekend, Oct. 28 - 30. Learn more here.



The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Global Food Security Act (S. 1252) next week. Thanks to the hard work of many advocates, this legislation -- which will improve the food security and nutrition for millions of people around the world -- is close to becoming law.



Please add your voice in support of passing this bill. Learn more here.