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ISSUE # 45
August 1998
FROM BR. BENITO ARBUES, S.G. The canonization process of Father
Champagnat is once again on track. On February 21st, Brother Postulator gave
us the information that had been communicated to him verbally.
A few days later on the occasion of the opening of the process of Brother
Eusebio and his 58 fellow martyrs, the same news was communicated to us, also
by word of mouth.
Now we have received in writing the report of the Commission of Theologians
informing us not only of the final outcome of the voting but also of the personal
opinion of each member of the Commission. To our surprise and great joy, we
find that the result is six votes in favor and only one against..
The next two stages will be the Commission of Cardinals and Bishops and the
Consistory of the Pope. The role of the Commission is to ratify the findings of
the Theologians and subsequently to relay them to the Pope who is the one to
endorse the process. The Cardinals and Bishops hold regular meetings, while the
Consistories with the Pope usually take place in the months of June and
December. It is then that the Pope signs the decrees of canonization and fixes a
date for the ceremonies. We cannot but welcome this good news with joy and
gratitude.
We are inspired by our love and fidelity to the charism bequeathed to us by our
Founder. We are also greatly supported by the laity, especially the young who
have an enthusiasm and Christian commitment arising from their attraction to
the spiritual strength of Marcellin. I believe that this too is a real miracle. (This
article was an insert with a mailing of an issue of Province Newsnotes earlier
this spring.) (Piazzale Champagnat, C.P. 10250, 00144 Roma, Italia)
GMC PICNIC
MOUNT ST. MICHAEL
SEPTEMBER 19th
noon to 5- SATURDAY
GMC PICNIC: looking forward to seeing many of you at the annual Greater
Marist Community picnic to be held again this year at Mt. St. Michael in the
Bronx, Nereid and Murdock Avenues, near the Mt. Vernon border. The gathering
will be on Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 5 p.m. Come with spouse and
children or come alone. Bring your own beverage and a pot-luck dish for a
shared meal. All Brothers are most welcome to join in. Thanks to the director
and the community of the Mount for welcoming us. We have been having this
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picnic each year on the second Saturday after labor Day; mark Saturday,
September 19th on your calendar!
FROM FRANCIS GUDYANZA GA (Zimbabwe '72): I wish to thank the editors
of Marists All for keeping me posted from the very first issue in 1987 till now. I
share a Marist identity with the contributors to the newsletter and can relate to
their experiences. I always eagerly await each next issue. I have contributed an
article at least once before, and have promised Gus that I would do so again.
I was touched by a little note in the May 1998 issue. It was about Brother Victor
Ralph ('28) who had died on the 4th of February after serving at virtually all the
Marist Brothers' schools in Zimbabwe for 53 years.
I knew Brother Ralph as his student firstly and then in community. His life is
very inspiring to his confreres and to his students. Two months after his death a
memorial Mass was organized by former Marist students at the Archdiocesan
Cathedral in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. There was a large turnout of past
Marist students who now serve in public life. Because the President of the
country, a Marist student himself, was out of the country on that day, he
requested that another memorial be organized on a day that he will be able to
attend. The Brothers agreed that this can take place on the occasion of the
unveiling of the tombstone at Brother Ralph's grave in Kutama where all the
Brothers of Zimbabwe are laid to rest.
Since the majority of the Marists All readership would not know me, perhaps a
self introduction, again, would be in order. I was in a group of one in my
novitiate year in Aimbabwe. My attraction to Marist life began on the day I first
saw a Marist Brother.The attraction was so strong that the next year I moved to
the Marist Brothers' Myanga High School.Within a year I decided to join the
Brothers. In 1968 the Superior General and an Assistant General were visiting
us. While the SG was talking to the Canadian French-speaking Brothers, his
Assistant took the opportunity to talk to the African Brothers in English. That
was the genesis of a friendship that has lasted to this day between PA and
myself!
My wife and I have four children, the first was born on the 4th of July, 1980 - the
4th being American Independence day and 1980 being Zimbabwe Independence
year. I am currently a lecturer in Extractive Metallurgy at the University of
Zimbabwe. I served terms as Deputy Dean and Dean of Engineering in periods
1991-1994 and 1994-1997 respectively. In the fall of 1992 I spent four weeks in
the USA at the Colorado School of Mines. This year I will be in the US three
weeks visiting universities (including Marist College, of course) promoting
research exchange programs in Engineering with our university.
One of the most exciting developments in education in our country at the
moment is the project of establishing the Catholic University of Zimbabwe,
scheduled to open in January of 1999. Unofficially I will be promoting contacts
for this new university, too., and will take any opportunity to fund raise for it.
The President of our country and the Archbishop of Harare, two of the most
famous of past Marist students, are joint patrons of the university.
I have just finished reading a book on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary as
revealed to a 17th century Spanish nun. Its title is The Mystical City of God (Tan
Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 424, Rockford, II.. 61106) It is a most inspiring
Marian book. Blessed Marcellin Champagnat and St. Louis de Monfort must
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have been influenced by this writing. Through it I am awed by the privilege of
having shared the Marist life. Likewise meaningful to me is the exciting news of
the impending canonization of the Founder. (P.O. Box 176, Mount Pleasant,
Harare, Aimbabwe; e-mail.: gudya@compcentre.uz.ac.zw)
"JUNIOR" JUBILARIANS: 1998
25th:
Br. Robert Andrews
Br. Thomas Lee
Br. Thomas Potenza
Br. Joseph Sacino
30th:
Br. Eugene Birmingham
Br. Donald Bisson
Br. Brice Byczynski
Br. Peter Guadalupe
Br. James Halliday
Br. John Murray
Br. Donnell Neary
35th:
Br. Herbert Baker
Br. Kenneth Curtin
Br. John Dunning
Br. Roy George
Br. Thomas Simmons
Br. Joseph Yoshida
Br. Francis Zaglauer
40th:
Br. Ernest Beland
45th:
Br. Francis Farrell
Br. Daniel Grogan
Br. Thomas Kelly
Br. James Maher
Br. George Matthews
Br. Kevin Moran
Br. Declan Murray
Br. Francis Newbeck
Br. Kevin O'Neill
FROM BR. CHARLES MARCELLIN ('54): Initials like CEO or VIP and titles
like Senator or Executive are very impressive in many circles. What about FMS
and Brother/Friend! Brother Dennis Dunne enjoyed many titles during his more
than forty years as a Marist Brother. I would suggest that Brother and Friend best
encompasses the man who was Dennis Dunne.
Dennis was truly brother to high school students, to members of his Marist
community, and to so many other adults. He was caught up in his Marist
commitment, embracing love of the Triune God, of Mary, and of Champagnat.
Can you recall how Dennis was brother to you?
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Dennis was truly friend, too. Many of us can picture him walking into a room
smiling, eager to engage all in conversation. He was always ready to share
whether in lighter, joyful moments or in more serious, weightier moments. He
was friend in happy times and in times of serious deliberation. Jesus called his
disciples friends. What an intimate and loving word!
I recall two stories I heard about Dennis. The first was part of Father Tom
Harley's homily at the funeral Mass for Dennis. As a young priest Father Tom
needed help adjusting; he related how Dennis became his spiritual director and
as such was a wonderful listener, a skilled counselor, and really a brother and a
friend.
The second story is from Brother Brendan Geary, a Marist Brother from
Scotland, now on sabbatical in this country. Brendan spoke of the impressive
influence Dennis had at St. Beuno's in Wales when he served as spiritual director
in a number of their programs. After listening to Brendan explain why Dennis
was so appreciated and respected, I got the idea that Dennis did for St. Beuno's
what John XXIII did for the Church. He opened windows and let in fresh air and
sunshine. It became more of a ccmmunity, a place of brotherhood and friendship.
Dennis, we bid you adieu; friend and brother, we remember you. (148-04 32nd
Avenue, Flushing, N. Y. 11354; 418-463-6763)
DECEASED:
On April 19th BROTHER JOE CERIN ('26) died at 88 years of age. He had
been at the Mount after serving many years at the English speaking second
novitiate in Friburg, Switzerland.
JERRY DEVER ('55) died May 25th; his wife Mary tells us about him in the
article below.
BR. DENNIS DUNNE ('54) died June 16th at 61 after contending with leukemia
for over two years; a tribute to Dennis appears above.
BR. CLEM GERARD ('35) died June 30th; he was 81. Clem had been at
Bayonne's Marist High for years, but transferred to the monks retirement home
in Miami this year.
And we have word that KEVIN GALBRAITH ('68) and RICHARD E.SPOSITO
(' ) have died.
May all our deceased friends rest in peace.
FROM MARY DEVER: My husband Jerry Dever died on May 25th after
melanoma had invaded his body for two years. Last April we were advised that
Jerry would be unable to attend his son's graduation from Providence College.
My response was "God speaks first." It was truly a miracle that Jerry was
transported by ambulance to Rhode Island, sat in a wheelchair, and watched his
22 year old son Michael graduate with double majors in political science and in
Spanish, cum laude, and inducted into three honor societies. Jerry died a week
later at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre where some of the nurses were his
former students at St. Agnes High School where Jerry had taught for 17 years.
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Jerry and I had the best of times together; he was my soul mate. We were blessed
to serve the Catholic Church for a combined 27 years, he as a Marist Brother and
I as a Presentation Sister. We met at a house party in February of 1971. As soon
as I met Jerry, I remembered the words of a teacher friend from PS-2,
Manhattan, "Mary you will marry either a man with a lot of character or one
with a lot of money."
I went for the character. All of Jerry's Marist friends knew him, I'm sure, as a
person who was so easy to love - guileless with a boy-like quality endearing to
everyone. I married this wonderful man in 1972. We celebrated our 25th
wedding anniversary visiting Ireland. My cousins there loved Jerry. We even
visited Rosie Dever Mc Gintey in Donegal. It was a great celebration of life.
During Easter week of 1997 Jerry and I visited our son Michael in Spain where
he was living with a Spanish family and studying at the University of
Salamanca. Jerry and I were very proud of Michael as he spoke Spanish to
everyone we met in Spain. Michael has a great resume and has a keen desire to
help people. He is a wonderful son. In losing his Dad, Michael has lost his best
friend. It was truly amazingthat he could focus on his studies during his last
semester while his Dad was dying.
Now our journey in life continues. Jerry is enjoying Eternal Peace in Heaven; for
this we are thankful even though our loss is very great.
On June 9th Michael and I accepted Jerry's award as Counselor of the Year at the
New York City Board of Education. Barbara Leventer-Luque supervisor of
Guidance, gave a beautiful tribute to Jerry. She stated that Jerry was the
quintessential guidance counselor, all that counselors aspire to be. For him
counseling was not just a job; it was interwoven into his personality and carried
over into his life.
Michael and I are thankful to the Marist community for visiting Jerry, for
sending notes, and especially for their prayers for Jerry, Michael, and me. Please
continue to pray for us. Fondly, Mary Dever. (541 Beach 134 Street, Belle
Harbor, N. Y. 11694)
FROM BR. JOHN FRANCIS ('44): Sorry that I missed the picnic this past fall. I
ordinarily never miss it, but this year I was at my young niece's 50th wedding
anniversary in Leominster.
Simeon and I have some savings from cashing in bottles and cans; we want a bit
of that to help with the mailing costs of Marists All.
My health is not bad, except for after-effects from radiation for prostate cancer
and except for arthritis in the knees. (4300 Murdock Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 10466)
John Francis
Pete Anthony
....and Blackie
(circa 1962)
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FROM RAY (Paul Wilfred)
BLANCHARD ('47): As you
can see from the return address
we have moved from Mars,
Pennsylvania, to Durand,
Wisconsin. We made the
decision to move rather quickly,
and we were able to sell our
house in Mars before it even got
on the market. We traveled here
several times but couldn't find
anything that we liked. Finally
we got a little lot and decided to build our own home. It turned out just right,
three bedrooms on one floor (getting ready for old age), attached garage, and a
small lot. For the past several months we've been busy running around trying to
find and buy "just the right thing" in the line of furnishings. I am now building
bookcases, shelves, lazie susans, etc. In another month or so I hope to get back
to doing my carving.
We didn't do much traveling this summer. We lived in our motor home while the
house was being built, and we did go to some beautiful state parks around here,
the one long trip we took was to visit my brother in Calgary, quite a beautiful
city. At the end of this summer we plan to travel for six weeks in Europe to
celebrate our 25th. Hope and pray for good weather. Last time I was in Friburg I
couldn't remember how to get from downtown to the old second novitiate
property. Doesn't pay to get-old! Keep up the good work. (1201 Jerry Avenue,
Durand, Wisconsin, 54736; 715-672-3109
FROM DON (Christopher Matthew) EDWARDS ('57): This past May 3rd I
entered into my sixth decade plus one, and I began to celebrate my first year of
retirement as well as a year sans college bills and avec good health. Actually my
last year of teaching was spent on a medical leave. Taking up to twelve pills a
day, I was becoming paranoid that I would be on the FBI most wanted list for
possession of drugs. However, that is all. behind me now. Just the insanity
remains!
I had the happy circumstance of meeting with Brother Declan back in the fall at
a celebration at Monsignor Scanlon H. S., former St. Helena's. It was great to
talk with you again Br. Declan; your humor, warmth, and Christian spirit just
grows and grows. I also met up with Brother Kevin O'Neill; hadn't seen him but
once or so since Tyngsboro days; guess neither of us suffered from his term as
chef chez Novitiate. Nice to see you, too, Brother James; I'm afraid to try to spell
your last name.
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While I'm thinking of the wonderful Brothers who passed through my life,
regards to Brother Richard Shea, also at St. Helena's when I taught there. Hi to
Br. Joseph Maura; I still have your note from Miami. Regards to Br. John
Xavier; I'll remember your nee name as soon as I seal this letter. Hi, Brother
Leonard! Notice by the company I kept that I traveled in the best of circles!
Still am shocked by the death of Br. Ronald Pochintesta. We were in the same
stalag together. His humor got me through the novitiate; of course. God with his
special sense of humor gets some credit for survival too.Ron, do you remember
how we "exed" out the days to go on the calendar. By the way, I truly believe
that those who get home safely before us are arranging for our tickets. They
better be, as I pray for them all. A little bribery never hurts, you know.
The truth of the matter is that I am ever in awe of the greatness of soul, the
profound generosity, and the depth of faith of my Marist Brother friends who
continue to run the race and daily walk in the path of Blessed Champagnat.
God's grace has many paths, but like Martha who chose the better part, you walk
a special journey with Christ. I pray that the Lord's path of grace rise to greet
you each day; may his Spirit blow gently upon your shoulders with his strength
and his light guide your eyes as you seek to bring Jesus to all you meet. This is
my humble prayer for the Marist Brothers and indeed for Marists All.
Our son Chris continues to be our most important raison d'etre for enjoying life.
In fact, it was Chris who taught Elaine and me how to enjoy life. He graduated in
June of '97 from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture. In
September of '97 he was married in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.And I was
best man; what a neat tribute.Chris and Donna had been engaged for a year and a
half. They met while he was on co-op in Chicago at the firm where Donna was
working, We thank God that Chris learned none of my faults and has permission
to develop and nourish only his own flaws. Chris says that I pronounce "flaws"
in New York style like "floors." I guess you can take me out of the Bronx but
you can't take the Bronx out of me!
Elaine still works full time at the library in town. I now work there too, part
time, shelving books, losing books, and in general aggravating the patrons no
end. It's fun to be the aggravator for a change, Teaching was such fun those last
4300 million seconds! I do laugh at it all now.
Best regards and prayerful best wishes to all in MARISTS ALL land, I know
there are others I wish to give regards to but ... oh, . Thomas Coyne, almost
forgot; hello y recuerdos. Adios to all and to todos a good noches! Peace, love
and friendship. (845 Bayberry Road, Cheshire, Connecticut, 06410-3615)
Participants: MARIST FAMILY INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY July 1998
Paul Ambrose
Mary & Pat Gallagher
Betty & Adrian Perreault
Ernest Belanger
Ginny & Bob Grady
Jane & Vincent Poisella
Br. Joseph Belanger
Judy & David Kammer
John Scileppi
Maurice Bibeau
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Jan & Larry Keogh
Anne & Barney Sheridan
Br. Nick Caffrey
Rev. Owen Lafferty
Helen Tobin
Frank Casey
Ray Landry
Br. Hugh Turley
Catherine Cherry
Manny Lopez
Br. Pat Tyrell
Luke Driscoll
Br. Charles Marcellin
Pat & Gene Zirkel
Anne & Jack Duggan
Gus Nolan
BY DAVID KAMMER ('42): The Marist Family Institute of Spirituality was
held at Marist College July 9-12th. Vince Poisella ('58), as chairman of the
organizing committee, deftly kept the program rolling with his accommodating
sense of humor. For the fourth year in a row Jan and Larry Keogh ('54) were the
powerhouses behind the scenes. Br. Hugh Turley ('54), another of the founders,
handled several important roles kindly and efficiently.
The theme of the Institute was "gifts" - gifts to be recognized, gifts to be
accepted, gifts to be appreciated, gifts to be affirmed, gifts to be shared. The
same Spirit produces all gifts and they are for the community (Corinthians XII).
The group was gifted by inspiring liturgies presided by Rev. Owen Lafferty ('57)
and organized by Ray Landry ('56). One panel handled spirituality through the
Marist tradition; another panel dealt with spirituality from women's perspective;
and yet another explained the evolution and potential of the Greater Marist
Community.
Larry Keogh and Catherine Cherry gave a presentation on change and growth in
the autumn years of life. Br. Luke Driscoll ('33) spoke of discovering gifts over
his lifetime as he was asked to take on a variety of responsibilities.Gene Zirkel
('53) gave a conference on dealing positively with the gifts of one's personality.
Prevailing was the ideal of kind and tolerant sharing of insights. That is not to
say that the human condition that necessitates working through difficulties did
not exist. Spirituality for today and Marist influence for tomorrow were a large
part of the sharing, but of course, in the company of many Marist friends on a
Marist campus it was so easy to slip into moments of nostalgia, some of it
hilarious.
Barney Sheridan ('55) led a concluding prayer service with the theme taken from
Ezekiel: "I have called you by name, and you are mine." All seemed to agree that
it was good for us to be there.
FROM JUDY KAMMER: I take advantage of the newsletter to express my
sincere appreciation to those who helped make the MFIS such a wonderful
experience. Though many people are somewhat reticent or embarrassed to speak
of their inner life, the women in attendance were willing to be forthright as we
discussed spirituality from women's perspective. And there was strong yet gentle
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and encouraging support from the men.I am grateful to all. The Spirit was with
us. I look forward to next year's sessions when again promises of moments of
reflection, of renewal of spirit, and of supported recommitment will certaihly be
fulfilled.
FROM GENE ZIRKEL ('53): Wow! My wife Pat and I attended our first Marist
Family weekend at Marist College this summer. It was fantastic, much more than
I had anticipated. Sharing with monks, former monks, spouses, widows, and an
interested woman from Canada, the sons of Champagnat, along with his
daughters-in-law and his adopted daughter, joyfully examined the Marist spirit
we share.
I became very aware of the part that my 141/2 years with the monks have played
in forming me as the person I am today. I have attended many of the great
picnics at Mt. St. Michael's, and so I guess I expected more of the same
wonderful camaraderie that I experience there. Well, I certainly did share in that,
but I received so much more that I could never put into these few words.
One highlight for me was a panel on the Marist Spirit. Several speakers
approached this topic from very different views. As Br. Pat Tyrell spoke, I
resonated 101% with everything that he said. His observations alone were worth
my attending.
My wife Pat, a former nun, expected even less of our time in Poughkeepsie. She
even brought along several books to while away her time. However, she enjoyed
the gathering so much that she never got to open one of her books. Later, she
related to me that she now understands why my Marist affiliation means so
much to me.
My warmest thanks to all those who put together such a terrific Marist Family
get-together. If you have never been to one of these affairs, do yourself a favor
and sign up for next summer. See you at the Mount picnic soon! P.S.
Congratulations, prayers, and ad multos annos to the members of my group who
are celebrating 45 years of Marist service this year. (Six Brancatelli, West Islip,
N. Y. 11795-2502; 516-669-0273)
FROM RAY LANDRY ('56): I first attended the Marist Family Institute of
Spirituality in the summer of 1996 for the sole purpose of reconnecting with
friends of yore. In fact, had J.P. Luke's name not appeared on the list of
presenters, I probably would have stayed home. I ended up returning the
following year, and then agreed to be on the planning committee for this year's
event.
The four day session this year was a community event in every way from
presentations to small group discussions to prayerful interactive liturgies,
including shared homilies facilitated by Father Owen Lafferty.
We members of the planning committee will read evaluations and make
adjustments in preparation for next July's Institute. I would like to use a theme
from Ecclesiastes: to everything there is a season. I look forward to seeing more
of our friends of yore at next year's Marist Family Institute of Spirituality.
Perhaps you can help me cope with my illusions of grandeur!
One day after returning home, I am reflecting and relaxing near the swimming
pool of the Landry Estate in beautiful, quaint, bucolic North Reading,
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Massachusetts. At some time in the future I will write more for Marists All about
my "mysterious" 29 years with my wife Dorothy, our two married children,
Keith and Karen (a Marist grad), and our 28 year old Down Syndrome daughter,
Kristen. (6 Appletree Lane, North Reading, Mass., 01864)
FROM HELEN TOBIN: It was a great weekend as always. God willing, we will
be together again next year.
FROM PAT GALLAGHER ('53): Not having attended the previous Marist
Family Institutes, I wasn't exactly sure of what the gathering would be like, and
in fact it turned out that I was somewhat puzzled early on. However, the
presentations and the sessions came together and gave me a great deal of thought
about making the best of the time that remains. It was quite an experience to
stand with two of my grammar school teachers (Dave and Adrian), one high
school teacher (J. P. Luke), and one college teacher (Joe Bell). It's hard to
express how much it revived and enhanced my attachment to all things Marist to
sing once again the Salve and the "Ever Forever" in concert with those who
shared the novitiate, the college, and the teaching years with me, A most
pleasant and surprising experience was how impressed my wife Mary was with
the traditions, the solidarity of the monks, their close ties, and their ability to be
"strong-hearted, good-hearted, soft-hearted, and clear-hearted."'
The Marist Family Institute brought out Champagnat's particular perspective on
spirituality and brought out the beauty of the spirit in each of us. As this was
discussed with such obvious sincerity and solid belief, I found myself regretting
that years ago there wasn't a better understanding given to me. It is true that two
and a half generations ago there was a different slant on presenting "saints" and
spirituality. It was cloaked in the Life and Maxims in a manner that never made
that deep an imprint on me despite twenty years in the congregation. The
teaching was made so very "saintly" that I couldn't relate. It wasn't practical and
translatable into concepts and principles that then could truly guide my life, even
as I went out under the Marist banner and Marist name to do Champagnat's
work. In retrospect, my reactions to those seminal works had a lot to do with
where I was and with the baggage I brought to the life from the Juniorate
onwards.
Now I find Champagnat and his spirit speaking to me more clearly than ever
before. I see him as a man of action who did things buttressed by a practical
spirituality and an enduring faith. Now I even believe that just as the needs of his
times moved him to put his energies into the work of the Brothers as an extended
branch of the Marist Fathers, so the needs of a different time, our time, would
have moved him to look favorably on combined activities of all those in the
Marist family, canonical and non-canonical.
If I had left everything Marist behind in 1981 when I signed my separation
papers in a rain-deluged parking lot at Notre Dame just before a big game, my
life would have been much poorer and would have lacked some of the richness I
know it has today in wonderful memories and in the solid foundation of
Christian and Marist principles and tradition. Even that day in 1981 John
Malachy and I reminisced as we always did when we got together. Wiith the
time for kickoff approaching, John reached into his pocket and took out the
papers from Rome that so many of us have seen. There in the canonical Latin
formula I formally, in the eyes of the Church, ended my Marist life. However, I
didn't slough off everything Marist. For this pilgrim and searcher, Marist life had
only begun in different ways. For that I am extremely happy. I would encourage
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anyone to join us next year at the Marist Family Institute; that something Marist
in all of us will be either reignited or will burn ever so much more brightly.
This year I will be gradually withdrawing from training and travel, and Mary and
I will take some vacations together. As I suggested to Hugh Turley, I would be
behind anything that would allow me to work more closely in one way or
another with the Marist cause. Finally, we would love to share the Wild Geese
Inn, our home and b'n'b, with anyone traveling 1-81 near exit 114.
pgallagher@swva,net (P.O. Box 60, Indian Valley, Va. 24105; 540-789-4056;
fax: 540-789-4057)
FROM F.X. "Barney" SHERIDAN ('55): fxsheridan@nsn.com August 1:30 a.m.
(newsletter deadlined) I haven't finished "coming down" yet. The Marist Family
Institute of Spirituality was one of those events that you fear writing about lest
doing so will stop the fermenting that's going on. I'm still meditating on the
handouts that followed Larry Keogh's multi-media presentation. I'm still living
the Fr. Owen lafferty/ Ray Landry liturgies. I'm still edified by Br. Barnabas
Luke Driscoll and the other Brothers' presentations on Marist spirituality, by the
openness of the GMC people in Poughkeepsie, by the sharing of those who led
us in prayer and by Gene Zi.rkel's profound belief in man's ability to grow,
Thanks go to Vinnie Poisella for co-ordinating. The spirit of Marcellin flowed
freely during this weekend. (626 East 20th Street (9A), New York, N. Y. 10009-
1515; 212-529-2257)
FROM ANNE T. SHERIDAN: Our four-day weekend at the Marist Family
Institute of Spirituality was filled with....
M - Memories
A - Affection/Amity
R - Renewal/Reflection
I - Inspiration/Ideas
S - Spirituality/Sociability
T - Truthfulness
ABOUT BR. LAWRENCE JOSEPH POIRIER ('23):
from the Lawrence/Haverhill Eagle Tribune
Brother Lawrence was not quite 14 when he left Haverhill for New York to join
the Marist Brothers. Now 90 years of age, he has collected a heap of memories.
Recently he celebrated his 75th anniversary. Brother Lawrence was only l7 when
he began his teaching career at St. Joseph School in Lowell. He taught French to
fourth graders. From 1943 until 1951 he taught at Central Catholic in Lawrence.
While at Central he started the school's guidance program. From 1966 until 1978
he was superintendent of schools in the New York Archdiocese. Another
highlight for Brother Lawrence was traveling to Rome to give a presentation on
the medical history of the aunt of a fellow Brother; the aunt was cured of cancer
after praying to the founder of the Marist order. His presentation was accepted as
a miracle. In his retirement years Brother Lawrence enjoys reading religious
books, as well as swimming, walking, and gardening,
EDITOR'S NOTE: Marists All was first published in early 1987. Most issues
have been ten pages in length, some eight pages. Presuming that we have enough
funds to do so, we would be willing to publish at six pages. We keep reminding
all that we need help with material of interest to our Marist related friends. Off
and on we give notice of our finances. After this issue is mailed, we will have a
balance of approximately $400; we will use up about $300 of that for our
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anticipated November issue. We appreciate very much your interest and help
over these past twelve years. Send your correspondence ...
to Gus Nolan, 50 South Randolph Ave., Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601;
gusnolan@aol.com
or David Kammer (August) R.R. 1 - Box 3300, Smithfield, Me, 04978; 207-362-
5495) (post Sept. 15th) 476 LaPlaya, Bdgewater, Fl, 32141; 904-426-6349)
G M C P I C N I C
at the Mount,
Saturday,
SEPTEMBER 19th,
noon to 5 P.M
.
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ISSUE # 45
August 1998
FROM BR. BENITO ARBUES, S.G. The canonization process of Father
Champagnat is once again on track. On February 21st, Brother Postulator gave
us the information that had been communicated to him verbally.
A few days later on the occasion of the opening of the process of Brother
Eusebio and his 58 fellow martyrs, the same news was communicated to us, also
by word of mouth.
Now we have received in writing the report of the Commission of Theologians
informing us not only of the final outcome of the voting but also of the personal
opinion of each member of the Commission. To our surprise and great joy, we
find that the result is six votes in favor and only one against..
The next two stages will be the Commission of Cardinals and Bishops and the
Consistory of the Pope. The role of the Commission is to ratify the findings of
the Theologians and subsequently to relay them to the Pope who is the one to
endorse the process. The Cardinals and Bishops hold regular meetings, while the
Consistories with the Pope usually take place in the months of June and
December. It is then that the Pope signs the decrees of canonization and fixes a
date for the ceremonies. We cannot but welcome this good news with joy and
gratitude.
We are inspired by our love and fidelity to the charism bequeathed to us by our
Founder. We are also greatly supported by the laity, especially the young who
have an enthusiasm and Christian commitment arising from their attraction to
the spiritual strength of Marcellin. I believe that this too is a real miracle. (This
article was an insert with a mailing of an issue of Province Newsnotes earlier
this spring.) (Piazzale Champagnat, C.P. 10250, 00144 Roma, Italia)
GMC PICNIC
MOUNT ST. MICHAEL
SEPTEMBER 19th
noon to 5- SATURDAY
GMC PICNIC: looking forward to seeing many of you at the annual Greater
Marist Community picnic to be held again this year at Mt. St. Michael in the
Bronx, Nereid and Murdock Avenues, near the Mt. Vernon border. The gathering
will be on Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 5 p.m. Come with spouse and
children or come alone. Bring your own beverage and a pot-luck dish for a
shared meal. All Brothers are most welcome to join in. Thanks to the director
and the community of the Mount for welcoming us. We have been having this
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picnic each year on the second Saturday after labor Day; mark Saturday,
September 19th on your calendar!
FROM FRANCIS GUDYANZA GA (Zimbabwe '72): I wish to thank the editors
of Marists All for keeping me posted from the very first issue in 1987 till now. I
share a Marist identity with the contributors to the newsletter and can relate to
their experiences. I always eagerly await each next issue. I have contributed an
article at least once before, and have promised Gus that I would do so again.
I was touched by a little note in the May 1998 issue. It was about Brother Victor
Ralph ('28) who had died on the 4th of February after serving at virtually all the
Marist Brothers' schools in Zimbabwe for 53 years.
I knew Brother Ralph as his student firstly and then in community. His life is
very inspiring to his confreres and to his students. Two months after his death a
memorial Mass was organized by former Marist students at the Archdiocesan
Cathedral in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. There was a large turnout of past
Marist students who now serve in public life. Because the President of the
country, a Marist student himself, was out of the country on that day, he
requested that another memorial be organized on a day that he will be able to
attend. The Brothers agreed that this can take place on the occasion of the
unveiling of the tombstone at Brother Ralph's grave in Kutama where all the
Brothers of Zimbabwe are laid to rest.
Since the majority of the Marists All readership would not know me, perhaps a
self introduction, again, would be in order. I was in a group of one in my
novitiate year in Aimbabwe. My attraction to Marist life began on the day I first
saw a Marist Brother.The attraction was so strong that the next year I moved to
the Marist Brothers' Myanga High School.Within a year I decided to join the
Brothers. In 1968 the Superior General and an Assistant General were visiting
us. While the SG was talking to the Canadian French-speaking Brothers, his
Assistant took the opportunity to talk to the African Brothers in English. That
was the genesis of a friendship that has lasted to this day between PA and
myself!
My wife and I have four children, the first was born on the 4th of July, 1980 - the
4th being American Independence day and 1980 being Zimbabwe Independence
year. I am currently a lecturer in Extractive Metallurgy at the University of
Zimbabwe. I served terms as Deputy Dean and Dean of Engineering in periods
1991-1994 and 1994-1997 respectively. In the fall of 1992 I spent four weeks in
the USA at the Colorado School of Mines. This year I will be in the US three
weeks visiting universities (including Marist College, of course) promoting
research exchange programs in Engineering with our university.
One of the most exciting developments in education in our country at the
moment is the project of establishing the Catholic University of Zimbabwe,
scheduled to open in January of 1999. Unofficially I will be promoting contacts
for this new university, too., and will take any opportunity to fund raise for it.
The President of our country and the Archbishop of Harare, two of the most
famous of past Marist students, are joint patrons of the university.
I have just finished reading a book on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary as
revealed to a 17th century Spanish nun. Its title is The Mystical City of God (Tan
Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 424, Rockford, II.. 61106) It is a most inspiring
Marian book. Blessed Marcellin Champagnat and St. Louis de Monfort must
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have been influenced by this writing. Through it I am awed by the privilege of
having shared the Marist life. Likewise meaningful to me is the exciting news of
the impending canonization of the Founder. (P.O. Box 176, Mount Pleasant,
Harare, Aimbabwe; e-mail.: gudya@compcentre.uz.ac.zw)
"JUNIOR" JUBILARIANS: 1998
25th:
Br. Robert Andrews
Br. Thomas Lee
Br. Thomas Potenza
Br. Joseph Sacino
30th:
Br. Eugene Birmingham
Br. Donald Bisson
Br. Brice Byczynski
Br. Peter Guadalupe
Br. James Halliday
Br. John Murray
Br. Donnell Neary
35th:
Br. Herbert Baker
Br. Kenneth Curtin
Br. John Dunning
Br. Roy George
Br. Thomas Simmons
Br. Joseph Yoshida
Br. Francis Zaglauer
40th:
Br. Ernest Beland
45th:
Br. Francis Farrell
Br. Daniel Grogan
Br. Thomas Kelly
Br. James Maher
Br. George Matthews
Br. Kevin Moran
Br. Declan Murray
Br. Francis Newbeck
Br. Kevin O'Neill
FROM BR. CHARLES MARCELLIN ('54): Initials like CEO or VIP and titles
like Senator or Executive are very impressive in many circles. What about FMS
and Brother/Friend! Brother Dennis Dunne enjoyed many titles during his more
than forty years as a Marist Brother. I would suggest that Brother and Friend best
encompasses the man who was Dennis Dunne.
Dennis was truly brother to high school students, to members of his Marist
community, and to so many other adults. He was caught up in his Marist
commitment, embracing love of the Triune God, of Mary, and of Champagnat.
Can you recall how Dennis was brother to you?
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Dennis was truly friend, too. Many of us can picture him walking into a room
smiling, eager to engage all in conversation. He was always ready to share
whether in lighter, joyful moments or in more serious, weightier moments. He
was friend in happy times and in times of serious deliberation. Jesus called his
disciples friends. What an intimate and loving word!
I recall two stories I heard about Dennis. The first was part of Father Tom
Harley's homily at the funeral Mass for Dennis. As a young priest Father Tom
needed help adjusting; he related how Dennis became his spiritual director and
as such was a wonderful listener, a skilled counselor, and really a brother and a
friend.
The second story is from Brother Brendan Geary, a Marist Brother from
Scotland, now on sabbatical in this country. Brendan spoke of the impressive
influence Dennis had at St. Beuno's in Wales when he served as spiritual director
in a number of their programs. After listening to Brendan explain why Dennis
was so appreciated and respected, I got the idea that Dennis did for St. Beuno's
what John XXIII did for the Church. He opened windows and let in fresh air and
sunshine. It became more of a ccmmunity, a place of brotherhood and friendship.
Dennis, we bid you adieu; friend and brother, we remember you. (148-04 32nd
Avenue, Flushing, N. Y. 11354; 418-463-6763)
DECEASED:
On April 19th BROTHER JOE CERIN ('26) died at 88 years of age. He had
been at the Mount after serving many years at the English speaking second
novitiate in Friburg, Switzerland.
JERRY DEVER ('55) died May 25th; his wife Mary tells us about him in the
article below.
BR. DENNIS DUNNE ('54) died June 16th at 61 after contending with leukemia
for over two years; a tribute to Dennis appears above.
BR. CLEM GERARD ('35) died June 30th; he was 81. Clem had been at
Bayonne's Marist High for years, but transferred to the monks retirement home
in Miami this year.
And we have word that KEVIN GALBRAITH ('68) and RICHARD E.SPOSITO
(' ) have died.
May all our deceased friends rest in peace.
FROM MARY DEVER: My husband Jerry Dever died on May 25th after
melanoma had invaded his body for two years. Last April we were advised that
Jerry would be unable to attend his son's graduation from Providence College.
My response was "God speaks first." It was truly a miracle that Jerry was
transported by ambulance to Rhode Island, sat in a wheelchair, and watched his
22 year old son Michael graduate with double majors in political science and in
Spanish, cum laude, and inducted into three honor societies. Jerry died a week
later at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre where some of the nurses were his
former students at St. Agnes High School where Jerry had taught for 17 years.
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Jerry and I had the best of times together; he was my soul mate. We were blessed
to serve the Catholic Church for a combined 27 years, he as a Marist Brother and
I as a Presentation Sister. We met at a house party in February of 1971. As soon
as I met Jerry, I remembered the words of a teacher friend from PS-2,
Manhattan, "Mary you will marry either a man with a lot of character or one
with a lot of money."
I went for the character. All of Jerry's Marist friends knew him, I'm sure, as a
person who was so easy to love - guileless with a boy-like quality endearing to
everyone. I married this wonderful man in 1972. We celebrated our 25th
wedding anniversary visiting Ireland. My cousins there loved Jerry. We even
visited Rosie Dever Mc Gintey in Donegal. It was a great celebration of life.
During Easter week of 1997 Jerry and I visited our son Michael in Spain where
he was living with a Spanish family and studying at the University of
Salamanca. Jerry and I were very proud of Michael as he spoke Spanish to
everyone we met in Spain. Michael has a great resume and has a keen desire to
help people. He is a wonderful son. In losing his Dad, Michael has lost his best
friend. It was truly amazingthat he could focus on his studies during his last
semester while his Dad was dying.
Now our journey in life continues. Jerry is enjoying Eternal Peace in Heaven; for
this we are thankful even though our loss is very great.
On June 9th Michael and I accepted Jerry's award as Counselor of the Year at the
New York City Board of Education. Barbara Leventer-Luque supervisor of
Guidance, gave a beautiful tribute to Jerry. She stated that Jerry was the
quintessential guidance counselor, all that counselors aspire to be. For him
counseling was not just a job; it was interwoven into his personality and carried
over into his life.
Michael and I are thankful to the Marist community for visiting Jerry, for
sending notes, and especially for their prayers for Jerry, Michael, and me. Please
continue to pray for us. Fondly, Mary Dever. (541 Beach 134 Street, Belle
Harbor, N. Y. 11694)
FROM BR. JOHN FRANCIS ('44): Sorry that I missed the picnic this past fall. I
ordinarily never miss it, but this year I was at my young niece's 50th wedding
anniversary in Leominster.
Simeon and I have some savings from cashing in bottles and cans; we want a bit
of that to help with the mailing costs of Marists All.
My health is not bad, except for after-effects from radiation for prostate cancer
and except for arthritis in the knees. (4300 Murdock Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 10466)
John Francis
Pete Anthony
....and Blackie
(circa 1962)
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FROM RAY (Paul Wilfred)
BLANCHARD ('47): As you
can see from the return address
we have moved from Mars,
Pennsylvania, to Durand,
Wisconsin. We made the
decision to move rather quickly,
and we were able to sell our
house in Mars before it even got
on the market. We traveled here
several times but couldn't find
anything that we liked. Finally
we got a little lot and decided to build our own home. It turned out just right,
three bedrooms on one floor (getting ready for old age), attached garage, and a
small lot. For the past several months we've been busy running around trying to
find and buy "just the right thing" in the line of furnishings. I am now building
bookcases, shelves, lazie susans, etc. In another month or so I hope to get back
to doing my carving.
We didn't do much traveling this summer. We lived in our motor home while the
house was being built, and we did go to some beautiful state parks around here,
the one long trip we took was to visit my brother in Calgary, quite a beautiful
city. At the end of this summer we plan to travel for six weeks in Europe to
celebrate our 25th. Hope and pray for good weather. Last time I was in Friburg I
couldn't remember how to get from downtown to the old second novitiate
property. Doesn't pay to get-old! Keep up the good work. (1201 Jerry Avenue,
Durand, Wisconsin, 54736; 715-672-3109
FROM DON (Christopher Matthew) EDWARDS ('57): This past May 3rd I
entered into my sixth decade plus one, and I began to celebrate my first year of
retirement as well as a year sans college bills and avec good health. Actually my
last year of teaching was spent on a medical leave. Taking up to twelve pills a
day, I was becoming paranoid that I would be on the FBI most wanted list for
possession of drugs. However, that is all. behind me now. Just the insanity
remains!
I had the happy circumstance of meeting with Brother Declan back in the fall at
a celebration at Monsignor Scanlon H. S., former St. Helena's. It was great to
talk with you again Br. Declan; your humor, warmth, and Christian spirit just
grows and grows. I also met up with Brother Kevin O'Neill; hadn't seen him but
once or so since Tyngsboro days; guess neither of us suffered from his term as
chef chez Novitiate. Nice to see you, too, Brother James; I'm afraid to try to spell
your last name.
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While I'm thinking of the wonderful Brothers who passed through my life,
regards to Brother Richard Shea, also at St. Helena's when I taught there. Hi to
Br. Joseph Maura; I still have your note from Miami. Regards to Br. John
Xavier; I'll remember your nee name as soon as I seal this letter. Hi, Brother
Leonard! Notice by the company I kept that I traveled in the best of circles!
Still am shocked by the death of Br. Ronald Pochintesta. We were in the same
stalag together. His humor got me through the novitiate; of course. God with his
special sense of humor gets some credit for survival too.Ron, do you remember
how we "exed" out the days to go on the calendar. By the way, I truly believe
that those who get home safely before us are arranging for our tickets. They
better be, as I pray for them all. A little bribery never hurts, you know.
The truth of the matter is that I am ever in awe of the greatness of soul, the
profound generosity, and the depth of faith of my Marist Brother friends who
continue to run the race and daily walk in the path of Blessed Champagnat.
God's grace has many paths, but like Martha who chose the better part, you walk
a special journey with Christ. I pray that the Lord's path of grace rise to greet
you each day; may his Spirit blow gently upon your shoulders with his strength
and his light guide your eyes as you seek to bring Jesus to all you meet. This is
my humble prayer for the Marist Brothers and indeed for Marists All.
Our son Chris continues to be our most important raison d'etre for enjoying life.
In fact, it was Chris who taught Elaine and me how to enjoy life. He graduated in
June of '97 from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture. In
September of '97 he was married in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.And I was
best man; what a neat tribute.Chris and Donna had been engaged for a year and a
half. They met while he was on co-op in Chicago at the firm where Donna was
working, We thank God that Chris learned none of my faults and has permission
to develop and nourish only his own flaws. Chris says that I pronounce "flaws"
in New York style like "floors." I guess you can take me out of the Bronx but
you can't take the Bronx out of me!
Elaine still works full time at the library in town. I now work there too, part
time, shelving books, losing books, and in general aggravating the patrons no
end. It's fun to be the aggravator for a change, Teaching was such fun those last
4300 million seconds! I do laugh at it all now.
Best regards and prayerful best wishes to all in MARISTS ALL land, I know
there are others I wish to give regards to but ... oh, . Thomas Coyne, almost
forgot; hello y recuerdos. Adios to all and to todos a good noches! Peace, love
and friendship. (845 Bayberry Road, Cheshire, Connecticut, 06410-3615)
Participants: MARIST FAMILY INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY July 1998
Paul Ambrose
Mary & Pat Gallagher
Betty & Adrian Perreault
Ernest Belanger
Ginny & Bob Grady
Jane & Vincent Poisella
Br. Joseph Belanger
Judy & David Kammer
John Scileppi
Maurice Bibeau
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Jan & Larry Keogh
Anne & Barney Sheridan
Br. Nick Caffrey
Rev. Owen Lafferty
Helen Tobin
Frank Casey
Ray Landry
Br. Hugh Turley
Catherine Cherry
Manny Lopez
Br. Pat Tyrell
Luke Driscoll
Br. Charles Marcellin
Pat & Gene Zirkel
Anne & Jack Duggan
Gus Nolan
BY DAVID KAMMER ('42): The Marist Family Institute of Spirituality was
held at Marist College July 9-12th. Vince Poisella ('58), as chairman of the
organizing committee, deftly kept the program rolling with his accommodating
sense of humor. For the fourth year in a row Jan and Larry Keogh ('54) were the
powerhouses behind the scenes. Br. Hugh Turley ('54), another of the founders,
handled several important roles kindly and efficiently.
The theme of the Institute was "gifts" - gifts to be recognized, gifts to be
accepted, gifts to be appreciated, gifts to be affirmed, gifts to be shared. The
same Spirit produces all gifts and they are for the community (Corinthians XII).
The group was gifted by inspiring liturgies presided by Rev. Owen Lafferty ('57)
and organized by Ray Landry ('56). One panel handled spirituality through the
Marist tradition; another panel dealt with spirituality from women's perspective;
and yet another explained the evolution and potential of the Greater Marist
Community.
Larry Keogh and Catherine Cherry gave a presentation on change and growth in
the autumn years of life. Br. Luke Driscoll ('33) spoke of discovering gifts over
his lifetime as he was asked to take on a variety of responsibilities.Gene Zirkel
('53) gave a conference on dealing positively with the gifts of one's personality.
Prevailing was the ideal of kind and tolerant sharing of insights. That is not to
say that the human condition that necessitates working through difficulties did
not exist. Spirituality for today and Marist influence for tomorrow were a large
part of the sharing, but of course, in the company of many Marist friends on a
Marist campus it was so easy to slip into moments of nostalgia, some of it
hilarious.
Barney Sheridan ('55) led a concluding prayer service with the theme taken from
Ezekiel: "I have called you by name, and you are mine." All seemed to agree that
it was good for us to be there.
FROM JUDY KAMMER: I take advantage of the newsletter to express my
sincere appreciation to those who helped make the MFIS such a wonderful
experience. Though many people are somewhat reticent or embarrassed to speak
of their inner life, the women in attendance were willing to be forthright as we
discussed spirituality from women's perspective. And there was strong yet gentle
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and encouraging support from the men.I am grateful to all. The Spirit was with
us. I look forward to next year's sessions when again promises of moments of
reflection, of renewal of spirit, and of supported recommitment will certaihly be
fulfilled.
FROM GENE ZIRKEL ('53): Wow! My wife Pat and I attended our first Marist
Family weekend at Marist College this summer. It was fantastic, much more than
I had anticipated. Sharing with monks, former monks, spouses, widows, and an
interested woman from Canada, the sons of Champagnat, along with his
daughters-in-law and his adopted daughter, joyfully examined the Marist spirit
we share.
I became very aware of the part that my 141/2 years with the monks have played
in forming me as the person I am today. I have attended many of the great
picnics at Mt. St. Michael's, and so I guess I expected more of the same
wonderful camaraderie that I experience there. Well, I certainly did share in that,
but I received so much more that I could never put into these few words.
One highlight for me was a panel on the Marist Spirit. Several speakers
approached this topic from very different views. As Br. Pat Tyrell spoke, I
resonated 101% with everything that he said. His observations alone were worth
my attending.
My wife Pat, a former nun, expected even less of our time in Poughkeepsie. She
even brought along several books to while away her time. However, she enjoyed
the gathering so much that she never got to open one of her books. Later, she
related to me that she now understands why my Marist affiliation means so
much to me.
My warmest thanks to all those who put together such a terrific Marist Family
get-together. If you have never been to one of these affairs, do yourself a favor
and sign up for next summer. See you at the Mount picnic soon! P.S.
Congratulations, prayers, and ad multos annos to the members of my group who
are celebrating 45 years of Marist service this year. (Six Brancatelli, West Islip,
N. Y. 11795-2502; 516-669-0273)
FROM RAY LANDRY ('56): I first attended the Marist Family Institute of
Spirituality in the summer of 1996 for the sole purpose of reconnecting with
friends of yore. In fact, had J.P. Luke's name not appeared on the list of
presenters, I probably would have stayed home. I ended up returning the
following year, and then agreed to be on the planning committee for this year's
event.
The four day session this year was a community event in every way from
presentations to small group discussions to prayerful interactive liturgies,
including shared homilies facilitated by Father Owen Lafferty.
We members of the planning committee will read evaluations and make
adjustments in preparation for next July's Institute. I would like to use a theme
from Ecclesiastes: to everything there is a season. I look forward to seeing more
of our friends of yore at next year's Marist Family Institute of Spirituality.
Perhaps you can help me cope with my illusions of grandeur!
One day after returning home, I am reflecting and relaxing near the swimming
pool of the Landry Estate in beautiful, quaint, bucolic North Reading,
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Massachusetts. At some time in the future I will write more for Marists All about
my "mysterious" 29 years with my wife Dorothy, our two married children,
Keith and Karen (a Marist grad), and our 28 year old Down Syndrome daughter,
Kristen. (6 Appletree Lane, North Reading, Mass., 01864)
FROM HELEN TOBIN: It was a great weekend as always. God willing, we will
be together again next year.
FROM PAT GALLAGHER ('53): Not having attended the previous Marist
Family Institutes, I wasn't exactly sure of what the gathering would be like, and
in fact it turned out that I was somewhat puzzled early on. However, the
presentations and the sessions came together and gave me a great deal of thought
about making the best of the time that remains. It was quite an experience to
stand with two of my grammar school teachers (Dave and Adrian), one high
school teacher (J. P. Luke), and one college teacher (Joe Bell). It's hard to
express how much it revived and enhanced my attachment to all things Marist to
sing once again the Salve and the "Ever Forever" in concert with those who
shared the novitiate, the college, and the teaching years with me, A most
pleasant and surprising experience was how impressed my wife Mary was with
the traditions, the solidarity of the monks, their close ties, and their ability to be
"strong-hearted, good-hearted, soft-hearted, and clear-hearted."'
The Marist Family Institute brought out Champagnat's particular perspective on
spirituality and brought out the beauty of the spirit in each of us. As this was
discussed with such obvious sincerity and solid belief, I found myself regretting
that years ago there wasn't a better understanding given to me. It is true that two
and a half generations ago there was a different slant on presenting "saints" and
spirituality. It was cloaked in the Life and Maxims in a manner that never made
that deep an imprint on me despite twenty years in the congregation. The
teaching was made so very "saintly" that I couldn't relate. It wasn't practical and
translatable into concepts and principles that then could truly guide my life, even
as I went out under the Marist banner and Marist name to do Champagnat's
work. In retrospect, my reactions to those seminal works had a lot to do with
where I was and with the baggage I brought to the life from the Juniorate
onwards.
Now I find Champagnat and his spirit speaking to me more clearly than ever
before. I see him as a man of action who did things buttressed by a practical
spirituality and an enduring faith. Now I even believe that just as the needs of his
times moved him to put his energies into the work of the Brothers as an extended
branch of the Marist Fathers, so the needs of a different time, our time, would
have moved him to look favorably on combined activities of all those in the
Marist family, canonical and non-canonical.
If I had left everything Marist behind in 1981 when I signed my separation
papers in a rain-deluged parking lot at Notre Dame just before a big game, my
life would have been much poorer and would have lacked some of the richness I
know it has today in wonderful memories and in the solid foundation of
Christian and Marist principles and tradition. Even that day in 1981 John
Malachy and I reminisced as we always did when we got together. Wiith the
time for kickoff approaching, John reached into his pocket and took out the
papers from Rome that so many of us have seen. There in the canonical Latin
formula I formally, in the eyes of the Church, ended my Marist life. However, I
didn't slough off everything Marist. For this pilgrim and searcher, Marist life had
only begun in different ways. For that I am extremely happy. I would encourage
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anyone to join us next year at the Marist Family Institute; that something Marist
in all of us will be either reignited or will burn ever so much more brightly.
This year I will be gradually withdrawing from training and travel, and Mary and
I will take some vacations together. As I suggested to Hugh Turley, I would be
behind anything that would allow me to work more closely in one way or
another with the Marist cause. Finally, we would love to share the Wild Geese
Inn, our home and b'n'b, with anyone traveling 1-81 near exit 114.
pgallagher@swva,net (P.O. Box 60, Indian Valley, Va. 24105; 540-789-4056;
fax: 540-789-4057)
FROM F.X. "Barney" SHERIDAN ('55): fxsheridan@nsn.com August 1:30 a.m.
(newsletter deadlined) I haven't finished "coming down" yet. The Marist Family
Institute of Spirituality was one of those events that you fear writing about lest
doing so will stop the fermenting that's going on. I'm still meditating on the
handouts that followed Larry Keogh's multi-media presentation. I'm still living
the Fr. Owen lafferty/ Ray Landry liturgies. I'm still edified by Br. Barnabas
Luke Driscoll and the other Brothers' presentations on Marist spirituality, by the
openness of the GMC people in Poughkeepsie, by the sharing of those who led
us in prayer and by Gene Zi.rkel's profound belief in man's ability to grow,
Thanks go to Vinnie Poisella for co-ordinating. The spirit of Marcellin flowed
freely during this weekend. (626 East 20th Street (9A), New York, N. Y. 10009-
1515; 212-529-2257)
FROM ANNE T. SHERIDAN: Our four-day weekend at the Marist Family
Institute of Spirituality was filled with....
M - Memories
A - Affection/Amity
R - Renewal/Reflection
I - Inspiration/Ideas
S - Spirituality/Sociability
T - Truthfulness
ABOUT BR. LAWRENCE JOSEPH POIRIER ('23):
from the Lawrence/Haverhill Eagle Tribune
Brother Lawrence was not quite 14 when he left Haverhill for New York to join
the Marist Brothers. Now 90 years of age, he has collected a heap of memories.
Recently he celebrated his 75th anniversary. Brother Lawrence was only l7 when
he began his teaching career at St. Joseph School in Lowell. He taught French to
fourth graders. From 1943 until 1951 he taught at Central Catholic in Lawrence.
While at Central he started the school's guidance program. From 1966 until 1978
he was superintendent of schools in the New York Archdiocese. Another
highlight for Brother Lawrence was traveling to Rome to give a presentation on
the medical history of the aunt of a fellow Brother; the aunt was cured of cancer
after praying to the founder of the Marist order. His presentation was accepted as
a miracle. In his retirement years Brother Lawrence enjoys reading religious
books, as well as swimming, walking, and gardening,
EDITOR'S NOTE: Marists All was first published in early 1987. Most issues
have been ten pages in length, some eight pages. Presuming that we have enough
funds to do so, we would be willing to publish at six pages. We keep reminding
all that we need help with material of interest to our Marist related friends. Off
and on we give notice of our finances. After this issue is mailed, we will have a
balance of approximately $400; we will use up about $300 of that for our
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anticipated November issue. We appreciate very much your interest and help
over these past twelve years. Send your correspondence ...
to Gus Nolan, 50 South Randolph Ave., Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601;
gusnolan@aol.com
or David Kammer (August) R.R. 1 - Box 3300, Smithfield, Me, 04978; 207-362-
5495) (post Sept. 15th) 476 LaPlaya, Bdgewater, Fl, 32141; 904-426-6349)
G M C P I C N I C
at the Mount,
Saturday,
SEPTEMBER 19th,
noon to 5 P.M
.
