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ISSUE # 97
August 2009
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087; 609-294-2148;
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24 Prestwick Court, Poughkeepsie NY 12603; 845 454 1393;
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gusnolan@aol.com
476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141; 386-426-6349;
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1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines IL 60016; 847-824-1073;
RJDB@comcast.net

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Correspondents
John('57) and Joan Brady

Bill Deschene
('53)
Jim Friel
('52)
Jim Gargan
('59)
Rich Foy ('46) and Dave Kammer('42)
David Kammer ('42)
Gus Nolan
('48)
Editor Vince Poisella
('58)
Gene Zirkel ('53)




New photos added to "photo album"

Topics

GMC Community Picnic
at MSM Sept 12, 2009
Call for submissions
of articles and/or photos
Reflections on Marist
Spirituality Weekend
Reflections on the Mass
Brother Ronald Fogarty
of Australia
1954 letter from a Scholastic
20 year memorial for
Terry McMahon
In memory of:
Br John Alexius
Mark Moran
Dr. George Sommer
Websites - Marist Related

Greater Marist Community Picnic
Mount St. Michael Saturday, September 12, 2009 Noon - 5 pm
We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the annual picnic. Come
with spouse and/or other interested friends of the Marist Family. Bring your own


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beverage and a potluck dish for a shared meal. All Brothers are most welcome to
join in. Thanks to the director and the community of the Mount for welcoming us.
* * * * *
Readers: May 2010 is our projected one hundredth issue of Marists All. What David
Kammer (and God) hath wrought, we continue. David’s introductory proposal for a
newsletter appeared in January 1987, with the first issue appearing in May of that year. This
quarterly publication has served as evidence these twenty-two years of a bond that began
over a half century ago when young men in their formative years experienced a spiritual
awakening anchored in the Marist tradition once begun by the now saint, Marcellin
Champagnat. We continue this spirit through the vehicle of print and Internet, dependent
on contributions from our readers. I ask you to consider sharing something of yourselves in
writing as we approach that very special hundredth issue.
Rich Foy, our web master, has asked that those of you who write something for Marists
All kindly attach a digital photo with the email or send a printed photo via regular mail.
Those sending notes by regular mail may include a traditional photo for inclusion at the
website. Because of the limitations of the editor, we will not be using photos in the printed
version at this time.
Thanks to those who continue to contribute to the financial status of our publication,
especially Jim Friel and Paul Maloney.
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Reflections on Witness and the Marist Spirituality Weekend
July 10-12, 2009
From JOHN (’57) AND JOAN BRADY: After many years of gracious invitations to
participate in the Marist Spirituality Weekend, we finally answered the call to “Come apart
and rest awhile.” Our son, John, who lived with us until he was twenty-seven, left our home
in 2001 to join a group home in Tinton Falls, NJ. Prior to that major adjustment, finding
weekend respite care was never easy, and after that change, we finally had time to travel,
visit, care for aging parents, and generally catch up with our lives. In 2009, we asked
ourselves how we would feel if we joined the Marist group in July since these folks had been
meeting annually for fifteen years. Would we be the uncomfortable “new kids on the block,”
even though “new kids” hardly describes either our age or life experience.
The theme of the weekend was “Witness,” particularly as this concept relates to
Marcellin Champagnat and Marist Spirituality. Our personal, and powerful, experience of
witness was the group’s warm welcome to us. We were immediately embraced as brother
and sister, and that set the tone for the weekend of recharging our spiritual batteries.
Through reflection and prayer, liturgy and song, presentations, laughs, and sharing
experiences and insights, we came away refreshed in body, mind, and spirit—and with a
wonderful sense of community.
To us, this weekend provided the opportunity to witness Marist Spirituality in action.
We were honored to become part of a group of people who have come to respect, love, and
be deeply concerned for one another—and who then return to their everyday lives and, by
example, spread this uniquely Christian message. We look forward to 2010 and to seeing
everyone again! (3 Brookside Avenue, Hazlet, NJ 07730; 732-739-3911;
JEJPBrady@aol.com
)
From GENE (LOUIS FRANCIS) ZIRKEL (’53): I have just returned from another
wonderful GMC weekend held each July at Marist College. Outstanding this year was the





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keynote talk by Br. Ben Consigli, the new provincial. After all these years there is still more
to learn about Father Champagnat and Marist spirituality!
This year we initiated a book of intentions wherein attendees listed some of their
concerns and people they wanted to pray for. Every morning and evening we prayed for one
another's intentions, and we placed the book on the altar at our Masses. Believing in the
power of prayer, it was consoling to know that everyone present was praying for my family
and friends who needed help as I was praying for their intentions. I will continue through this
coming year to keep my fellow attendees in my heart and their intentions in my prayers.
It never ceases to amaze me each year to see the tremendous changes on campus. It
is definitely not the same place where I studied more than fifty years ago. (472 Village Oaks
Lane, Babylon, NY 11702; 631-669-0273;
genezirk@optonline.net
)
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In Memoriam
Dr. George Sommer John Alexius, FMS Mark Moran

From GUS NOLAN (’48): Dr. George Sommer is a name very familiar to many Marists
All readers. I think it is fitting that the notice of his death be marked by this publication. I
visited George in the Harwich Nursing Home in October ‘08. He had already failed in health
but was still able to talk with me for over an hour about his career at Marist. Below is the
Marist College announcement of his death:
George Sommer passed away July 10, 2009 in South Dennis, MA, where he had
resided with his wife Anne during their retirement years. George joined the Marist faculty
in 1951 and taught literature for thirty-nine years. He was the second non-Marist Brother
to teach full time at Marist College, then known as Marian College. In 1957, when Marist
opened its doors to laymen, he was appointed the first chairman of the English
department and continued in that role until 1971.
George is also remembered for founding the Mid-Hudson Modern Language
Association. For sixteen years he directed its conference at Marist and annually drew
several hundred English and foreign language scholars from throughout the country. Upon
his retirement, alumni, colleagues, and friends honored him with the establishment of the
annual George J. Sommer Lecture on Literature. The seventeenth lecture will be held this
fall
A graduate of Manhattan College, Dr. Sommer held a master's in English from New
York University and a doctorate in English from Fordham University. He was a Chaucer and
Shakespeare scholar but also taught numerous and varied courses in English and
American literature. Upon retiring in 1990, George estimated he had taught more than
three thousand students in an excess of three hundred courses. After Marist, he taught for
more than ten years at the Academy for Lifelong Learning on Cape Cod.
In addition to his wife, who worked at Marist for a number of years, his four children
and nine grandchildren survive him. His son Bob is a member of the class of 1974.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Anne Sommer, 44 Cyprus Road, South
Dennis, MA 02660
Services were private. Memorial donations may be directed to Marist Brothers
Development Office, 4200 West 115th St., Chicago, IL, 60655-4306, for the care of the
elderly Brothers.


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From GUS NOLAN ('48): There is no doubt that one of the saddest experiences in life
is the occasion of the death of a child. Second to that is the death of a spouse. When a
teacher hears of the death of a former student, this is another occasion of sadness. It just
does not seem to be the right order. And so, on hearing of the death of Mark Moran early
last month, I could not help but feel the pangs of loss. Although it has been a number of
years since I last talked to Mark, the memory of a jovial, happy person immediately came to
mind. That he maintained a rather unique charisma in friendship was evidenced by the
turnout of old classmates who studied, worked, and played with him in the Marist Novitiate in
Esopus, NY. I trust that he has been received into Paradise and that he has joined the chorus
of angels singing the praises of God.
From DAVID KAMMER: May Br. John Alexius rest in peace. Messages of condolence may
be sent to the Molloy community and to Br. John's brother, Mr. Roland Poirier, 30 Leyland
Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830.
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Rich Foy and David Kammer edited and submitted the following biographical accolade of Br. Ronald
Fogarty. Their respect for this Australian Marist jubilarian shines through the words. Our Marists All website
contains photos of Brother Ronald and the other jubilarians. Editor.
Brother Ronald Fogarty, Marist 75 years, age 96
Many of our American old timers will fondly remember Brother Ronald Fogarty of
Australia. He spent several years in the United States. Around the mid-1960’s he lived in
our Chicago residence while he was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Chicago. He was
an important presence at the General Chapter sessions held in Rome in 1967 and 1968, as
both David Kammer and Rich Foy can attest.
As the Marist Brothers in Australia celebrated jubilees this year, Brother Ronald was
honored for his seventy-five years of life and service as a Marist. Brother Nello Facci gave
the speech. The following are liberal adaptations of the remarks made about Ron on the
occasion:
Ronald Fogarty was born in Broken Hill in 1913, turning ninety-six this past October.
Ronnie joined the Marist Brothers in 1933. For many years he was the master of
scholastics in Sydney and in Melbourne where he trained young brothers how to study and
how to teach.
Ronnie is an awesome academic. He has numerous degrees from universities in
Melbourne, Sydney, and Chicago. He has gained many awards, including a Fulbright
scholarship in the USA. He has even found the time to write a number of books on
education and on the religious life.
In 1978 Ronnie went on a new path. He specialized in lecturing and counselling in
religious communities all over the world. He travelled to the United States, Ireland,
England, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Africa, New Zealand, and around the
South Pacific, as well as throughout Australia. The common theme of most of the letters
he receives is gratitude for saving congregations from collapsing and for the saving of
individual vocations; each letter is full of the immense love they have for this amazing
person.
Last year Ronnie had a very nasty, serious fall during his regular evening walk. He
suffered major injuries, which included a broken nose and broken bones in both hands.
Typical of his great sense of humour, he said, “A puff of wind blew me over.” I got into


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Ronnie’s address book and wrote to eighty-seven people
and religious communities in twelve countries about his
accident. I received hundreds of letters, emails, and phone
calls in response. When I told Ronnie that I had a metre
high of letters for him, with a wicked grin he replied, “Was
that all? I expected at least two metres.”
Ronnie is now being wonderfully cared for in the
nursing home in McLeod where he is very content and
happy while entertaining the staff and patients with
sessions of his brilliant music, but he misses community
life. We often bring Ronnie to Templestowe for tea so that
he can have time with the brothers and staff. One of the
first things he does is to attack the piano with great gusto.
Apart from his huge library from which he has
prepared his many lectures, Ronnie has no interest in
possessions or money. Last year he asked a brother to tidy
up some of his books. The brother found wads of money in various books, money that
had been in the books for years - American dollars, British pounds, Asian, European and
Australian notes. I took the money to the bank to be converted and the pile came to
about $4,000! Without knowing it, Ronnie has helped us survive the recession!
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From JIM FRIEL (’52): A group of former brothers gathered in Esopus recently for
their seventh annual get-together. The weather was perfect and so was the company, and
we had a wonderful time. I have had the pleasure of attending each gathering. One of the
things we do is sit around the living room and talk about old times and what we are up to
now.
Most of us are happy to have been Marist Brothers, and we talked about both the good
times and the difficult times. We also talked about many things in the world today, especially
the role of the church in today’s world. In many ways, the gathering is a tribute to the many
fine brothers we have known over the years. I’m one of the senior people, having been
graduated from Marist in 1956. Most of the group is younger. As we sat around the table
for a few hours, people were quite honest. One person spoke about how he is a recovering
alcoholic and about his success. Another member, Bill Shannon, is a runner and had to
leave part of the day for an orienteering race.
Others who had experienced serious medical setbacks spoke of their recovery. We all
traced a major part of our lives back to the Marist Brothers. For all of us, that relationship
was a major point in our lives.
This gathering is open to all. Other groups can arrange their own get-togethers, at
Esopus or elsewhere. Not only did we speak of the past but also where we thought the
church should be going today. Despite the disagreements, we were able to learn from each
other. We know we are among friends. I know that the others are out for my interests. I
share my life and views, and I return home a better person.
From BILL DESCHENE (’53): (Bill sent the following letter on September 19, 1954 to
his parents. It was his first letter home during his initial year at Marian College. Ed.
Dear Mom and Dad. When I left New England, I must have left the sun behind
too. It has rained practically all week, and that’s not such a drastic change from the




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week before. I’ve been blaming this wet weather on the fact that we are in New York,
and what could you expect from New York? Of course, not everybody agrees with me,
but I get my remarks in anyway. I’m afraid the New Yorkers are getting on me,
though. I’ve been catching myself speaking the way they do. It’s hard to keep your
New England accent when everyone else speaks a different one. Anyway, my motto
is: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” You have to adapt yourself to the ways of
the people where you are…
As extra-curricular activities I have the pigs for morning employment and the
chickens on Saturdays and days off. I watched them kill six pigs last week. The
screaming is the worst part, but dragging them into the barn isn’t so bad. We have
over eight hundred chickens that lay about six hundred eggs a day, and that means a
lot of grading and candling and packing. This takes up most of my time between 4:30
and 5:15 pm. We clean the coup on Saturdays, and in a couple of weeks we’ll be killing
a hundred birds. Last week we were cleaning a coup that had been left empty for a
while, and lo and behold, within five minutes, we were covered with mites. Had to take
three showers that day. We are not finished and have to wait another day. I hope the
coup doesn’t walk away in the meantime.
All in all, everything is fine at this end. I’m healthy and happy to be a Marist. By
the way, devotion to Mary is very keen up here. On the feast of the Holy Name of
Mary, our Br. Master said that Mary has been the inspiration for people down through
the ages and that many have not been afraid to tag Mary onto their other name. He
said, “We have our Malias from China and our Marys and our Mauras from the U.S. I
love you both. (184 Bryant Ridge Road, Grand Falls Plantation ME 04417; 207-290-
1886)
A note from Jim Gargan announced a small gathering in memory of the twentieth
anniversary of the death of Terry (John Joseph ‘56) McMahon to be held beginning at 2:30
pm on September 29

in Donovan’s at 57-24 Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside. If interested in
joining the group, contact Jim at 917-495-3265 or
garganlaw@msn.com
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From DAVID KAMMER (42):
REFLECTIONS ON THE MASS: “This is my Body!”
Our Lord is there on the altar!

His whole life is there

- not just the Crucifixion

- not just the last Supper.

All his self-giving is there

- his self-giving on the Cross is there

- his self-giving in bread and wine is there

- his past self-giving to Martha, Mary, Zacchaeus
- his present radial empathy with all of us is there

celebrating with us, mourning with us, helping, always giving.
He is there

sharing his truth, his wisdom, his way of life, his very life, his Spirit.


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There - is his eternal gratitude and openness to the loving, embracing Father
and his forward, realistic coming-to-grips with each step of his destiny of earthly life.
His consuming us is there

taking us into his openness, his selflessness, his love and trust

that we - aided by his energy - may live in him, with and through him.
As we become deeply aware of at least some of this presence

we will certainly react in our own personal way with amazement...
and our hearts and words will spill out in gratitude

as we say "Yes." Yes, Lord, I'm with you. We are with you.

We are willing to try to deal with our time and space

with its opportunities, its difficulties, complexities, diminishments

with its dying and rising.
We know you'll always be with us; we rely on you; do help us,

We trust you'll see us through.

Others have done it, done it well, most not even canonized.

Some need special help, those among our families and friends

even the Pope… and presidents; do help them.
I must go now, to live that life, have loving contact with your family

have contact with neighbor, with those down the street ...

with those in need, especially.
Go with an intent,

an intent to stay in touch, to be alert to leads, to respond readily,

expecting, relying on help.
Go with intent

to cultivate a growing, healthy mind-set

to cultivate a deeper attitude, a deeper spirit.
Go with an intent to know, love, and depend

on Jesus who is there ...and here, God with us.
Go ... Ite, Missa est! The Mass is!

The Mass exists; the Mass has meaning!
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