Marists All: Issue #47 February 1999
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ISSUE # 47
February 1999
From Rome: C A N O N I Z A T I O N - April 18, 1999
We, the undersigned Superiors General of the Marist Brothers and the Marist
Fathers want very much to express to you our joy by means of this joint letter.
Marcellin Champagnat will be canonized on the 18th of April, 1999. That is the
announcement our Holy Father has made at the consistory of cardinals
celebrated today (1-7-1999).
We feel that Marcellin Champagnat is a gift of the Holy Spirit to the whole
Church and a tremendous present for the world. He is not the exclusive
possession of any one particular group. With this in mind, may all our hearts
overflow with happiness and pulsate with that sense of church community which
enlivened the entire group that started the Society of Mary.
Certainly Marcellin Champagnat belongs to the spiritual patrimony of those who
profess vows as Marists: the Brothers who see him as their Father and Founder;
the Fathers whose ideals he nurtured and shared from the earliest days and with
whom he lived out his religious consecration; and the Marist Sisters and the
Marist Missionary Sisters, branches blossoming from the tree of the Society of
Mary.
Marcellin Champagnat also belongs to the Marist laity: educators, animators,
members of the fraternities, students, alumni, families ... so many people who
live in communion with Marist Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters, people who take
to heart the Marian spirituality that unites our four congregations.
In fact, Marcellin Champagnat is a gift for all the People of God and a grace for
our entire world. By officially proclaiming him a Saint, the Church is putting
him forward as model and intercessor. His life and work serve as a stimulus and
inspiration for all people of good will and sincere heart; no matter their culture,
race, condition. In a very special way, Marcellin Champagnat is a model and
inspiration for all who dedicate their lives to the Christian education of children
and young people.
MARISTS RETURN TO LIBERIA: We have word from Leonard that Br. Denis
Hever ('64), Br. Martin Ruane ('50), and Br. Alfred George ('47) will go in mid
February to Manrovia, the capital of Liberia, to reopen a school that was closed
by the diocese several years ago during that country's upheaval. They will be
joined by four Marists who were recruited earlier in Pleebo by our
American.Brothers; the four have been teaching in South Africa.
MARIST FAMILY INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY: This communal gathering
will again take place this summer at Marist College from Thursday July 8th,
4:30 p.m. registration, to Sunday July 11th, 1 p.m. lunch. The theme this year
will be "On our Christian Journey." The cost is likely to be $200 a person for
meals and lodging. We will provide the names of presenters and further
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information in our next issue. Contact Vince Poisella at 973-398-5477 or at 24
Brooklyn Mt. Rd., Hopatcong, N. J. 07843-1410; vtpoisella@yahoo.com.
FROM TOM POTENZA ('73): Those who were in formation from 1963-70 will
be sorry to hear of the death of Kevin Galbraith ('67) a well liked, if outspoken,
character during those turbulent years. Kevin left the congregation in the mid-
70's, but was remembered as exceptionally kind, brilliant and possessing a biting
sense of satire - especially about those changes in the Marist life with which he
disagreed. Many will recall that his hero was the archconservative Cardinal
Ottaviani!
Last spring Kevin's brother Jack (whom I see periodically at educational
development meetings) informed me that Kevin was in the hospital. I managed
to visit him at St. Vincent's two days before he died. He was fighting advanced
pleurisy, complicated by serious allergies to almost every medication being used
to treat it. Nevertheless, Kevin was sharp, recognizing me immediately and
asking about many of the guys who had shared the years with us in Esopus and
Poughkeepsie. He looked fine, giving a lie to his critical condition, and he was
witty to the very end.
At his memorial service, held about his 49th birthday on May 17th, the photo
prominently displayed, more than 20 some years after he had left Marist life,
was of Kevin in his cassock and rabat. Many of the folks in attendance, friends
from more recent years, had not realized that Kevin had been a monk. Yet one
old gentleman, who knew Kevin only from attending his music lectures at
Barnes and Noble, remarked to me after the service: "I did sense that there was
something very spiritual about this man ... I'm not surprised to learn he spent
time as a religious. It still showed."
Despite the ups and downs of his life, the moments of shining light and angry
frustration, the cynical mixed with the devotional, the ultra-conservative with the
almost-hippie, Kevin Galbraith remains for those who lived and studied with
him the epitome of warm friendship, outrageous humor, and classical
scholarship - a symbol of some of the most difficult years Marist formation has
experienced in this country. May Kevin finally rest in peace! (145 West 58th
Street (#2K), New York, New York, 10019)
FROM MIKE McCAFFERY ('61): The latest issue of Marists All has finally
prompted me to put some thoughts on paper. Seeing familiar names (John
Gonya, Br. Philip Robert, Bill Doherty, Bernard Connolly) certainly brings back
good memories of Esopus and Poughkeepsie.
I have kept in contact with Brother Leonard Voegtle (I suppose a lot of us have
done the same), but I have really lost touch with most of the others who studied
Spanish with Brother Robert James, played ice hockey on the pond, swept leaves
in the fall, ate meals in silence with Brother Hilary. Does anyone remember the
band "Drenchfulwack?" I played the trumpet.
The past three years have been most difficult for me, as my wife of 32 years
succumbed to leukemia this year after a long and difficult battle. Our three
children and four grandchildren were my backbone; they gave me strength to
continue.
I am getting on with my life and I know that all will be well in the near future. I
have met a wonderful woman, for which I thank God. We plan to get married
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sometime next year.
By the way, has anyone ever heard from Ron Kearney? Finally, would you
please change my address as I have recently moved to a new address: 2224
Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11229.
(A presentation given by David Kammer at the 1998 Marist Family Institute of
Spirituality)
COME TO THE TABLE
Picture yourself at home looking out your front window.
You see friends pulling into your driveway.
You rush to your front door, pleased to see and greet your friends.
"Welcome, come in," you exclaim; hugs and kisses perhaps.
"Come in, welcome, how are you?"
You are truly pleased to have your friends with you.
You are pleased to share your snacks and your spirits with them.
You welcome news of their family
news of their activities.
You welcome their stories.
You want to share in their happiness and their enthusiasm
in their preoccupations and their anxieties.
You share thought.
You welcome uplifting, inspiring insights.
In time an announcement comes: "Dinner is ready; come to the table."
You have prepared a full meal.
You have wine and bread.
You want to share what you have and what you are.
"Bless us, 0 Lord.
Bless us, 0 Lord, and these your gifts.
"Lord, you too are welcome in our home, at our table.
"We want to acknowledge, Lord, not only these gifts
but all you have done for us
all you have done for humanity.
"We want to acknowledge your involvement in our lives, in our stories
....and we want to remember your self-giving throughout your earthly life,
your self-giving at that most famous of meals,
and especially your final self-giving.
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"We want to remember that meal when you asked us to do in memory of you
to do meals in memory of you
to do companionship
to do love
to do self-giving.
"Lord, we wish not only to remember, but also to thank, to celebrate eucharist.
"Yes, Lord, we thank you for this food
and we thank you for the opportunity to be together.
"We celebrate our relationships with one another ... and with you.
"Bless this food, that it may be to our good, to our well-being.
Bless us, that we may be good for one another.
"Lord, we gather as family -
we gather in your name, in your energy and love.
"Lord, you say, 'Take and eat, take and drink.
'My life comes to you through sign, through sacrament, through mystery. '
My life is at the center of your being.
"Lord, may we recognize you
in our lives, in our times, in our places, at our table.
We hear: "Through Him and with Him and in Him
is to you God the Father in union with the Holy Spirit."
And we are moved to join in that great AMEN, that great "So be it!"
"Lord, your whole life was one of radical selflessness, even unto death.
In you selflessness has touched humanity.
In you we are lifted up, saved, saved from selfishness.
"Thank you for leading the way.
It is truly just, right and salutary that we should
at all times and in all places
give thanks to you, 0 holy Lord.
"Through you and with you and in you
is the path to our eternal destiny
with the help of insights and power of your Spirit.
"Lord, that we might associate all of our meals
especially our celebratory'meals
with the Eucharistic meal.
"That every celebration might be a universal thanksgiving
an eternal thanksgiving
a Eucharist .
(if not commissioned by the Church
in the name of the whole of Christianity
at least at the heart of family and friends)
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Welcome, welcome to a table of the Lord.
FROM GENE ZIRKEL ('53): An afternoon of recollection in the Marist
spirituality of Marcellin Champagnat will be held at Archbishop Mollov on
"Palm Saturday" March 27th, 1999, from 2 to 6 p.m. It will include prayer,
reflection on scripture, and discussion of Marist spirituality. It will end with a
potluck supper (to which all are invited to bring something to share). Former
Marists and canonical Marists are invited, as well as families, alumni, and
anyone who is interested in the Christian life as laid out by Blessed Champagnat.
Come and share with us; come and pray with us. Try to arrive by 1:45 so that we
may start on time. To let us know that you are coming or to get further
information, contact: Br. Charles Marcellin at 718-441-2100... Jack & Anne
Duggan at 516=997-6547...Gene & Pat Zirkel at 516-669-0273,
genezirk@mindspring.com
FROM BR. WILLIAM LAVIGNE ('50): With the arrival of Br. Phil Robert in
early November our Marist community in Petersburg, West Virginia, was
complete: Phil, Luke Reddington, and myself assisting Father Mario Claro, who
resides in Franklin, one of the three towns covered by our ministry.
Initially it was an adjustment for us to move from heavily populated cities and
large parishes of the Northeast to our three small towns and parishes in the
Potomac Highlands valley in the eastern part of this "wild wonderful mountain
state." The people have been most welcoming and helpful in our transition. We
are now quite settled. Although Catholics are a distinct minority (5% in the state
and about 2% in our area), there is an open ecumenical spirit. .We have been
invited to join the Ministerial Associations in our three towns.
We see our role here as one of supporting and nurturing the Catholic faith
communities in a variety of ways. We are involved with the liturgies, pastoral
councils, religious education, social outreach, ecumenical relations, visitation to
parish members in the hospital and nursing homes. We are not dealing directly
with the poor as this is not the stereotypic "appalachia" part of the state. Our
people are middle or lower middle class, some living in town while others are in
rural areas or on farms. They have a strong faith and pride in their parish, and
they are anxious to work with us in maintaining a Catholic presence. We
consider it a privilege to be invited to be part of their faith community for
whatever time we will be here in ministry.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with the six other Marist Brothers who live in the
city of Wheeling, about a four hour drive from Petersburg. It was enjoyable
spending a few days with the Brothers and visiting their different ministries.
Marists have a history in this Diocese of Wheeling, as our Brothers conducted
Central Catholic High School in Wheeling for over forty years. Our diocesan
bishop, Bernard Schmitt, is one of our alumni; he is quite delighted that we have
returned.
We are using St. Mary's rectory in Petersburg as office complex for the four of us
on the team. We reside in two small houses immediately next door to the rectory.
That makes it very convenient for us and accessible for anyone who wants to see
us. We have accommodations for visitors and we extend a general invitation to
all to stop by and visit with us in this beautiful part of "Almost Heaven." It's
about a six and a half hour drive from New Jersey on main highways (I-78 West
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and I-81 South) for most of the trip, followed by an adventurous ride over the
first mountain to the west from Virginia. (The above is taken from Bill's
Christmas circular letter to friends and family.) (5 Pierpont St., Petersburg, Wv.
26847; 304-257-1057; wvfms1access.mountain.net)
FROM MIKE KELLY ('50): When Marists All was forwarded from our old
address, I realized that it has been some time since I last wrote. Yes, we have
moved again and now live in North Hollywood in a home that has room for any
readers who might want to experience the exotic and unreal environment we live
in. It is different here, but we are enjoying the world around us. Our daughters
are close to us and that, more than anything else, is what makes our patch of
California a great place to live.
It was a delight to read that Des Kelly will have the support in West Virginia of
two members of the class of '50, Billy Lavigne and Marty Ruane along with
Bobby Reddington from Inwood. Since my wife Janet makes frequent trips to
visit her family in Pittsburgh, perhaps we can plan a reunion and start plans for a
celebration of the year 2000 for the class of 1950.
I find it hard to believe that it has been almost 50 years since I did some hash
slinging in the kitchen of the Hermitage and killed pigs and chickens, while
Wiggy McNamara engaged in a continuous dialog about what Paul Ambrose did
not know. And we puffed away on our forbidden cigarettes before rushing back
to be on time for our physics class. Then we sat idly in the classroom looking out
the window at our beloved physics teacher bouncing up and down on his
bulldozer preparing the ground for the new chapel. By the grace of God we still
managed to learn physics. These are old memories that came rushing back while
reading Billy Lavigne's last letter.
The November issue of Marists All also brought back memories of those long
hot summer days that we spent plastering permastone on the walls of the chapel.
Now Dennis Murray informs us that progress is being made by removing our
finger prints which are still on every brick that will be replaced with natural
fieldstone. The price of progress! I wonder if our resident artist at the time, Mrs.
Fischer, would approve. Does the chapel really need a new roof? We smeared
enough black tar ,on that roof to make it last forever. Maybe we didn't embed the
white marble chips deep enough; the effort to do so has left permanent black
marks under my nails for almost five decades. Nothing can compare with my
memories of riding high on a bucket of cement as Niles operated the dilapidated
crane to swing us high over the construction site. It is a miracle that I am here to
write this letter. I can honestly say, thanks for the memories. Midst all these
memories, though, it is wonderful to hear about the extensive construction being
planned for Marist.
Our family continues to enjoy living in California. Janet does software
consulting when the demands of our daughters give her some free time. Joan
works for Paramount and her husband Bill works at Disney. He recently
completed his MBA at USC. Jean lives with us and enjoys her work among
young people in need of a dedicated social worker. I continue to enjoy teaching
and.rocking the boat at California State University at Los Angeles. I keep
thinking, however, that I should start to slow down and to smell the roses. We
actually did try to slow down at least for two weeks last September when we
visited Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. We loved it but realized that two weeks
was enough time to relax, so we are now back in the accelerated rat race. We feel
lucky.
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Thanks again for the many memories recalled by All. Since I lived with Marist
Brothers and with Marist to the Marist Sisters in Detroit, perhaps I can help Joe
Belanger with the book of of biographies of Marist "saints." I have to admit,
however, tht the stories I recall about great Marist "sinners" would be far more
interesting and should not go untold. (11559 Kling St., North Hollywood, Ca.
91602; jkelly@lix.netcom.com 818-752-0158)
by BR. LEONARD VOEGTLE ('50):
The Marist Brothers in the United States
"GO TO THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU"
Volume I: 1885 - 1911 (adapted excerpts)
This book has been many years in the dreaming and several in the writing and
publishing, I have found it a tremendously interesting and exciting endeavor, one
which brought alive for me men whose names are inscribed indelibly on the first
pages of the annals of the Marist Brothers in Canada and the United States.
In the short span of 25 years the half-dozen men who arrived in Canada in 1885
had grown to nearly 400, reinforced by successive waves of brothers from
Europe and others recruited in North America, Their single school in a small
village near Montreal, followed by another in a small city in Maine the following
year, had become a network of nearly 40 schools stretching from Quebec to
Manitoba, and down through New England to New York City.
The venture also grew administratively. From 1885 to 1893 it remained a foreign
mission under the direct control of its mother province, Notre Dame de
l'Hermitage in France. In 1893 the mission became a district under the control of
the superior general and his council. Brother Cesidius was its visitor until 1903
when the province of North America was established. Finally in 1911, in view of
the numerical and geographical expansion already achieved and with high hopes
that it would continue, the province of North America was divided into two:
Canada and the United States. Named provincial of Canada was Brother
Cesidius; Brother Ptolemeus remained provincial for the United States ...
Chapter 12: "The Way We Were" In this chapter we will briefly consider various
aspects of the daily life of our predecessors, which may help us to understand
better our roots and how Marist religious life has evolved over the years. What
kind of men laid our foundations and built upon them? Most of them were
European or Canadian, and all but a few of the former were French. Most of
them were comparatively young; many of them were still teenagers in fact. What
must have been their thoughts, feelings, and reactions faced as they were with so
much that was difficult and challenging in this New World? Looking back, it is
only natural to regard them and the hundreds of other French Marist Brothers
who left their homeland with no idea as to when or whether. they would return
home, as persons of great courage and faith and attachment to their vocation.
On this side of the Atlantic the European Marists faced very different climate,
diet, mentality, traditions, and language, as well as different political and
educational systems. Some, especially the youngest, adapted well enough; others
found it an insurmountable task which eventually led them to return to their own
country or to leave the congregation.
For their part young Canadian and American recruits to Marist life had to adapt
perforce to the customs, mentality, formation, and background of their European
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confreres. In their favor the latter had not only their youth but also their
enthusiasm. This was rooted in part to their belonging to a still young religious
congregation that was in full flush of a remarkable growth in France and
overseas. This congregation's lifestyle and ministry corresponded to what had
become the most attractive model of religious life in the 19th century: a semi
monastic structure well suited to the recruitment and formation of large numbers
of young men in a network of educational institutions open to children of
peasants and small farmers of hamlets and villages and of those of the mills and
sweatshops of the Industrial Revolution.
The other side of the coin was that they belonged to a Church which saw itself
threatened in Europe by anti-clerical governments and in North America by a
majority and hostile "Protestant" culture. Their response to the threat was to
"circle the wagons" and present a bristling defense. In the thinking of the day,
the Church's survival depended on unity, and unity was born of uniformity in all
things, conformity to established traditions, and obedience to laws and structures
handed down from a former and better age.
The life of the first North American Marists was defined by their constitutions,
rules, and traditions, all of which had grown out of the experience of Marcellin
Champagnat and his first followers in the hamlets and the villages of their
isolated sector of rural 19th century France At the founder's death, that first
generation found themselves the inheritors of his spirit, his vision, and his
charism. They tried to preserve it intact for future generations by living every
least detail of life as it had been lived in fact or in idealized memories.
When Marists of that period found themselves transplanted to radically different
surroundings, their instinctive reaction was normal enough for immigrants. They
attempted to reproduce as far as possible the life they had known and loved
"back home," whether or not it fit the context of their adopted land.
To the older ones among them it was a lifestyle tried and tested and proved
valid; to the younger it was a lifestyle they might not yet have experienced in the
world of classroom and community, but one which their formation at Notre
Dame de l'Hermitage had taught them was something very sacred, to be lived
faithfully in all of its details, no matter the cost.
Common life: Everything was done in community. There was a common
dormitory - only directors and treasurers had private rooms - divided by curtains
into cubicles, each with a small night table and chair beside the bed. Sometimes
there was only one sink, so each brother had his own jug and wash basin.
Morning and evening study were done in community at long tables, not
individual desks. The time was devoted primarily to class preparation and
corrections. Depending on each one's free time, personal energy, and ambition,
attention was also given to personal study toward teaching certificates and
degrees. Manual work was also done as a team. Hired help was unheard of,
except in the large boarding schools.
Daily schedule: Rising year round was at 4:30 a.m.At 4:50 a.m. there was
morning prayer (a combination of devotional prayers and some litanies)
followed by half-hour of meditation (made standing), the "little hours" of the
Office of the Blessed Virgin, an hour's secular study or class preparation made in
community, then Mass and breakfast. At 5:15.p.m. there were vespers, compline,
matins, and lauds of the Little Office, followed by an hour "religious" study
made in community, 15 minutes of spiritual reading in community (one brother
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read aloud from an assigned book). At 7 p.m. the brothers ate supper in silence
with reading; they then had recreation in community until 8:15 p.m., at which
time they recited evening prayer (similar in format to morning prayer), and made
ten minutes' examination of conscience (standing). The office was recited
entirely in L atin; morning and evening prayer were partly in Latin, partly in
French - with English gradually replacing French.
After evening prayer everyone was to retire immediately with "great silence"
holding sway until the beginning of the next school day. Even though Saturday
was a school day the brothers observed the fast prescribed by the rule to honor
the Blessed Virgin - only coffee and dry bread for breakfast. (P.O. Box 197,
Esopus, New York, 12429; fax: 914-384-6277)
FROM GERRY DONNELLAN ('63): Every time I receive Marists All, I resolve
to write a note and send a check. For me it is such a welcome connection to my
life as Marist that I look forward to each issue. Yes, I have changed, gotten older,
and my life has taken fascinating twists and turns. When I think back to "my
other life" it is always with fondness and gratitude. My zest for learning and
desire to make a difference in the world in some small way, I do attribute to the
values and "life models" that I encountered as a Marist. I live in Massachusetts
and chuckle at the incarnations that Tyngsboro has gone through, now a
corporate training center for Boston University: Maybe a little "Marist spirit"
still lingering in the walls and floorboards of that old place will rub off on the
"corporate suits." Thank you-for Marists All! (8 Minola Road #802, Lexington,
14a. 02421-5512; 781-861-1639 )
FROM PHIL CAPPIO ('74): Recently I was cutting the lawn of a large church
when I glanced back at the pattern of long lines left in the newly cut grass. I was
instantly transported back to Cold Spring and my novitiate there in 1974,
envisioning driving down the long hill along the driveway on the big farm
tractor, enjoying the views of the Nicholas House, the lake below, and the
surrounding hills. It was a "chore" that I cherished and always looked forward
to. I would feel exhilarated by the whole experience, and would often break into
song! From that pleasant memory it wasn't hard to shift across the Hudson River
and remember the two and a half years I spent cutting lawns and even plowing
snow in Esopus. The great hill rolling down to the river from the mansion was
fun to cut in the summer and a thrill to toboggan in the winter. .
You might want to sit back and relax because I feel myself getting carried away
with so many wonderful Marist memories. My own Marist connection started
way back in 1962 when I attended St. Mary's High in Manhasset, my home
town. Four fabulous years of cross country, track, intramurals, canned food
drives, mission days, and a wonderful exposure to some outstanding educators,
fine Christian men wearing the black cassock and the little white rabat. My life
was touched by really great teachers and coaches: Kenneth Robert, Damian
Eugene, Joe Alex, Lawrence Ephrem, Martin Thomas, Ray Albert, and Thomas
Joseph, T.J. to us. The Brothers were a big reason why I headed up to
Poughkeepsie to attend Marist College in the fall of 1966.
In the middle of my sophomore year I headed over to Esopus where my life was
touched again in a very positive way by such great monks as Berkie, Sylvan,
Phil Robert, Bill Lavigne, and countless others. What a great summer I spent in
Highland as a VISTA volunteer with Leo Shea and others.
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The next summer we ran a recreation program in Kingston where I roomed with
Bob Corredine; we tried to break Declan in very gently when he arrived to spend
a few weeks as our director. One of my most wonderful Marist memories was
the summer of 1970 when Bill Boyd and I drove the novitiate bus to Kentucky
with the Children's Theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz." There is a certain
provincial whom I need not name who made the trip as the wizard himself.
I could very easily go on about my years at Camp Marist, Christopher Columbus
High School, Roselle Catholic, etc., but I had best leave something for the next
time. Thank you, Gus, for including me on the list for Marists All. Keep up the
great work! Since today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, it is only
proper that I wish Roy George a "Happy Birthday." Thanks for the memories!
(241. Katherine Street, Scotch Plains, N. J. 07076)
FROM JOHN WILCOX ('57): For some time Sue and I have been thinking
about a move from Cross River, New York, across the state line to Connecticut.
High taxes, a house way too big for two people, electric heat, and lots of lawn
and leaves - all were contributing factors. We put our house on the market in
January of 1998, reluctantly, because we loved the house and neighborhood and
because it was chock full of memories. Hundreds came to visit, but it was April
and still no offers on our house. Finally in June we got a concrete offer.
At that point the challenge was to find a house for us, certainly before the end of
the summer because the buyer wanted to move in before the beginning of the
new school year. We looked at two houses that we really loved, but they were on
the old side, and the building inspection revealed too many problems. Finally we
returned to a condo community which we had looked at back in February, and
there we found a house large enough for us, our stuff, and our sometimes
returning children - a colonial, efficient, new, gas heat and fireplace, maintained
community with a clubhouse. We closed on August 24th.
It was a bittersweet moment, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
We have very nice neighbors; social events in the clubhouse help us get
acquainted. When completed the development of Sterling Woods will have
seventy houses and three hundred town houses. It's a pretty place high up on
Beaver Mountain, and not bad for commuting to the University of Bridgeport
and to Manhattan College in Riverdale.
On the 5th of January we will be married twenty-five years. We have so much to
be very thankful for: wonderful family, three great kids, friends. Thank God
along with us for our blessings.(101 Logging Trail Rd., Danbury, Ct. 06811;
203-730-9172)
Another excerpt from BROTHERS ARE PEOPLE ... by Brother John F. Colbert
Typical of the older Brothers, Br. Louis Viateur had a secret longing to die on a
Saturday because that day of the week was traditionally set aside to honor Our
Lady. Sure enough, during his last days Brother Louis often inquired of Br. Luke
Pearson, who was tending at his bedside in Tyngsboro, what day it was. Luke
innocently told him it was Monday. When old Louie repeated the question the
next day, Luke told him it was Tuesday. At that juncture Brother Vincent
Moriarty suggested to Luke: "Why don't you tell him that it is Saturday? You
know how the old Brothers often say they would like to die on a Saturday." So
when the dying Brother asked the same persistent question on Wednesday, Luke
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replied: "It's Saturday, Brother." Shortly after, Luke had to go out on an errand.
Upon his return, Vinny shocked Luke with "Louie is dead! You killed him!"
EDITOR'S NOTE: After expenses of the present issue we will have a balance of
approximately $750, enough to cover two more issues, one in May and another
in August. Could we possibly get a flood of letters as we move up to our 50th
issue in November of 1999 - the completion of 13 years of publishing Marists
All?
GUS NOLAN and Liz are spending January through March at their newly
acquired winter home in Florida; write to them at 737 Bella Vista, Edgewater
Florida, 32141. Write to DAVID KAMMER at 476 LaPlaya, Edgewater.
Thanks to Brother Richard Rancourt for dealing with the printing and the
mailing of this issue from Marist College.
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ISSUE # 47
February 1999
From Rome: C A N O N I Z A T I O N - April 18, 1999
We, the undersigned Superiors General of the Marist Brothers and the Marist
Fathers want very much to express to you our joy by means of this joint letter.
Marcellin Champagnat will be canonized on the 18th of April, 1999. That is the
announcement our Holy Father has made at the consistory of cardinals
celebrated today (1-7-1999).
We feel that Marcellin Champagnat is a gift of the Holy Spirit to the whole
Church and a tremendous present for the world. He is not the exclusive
possession of any one particular group. With this in mind, may all our hearts
overflow with happiness and pulsate with that sense of church community which
enlivened the entire group that started the Society of Mary.
Certainly Marcellin Champagnat belongs to the spiritual patrimony of those who
profess vows as Marists: the Brothers who see him as their Father and Founder;
the Fathers whose ideals he nurtured and shared from the earliest days and with
whom he lived out his religious consecration; and the Marist Sisters and the
Marist Missionary Sisters, branches blossoming from the tree of the Society of
Mary.
Marcellin Champagnat also belongs to the Marist laity: educators, animators,
members of the fraternities, students, alumni, families ... so many people who
live in communion with Marist Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters, people who take
to heart the Marian spirituality that unites our four congregations.
In fact, Marcellin Champagnat is a gift for all the People of God and a grace for
our entire world. By officially proclaiming him a Saint, the Church is putting
him forward as model and intercessor. His life and work serve as a stimulus and
inspiration for all people of good will and sincere heart; no matter their culture,
race, condition. In a very special way, Marcellin Champagnat is a model and
inspiration for all who dedicate their lives to the Christian education of children
and young people.
MARISTS RETURN TO LIBERIA: We have word from Leonard that Br. Denis
Hever ('64), Br. Martin Ruane ('50), and Br. Alfred George ('47) will go in mid
February to Manrovia, the capital of Liberia, to reopen a school that was closed
by the diocese several years ago during that country's upheaval. They will be
joined by four Marists who were recruited earlier in Pleebo by our
American.Brothers; the four have been teaching in South Africa.
MARIST FAMILY INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY: This communal gathering
will again take place this summer at Marist College from Thursday July 8th,
4:30 p.m. registration, to Sunday July 11th, 1 p.m. lunch. The theme this year
will be "On our Christian Journey." The cost is likely to be $200 a person for
meals and lodging. We will provide the names of presenters and further
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information in our next issue. Contact Vince Poisella at 973-398-5477 or at 24
Brooklyn Mt. Rd., Hopatcong, N. J. 07843-1410; vtpoisella@yahoo.com.
FROM TOM POTENZA ('73): Those who were in formation from 1963-70 will
be sorry to hear of the death of Kevin Galbraith ('67) a well liked, if outspoken,
character during those turbulent years. Kevin left the congregation in the mid-
70's, but was remembered as exceptionally kind, brilliant and possessing a biting
sense of satire - especially about those changes in the Marist life with which he
disagreed. Many will recall that his hero was the archconservative Cardinal
Ottaviani!
Last spring Kevin's brother Jack (whom I see periodically at educational
development meetings) informed me that Kevin was in the hospital. I managed
to visit him at St. Vincent's two days before he died. He was fighting advanced
pleurisy, complicated by serious allergies to almost every medication being used
to treat it. Nevertheless, Kevin was sharp, recognizing me immediately and
asking about many of the guys who had shared the years with us in Esopus and
Poughkeepsie. He looked fine, giving a lie to his critical condition, and he was
witty to the very end.
At his memorial service, held about his 49th birthday on May 17th, the photo
prominently displayed, more than 20 some years after he had left Marist life,
was of Kevin in his cassock and rabat. Many of the folks in attendance, friends
from more recent years, had not realized that Kevin had been a monk. Yet one
old gentleman, who knew Kevin only from attending his music lectures at
Barnes and Noble, remarked to me after the service: "I did sense that there was
something very spiritual about this man ... I'm not surprised to learn he spent
time as a religious. It still showed."
Despite the ups and downs of his life, the moments of shining light and angry
frustration, the cynical mixed with the devotional, the ultra-conservative with the
almost-hippie, Kevin Galbraith remains for those who lived and studied with
him the epitome of warm friendship, outrageous humor, and classical
scholarship - a symbol of some of the most difficult years Marist formation has
experienced in this country. May Kevin finally rest in peace! (145 West 58th
Street (#2K), New York, New York, 10019)
FROM MIKE McCAFFERY ('61): The latest issue of Marists All has finally
prompted me to put some thoughts on paper. Seeing familiar names (John
Gonya, Br. Philip Robert, Bill Doherty, Bernard Connolly) certainly brings back
good memories of Esopus and Poughkeepsie.
I have kept in contact with Brother Leonard Voegtle (I suppose a lot of us have
done the same), but I have really lost touch with most of the others who studied
Spanish with Brother Robert James, played ice hockey on the pond, swept leaves
in the fall, ate meals in silence with Brother Hilary. Does anyone remember the
band "Drenchfulwack?" I played the trumpet.
The past three years have been most difficult for me, as my wife of 32 years
succumbed to leukemia this year after a long and difficult battle. Our three
children and four grandchildren were my backbone; they gave me strength to
continue.
I am getting on with my life and I know that all will be well in the near future. I
have met a wonderful woman, for which I thank God. We plan to get married
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sometime next year.
By the way, has anyone ever heard from Ron Kearney? Finally, would you
please change my address as I have recently moved to a new address: 2224
Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11229.
(A presentation given by David Kammer at the 1998 Marist Family Institute of
Spirituality)
COME TO THE TABLE
Picture yourself at home looking out your front window.
You see friends pulling into your driveway.
You rush to your front door, pleased to see and greet your friends.
"Welcome, come in," you exclaim; hugs and kisses perhaps.
"Come in, welcome, how are you?"
You are truly pleased to have your friends with you.
You are pleased to share your snacks and your spirits with them.
You welcome news of their family
news of their activities.
You welcome their stories.
You want to share in their happiness and their enthusiasm
in their preoccupations and their anxieties.
You share thought.
You welcome uplifting, inspiring insights.
In time an announcement comes: "Dinner is ready; come to the table."
You have prepared a full meal.
You have wine and bread.
You want to share what you have and what you are.
"Bless us, 0 Lord.
Bless us, 0 Lord, and these your gifts.
"Lord, you too are welcome in our home, at our table.
"We want to acknowledge, Lord, not only these gifts
but all you have done for us
all you have done for humanity.
"We want to acknowledge your involvement in our lives, in our stories
....and we want to remember your self-giving throughout your earthly life,
your self-giving at that most famous of meals,
and especially your final self-giving.
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"We want to remember that meal when you asked us to do in memory of you
to do meals in memory of you
to do companionship
to do love
to do self-giving.
"Lord, we wish not only to remember, but also to thank, to celebrate eucharist.
"Yes, Lord, we thank you for this food
and we thank you for the opportunity to be together.
"We celebrate our relationships with one another ... and with you.
"Bless this food, that it may be to our good, to our well-being.
Bless us, that we may be good for one another.
"Lord, we gather as family -
we gather in your name, in your energy and love.
"Lord, you say, 'Take and eat, take and drink.
'My life comes to you through sign, through sacrament, through mystery. '
My life is at the center of your being.
"Lord, may we recognize you
in our lives, in our times, in our places, at our table.
We hear: "Through Him and with Him and in Him
is to you God the Father in union with the Holy Spirit."
And we are moved to join in that great AMEN, that great "So be it!"
"Lord, your whole life was one of radical selflessness, even unto death.
In you selflessness has touched humanity.
In you we are lifted up, saved, saved from selfishness.
"Thank you for leading the way.
It is truly just, right and salutary that we should
at all times and in all places
give thanks to you, 0 holy Lord.
"Through you and with you and in you
is the path to our eternal destiny
with the help of insights and power of your Spirit.
"Lord, that we might associate all of our meals
especially our celebratory'meals
with the Eucharistic meal.
"That every celebration might be a universal thanksgiving
an eternal thanksgiving
a Eucharist .
(if not commissioned by the Church
in the name of the whole of Christianity
at least at the heart of family and friends)
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Welcome, welcome to a table of the Lord.
FROM GENE ZIRKEL ('53): An afternoon of recollection in the Marist
spirituality of Marcellin Champagnat will be held at Archbishop Mollov on
"Palm Saturday" March 27th, 1999, from 2 to 6 p.m. It will include prayer,
reflection on scripture, and discussion of Marist spirituality. It will end with a
potluck supper (to which all are invited to bring something to share). Former
Marists and canonical Marists are invited, as well as families, alumni, and
anyone who is interested in the Christian life as laid out by Blessed Champagnat.
Come and share with us; come and pray with us. Try to arrive by 1:45 so that we
may start on time. To let us know that you are coming or to get further
information, contact: Br. Charles Marcellin at 718-441-2100... Jack & Anne
Duggan at 516=997-6547...Gene & Pat Zirkel at 516-669-0273,
genezirk@mindspring.com
FROM BR. WILLIAM LAVIGNE ('50): With the arrival of Br. Phil Robert in
early November our Marist community in Petersburg, West Virginia, was
complete: Phil, Luke Reddington, and myself assisting Father Mario Claro, who
resides in Franklin, one of the three towns covered by our ministry.
Initially it was an adjustment for us to move from heavily populated cities and
large parishes of the Northeast to our three small towns and parishes in the
Potomac Highlands valley in the eastern part of this "wild wonderful mountain
state." The people have been most welcoming and helpful in our transition. We
are now quite settled. Although Catholics are a distinct minority (5% in the state
and about 2% in our area), there is an open ecumenical spirit. .We have been
invited to join the Ministerial Associations in our three towns.
We see our role here as one of supporting and nurturing the Catholic faith
communities in a variety of ways. We are involved with the liturgies, pastoral
councils, religious education, social outreach, ecumenical relations, visitation to
parish members in the hospital and nursing homes. We are not dealing directly
with the poor as this is not the stereotypic "appalachia" part of the state. Our
people are middle or lower middle class, some living in town while others are in
rural areas or on farms. They have a strong faith and pride in their parish, and
they are anxious to work with us in maintaining a Catholic presence. We
consider it a privilege to be invited to be part of their faith community for
whatever time we will be here in ministry.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with the six other Marist Brothers who live in the
city of Wheeling, about a four hour drive from Petersburg. It was enjoyable
spending a few days with the Brothers and visiting their different ministries.
Marists have a history in this Diocese of Wheeling, as our Brothers conducted
Central Catholic High School in Wheeling for over forty years. Our diocesan
bishop, Bernard Schmitt, is one of our alumni; he is quite delighted that we have
returned.
We are using St. Mary's rectory in Petersburg as office complex for the four of us
on the team. We reside in two small houses immediately next door to the rectory.
That makes it very convenient for us and accessible for anyone who wants to see
us. We have accommodations for visitors and we extend a general invitation to
all to stop by and visit with us in this beautiful part of "Almost Heaven." It's
about a six and a half hour drive from New Jersey on main highways (I-78 West
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and I-81 South) for most of the trip, followed by an adventurous ride over the
first mountain to the west from Virginia. (The above is taken from Bill's
Christmas circular letter to friends and family.) (5 Pierpont St., Petersburg, Wv.
26847; 304-257-1057; wvfms1access.mountain.net)
FROM MIKE KELLY ('50): When Marists All was forwarded from our old
address, I realized that it has been some time since I last wrote. Yes, we have
moved again and now live in North Hollywood in a home that has room for any
readers who might want to experience the exotic and unreal environment we live
in. It is different here, but we are enjoying the world around us. Our daughters
are close to us and that, more than anything else, is what makes our patch of
California a great place to live.
It was a delight to read that Des Kelly will have the support in West Virginia of
two members of the class of '50, Billy Lavigne and Marty Ruane along with
Bobby Reddington from Inwood. Since my wife Janet makes frequent trips to
visit her family in Pittsburgh, perhaps we can plan a reunion and start plans for a
celebration of the year 2000 for the class of 1950.
I find it hard to believe that it has been almost 50 years since I did some hash
slinging in the kitchen of the Hermitage and killed pigs and chickens, while
Wiggy McNamara engaged in a continuous dialog about what Paul Ambrose did
not know. And we puffed away on our forbidden cigarettes before rushing back
to be on time for our physics class. Then we sat idly in the classroom looking out
the window at our beloved physics teacher bouncing up and down on his
bulldozer preparing the ground for the new chapel. By the grace of God we still
managed to learn physics. These are old memories that came rushing back while
reading Billy Lavigne's last letter.
The November issue of Marists All also brought back memories of those long
hot summer days that we spent plastering permastone on the walls of the chapel.
Now Dennis Murray informs us that progress is being made by removing our
finger prints which are still on every brick that will be replaced with natural
fieldstone. The price of progress! I wonder if our resident artist at the time, Mrs.
Fischer, would approve. Does the chapel really need a new roof? We smeared
enough black tar ,on that roof to make it last forever. Maybe we didn't embed the
white marble chips deep enough; the effort to do so has left permanent black
marks under my nails for almost five decades. Nothing can compare with my
memories of riding high on a bucket of cement as Niles operated the dilapidated
crane to swing us high over the construction site. It is a miracle that I am here to
write this letter. I can honestly say, thanks for the memories. Midst all these
memories, though, it is wonderful to hear about the extensive construction being
planned for Marist.
Our family continues to enjoy living in California. Janet does software
consulting when the demands of our daughters give her some free time. Joan
works for Paramount and her husband Bill works at Disney. He recently
completed his MBA at USC. Jean lives with us and enjoys her work among
young people in need of a dedicated social worker. I continue to enjoy teaching
and.rocking the boat at California State University at Los Angeles. I keep
thinking, however, that I should start to slow down and to smell the roses. We
actually did try to slow down at least for two weeks last September when we
visited Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. We loved it but realized that two weeks
was enough time to relax, so we are now back in the accelerated rat race. We feel
lucky.
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Thanks again for the many memories recalled by All. Since I lived with Marist
Brothers and with Marist to the Marist Sisters in Detroit, perhaps I can help Joe
Belanger with the book of of biographies of Marist "saints." I have to admit,
however, tht the stories I recall about great Marist "sinners" would be far more
interesting and should not go untold. (11559 Kling St., North Hollywood, Ca.
91602; jkelly@lix.netcom.com 818-752-0158)
by BR. LEONARD VOEGTLE ('50):
The Marist Brothers in the United States
"GO TO THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU"
Volume I: 1885 - 1911 (adapted excerpts)
This book has been many years in the dreaming and several in the writing and
publishing, I have found it a tremendously interesting and exciting endeavor, one
which brought alive for me men whose names are inscribed indelibly on the first
pages of the annals of the Marist Brothers in Canada and the United States.
In the short span of 25 years the half-dozen men who arrived in Canada in 1885
had grown to nearly 400, reinforced by successive waves of brothers from
Europe and others recruited in North America, Their single school in a small
village near Montreal, followed by another in a small city in Maine the following
year, had become a network of nearly 40 schools stretching from Quebec to
Manitoba, and down through New England to New York City.
The venture also grew administratively. From 1885 to 1893 it remained a foreign
mission under the direct control of its mother province, Notre Dame de
l'Hermitage in France. In 1893 the mission became a district under the control of
the superior general and his council. Brother Cesidius was its visitor until 1903
when the province of North America was established. Finally in 1911, in view of
the numerical and geographical expansion already achieved and with high hopes
that it would continue, the province of North America was divided into two:
Canada and the United States. Named provincial of Canada was Brother
Cesidius; Brother Ptolemeus remained provincial for the United States ...
Chapter 12: "The Way We Were" In this chapter we will briefly consider various
aspects of the daily life of our predecessors, which may help us to understand
better our roots and how Marist religious life has evolved over the years. What
kind of men laid our foundations and built upon them? Most of them were
European or Canadian, and all but a few of the former were French. Most of
them were comparatively young; many of them were still teenagers in fact. What
must have been their thoughts, feelings, and reactions faced as they were with so
much that was difficult and challenging in this New World? Looking back, it is
only natural to regard them and the hundreds of other French Marist Brothers
who left their homeland with no idea as to when or whether. they would return
home, as persons of great courage and faith and attachment to their vocation.
On this side of the Atlantic the European Marists faced very different climate,
diet, mentality, traditions, and language, as well as different political and
educational systems. Some, especially the youngest, adapted well enough; others
found it an insurmountable task which eventually led them to return to their own
country or to leave the congregation.
For their part young Canadian and American recruits to Marist life had to adapt
perforce to the customs, mentality, formation, and background of their European
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confreres. In their favor the latter had not only their youth but also their
enthusiasm. This was rooted in part to their belonging to a still young religious
congregation that was in full flush of a remarkable growth in France and
overseas. This congregation's lifestyle and ministry corresponded to what had
become the most attractive model of religious life in the 19th century: a semi
monastic structure well suited to the recruitment and formation of large numbers
of young men in a network of educational institutions open to children of
peasants and small farmers of hamlets and villages and of those of the mills and
sweatshops of the Industrial Revolution.
The other side of the coin was that they belonged to a Church which saw itself
threatened in Europe by anti-clerical governments and in North America by a
majority and hostile "Protestant" culture. Their response to the threat was to
"circle the wagons" and present a bristling defense. In the thinking of the day,
the Church's survival depended on unity, and unity was born of uniformity in all
things, conformity to established traditions, and obedience to laws and structures
handed down from a former and better age.
The life of the first North American Marists was defined by their constitutions,
rules, and traditions, all of which had grown out of the experience of Marcellin
Champagnat and his first followers in the hamlets and the villages of their
isolated sector of rural 19th century France At the founder's death, that first
generation found themselves the inheritors of his spirit, his vision, and his
charism. They tried to preserve it intact for future generations by living every
least detail of life as it had been lived in fact or in idealized memories.
When Marists of that period found themselves transplanted to radically different
surroundings, their instinctive reaction was normal enough for immigrants. They
attempted to reproduce as far as possible the life they had known and loved
"back home," whether or not it fit the context of their adopted land.
To the older ones among them it was a lifestyle tried and tested and proved
valid; to the younger it was a lifestyle they might not yet have experienced in the
world of classroom and community, but one which their formation at Notre
Dame de l'Hermitage had taught them was something very sacred, to be lived
faithfully in all of its details, no matter the cost.
Common life: Everything was done in community. There was a common
dormitory - only directors and treasurers had private rooms - divided by curtains
into cubicles, each with a small night table and chair beside the bed. Sometimes
there was only one sink, so each brother had his own jug and wash basin.
Morning and evening study were done in community at long tables, not
individual desks. The time was devoted primarily to class preparation and
corrections. Depending on each one's free time, personal energy, and ambition,
attention was also given to personal study toward teaching certificates and
degrees. Manual work was also done as a team. Hired help was unheard of,
except in the large boarding schools.
Daily schedule: Rising year round was at 4:30 a.m.At 4:50 a.m. there was
morning prayer (a combination of devotional prayers and some litanies)
followed by half-hour of meditation (made standing), the "little hours" of the
Office of the Blessed Virgin, an hour's secular study or class preparation made in
community, then Mass and breakfast. At 5:15.p.m. there were vespers, compline,
matins, and lauds of the Little Office, followed by an hour "religious" study
made in community, 15 minutes of spiritual reading in community (one brother
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read aloud from an assigned book). At 7 p.m. the brothers ate supper in silence
with reading; they then had recreation in community until 8:15 p.m., at which
time they recited evening prayer (similar in format to morning prayer), and made
ten minutes' examination of conscience (standing). The office was recited
entirely in L atin; morning and evening prayer were partly in Latin, partly in
French - with English gradually replacing French.
After evening prayer everyone was to retire immediately with "great silence"
holding sway until the beginning of the next school day. Even though Saturday
was a school day the brothers observed the fast prescribed by the rule to honor
the Blessed Virgin - only coffee and dry bread for breakfast. (P.O. Box 197,
Esopus, New York, 12429; fax: 914-384-6277)
FROM GERRY DONNELLAN ('63): Every time I receive Marists All, I resolve
to write a note and send a check. For me it is such a welcome connection to my
life as Marist that I look forward to each issue. Yes, I have changed, gotten older,
and my life has taken fascinating twists and turns. When I think back to "my
other life" it is always with fondness and gratitude. My zest for learning and
desire to make a difference in the world in some small way, I do attribute to the
values and "life models" that I encountered as a Marist. I live in Massachusetts
and chuckle at the incarnations that Tyngsboro has gone through, now a
corporate training center for Boston University: Maybe a little "Marist spirit"
still lingering in the walls and floorboards of that old place will rub off on the
"corporate suits." Thank you-for Marists All! (8 Minola Road #802, Lexington,
14a. 02421-5512; 781-861-1639 )
FROM PHIL CAPPIO ('74): Recently I was cutting the lawn of a large church
when I glanced back at the pattern of long lines left in the newly cut grass. I was
instantly transported back to Cold Spring and my novitiate there in 1974,
envisioning driving down the long hill along the driveway on the big farm
tractor, enjoying the views of the Nicholas House, the lake below, and the
surrounding hills. It was a "chore" that I cherished and always looked forward
to. I would feel exhilarated by the whole experience, and would often break into
song! From that pleasant memory it wasn't hard to shift across the Hudson River
and remember the two and a half years I spent cutting lawns and even plowing
snow in Esopus. The great hill rolling down to the river from the mansion was
fun to cut in the summer and a thrill to toboggan in the winter. .
You might want to sit back and relax because I feel myself getting carried away
with so many wonderful Marist memories. My own Marist connection started
way back in 1962 when I attended St. Mary's High in Manhasset, my home
town. Four fabulous years of cross country, track, intramurals, canned food
drives, mission days, and a wonderful exposure to some outstanding educators,
fine Christian men wearing the black cassock and the little white rabat. My life
was touched by really great teachers and coaches: Kenneth Robert, Damian
Eugene, Joe Alex, Lawrence Ephrem, Martin Thomas, Ray Albert, and Thomas
Joseph, T.J. to us. The Brothers were a big reason why I headed up to
Poughkeepsie to attend Marist College in the fall of 1966.
In the middle of my sophomore year I headed over to Esopus where my life was
touched again in a very positive way by such great monks as Berkie, Sylvan,
Phil Robert, Bill Lavigne, and countless others. What a great summer I spent in
Highland as a VISTA volunteer with Leo Shea and others.
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The next summer we ran a recreation program in Kingston where I roomed with
Bob Corredine; we tried to break Declan in very gently when he arrived to spend
a few weeks as our director. One of my most wonderful Marist memories was
the summer of 1970 when Bill Boyd and I drove the novitiate bus to Kentucky
with the Children's Theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz." There is a certain
provincial whom I need not name who made the trip as the wizard himself.
I could very easily go on about my years at Camp Marist, Christopher Columbus
High School, Roselle Catholic, etc., but I had best leave something for the next
time. Thank you, Gus, for including me on the list for Marists All. Keep up the
great work! Since today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, it is only
proper that I wish Roy George a "Happy Birthday." Thanks for the memories!
(241. Katherine Street, Scotch Plains, N. J. 07076)
FROM JOHN WILCOX ('57): For some time Sue and I have been thinking
about a move from Cross River, New York, across the state line to Connecticut.
High taxes, a house way too big for two people, electric heat, and lots of lawn
and leaves - all were contributing factors. We put our house on the market in
January of 1998, reluctantly, because we loved the house and neighborhood and
because it was chock full of memories. Hundreds came to visit, but it was April
and still no offers on our house. Finally in June we got a concrete offer.
At that point the challenge was to find a house for us, certainly before the end of
the summer because the buyer wanted to move in before the beginning of the
new school year. We looked at two houses that we really loved, but they were on
the old side, and the building inspection revealed too many problems. Finally we
returned to a condo community which we had looked at back in February, and
there we found a house large enough for us, our stuff, and our sometimes
returning children - a colonial, efficient, new, gas heat and fireplace, maintained
community with a clubhouse. We closed on August 24th.
It was a bittersweet moment, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
We have very nice neighbors; social events in the clubhouse help us get
acquainted. When completed the development of Sterling Woods will have
seventy houses and three hundred town houses. It's a pretty place high up on
Beaver Mountain, and not bad for commuting to the University of Bridgeport
and to Manhattan College in Riverdale.
On the 5th of January we will be married twenty-five years. We have so much to
be very thankful for: wonderful family, three great kids, friends. Thank God
along with us for our blessings.(101 Logging Trail Rd., Danbury, Ct. 06811;
203-730-9172)
Another excerpt from BROTHERS ARE PEOPLE ... by Brother John F. Colbert
Typical of the older Brothers, Br. Louis Viateur had a secret longing to die on a
Saturday because that day of the week was traditionally set aside to honor Our
Lady. Sure enough, during his last days Brother Louis often inquired of Br. Luke
Pearson, who was tending at his bedside in Tyngsboro, what day it was. Luke
innocently told him it was Monday. When old Louie repeated the question the
next day, Luke told him it was Tuesday. At that juncture Brother Vincent
Moriarty suggested to Luke: "Why don't you tell him that it is Saturday? You
know how the old Brothers often say they would like to die on a Saturday." So
when the dying Brother asked the same persistent question on Wednesday, Luke
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Newsletter # 47
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter47.html
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replied: "It's Saturday, Brother." Shortly after, Luke had to go out on an errand.
Upon his return, Vinny shocked Luke with "Louie is dead! You killed him!"
EDITOR'S NOTE: After expenses of the present issue we will have a balance of
approximately $750, enough to cover two more issues, one in May and another
in August. Could we possibly get a flood of letters as we move up to our 50th
issue in November of 1999 - the completion of 13 years of publishing Marists
All?
GUS NOLAN and Liz are spending January through March at their newly
acquired winter home in Florida; write to them at 737 Bella Vista, Edgewater
Florida, 32141. Write to DAVID KAMMER at 476 LaPlaya, Edgewater.
Thanks to Brother Richard Rancourt for dealing with the printing and the
mailing of this issue from Marist College.