Marists All: Issue #89 August 2007
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ISSUE # 89
August 2007
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087; 609-294-2148;
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richard.foy@verizon.net
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1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines IL 60016; 847-824-1073;
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click on email address to send email
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▼click on correspondent or topic to go to that item
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Correspondents
Greg Ballerino ('57)
Bill Deschene ('53)
Roger Fernandez ('54)
Rev Edwin Keel, SM
Pat Keilty ('65)
J
eptha Lanning ('49)
John Miller ('57)
John O'Connell ('58)
William Quinn ('44)
Rene Roy ('60)
Edward Smith ('58)
Topics
Jubilarians
Marist Youth Conference
Memorial to Adrian Perreault
Mount St. Michael Graduation
Mount St. Michael Graduation
Mount St Michael Picnic
Web Pages
Contributors
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Greater Marist Community Picnic
Mount St. Michael Academy
Saturday, September
Noon - Five p.m.
All are invited to the annual picnic hosted by the Mt. St. Michael
community, 4300 Murdock Avenue, in the Bronx. As with other years,
the picnic will be held rain or shine. Bring your own beverage and a
potluck dish for a shared meal.
A Memorial Event Honors Adrian Perreault
On July 21, 2007, a room in the Reference Research area of the
James A. Cannavino Library at Marist College was dedicated to the
memory of Adrian Perreault, Marist’s first librarian. Over sixty family
members and friends of the Perreault family and of Marist College were
present for the event. President Dennis J. Murray gave the welcome
address. Rev. Richard LaMorte offered an invocation. Richard LaPietra
(’54) offered remarks (appearing in full on the Marists All website:
click
here
to move directly to remarks) in Adrian’s honor.
From EDWARD SMITH (’58): This past weekend was the
fiftieth anniversary of my high school graduation from Mount St.
Michael Academy. Pat Fazzari was there. We had gone to grammar
school and high school together. That is, except for the two years I
spent at Marist Prep. Br. John Bantz was also there. I had met him
last year at the Mount. I also met John Wilcox about eleven years ago
at an ethics seminar held at Con Edison where I worked.
Pat said he went to the novitiate after high school and knows all
of you who gather at Esopus each April. I have often thought about
those I knew at the Prep and wonder how everyone made out. I have
a picture that was taken in the gym in front of the stage in Esopus.
Lucky my mother saved it and gave it to me several years ago. I have
it framed and hanging in my home office. I know we have all changed
somewhat, but it would be fantastic to see the old crowd sometime
soon. (2703 8th St. W, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971; 239-369-
9498;
edwardsmith4@comcast.net
<<=== back to index
From JEPTHA LANNING (’49): On June 1, 2007, I flew from
Florida to New York in order to attend the Mount St. Michael 2007
graduation and the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the class of
1957. I had arranged to stay with the Brothers at the house on West
91
st
Street as a guest of Br. James Kearney. Jim and I go back to the
novitiate year of 1948, and in the late '50’s we taught a number of
senior English classes at the Mount. Now we were about to meet many
of our former students.
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Walking into the Mount cafeteria for a hot buffet breakfast,
we were quickly surrounded by men sporting nametags, now a bit
heavier and older-looking, yet recognizable. Their delight in seeing Jim
and me, together with Ed Cashin and his wife Marianne, filled me with
much emotion and happiness. What a pleasure it was to listen to their
stories about wives and families, careers in education, law, medicine,
government, industry, and their involvement with the Church.
At 11 AM, before a gymnasium crowded with beaming parents
and excited friends, the class of 2007, followed by members of the
class of 1957 and joined by one from the class of 1947, marched in to
the stirring sounds of Pomp and Circumstance. Sitting in the first row,
I had the opportunity to scan the eager young faces of the Mounties of
today while watching the reactions of the mature “Men of the Mount,”
many now grandfathers and mostly retired, as the newest batch of
alumni joined the ranks of over 17,000 who had gone before them.
After the graduates had received their diplomas, the class of
1957 was called forth to receive their anniversary remembrances.
While the crowd cheered and applauded, thirty-seven members of the
class came forward. Smiles, handshakes, embraces, moist
eyes, accompanied murmurs of “Thank you. Thank you, Brother.”
Through it all, I recalled the motto of the Mount, emblazoned upon its
shield, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” reminding us that the winding road of life
is not always an easy one.
A reception followed the ceremony. In the evening a gala
dinner-dance was held at the Pelham Country Club where a DJ played
tunes from the '50’s. And so, the evening went on: cocktails, dinner,
dancing, some brief speeches, a slide show of photos cropped from the
Mountaineer, the 1957 yearbook, the presentation of a class book,
1957-2007, featuring the activities of many in the class, and the gift of
a check to the Mount for $110,000 on behalf of the class of 1957.
What a privilege it was for me to share in the joy of the
moment. What I was witnessing was the culmination of two years
of planning and organizing by a committee of ten to celebrate their
lives, their school, and its teachers who mean so much to them. My
thanks go to Dr. Anthony Miserandino, president, (himself a former
Marist), to Br. John Bantz, the Mount's past president and now director
of development, and to Jennifer Rivera, director of alumni relations, for
their many and varied efforts in making the event a success.
After it was over, I thought about the pebble in the water and
the ever-expanding rings it sets forth and about the teacher in the
classroom influencing in so many ways the lives of the young.
If and when the opportunity presents itself to attend a school
reunion, by all means, GO! It will be an enriching experience for you,
and you will bring joy and gladness to many, many others. I'm so glad
I made the trip. (
lanndelray@aol.com
)
6/21/2021
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<<=== back to index
From WILLIAM (David Marcellin) QUINN ('44): It has been
quite a while since I have written to Marists All. So I thought that on
this July 26th I would do so. It was sixty-three years ago today that I
received the Marist habit, a day that changed my life. I am sure than
many others can say the same.
From the time I left the congregation to the present, my life has
been good. I have spent time in the military and thirty-two years in
federal government service. I retired twenty-six years ago.
Some years ago I was received into the Orthodox Church, a
good move for my spiritual life. On June 10, 2007, I was ordained as a
sub-deacon by our archbishop, another great day in my life. To my
knowledge I am the third former monk to be ordained in this church;
the other two are priests. I had the good fortune to meet both
of them. I would like to hear from other former monks who are now
Orthodox. I wish many years to all Marist Brothers/brothers. (142-
15 26th Avenue (# 6c), Flushing NY 11354-1759; 718-353-5304)
<<=== back to index
From PATRICK KEILTY (’65): Lately, I've been on a Peter,
Paul, and Mary kick, particularly while driving through the farmlands of
Germany. Whenever they start singing, in addition to beautiful voices,
great harmonies, and moving words, I think back to the Singing
Brothers.
The Singing Brothers were a group of about ten scholastics
whose first performance in my memory was given during my novice
year in Esopus, probably early '66. They were wonderful performers,
under the direction of Alex Senes. I can't remember everyone's name,
but I can still hear and see many of them: Tom Nolan, Ed Jennings, Al
Smith, Jim Carger, and Vinnie Buonora (my apologies to those whose
names have been lost in memory). From that night in the novitiate
when the group broke into Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence"
and "California Dreaming," music for me would never be the same.
Ten talented guys singing live, during a time in my life when there was
little or no music was a gift that has stuck with me for a lifetime. I
heard the Singing Brothers a few times during my two years at the
College, and then sadly I never heard them again. Though I wish for
an improbable reunion concert, I want to thank each of them for the
joy they brought me in person and in memory.
As for me, June of 2008 will end my career as an English/math
teacher - forty quick years. Anne and I still work for DoDDS
(Department of Defense Dependents Schools) in Ansbach, Germany.
We'll visit with friends and family in Sarasota, Florida (our home), this
summer. We've had some wonderful trips to Provence, France; the
Cinque Terre, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Innsbruck, Austria, during this
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current school year, and we will tour Mallorca, Spain; Sicily, Italy; and
Switzerland during the remaining three months of the school year. We
are blessed with good jobs, great opportunities, and each other's love
(thirty-four years married). Best regards to all Marists. Please write.
I'd love to hear from you and promise a reply.
(
Patrick.keilty@eu.dodea.edu
;
k57paddy@hotmail.com
)
<<=== back to index
From BR. RENE D. ROY (’60): During the February break, Br.
Jerry Dowsky and I visited the Marist headquarters at Chateau Richer
in Quebec. I had anticipated finding our Canadian Brothers, forced to
retire from the classroom at age sixty-five, sitting around with nothing
to do. Quite the contrary! Except for the very infirm, all were engaged
in some form of “work” in this huge building reminiscent of Tyngsboro,
from caring for each other to building a state of the art Archives of all
our Canadian Marist institutions from 1885 to the present. Even
records of the American foundations, such as St. Anne’s in Lawrence,
were there, since we were all ONE at that time. We were even shown
architects’ drawings for Mount St. Michael Academy! A large room was
dedicated to the exposition of memorabilia from closed Marist schools
and communities. Everything was labeled, and we later learned,
carefully catalogued. A hallway was devoted to a history of the Marist
Missions in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Another room was
dedicated to the recording of music and speeches, from tapes to CD’s.
But more astounding was the improvements on the old
scholasticate at St. Gabriel-de-Val Cartier, an Esopus-like property,
once a wealthy lumber magnate’s home. A frame building was being
completed to house the classroom of an alternative school for freshmen
and sophomores who could not fit into the regular public school system
because of drug addiction or some other anti-social problem. In typical
fashion, one of the Brothers, a younger Peter Anthony, had cut down
trees, cut and planed boards, and built beautiful new desks for the
incoming students. The plan is to give the students the basics in a
one-on-one setting. Carpentry, art and music taught by the “retired”
brothers would become an essential part of the curriculum. The genius
of this plan lies in getting the students (and on occasion, their families)
into the country. The calm here would give them inner peace, so
lacking in the fast-moving inner city environment from which they
come. Val Cartier is the fourth of these schools begun by these
“retired” brothers".
As I reflected on these creative ventures and their
adventuresome, “bold and daring” founders, I was not surprised by
their refusal to just sit and receive their retirement benefits. No, these
were the men who followed the Canadian immigrants to the United
States in the early 20
th
century; these were the men who spawned
US! These were the men who at one time had forty brothers in Africa
building schools that thrive today, training teachers for these schools
and others, planting the Marist charism, and making a significant
difference. I found inspiration, hope, and a heart filled with gratitude.
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It was like meeting one’s grandfather for the first time after hearing
story upon story of his accomplishments. It was finding one’s roots,
like “going home.”
The Brothers welcomed us with open arms and planned a
fascinating three days for us and would do the same for future visitors
whom they would love to host. It would be a fascinating and
invigorating experience to any who would make the effort to visit them.
(
rdavroy40@yahoo.com
;
rroy@centralcatholic.net
)
<<=== back to index
From ROGER FERNANDEZ (‘54): As a Marist College graduate
(’58), I would like to react to Marists All. I was very moved, perhaps
even “touched by the Divine,” when I received the May 2007 issue of
Marists All from my recently found old friend G. Kenneth Mannix (‘54).
I avidly read it from the first to the last page. I felt overwhelmed with
nostalgic feelings by so many names of people whom I once knew,
studied, prayed and worked with but scarcely remember. I must
confess, however, that I was rather impressed and truly inspired by the
depth of their spirituality, which, in many cases, initiated, like mine,
among the tinsmiths of the Marists. All this prompted me to make a
decision, and I look forward to joining the Esopus Gatherers, “the Good
Lord willing,” March 26th -30th of 2008.
Now, let me introduce myself. I am Roger R. Fernández (Benito
Marcelino or Benedict Marcellin). I was born in 1934 in a small,
mountain town in northwestern Spain. In 1948, I started my odyssey
to study at the Marist juniorates in Túy, Spain, and Grugliasco, near
Turin, Italy. After my novitiate in Bairo-Torre in Italy, in 1954, I was
sent to carry out my scholastic studies at Marist College (Marian
College at that time), in Poughkeepsie, graduating in 1958 with a BA in
mathematics. After a three-year hiatus from studies and the USA, I
resumed my studies and obtained an MA in Hispanic cultures from St.
John’s University in New York and a Ph.D. in philosophy and letters
from the University of California at Irvine. I taught high school courses
in Turin, Italy, and in Durban, South Africa. I translated Spanish, Italian
and French for Prensa Latina in Havana, Cuba, for a very long and
painful half year.
I left Cuba for the USA in November 1960 and providentially
overcame many hurdles. I taught languages in New York and California
at the high school and college levels. While still teaching at Los Angeles
City College, I became very involved in international education,
initiated and directed for many years the Los Angeles Community
College District’s “Semester Program in Spain.” I also led summer
programs to Salamanca, Spain, and Florence, Italy. When I retired in
1995, I had served my last eight years as the Chair of the Department
of Foreign Languages and Humanities at Los Angeles City College.
Since then, I have traveled extensively and later wrote an
autobiographical trilogy: Odyssey to Opportunity, Odyssey Resumed,
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and Odyssey Fulfilled. My latest book is Beyond My Odyssey, published
in 2006. (
rlfincas@sbcglobal.net
)
Web Sites
·
Group photos of juniors or novices
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/esopus
at the
Marists All web site:
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall
·
From Ronald Pasquariello:
1ron1@sbcglobal.net
(check out my website at
www.newceramicarts.com
(Ron suggests that it might be interesting to request in
Marists All the websites of its readers.)
· Greg Ballerino’s artwork:
www.ballerinophotoart.com
.
·
Go to
www.maristlaity.org
to view laity groups in the Atlanta province; members of
the service committee;
n
ews of Marist events; resources and links for resources
.
·
Bill Reger-Nash
:
http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/
Two historic photos from 60+ years ago. The
first shows the taking of the habit and first vows
ceremony held in the
Novitiate grove near the
grotto
on
the
Poughkeepsie
campus,
probably in the early
1940's. The second is the
portrait of those taking first vows on July 1947.
Click on these thumbnails to view full size photo.
From BILL DESCHENE (’53): (Bill sent the following
contribution through regular mail “with the request that it not be
edited.” His request is certainly honored. However, readers should be
aware that items are normally edited to correct spelling and
grammatical errors or to eliminate irrelevant or extraneous subject
matter. In all cases of editing, the intention is to preserve the integrity
of the contribution for our readership. Thank you for being
understanding. Editor)
Dear Folks at Marist All,
The notice of the passing of Brother Bernard Ruth that I read
about in Today’s Marist Brother brought back memories of Brother
Bernard as “ a kind, outgoing man who loved life and lived it to the
fullest.” The news of his moving on also brought back fond memories
of the other German Brothers, indeed of all the Brothers ‘from away’
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that I had the good fortune to meet while at Marian College in the mid-
fifties.
Brothers Rudolph Mary, Gregory, and Paul Johannes were also
jovial and friendly. And they taught me an important lesson: I don’t
know how we got on the topic, but in case I ever felt morally superior
because of the crimes committed by the Nazis in World War II, they
had me reflect on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in a way that I had never
done before. It is discomforting to realize that these deeds were done
by the same Being.
Marcellin Champagnat was beatified appropriately during an
extension of the Marian Year in the mid-fifties, and Brother Paul
Ambrose, the Master of Scholastics, went to the Beatification. As soon
as he left, I coaxed Brother Damian Bruno into giving me a crew cut, a
hair style forbidden to scholastics at that time. It wasns’t very clever
of me thinking it would grow back before Brother Paul returned, but
there I was sporting a neat flat top, feeling pretty good until ….. Sure
enough Brother Paul was back within two weeks, and though I did my
best to avoid him, he finally spotted me during one of our outdoor
devotions to the Sacred Heart in June. “Billy! Is that a crrew cut I
see?” No contest. “You’re grrounded!” I couldn’t leave the property
until it grew back. It was just at the time of our annual picnic at
Dominican Camp, ten or twelve miles up river. I was informed that if I
wanted to go, I would have to walk the railroad tracks. When the
Brothers ‘from away’ found out about this, they volunteered to walk
with me. It would be more fun than riding yellow buses.
And fun we did have. Waving to engineers as the New York
Central roared by, watching Jesuits trying to launch an old ark like boat
by St. Andrews, and wading in the river fully clothed trying to catch a
batch of huge Hudson river carp that were in the shallows. We arrived
at the picnic in time for supper, trucked in from the college. It was
delicious, especially after that walk.
That summer, still grrounded, the Brothers ‘from away’ and I
enjoyed many cookouts with my folks on campus. Lawrence’s own
Essem hot dogs, my Mom’s unadulterated hamburger patties, and her
vanilla cake with real butter frosting were featured. I have a picture of
the whole crowd. Besides the German Brothers, there was Pius,
Santiago, and Domingo from the Philippines; Jules, Joseph Stanislaw,
Joe Leonard, and Josh Albert from China, and several Mexican and
Spanish Brothers whose names do not come to me right now. My folks
thought that Brother Paul’s punishment was good for me. Everyone
agreed.
On our first vacation home ever, Brother John Clark took Josh
Albert and Joe Leonard with him to New York City. Brothers Jules
Andre and Joseph Stanislaw came to Methuen with me, where we
enjoyed the wonders of Salisbury beach with its cold water, the roller
coaster at Canobie lake, and the warmer waters of Methuen’s own
Forest lake.
Lots of fond memories. Thank you guys. Hope all is well with
you wherever you are. (184 Bryant Ridge Road, Grand Falls, Plt.,
Maine 04417; not far from the planet Tramalfadora – where the flying
saucers come from. Peace.)
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9/13
<<=== back to index
From JOHN MILLER (’57): Thanks to the vocation director of
the Marist Brothers, to David Kammer, and eventually John O’Connell, I
became familiar with Marists All in March of 2006. The discovery filled
a void that had existed in my personal and spiritual life for close to fifty
years: I had found my B/brothers!
After I opened the Marists All web site, I began reading issue
after issue submitted by various B/brothers. Since that time, I have
read the issues twice and am now finishing the third time. I have
written articles in hopes of talking to my B/brothers about my joys, the
up and down times, and my personal and faith journey.
Presently, I am in almost daily contact with Larry Whartenby,
Don Mulcare, John O’Connell, and David Kammer. Larry, Don, and I
have been engaged in email conversations trying to answer the
question of why we left the Marist Brothers in the first place. Our
conversations have been both informative and spiritual. I truly feel our
friendship has been rekindled as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of
our investiture.
As some of you know, I am battling cancer for the third time
since 2002. Presently, I am on chemo and have certain limitations; I
don’t know how much more time I have. In the meantime, I offer you
my blessings, special love, Mary’s guidance and protection, my
B/brothers.
(
brojohn2538@comcast.net
)
<<=== back to index
From GREG BALLERINO (’57): After being diagnosed recently
with leukemia, I took a test on May 29 that revealed how pervasive the
cancer is throughout my lymph nodes, bone marrow and blood. Results
indicated an aggressive cancer in the lymphoma, bone marrow and
blood cells. It is classified as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and B-cell
chronic lymphocytic leukemia. And it is treatable!
I face this cancer. I fear it. I deal with it head on. I am happy
and grateful now that I have such a loving, support team with my
doctor, his staff and my family and friends throughout the world. We all
live in the Source of love and healing energy. We receive and we give.
In us, it flows to touch our heart, bring healing to the physical body
and nurture the soul. I live in peace, in the moment: quiet, aware,
and in harmony with God.
Thank you for your love, friendship, concern, healing energy
and support. My OBbWAT Marist family is the BEST. I am grateful for
the love, healing energy, prayers and long distance telepathic
connection to each of you. I receive from you and I give to you. I hold
you in the center of the SOURCE of all love and healing energy to fill
the space in your life with peace, love, health, quiet, tenderness and a
friendly hug. I am healing. Complete remission of my cancer is on the
way! As always in friendship and support. (
gregoryr38@gmail.com
)
<<=== back to index
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From REV. EDWIN L. KEEL, SM: (The following is an excerpt
from a letter written Father Ed to the Marist Laity. Editor) All of us
Marists, and especially the Marist Laity, have an important task, a
crucial task, to carry out!
But how do we go about realizing this vision
of unity, this Marian vision of the Church? I think there are three steps
we need to take.
First, we need to get fired up about this task, this mission that
we have been given. What we are talking about is the “New Pentecost”
that Pope John XXIII dreamed of when he inaugurated the Second
Vatican Council. Pentecost is about fire, about becoming enflamed with
zeal. I like the words that a favorite poet of mine, Mary Oliver, uses to
end one of her poems: “be ignited or be gone!” If we can’t catch the
fire, if we are reluctant to be stirred to this urgent task, if we cannot
become passionate about Fr. Colin’s Marian vision of the Church, why
should the Society of Mary or the Marist Laity go on existing?
Second, we ourselves need to become more profoundly faithful
and joyful about living our faith, and we need to become more united
among ourselves in mind and heart, and this at several levels: 1) It is
absolutely essential that in our Marist Laity groups, the members live in
peace and unity; and where there are differences and antipathies, it is
crucial that you work at being reconciled to one another. 2) Our Marist
Laity groups need to communicate more among themselves. It would
probably be good for each group to be twinned with at least one other
group, so that you could exchange news and especially share how you
are working at this mission. That way you can help each other keep the
dream of a Marian Church alive and keep us all on target as we make
our various contributions to fulfilling that dream. 3) At our recent
meeting, the Marist Laity Service Committee recognized the need to
improve contact between the committee and our Laity groups. We care
about you, and you are part of a people throughout our province and
all over the world who are working to realize the Marist dream. 4) The
Atlanta and Boston Provinces of the Marist Fathers and Brothers are in
the process of restructuring the Marist presence in the USA, toward an
awareness of the need for greater communication and collaboration
with the Marist Laity. Separately, neither the religious alone nor the
laity alone can accomplish the dream. Together we can do great things
for God!
The third step we need to take is to share the dream with
others. Some of our groups do well at attracting new members.
Perhaps what we need to do is not so much ask people to join our
organization but rather to “infect” others with the dream and with the
spirit of Mary. If we are fired up about the dream, and if we are doing
our part with our gifts, then we should be able to get others excited
about it as well. People don’t want to join a group that is not doing
anything, that has no vision, no purpose, no joy or excitement. In the
Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah said, “Without vision, the people
perish!” If we don’t have vision, if we aren’t fired up about our Marist
mission, why should we continue to exist?
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I hope I’ve given you a lot to think about. If there is anything I
have said in this letter that you would like to ask me about, or if you
would like your group to be twinned with another Marist Laity group,
please e-mail or snail mail or phone me at
Marist Laity Center, 1706
Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113; 504-524-5192;
edwink@bellsouth.net
<<=== back to index
From JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): Just wanted to let you know I
traveled to Marist College last Sunday and did my best to present the
phenomenon that is US at the thirteenth(!) annual July gathering of the
“Marist Family Weekend," a gathering originally formed to determine
what role interested participants might play regards the Marist
apostolate and to share their personal spirituality.
The intent of the weekend seems to mirror some of the "why"
we were drawn together five years ago in support of Bill (and Elaine)
Reffelt's coping with his terminal cancer (RIP, Sept. '03) and to some
extent not "being there" for Vinnie (and Darlene) Hall's struggle with
his (RIP, Feb. '01). Our search effort was responsible for Larry
Whartenby ('57), who has visited with John Miller (’57) and Don
Edwards ('57), reconnecting over the last several months of Don's life
(RIP, Sept. '06), serving as a pallbearer. Our search also allowed us to
"be there" for Edith Ortuoste, since Bernie Ortuoste ('58) (RIP, July '06)
was with us over the last few years, and allowed Richie Shaw ('58) to
represent us at Bernie's funeral as a pallbearer also.
There is an evolution here of a kind of "apostolate" in
reconnecting with those with whom we once shared some adolescent
idealism and altruism of spirit, willing to sacrifice for Champagnat's
larger vision in caring about each other by "being there" as a member
of a kind of virtual community connected by e-mail and phone and/or
by actually being in one another's presence at many face-to-face mini-
gatherings and/or our five April Esopus Gatherings.
Don Mulcare ('57) offered this commentary on my visit with the
group: “Your presentation at the Marist Family Spirituality weekend in
Poughkeepsie was alive with "The Spirit!” Clearly, the Spirit is moving
in mysterious ways. As you say, we do not have to understand, but it
is a marvel to behold. There is too much going on for it to be, as you
said, "a coincidence." I loved the stories and the description of the
evolution of OB/bwat. This is truly a work of the Spirit.” Don shared
also that Br. Fabian Jerome (Thomas Mayor) is dealing with health
issues, including significant weight loss which the doctors have been
unable to pin down.
George Conboy ('58) had two toes removed as a result of
diabetes and is in good spirits. He refers to himself as an "8-toed
sloth" needing to continue his ballet lessons pirouetting on the other
foot. You can get him on his cell wherever at 623-308-1301.
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Some of you have been in contact with John Miller (’57) (David
Joseph). His chemo seems to have wiped out a metastasized growth in
his lung, if I have it right. Keep it up with the prayers since he's still
battling with cancer in his sinus area.
Have not heard anything more on Reggie Diss's ('60) post-
prostate treatment condition, so I'm assuming he's doing well.
Welcome to the "club," Reggie!
Greg Ballerino ('57) offers this brief version of his struggle to
get the chemo "just right": "Chemotherapy is working with all the side
effects that accompany it. There is definite progress toward destroying
the cancer cells. Drugs take time. However, my spiritual family support
by prayer, love and healing energy is turning things around.”
Matthew McComish ('58) has at last report been moved into an
assisted living facility after by-pass surgery and other medical
complications.
I have refined our OB/bWAT "directory." Of the 273 names
we've identified as having "lived with" in training from 1954-1962, we
can account for 172 (39 have gone on before us), and we have contact
info for the 141 others, but there are still 101 for whom we have no
contact info. Don't forget to set aside some time from Wednesday
PM, March 26th to Sunday AM, March 30
th
, 2008, right after Easter,
and plan on joining us for our sixth annual OB/bWAT Gathering in
Esopus. (
Obbwat@aol.com
)
<<=== back to index
NORTH AMERICAN MARIST YOUTH GATHER AT MARIST COLLEGE
FOR MARIST YOUTH 2007
During the recent Memorial Day weekend, 162 students
from Marist schools in the United States, Mexico, and Canada gathered
at Marist College for Marist Youth 2007. A highlight of this year’s
Marist Youth was the presence of students and faculty from College
Laval in Quebec. Along with students and faculty from Instituto Marista
in Aguascalientes, Mexico, they joined with US Marist Youth to form the
first North American Marist Youth gathering. From the very beginning,
all the participants were introduced to the wider Marist world!
Presentations focused on further understanding of what it means to be
Marist and Catholic as well as ways they could incorporate the values
and actions of Marcellin Champagnat within their lives.
<<=== back to index
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Congratulations to our Brother Jubilarians
Sixtieth Anniversary: Brothers: Alfred George, Martin
Healy, Kenneth Marino, Cornelius Russell, Eugene Trzecieski
Fiftieth Anniversary: Brothers: Nicholas Caffrey, George
Fontana, Kevin Handibode, Patrick Hogan, William Lambert,
Fabian Mayor, +Bernard Ruth+
Twenty-fifth Anniversary: Brothers: Richard Carey, Owen
Ormsby, Kenneth Ward, Bernard Yamaguchi
##
Thanks to our contributors for their recent financial assistance: John Brady ’57;
George Fontana ’57; Joseph Hores ‘49; John McGuire ’54; John Miller ’57; William
Quinn ’44; Jeanne Schultz; Gene Zirkel ’53; (Editor)
# #
<<=== back to index
Saint Marcellin Champagnat: pray for us!
Mary, our Good Mother: pray for us!
Let us remember: to pray for each other.
return to ===>>
top of page ▲
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ISSUE # 89
August 2007
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087; 609-294-2148;
vtpoisella@yahoo.com
24 Prestwick Court, Poughkeepsie NY 12603; 845 454 1393;
richard.foy@verizon.net
65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie NY 12603; 845 454 6116;
gusnolan@aol.com
476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141; 386-426-6349;
jkammer1@cfl.rr.com
1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines IL 60016; 847-824-1073;
RJDB@comcast.net
▲
click on email address to send email
▲
▼click on correspondent or topic to go to that item
▼
Correspondents
Greg Ballerino ('57)
Bill Deschene ('53)
Roger Fernandez ('54)
Rev Edwin Keel, SM
Pat Keilty ('65)
J
eptha Lanning ('49)
John Miller ('57)
John O'Connell ('58)
William Quinn ('44)
Rene Roy ('60)
Edward Smith ('58)
Topics
Jubilarians
Marist Youth Conference
Memorial to Adrian Perreault
Mount St. Michael Graduation
Mount St. Michael Graduation
Mount St Michael Picnic
Web Pages
Contributors
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Greater Marist Community Picnic
Mount St. Michael Academy
Saturday, September
Noon - Five p.m.
All are invited to the annual picnic hosted by the Mt. St. Michael
community, 4300 Murdock Avenue, in the Bronx. As with other years,
the picnic will be held rain or shine. Bring your own beverage and a
potluck dish for a shared meal.
A Memorial Event Honors Adrian Perreault
On July 21, 2007, a room in the Reference Research area of the
James A. Cannavino Library at Marist College was dedicated to the
memory of Adrian Perreault, Marist’s first librarian. Over sixty family
members and friends of the Perreault family and of Marist College were
present for the event. President Dennis J. Murray gave the welcome
address. Rev. Richard LaMorte offered an invocation. Richard LaPietra
(’54) offered remarks (appearing in full on the Marists All website:
click
here
to move directly to remarks) in Adrian’s honor.
From EDWARD SMITH (’58): This past weekend was the
fiftieth anniversary of my high school graduation from Mount St.
Michael Academy. Pat Fazzari was there. We had gone to grammar
school and high school together. That is, except for the two years I
spent at Marist Prep. Br. John Bantz was also there. I had met him
last year at the Mount. I also met John Wilcox about eleven years ago
at an ethics seminar held at Con Edison where I worked.
Pat said he went to the novitiate after high school and knows all
of you who gather at Esopus each April. I have often thought about
those I knew at the Prep and wonder how everyone made out. I have
a picture that was taken in the gym in front of the stage in Esopus.
Lucky my mother saved it and gave it to me several years ago. I have
it framed and hanging in my home office. I know we have all changed
somewhat, but it would be fantastic to see the old crowd sometime
soon. (2703 8th St. W, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971; 239-369-
9498;
edwardsmith4@comcast.net
<<=== back to index
From JEPTHA LANNING (’49): On June 1, 2007, I flew from
Florida to New York in order to attend the Mount St. Michael 2007
graduation and the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the class of
1957. I had arranged to stay with the Brothers at the house on West
91
st
Street as a guest of Br. James Kearney. Jim and I go back to the
novitiate year of 1948, and in the late '50’s we taught a number of
senior English classes at the Mount. Now we were about to meet many
of our former students.
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Walking into the Mount cafeteria for a hot buffet breakfast,
we were quickly surrounded by men sporting nametags, now a bit
heavier and older-looking, yet recognizable. Their delight in seeing Jim
and me, together with Ed Cashin and his wife Marianne, filled me with
much emotion and happiness. What a pleasure it was to listen to their
stories about wives and families, careers in education, law, medicine,
government, industry, and their involvement with the Church.
At 11 AM, before a gymnasium crowded with beaming parents
and excited friends, the class of 2007, followed by members of the
class of 1957 and joined by one from the class of 1947, marched in to
the stirring sounds of Pomp and Circumstance. Sitting in the first row,
I had the opportunity to scan the eager young faces of the Mounties of
today while watching the reactions of the mature “Men of the Mount,”
many now grandfathers and mostly retired, as the newest batch of
alumni joined the ranks of over 17,000 who had gone before them.
After the graduates had received their diplomas, the class of
1957 was called forth to receive their anniversary remembrances.
While the crowd cheered and applauded, thirty-seven members of the
class came forward. Smiles, handshakes, embraces, moist
eyes, accompanied murmurs of “Thank you. Thank you, Brother.”
Through it all, I recalled the motto of the Mount, emblazoned upon its
shield, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” reminding us that the winding road of life
is not always an easy one.
A reception followed the ceremony. In the evening a gala
dinner-dance was held at the Pelham Country Club where a DJ played
tunes from the '50’s. And so, the evening went on: cocktails, dinner,
dancing, some brief speeches, a slide show of photos cropped from the
Mountaineer, the 1957 yearbook, the presentation of a class book,
1957-2007, featuring the activities of many in the class, and the gift of
a check to the Mount for $110,000 on behalf of the class of 1957.
What a privilege it was for me to share in the joy of the
moment. What I was witnessing was the culmination of two years
of planning and organizing by a committee of ten to celebrate their
lives, their school, and its teachers who mean so much to them. My
thanks go to Dr. Anthony Miserandino, president, (himself a former
Marist), to Br. John Bantz, the Mount's past president and now director
of development, and to Jennifer Rivera, director of alumni relations, for
their many and varied efforts in making the event a success.
After it was over, I thought about the pebble in the water and
the ever-expanding rings it sets forth and about the teacher in the
classroom influencing in so many ways the lives of the young.
If and when the opportunity presents itself to attend a school
reunion, by all means, GO! It will be an enriching experience for you,
and you will bring joy and gladness to many, many others. I'm so glad
I made the trip. (
lanndelray@aol.com
)
6/21/2021
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4/13
<<=== back to index
From WILLIAM (David Marcellin) QUINN ('44): It has been
quite a while since I have written to Marists All. So I thought that on
this July 26th I would do so. It was sixty-three years ago today that I
received the Marist habit, a day that changed my life. I am sure than
many others can say the same.
From the time I left the congregation to the present, my life has
been good. I have spent time in the military and thirty-two years in
federal government service. I retired twenty-six years ago.
Some years ago I was received into the Orthodox Church, a
good move for my spiritual life. On June 10, 2007, I was ordained as a
sub-deacon by our archbishop, another great day in my life. To my
knowledge I am the third former monk to be ordained in this church;
the other two are priests. I had the good fortune to meet both
of them. I would like to hear from other former monks who are now
Orthodox. I wish many years to all Marist Brothers/brothers. (142-
15 26th Avenue (# 6c), Flushing NY 11354-1759; 718-353-5304)
<<=== back to index
From PATRICK KEILTY (’65): Lately, I've been on a Peter,
Paul, and Mary kick, particularly while driving through the farmlands of
Germany. Whenever they start singing, in addition to beautiful voices,
great harmonies, and moving words, I think back to the Singing
Brothers.
The Singing Brothers were a group of about ten scholastics
whose first performance in my memory was given during my novice
year in Esopus, probably early '66. They were wonderful performers,
under the direction of Alex Senes. I can't remember everyone's name,
but I can still hear and see many of them: Tom Nolan, Ed Jennings, Al
Smith, Jim Carger, and Vinnie Buonora (my apologies to those whose
names have been lost in memory). From that night in the novitiate
when the group broke into Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence"
and "California Dreaming," music for me would never be the same.
Ten talented guys singing live, during a time in my life when there was
little or no music was a gift that has stuck with me for a lifetime. I
heard the Singing Brothers a few times during my two years at the
College, and then sadly I never heard them again. Though I wish for
an improbable reunion concert, I want to thank each of them for the
joy they brought me in person and in memory.
As for me, June of 2008 will end my career as an English/math
teacher - forty quick years. Anne and I still work for DoDDS
(Department of Defense Dependents Schools) in Ansbach, Germany.
We'll visit with friends and family in Sarasota, Florida (our home), this
summer. We've had some wonderful trips to Provence, France; the
Cinque Terre, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Innsbruck, Austria, during this
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current school year, and we will tour Mallorca, Spain; Sicily, Italy; and
Switzerland during the remaining three months of the school year. We
are blessed with good jobs, great opportunities, and each other's love
(thirty-four years married). Best regards to all Marists. Please write.
I'd love to hear from you and promise a reply.
(
Patrick.keilty@eu.dodea.edu
;
k57paddy@hotmail.com
)
<<=== back to index
From BR. RENE D. ROY (’60): During the February break, Br.
Jerry Dowsky and I visited the Marist headquarters at Chateau Richer
in Quebec. I had anticipated finding our Canadian Brothers, forced to
retire from the classroom at age sixty-five, sitting around with nothing
to do. Quite the contrary! Except for the very infirm, all were engaged
in some form of “work” in this huge building reminiscent of Tyngsboro,
from caring for each other to building a state of the art Archives of all
our Canadian Marist institutions from 1885 to the present. Even
records of the American foundations, such as St. Anne’s in Lawrence,
were there, since we were all ONE at that time. We were even shown
architects’ drawings for Mount St. Michael Academy! A large room was
dedicated to the exposition of memorabilia from closed Marist schools
and communities. Everything was labeled, and we later learned,
carefully catalogued. A hallway was devoted to a history of the Marist
Missions in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Another room was
dedicated to the recording of music and speeches, from tapes to CD’s.
But more astounding was the improvements on the old
scholasticate at St. Gabriel-de-Val Cartier, an Esopus-like property,
once a wealthy lumber magnate’s home. A frame building was being
completed to house the classroom of an alternative school for freshmen
and sophomores who could not fit into the regular public school system
because of drug addiction or some other anti-social problem. In typical
fashion, one of the Brothers, a younger Peter Anthony, had cut down
trees, cut and planed boards, and built beautiful new desks for the
incoming students. The plan is to give the students the basics in a
one-on-one setting. Carpentry, art and music taught by the “retired”
brothers would become an essential part of the curriculum. The genius
of this plan lies in getting the students (and on occasion, their families)
into the country. The calm here would give them inner peace, so
lacking in the fast-moving inner city environment from which they
come. Val Cartier is the fourth of these schools begun by these
“retired” brothers".
As I reflected on these creative ventures and their
adventuresome, “bold and daring” founders, I was not surprised by
their refusal to just sit and receive their retirement benefits. No, these
were the men who followed the Canadian immigrants to the United
States in the early 20
th
century; these were the men who spawned
US! These were the men who at one time had forty brothers in Africa
building schools that thrive today, training teachers for these schools
and others, planting the Marist charism, and making a significant
difference. I found inspiration, hope, and a heart filled with gratitude.
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It was like meeting one’s grandfather for the first time after hearing
story upon story of his accomplishments. It was finding one’s roots,
like “going home.”
The Brothers welcomed us with open arms and planned a
fascinating three days for us and would do the same for future visitors
whom they would love to host. It would be a fascinating and
invigorating experience to any who would make the effort to visit them.
(
rdavroy40@yahoo.com
;
rroy@centralcatholic.net
)
<<=== back to index
From ROGER FERNANDEZ (‘54): As a Marist College graduate
(’58), I would like to react to Marists All. I was very moved, perhaps
even “touched by the Divine,” when I received the May 2007 issue of
Marists All from my recently found old friend G. Kenneth Mannix (‘54).
I avidly read it from the first to the last page. I felt overwhelmed with
nostalgic feelings by so many names of people whom I once knew,
studied, prayed and worked with but scarcely remember. I must
confess, however, that I was rather impressed and truly inspired by the
depth of their spirituality, which, in many cases, initiated, like mine,
among the tinsmiths of the Marists. All this prompted me to make a
decision, and I look forward to joining the Esopus Gatherers, “the Good
Lord willing,” March 26th -30th of 2008.
Now, let me introduce myself. I am Roger R. Fernández (Benito
Marcelino or Benedict Marcellin). I was born in 1934 in a small,
mountain town in northwestern Spain. In 1948, I started my odyssey
to study at the Marist juniorates in Túy, Spain, and Grugliasco, near
Turin, Italy. After my novitiate in Bairo-Torre in Italy, in 1954, I was
sent to carry out my scholastic studies at Marist College (Marian
College at that time), in Poughkeepsie, graduating in 1958 with a BA in
mathematics. After a three-year hiatus from studies and the USA, I
resumed my studies and obtained an MA in Hispanic cultures from St.
John’s University in New York and a Ph.D. in philosophy and letters
from the University of California at Irvine. I taught high school courses
in Turin, Italy, and in Durban, South Africa. I translated Spanish, Italian
and French for Prensa Latina in Havana, Cuba, for a very long and
painful half year.
I left Cuba for the USA in November 1960 and providentially
overcame many hurdles. I taught languages in New York and California
at the high school and college levels. While still teaching at Los Angeles
City College, I became very involved in international education,
initiated and directed for many years the Los Angeles Community
College District’s “Semester Program in Spain.” I also led summer
programs to Salamanca, Spain, and Florence, Italy. When I retired in
1995, I had served my last eight years as the Chair of the Department
of Foreign Languages and Humanities at Los Angeles City College.
Since then, I have traveled extensively and later wrote an
autobiographical trilogy: Odyssey to Opportunity, Odyssey Resumed,
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and Odyssey Fulfilled. My latest book is Beyond My Odyssey, published
in 2006. (
rlfincas@sbcglobal.net
)
Web Sites
·
Group photos of juniors or novices
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/esopus
at the
Marists All web site:
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall
·
From Ronald Pasquariello:
1ron1@sbcglobal.net
(check out my website at
www.newceramicarts.com
(Ron suggests that it might be interesting to request in
Marists All the websites of its readers.)
· Greg Ballerino’s artwork:
www.ballerinophotoart.com
.
·
Go to
www.maristlaity.org
to view laity groups in the Atlanta province; members of
the service committee;
n
ews of Marist events; resources and links for resources
.
·
Bill Reger-Nash
:
http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/
Two historic photos from 60+ years ago. The
first shows the taking of the habit and first vows
ceremony held in the
Novitiate grove near the
grotto
on
the
Poughkeepsie
campus,
probably in the early
1940's. The second is the
portrait of those taking first vows on July 1947.
Click on these thumbnails to view full size photo.
From BILL DESCHENE (’53): (Bill sent the following
contribution through regular mail “with the request that it not be
edited.” His request is certainly honored. However, readers should be
aware that items are normally edited to correct spelling and
grammatical errors or to eliminate irrelevant or extraneous subject
matter. In all cases of editing, the intention is to preserve the integrity
of the contribution for our readership. Thank you for being
understanding. Editor)
Dear Folks at Marist All,
The notice of the passing of Brother Bernard Ruth that I read
about in Today’s Marist Brother brought back memories of Brother
Bernard as “ a kind, outgoing man who loved life and lived it to the
fullest.” The news of his moving on also brought back fond memories
of the other German Brothers, indeed of all the Brothers ‘from away’
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that I had the good fortune to meet while at Marian College in the mid-
fifties.
Brothers Rudolph Mary, Gregory, and Paul Johannes were also
jovial and friendly. And they taught me an important lesson: I don’t
know how we got on the topic, but in case I ever felt morally superior
because of the crimes committed by the Nazis in World War II, they
had me reflect on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in a way that I had never
done before. It is discomforting to realize that these deeds were done
by the same Being.
Marcellin Champagnat was beatified appropriately during an
extension of the Marian Year in the mid-fifties, and Brother Paul
Ambrose, the Master of Scholastics, went to the Beatification. As soon
as he left, I coaxed Brother Damian Bruno into giving me a crew cut, a
hair style forbidden to scholastics at that time. It wasns’t very clever
of me thinking it would grow back before Brother Paul returned, but
there I was sporting a neat flat top, feeling pretty good until ….. Sure
enough Brother Paul was back within two weeks, and though I did my
best to avoid him, he finally spotted me during one of our outdoor
devotions to the Sacred Heart in June. “Billy! Is that a crrew cut I
see?” No contest. “You’re grrounded!” I couldn’t leave the property
until it grew back. It was just at the time of our annual picnic at
Dominican Camp, ten or twelve miles up river. I was informed that if I
wanted to go, I would have to walk the railroad tracks. When the
Brothers ‘from away’ found out about this, they volunteered to walk
with me. It would be more fun than riding yellow buses.
And fun we did have. Waving to engineers as the New York
Central roared by, watching Jesuits trying to launch an old ark like boat
by St. Andrews, and wading in the river fully clothed trying to catch a
batch of huge Hudson river carp that were in the shallows. We arrived
at the picnic in time for supper, trucked in from the college. It was
delicious, especially after that walk.
That summer, still grrounded, the Brothers ‘from away’ and I
enjoyed many cookouts with my folks on campus. Lawrence’s own
Essem hot dogs, my Mom’s unadulterated hamburger patties, and her
vanilla cake with real butter frosting were featured. I have a picture of
the whole crowd. Besides the German Brothers, there was Pius,
Santiago, and Domingo from the Philippines; Jules, Joseph Stanislaw,
Joe Leonard, and Josh Albert from China, and several Mexican and
Spanish Brothers whose names do not come to me right now. My folks
thought that Brother Paul’s punishment was good for me. Everyone
agreed.
On our first vacation home ever, Brother John Clark took Josh
Albert and Joe Leonard with him to New York City. Brothers Jules
Andre and Joseph Stanislaw came to Methuen with me, where we
enjoyed the wonders of Salisbury beach with its cold water, the roller
coaster at Canobie lake, and the warmer waters of Methuen’s own
Forest lake.
Lots of fond memories. Thank you guys. Hope all is well with
you wherever you are. (184 Bryant Ridge Road, Grand Falls, Plt.,
Maine 04417; not far from the planet Tramalfadora – where the flying
saucers come from. Peace.)
6/21/2021
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9/13
<<=== back to index
From JOHN MILLER (’57): Thanks to the vocation director of
the Marist Brothers, to David Kammer, and eventually John O’Connell, I
became familiar with Marists All in March of 2006. The discovery filled
a void that had existed in my personal and spiritual life for close to fifty
years: I had found my B/brothers!
After I opened the Marists All web site, I began reading issue
after issue submitted by various B/brothers. Since that time, I have
read the issues twice and am now finishing the third time. I have
written articles in hopes of talking to my B/brothers about my joys, the
up and down times, and my personal and faith journey.
Presently, I am in almost daily contact with Larry Whartenby,
Don Mulcare, John O’Connell, and David Kammer. Larry, Don, and I
have been engaged in email conversations trying to answer the
question of why we left the Marist Brothers in the first place. Our
conversations have been both informative and spiritual. I truly feel our
friendship has been rekindled as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of
our investiture.
As some of you know, I am battling cancer for the third time
since 2002. Presently, I am on chemo and have certain limitations; I
don’t know how much more time I have. In the meantime, I offer you
my blessings, special love, Mary’s guidance and protection, my
B/brothers.
(
brojohn2538@comcast.net
)
<<=== back to index
From GREG BALLERINO (’57): After being diagnosed recently
with leukemia, I took a test on May 29 that revealed how pervasive the
cancer is throughout my lymph nodes, bone marrow and blood. Results
indicated an aggressive cancer in the lymphoma, bone marrow and
blood cells. It is classified as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and B-cell
chronic lymphocytic leukemia. And it is treatable!
I face this cancer. I fear it. I deal with it head on. I am happy
and grateful now that I have such a loving, support team with my
doctor, his staff and my family and friends throughout the world. We all
live in the Source of love and healing energy. We receive and we give.
In us, it flows to touch our heart, bring healing to the physical body
and nurture the soul. I live in peace, in the moment: quiet, aware,
and in harmony with God.
Thank you for your love, friendship, concern, healing energy
and support. My OBbWAT Marist family is the BEST. I am grateful for
the love, healing energy, prayers and long distance telepathic
connection to each of you. I receive from you and I give to you. I hold
you in the center of the SOURCE of all love and healing energy to fill
the space in your life with peace, love, health, quiet, tenderness and a
friendly hug. I am healing. Complete remission of my cancer is on the
way! As always in friendship and support. (
gregoryr38@gmail.com
)
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6/21/2021
Newsletter # 89
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter89.html
10/13
From REV. EDWIN L. KEEL, SM: (The following is an excerpt
from a letter written Father Ed to the Marist Laity. Editor) All of us
Marists, and especially the Marist Laity, have an important task, a
crucial task, to carry out!
But how do we go about realizing this vision
of unity, this Marian vision of the Church? I think there are three steps
we need to take.
First, we need to get fired up about this task, this mission that
we have been given. What we are talking about is the “New Pentecost”
that Pope John XXIII dreamed of when he inaugurated the Second
Vatican Council. Pentecost is about fire, about becoming enflamed with
zeal. I like the words that a favorite poet of mine, Mary Oliver, uses to
end one of her poems: “be ignited or be gone!” If we can’t catch the
fire, if we are reluctant to be stirred to this urgent task, if we cannot
become passionate about Fr. Colin’s Marian vision of the Church, why
should the Society of Mary or the Marist Laity go on existing?
Second, we ourselves need to become more profoundly faithful
and joyful about living our faith, and we need to become more united
among ourselves in mind and heart, and this at several levels: 1) It is
absolutely essential that in our Marist Laity groups, the members live in
peace and unity; and where there are differences and antipathies, it is
crucial that you work at being reconciled to one another. 2) Our Marist
Laity groups need to communicate more among themselves. It would
probably be good for each group to be twinned with at least one other
group, so that you could exchange news and especially share how you
are working at this mission. That way you can help each other keep the
dream of a Marian Church alive and keep us all on target as we make
our various contributions to fulfilling that dream. 3) At our recent
meeting, the Marist Laity Service Committee recognized the need to
improve contact between the committee and our Laity groups. We care
about you, and you are part of a people throughout our province and
all over the world who are working to realize the Marist dream. 4) The
Atlanta and Boston Provinces of the Marist Fathers and Brothers are in
the process of restructuring the Marist presence in the USA, toward an
awareness of the need for greater communication and collaboration
with the Marist Laity. Separately, neither the religious alone nor the
laity alone can accomplish the dream. Together we can do great things
for God!
The third step we need to take is to share the dream with
others. Some of our groups do well at attracting new members.
Perhaps what we need to do is not so much ask people to join our
organization but rather to “infect” others with the dream and with the
spirit of Mary. If we are fired up about the dream, and if we are doing
our part with our gifts, then we should be able to get others excited
about it as well. People don’t want to join a group that is not doing
anything, that has no vision, no purpose, no joy or excitement. In the
Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah said, “Without vision, the people
perish!” If we don’t have vision, if we aren’t fired up about our Marist
mission, why should we continue to exist?
6/21/2021
Newsletter # 89
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter89.html
11/13
I hope I’ve given you a lot to think about. If there is anything I
have said in this letter that you would like to ask me about, or if you
would like your group to be twinned with another Marist Laity group,
please e-mail or snail mail or phone me at
Marist Laity Center, 1706
Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113; 504-524-5192;
edwink@bellsouth.net
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From JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): Just wanted to let you know I
traveled to Marist College last Sunday and did my best to present the
phenomenon that is US at the thirteenth(!) annual July gathering of the
“Marist Family Weekend," a gathering originally formed to determine
what role interested participants might play regards the Marist
apostolate and to share their personal spirituality.
The intent of the weekend seems to mirror some of the "why"
we were drawn together five years ago in support of Bill (and Elaine)
Reffelt's coping with his terminal cancer (RIP, Sept. '03) and to some
extent not "being there" for Vinnie (and Darlene) Hall's struggle with
his (RIP, Feb. '01). Our search effort was responsible for Larry
Whartenby ('57), who has visited with John Miller (’57) and Don
Edwards ('57), reconnecting over the last several months of Don's life
(RIP, Sept. '06), serving as a pallbearer. Our search also allowed us to
"be there" for Edith Ortuoste, since Bernie Ortuoste ('58) (RIP, July '06)
was with us over the last few years, and allowed Richie Shaw ('58) to
represent us at Bernie's funeral as a pallbearer also.
There is an evolution here of a kind of "apostolate" in
reconnecting with those with whom we once shared some adolescent
idealism and altruism of spirit, willing to sacrifice for Champagnat's
larger vision in caring about each other by "being there" as a member
of a kind of virtual community connected by e-mail and phone and/or
by actually being in one another's presence at many face-to-face mini-
gatherings and/or our five April Esopus Gatherings.
Don Mulcare ('57) offered this commentary on my visit with the
group: “Your presentation at the Marist Family Spirituality weekend in
Poughkeepsie was alive with "The Spirit!” Clearly, the Spirit is moving
in mysterious ways. As you say, we do not have to understand, but it
is a marvel to behold. There is too much going on for it to be, as you
said, "a coincidence." I loved the stories and the description of the
evolution of OB/bwat. This is truly a work of the Spirit.” Don shared
also that Br. Fabian Jerome (Thomas Mayor) is dealing with health
issues, including significant weight loss which the doctors have been
unable to pin down.
George Conboy ('58) had two toes removed as a result of
diabetes and is in good spirits. He refers to himself as an "8-toed
sloth" needing to continue his ballet lessons pirouetting on the other
foot. You can get him on his cell wherever at 623-308-1301.
6/21/2021
Newsletter # 89
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter89.html
12/13
Some of you have been in contact with John Miller (’57) (David
Joseph). His chemo seems to have wiped out a metastasized growth in
his lung, if I have it right. Keep it up with the prayers since he's still
battling with cancer in his sinus area.
Have not heard anything more on Reggie Diss's ('60) post-
prostate treatment condition, so I'm assuming he's doing well.
Welcome to the "club," Reggie!
Greg Ballerino ('57) offers this brief version of his struggle to
get the chemo "just right": "Chemotherapy is working with all the side
effects that accompany it. There is definite progress toward destroying
the cancer cells. Drugs take time. However, my spiritual family support
by prayer, love and healing energy is turning things around.”
Matthew McComish ('58) has at last report been moved into an
assisted living facility after by-pass surgery and other medical
complications.
I have refined our OB/bWAT "directory." Of the 273 names
we've identified as having "lived with" in training from 1954-1962, we
can account for 172 (39 have gone on before us), and we have contact
info for the 141 others, but there are still 101 for whom we have no
contact info. Don't forget to set aside some time from Wednesday
PM, March 26th to Sunday AM, March 30
th
, 2008, right after Easter,
and plan on joining us for our sixth annual OB/bWAT Gathering in
Esopus. (
Obbwat@aol.com
)
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NORTH AMERICAN MARIST YOUTH GATHER AT MARIST COLLEGE
FOR MARIST YOUTH 2007
During the recent Memorial Day weekend, 162 students
from Marist schools in the United States, Mexico, and Canada gathered
at Marist College for Marist Youth 2007. A highlight of this year’s
Marist Youth was the presence of students and faculty from College
Laval in Quebec. Along with students and faculty from Instituto Marista
in Aguascalientes, Mexico, they joined with US Marist Youth to form the
first North American Marist Youth gathering. From the very beginning,
all the participants were introduced to the wider Marist world!
Presentations focused on further understanding of what it means to be
Marist and Catholic as well as ways they could incorporate the values
and actions of Marcellin Champagnat within their lives.
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6/21/2021
Newsletter # 89
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter89.html
13/13
Congratulations to our Brother Jubilarians
Sixtieth Anniversary: Brothers: Alfred George, Martin
Healy, Kenneth Marino, Cornelius Russell, Eugene Trzecieski
Fiftieth Anniversary: Brothers: Nicholas Caffrey, George
Fontana, Kevin Handibode, Patrick Hogan, William Lambert,
Fabian Mayor, +Bernard Ruth+
Twenty-fifth Anniversary: Brothers: Richard Carey, Owen
Ormsby, Kenneth Ward, Bernard Yamaguchi
##
Thanks to our contributors for their recent financial assistance: John Brady ’57;
George Fontana ’57; Joseph Hores ‘49; John McGuire ’54; John Miller ’57; William
Quinn ’44; Jeanne Schultz; Gene Zirkel ’53; (Editor)
# #
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Saint Marcellin Champagnat: pray for us!
Mary, our Good Mother: pray for us!
Let us remember: to pray for each other.
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