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ISSUE # 39
May 1997
FROM BILL (William Maura) DESCHENE ('53): Can't write too much about
ourselves since our accomplishments are not very noteworthy, unless you call
the trace of geese across a yellow sky on an evening in winter noteworthy. We
do enjoy hearing about all of you, so keep the stories and news coming.
However, I did try to write a few short recollections of Nilus Vincent Donnelly
... and got carried away:
"Who's Brother Nilus?" my mother asked as I entered the kitchen. I had just
taken the stairs two at a time and had tossed my school bag into the boot box at
the end of the hallway, to be retrieved only on my way to school the next
morning. To answer my mother's question I hadn't the slightest clue. I was, after
all, just a freshman at Lawrence Central Catholic in the fall of 1948, and the only
Brothers I knew were my own teachers: Brothers Philip Bernard, Henry Felix,
Aloysius, Paul Celestine, Justin Gabriel, and Mr. Moynihan, the only lay teacher
on the staff. Later, when I took my $6/month tuition to the treasurer's office, I
discovered Brother Nilus. Still later, as a sophomore I learned that Nilus was the
chief engineer and architect of the magnificent new gym building built by the
Brothers of that era. We occupied part of the building in 1950 as juniors. By
then, instead of operating a crane, Nilus could be seen working on the interior of
what had become the largest gym in east Massachusetts. The adjacent
classrooms, bright and airy, were equipped with innovative green blackboards
that called for the use of attention etting yellow chalk. Central's new building
would become the model for other schools to copy in later years .
The reason for my mother's query about Brother Nilus well, Nilus was also in
charge of the Mothers' Club. Parenthetically, I have a hard time imagining this!
It seems that some of the mothers thought that Nilus was "so good looking."
"They say he looks like Bing Crosby," said my mother (not a member of the
club), disapproving of the fuss these marrieds were making over a Brother. I just
checked out the '49 yearbook and, sorry Mom, but the mothers were right; he
was good looking, a lot better looking than der Bingle!
The next time I saw Nilus was at Marian College in 1954. But first there was
Tyngsboro, Tyngsboro could have been an island far off the coast of Maine
inhabited by a delightful people with a unique culture, totally unaffected by that
of the mainland. Marian College was a return to modern America. The lights of
the Milky Way and of the Auroras that lit up the skies over Tyngsboro were
replaced by the bright lights of Route 9 and the red neon sign locating McManus'
Bar across the road from old St. Ann's Hermitage.
At Marian, Nilus had the same jobs that he had had at Central. He was the
community treasurer and the contractor general of the ongoing building
operations at the young college. As treasurer he had no farm or tuition stipends
to depend on, and yet the population he was responsible for was even larger than
that of Tyngsboro. I'm still hooked on peanut butter and honey, prime matter for
breakfast, but the peanut butter now isn't as good as the government brand that
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we enjoyed at Marian. The skills of devoted, creative cooks kept us happy; their
efforts were blessed by that magical thing called "the grace of state."
Nilus was the heart and soul of his other job, the one most associated with him,
"the projects." With the help of an architect from Lawrence, a few very skilled
people like Big Gus, Ed Castine, and some gifted Chinese Brothers, plus a large
pool of unskilled laborers, a group of buildings were constructed which, to my
mind, put the Marist Brothers at the cutting edge of the fabulous fifties.To see
these projects to fruition took a man with almost wild determination, and yet
Nilus was most patient with the neophytes assigned to work with him.An
incident stands out. We were putting tar and marble chips on the roof of the new
diningroom/study-hall when Joe Strang (Br. Joel Gilmary) met with a little
mishap. The tar was in a barrel on a sawhorse. It had a little door which you
lifted, and the tar would come oozing out into your bucket, which you then
dumped onto the roof. Someone would spread the tar around with a special tool.
This time the tar would not ooze out, and Joel tilted the barrel to get the tar
moving faster. The barrel slipped and Joel had to grab it with both hands or be
crushed. Nilus was walking by and was about to say something like, "Oh no,
what now." Instead, he looked at Joel and said, "You're in trouble, aren't you,
Brother," and walked away. As we looked on, we knew that but for the ... so we
all ran to help our unfortunate co-worker, whose clothes were by then covered
with tar.
If Nilus was patient with the unskilled, God help those who were being paid for
a job and were supposed to know what they were doing. He could direct a
distressed driver to "take his soupy concrete mix back." and the poor fellow
would blurt out, "What am I supposed to do with it?" We need not print the
reply!
Now I admit I was never a confidant of the man, nor was I ever fortunate enough
to live in close proximity to him, but I am privileged with a special insight to his
success which he divulged to Pete Ginnity and me the summer day when we
were cooking on the project. He said, "People don't get souls until they're 21." It
was as simple as that. You don't feed steak or lobster pie to someone who doesn't
have the soul to appreciate these delicacies. So he wanted the best for the
Brothers on the project. It had nothing to do with the fact that they were bargain
labor; the point was, they were over 21! So Nilus' quick departures from table at
the college now made sense for me. After wiping imaginary traces of soup with
his napkin, he would go off to a meeting with the architect - at Nick Beni's. Of
course, Nilus was over 21!
The elders of my tribe were all skilled crafts-folks. My Dad was a master
electrician, and his siblings were experts in auto mechanics, carpentry, and metal
craft, Typical of the tribe, the young were not inducted into adult craft until they
were ready. So my only responsibility in growing up was to play. Even school
was not to supercede the precious learning time of play. By the time I was
"ready" I was in college with little opportunity to apprentice, except for Nilus
and "the project." Like many others I looked forward to the periodic stints on the
project. One particular Saturday stands out. It was very misty, and I was in a
trench deeper than I was tall, working a jackhammer and splattering myself with
wet, powdered rock. Over the Rack-a-jack-ack-ack" of the hammer, I heard
someone yelling, "Willie! Willie!" It was Nilus; when I looked up I saw my
parents looking down at me, I had forgotten that they were coming from
Lawrence to see me that weekend. The embarrassment over forgetting was swept
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away by the awareness that my father saw that I had finally been initiated into
the world of work, and he approved!
Among my collection of relics is a picture of Pete Ginnity (Br. Brendan Regis)
and myself in the kitchen at old St. Mary's. Attached to it is a note. It says:
"Willie, Nilus sent this photo to me. Thought you might like it. How the hell did
we ever get meals out of that place? Brings back old memories, doesn't it. Hope
all is well. Panther." It sure does bring back memories. Thank you, Panther.
Thank you, Nilus! (11 North Lowell Street, Methuen, Ma, 01844,.)
FROM PROVINCE NEWS NOTES:
Brother Dennis Dunne ('51) has accepted an invitation from Brother Benito and
the General Council to replace Br. Roy Mooney ('52) on the staff at the Marist
Center of Spirituality, Manziana, Italy, (formerly called the Second Novitiate).
Dennis will leave his present ministry as a member of the Senior Administrative
Team of the Archdiocese of Chicago where he has worked as senior aide to
Joseph Cardinal Bernadin. Dennis was privileged to do the first reading at the
Cardinal's funeral Mass.
Br. John McDonnell ('59) has been appointed by the General Council as one of
the Directors of the Marist Family Renewal Program to take place in Belley,
France, in the Fall of 1998. This program will be sponsored by all four branches
of the Marist family.
Br. Timothy McManus ('51) died at Baptist Hospital in Miami on February 14th
after suffering a coronary, He had lived at the Marist retirement community in
Miami for nearly eleven years and had done much of the cooking there. Tim had
just celebrated his 70th birthday and was a Marist for 46years. He had ministered
in many of the Marist schools in the States and had served as a missionary in
Sibu and in Japan.
Br. Philip Bernard Gilbert ('31) died at the Nevins Home in Lawrence March
10th after a lengthy illness. He was 82 years old, having been born in Suncook,
New Hampshire, in 1914. Brother Philip entered the Marist Brothers as a junior
in Tyngsboro in 1927 and completed his novitiate in Poughkeepsie in 1932. He
had served at the Mount at Cardinal Hayes, in Lowell and at Lawrence CCHS. In
a homily Brother Kenneth Hogan reminded family and friends of Phil's fierce
sense of responsibility, his wonderful passion and emotion, and his colorful side
which showed in peppery sayings and gestures.
Br. Cyprian Rowe ('53) has announced that he is joining the African-American
Catholic Congregation, a church formed seven years ago by Archbishop George
A. Stallings, Cyprian will be ordained a priest and a bishop of the congregation
on March 22, 1997. As Bishop, his main work will be in the area of theological
education of the congregation's priests and seminarians." (as reported in the
Catholic News Service and the NCR, February 28th) Cyprian has written a letter,
requesting a dispensation from vows as a Marist Brother. Although this is a very
painful decision for Cyprian, he states that he believes that the Lord is calling
him to this decision. He treasures his Marist roots and family; however, he feels
called to greater service to the African-American community, Cyprian will
include a Marist symbol both in his episcopal ring and in his Bishop's insignia.
We express our gratitude to Cyprian for his many years of Marist life and work
in the United States. We pray that this decision, painful for us all, will lead
Cyprian to an authentic expression of ministry for God's people.
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Zaire: Three Marist schools in eastern Zaire are in full operation. However, there
have been air attacks on the city of Bukavu. In the center of the country one of
the communities in Kisangani is near the front line of combat.
Bougainville, New Guinea: Our two Marist communities on the island have
decided to stay despite heightened danger for everyone, the result of rebellion on
the island. The Brothers and their colleagues have received several threats of
violence on their lives and works.
FROM CHARLEY (Peter Daniel) KELLY ('51): I really enjoyed the February
issue of Marists All. The article on "Praise to the Presidents" brought back many
wonderful memories of Brother Paul Ambrose and Brother Linus ... "Marian"
College ... building the chapel ... My name is probably still on the back of one of
the walls and under the cross on the roof. I have strong recollections of the
"hearse" that carried a bunch of rowdy young men and their supplies around the
campus. We used that hearse for supplies for the chicken coop, too. I missed
hearing the story about the crane that came onto campus under its own power but
never moved again without the assistance of 30 or more people pushing it
around the building site. And there was the telephone pole that we strapped to
the crane to hoist the outside cross over the center of the chapel!
Many other memories flood back ... Brother John Patrick in Esopus and his "fire
sales" for the Souls in Ptwgatory ... and Brother Simeon in Tyngsboro with his
shoe box of stories to bring the gospel to life. We teased him a lot back in those
days, but forty years later I can still remember some of those stories and the
lessons they illustrated.
I teach at the University of Texas now and on occasion I find myself greeting my
students with "Good afternoon, Gentlemen.'' That is Doc Schroeder, vintage
1953!
Of late I have come to realize that there is much in my life, and in my soul, that
is a result of living our Marist life as a young man. My thoughts„ prayers, and
thanks to the men who were our role models in those forming years.
I was moved by the account of the Brothers in Zaire and the work of Brother
Rene Roy in Rwanda. I felt a deep sorrow at the loss of those dedicated men. I
didn't even know them, yet I felt a link with them and a pride in their courage to
stay ... simply because "the needs were much greater than they had been in the
past."
Everything is going well for the Kellys in Texas. Our family is spread out in
Oklahoma, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. It continues to grow with
eight grandchildren now. Marilyn and I are heading forNew York at the end of
next week, spring break at UT, to visit with two of our sons and their families.
We'll be in the Poughkeepsie area, so I plan to stop off for a visit at the college
while I'm there. (6905 Jester Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78750)
FROM MIKE (Michael Vincent) KELLY ('50):I just now received the February
issue of Marists All! It was addressed to Atlanta. We now live in Burbank,
California. (Sorry, Mike, for neglecting to make the change.)
We have adjusted to the move from the east to the west coast. We deal with
occasional small earthquakes, the traffic on the freeways, the constant fixation of
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the news with O.J., and the extraordinary dominance of the entertainment
industry.
We are described as a nation on the Pacific Rim and in many ways the
population reflects the name because of the large number of those from Asia.
However, the Latinos are dominant. We do not have a melting pot; we have a
patchwork quilt with the different cultures living in harmony. There are
problems but in general people are making the effort to accept diversity as a
positive rather than a negative condition. More in the future. Come and visit.
(705 :North Kenwood Street, Burbank, Ca 91505; 818-848-4406)
FROM PAUL. FURLONG ('60): It's been 29 years since live had any contact
with the Marist world, a long time to miss vital connections with an important
part of my past.
Recently, by sheer good luck and kismet, I came onto Reggie Diss' address and
phone via the Internet. I contacted him, and we had a delightful conversation!
that a thrill to get reconnected again. So much of life has happened in the
interim. Reggie gave me addresses of several others in our group and made me
aware of your newsletter. He then sent me some back issues of the newsletter
which I consumed in one sitting! I would surely love to be put on your mailing
list.
For me the last thirty years have been quite an adventure. I got my Masters in
Counseling Psych two years after I left the Marists, 1970. I spent ten years
working for the Juvenile Justice System in Eugene, Oregon, holding a variety of
positions there. Married into a family of six kids (most were teenage or grown).
Divorced 16 years later. Moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1980 and developed my
career in counseling, adjunct college teaching, and Human Resource consulting.
It has been a fulfilling and rewarding career.
The divorce was particularly devasting for me. For a couple of years I did not
function very well, and eventually had to declare bankruptcy. It became a period
of intense looking inward. Luckily I found a really good therapist to do some
deep structure work with. I'm glad that period is over - lots of pain and lots of
learning. Now I feel much more open and have more of myself available to me.
For the past five years Hazel and I have become life partners and also work
partners.This is a wonderful - and different - relationship for me. Hazel has
owned and operated a
very successful dry cleanihg business for 14 years. Two years ago we decided
that I would join her in that business with the idea of selling it and together
beginning another that is less strenuous.The new business is called HP
Connections. It offers a variety of services. Haven't had much time to properly
market the business, but I feel it's the right step into the future. A part of me
misses not being in the "helping profession," but another part is glad to be doing
something different and more "entrepreneurial."
I was so glad to get the past issues of Marists All! Came across names I hadn't
thought of in years. I have never regretted the years spent as a Marist Brother.
Those were happy times for me. As with so many things in life, it became time
to move on. Now it seems right to begin completing the circle and reconnect in a
way that ties in the past with the present.
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I think you are doing a wonderful thing by keeping the newsletter alive. From
the issues I have read it seems that a lot of others applaud your effort and derive
meaning from its pages. (e-mail = paulvf@ix.metcom.com) (8217 SW Oak
Street, Portland, Oregon, 97223; 503-246-5181; fax: 503-246-3275)
FROM TOM MOORE ('61): Keep the newsletter going. Don't hesitate to keep
readers posted on financial needs of the paper. I really enjoy reading each issue.
Wish I had some news to report, but I live a quiet life here in the mountains of
Pa! My mother died December 7th. She didn't suffer much at the end and is now
in God's loving embrace. She was 87. Peace. (1028 Hillside Trail, Johnstown,
Pa. 15905)
Retreat/reunion: Marist College, July 3rd to 6th. Call Larry Keogh: 815-838-
1570.
FROM BR. SEAN SAMMON ('66): You probably have heard that we had four
more of our Brothers killed by the militia in Zaire, a terrible loss to us all and to
the people among whom they lived and worked in refugee camps. I knew only
one personally, Servando, a lovely man about 40. I spoke with him last at the
Nairobi airport a few months back; he was going home for a month's leave and
then returning to Zaire. I would have been shocked had anyone suggested that
he'd be gone before the year had run out.
Many thanks for your work with Marists All. I'm grateful to receive it and even
more grateful for the news. (Fratelli Maristi; Piazzale M. Champagnat, 2; C.P.
10250; 00144,. Rome, Italy)
FROM DICK (Stephen Aloysius) BRANIGAN ('50): I bet you got a slew of e-
mail after the distribution of the last Marists All, and I guess I'm just one of
many who took the opportunity to thank you for all you've done to keep us all
sewed up in one blanket. You might remember me as Br. Stephen Aloysius ...
speech impediment practically gone. I live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with a first
wife and have three married children. I sent something to Marists All many years
ago, I'm about to retire from publication work at the University of Wisconsin,
Oshkosh, probably at the end of this year. I see Charlie Scott from time to time
(Madison) and keep in close touch with Bill Powers (Nanuet, New York). With
each succeeding newsletter I find so many more "later years" reports from
people I don't know. Yet they are of the same training and spirit ... and this
brings them into my company ... and I thank you again for making all this
happen.
Just as I have not been able to make the reunions at the Mount each year, I will
not be able to make this year's retreat. After I retire I might be able to get
involved. Ten years ago I made a "roots" trip back to Brooklyn, ten days of
visiting and such. I visited Esopus, wept at Paul "Uppy Downs" grave where he
lies with so many familiar guys, had lunch in Poughkeepsie with Bill Powers and
Larry Sullivan, and recalled many good times in the Hudson Valley. They were
very precious years, years when I stashed away important values that have come
to my rescue in later times. I never knew the value of that training until way later
in life.
Gotta scoot.I am house pianist at the Oshkosh Country Club here and I'll be
playing there tonight. I'll open with a few mid 50's songs just to toast our old
days, something like "That's my Desire" or Tony Bennett's "Rags to Riches...Be
listening about 5:30 p.m. your time!(1814 Fairview St.,.Oshkosh, Wi.. 54901)
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FROM ( (Louis Francis) ZIRKEL ('53): On New Year's Eve after 291/2 years I
retired from full time teaching at Nassau Community College, This semester I
taught just one course and helped the new Catholic chaplain who is replacing
me. Next semester I'm outta here!
I have a new book out, "Happiness is my Decision." I deal with the ideas I have
been presenting in my personal growth seminars: goal setting and goal
achievement through positive self talk, affirmations, visualizing success, and
attitudinal changes. (Six Brancatelli, West Islip, New York, 11795; 516-669-
0273)
GMC Picnic:
Mt. St. Michael,
Saturday, September 13th;
noon to 4 or 5 p.m.
FROM BR. PATRICK EUGENE MAGEE ('43)
the Marist Monastery Community of Marist High School, Chicago
You have done a wonderful service to the for Brothers through well published
Marists All, I have enjoyed reading it from cover to cover every time it arrives, I
duplicate sufficient copies so that each member of the community has his own
copy for quiet and leisurely reading.I have been impressed by the good
accomplished by so many in the spirit of Champagnat. The story written by
Brother Bob McGovern from the Philippines was most informative and
praiseworthy.
Please have your reading public continue their prayers for Brother Luke Pearson
('56) who carries on with his daily administrative responsibilities while quietly
battling cancer. He stays with our community during the school week. He is a
wonderful example of resignation to God's will for all of us.(4200 West 115th
Street, Chicago, Il. 60655)
FROM VINCE (Vincent Jude) POISELLA ('58): Thank you for the latest
Marists All! One of the workers at our post office, mother of one of our students,
sent it over to me, even though it was incorrectly addressed. I am wondering if
you created a ruse to get me to write!
As for news, we continue to be blessed. Although the road has been a little
rocky, I am still coordinator of counseling and guidance services at Hopatcong
High School; Jane is librarian/media specialist at our middle school.. Mark, our
oldest, was graduated from Notre Dame in 1995 and works a couple of jobs
while residing in Evanston, Illinois. He plans to make a move shortly to get into
the film business. He is writing screenplays and has a dream of doing an
independent film along with some of his colleagues among the ND alumni.Our
second boy, Eric, is completing his student teaching with primary school
children in Castleton, Vermont. He graduates in May. Our daughter, Anne, is
finishing her third year in a business finance/computer concentration at Marist
College. I am pleased that she enjoys Marist so much, and has met the likes of
Joe Belanger and Brian Desilets.She cannot comprehend that these same
professors were on the Marist staff when her aged dad went to college. These
people must be ancient, revived, or even reincarnated!
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Regarding other Marist connections, Jane and I plan to be at the retreat at the
College in July. Having been to the other two retreats over the last two years, we
are charter members! We look forward to returning and we encourage others to
join us.
We keep in touch with John and Joan Brady. Both John and I are in the school
counseling field and have come across each other at meetings now and again, I
am still in the New Jersey Counseling Association; I was president in 1993-94.
The camaraderie I experience with other counselors in the state is faintly
reminiscent of the Marist community spirit.
In the next few years we hope to see our kids settled somewhat. I should be
retiring within the next five years. Jane, shortly after that. At that point, if the
globe hasn't imploded (in the style of the chapel at Camp Marist), we will be
ready for an elderhostel emphasizing travel/education, Now there is an idea for
retired members of the Marist family. Travel opportunities coupled with
educational opportunities, within the context of existing Marist residences. From
picnic to the retreat, to travel opportunities. What do you think? Keep well! God
bless! And keep Marists All coming Peace! (24 Brooklyn Mountain Road,
Hopatcong, N, J. 07843)
FROM GERARD (Alberic Gerard) BRUNELLE ('47):The last issue of Marists
All so greatly affected me. There was the martyrdom of eleven Marist Brothers
in Africa. And there was the golden jubilee of the class I was in at St. Ann's
Novitiate under a great novice master, Brother Henry Charles. My classmates
have taught in classrooms around the world, giving of themselves according to
the ideals of Blessed Champagnat.
My Marist education from 1943 to 1950 consisted of three years at St. Joseph
Juniorate, Tyngsboro, two years at the Poughkeepsie novitiate, and one
wonderful year as assistant to chief gardener Brother Abelus. I will never, never
forget that year with Abelus, for he gave me a love for gardening that still
prevails at my hermitage at Weirs in Laconia near Lake Winnepasaukee. My
Marist education did finally lead to my becoming the teacher I wanted to be. I
spent 33 years in the Lowell school system as a successful music teacher.
Since my retirement in 1992, I live on the most beautiful lake in the world,
Every morning I look at it and bless the Lord who gave me a piece of it. Some
days I play my grand piano. I have composed two sonatas, one in A minor, the
other in D major with three movements. I have written a Mass "a Notre Dame de
Noel" to be sung by a chorus in Lowell, as soon as the music is put to paper. I
also write poetry on subjects that are pleasing to me, or are interesting or
challenging,. I hope to publish in the future.
Do you remember the Maxims of Father Champagnat? How I loved them. We
had to do translations of them from the French. That was very interesting to me
since French was may first language. I still use French all the time. In 1988 at a
festival in Lowell I was invited to read my poem on Jack Kerouac's little
Canada. At the international meeting of poets in Quebec City I recited that poem
in French on Radio Canada.
In my retirement I also do walking sticks and canes.I sculpter miniature things
on the handles and staffs. Some of my works are on exhibition in an art center in
Newport, New Hampshire. I gave a lecture on them at the center last week. My
works - canes, walking sticks, poetry, and music compositions - are all little
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bridges, even if they are toil bridges, from the island of my heritage to the
mainland of society. (P.O. Box 5157, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 03247)
JUBILARIANS: 1997 *
30th
Br. John Byrd
Br. John Cummings
Br. Robert McCauley
Br. Richard Van Houten
35th:
Br. Gerard Brown
Br. David Cooney
Br. Gerald Doherty
Br. Eladio Gonzalez
Br. Sumner Herrick
Br. Anthony Iazzetti
Br. Michael Laratonda
Br. Marcos Longoria
Br. Joseph Madsen
Br. John Raeihle
40th:
Br. George Fontana
Br. Kevin Handibode
Br. Patrick Hogan
Br. William Lambert
Br. Fabian Mayor
Br. Bernard Ruth
45th:
Br. Bonaventura Cocco
Br. Vincent Damian
Br. Patrick McNulty
Br. Roy Mooney
Br. Dominic O'Brien
Br. Leo Shea
* The names of the golden jubilarians appeared in the last issue.
FROM BR. SEAN SAMMON, V.G. It is April 21st. Landed in Manila this
morning after almost three months in Korea and Australia. Many hopeful signs
and people in both places. About three quarters of the General Administration is
here for meetings at the Marist Asia/Pacific Center. Hope to be in Rome by the
first of May. Blessings to all. (Fratelli Maristi; Piazzale M. Champagnat, 2; C.P.
10250; 00144 Rome, Italy)
DECEASED:
Br. Philip Bernard Gilbert ('31) died in Lawrence on March 10th.
Br. Timothy McManus ('51) died in Miami on February l4th.
There is more about these two Brothers taken from the Poughkeepsie Province
ewsnotes that appears in this newsletter.
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William Philip "Phil" Kelly (Philip Martin, '51) died in Augusta, Ga. on March
14th, within a month of his 65th birthday. He is survived by his wife, three
daughters, and two sons, the elder of whom is named Philip Martin. Phil was a
graduate of the University of Georgia.He owned and operated several retail
stores in Augusta. He was a member of the American Legion and of the Knights
of Columbus, 4th degree, past grand knight. He was also past president of the
Irish American Heritage Society.
We invite all of our readers to join us in ongoing prayer for all Marists, those
living and especially those deceased,
FROM JOHN WESP ('65): Thanks for your work with Marists All. I enjoy
reading them. Hope to retire soon from teaching. Don Gillespie turns 50 on April
5th; there will be a party at his house. I see Bill White once a year, but I missed
Ed Jenning's wedding. These are my only Marist contacts (82 Main Avenue,
Centereach, New York, 11720-1640)
FROM ERNEST (Ernest Francis) BELANGER ('55): I will miss not being at
Marist for the retreat with the gang this summer.There is something I found
strange about last summer's encounter. None that I know of wrote about it in
Marists All. I will have to suggest putting Marists All on the net. That might be
cheaper than mailing and certainly easier for the publishers and for our
ecological system. There are inexpensive providers out there. Frankly, Marists
All is the only none obligatory reading we do as soon as it comes in. I get to read
it after Alicia!, via e-mail ... (240 Castellana - 8B, 28046 Madrid, Spain)
EDITORS' NOTE: We are in the 11th year of publishing Marists All. Our next
issue will be #40. We hope to have it off to the printers in the early part of
August. That's not very long from the time you receive this issue. May we
encourage you to send us something soon. The frequency and even the duration
of this newsletter depends on you! E-mail to Gus Nolan:
JZB2@MaristB.Marist.edu or mail to: Gus Nolan, % Marist College,
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601; or David Kammer, R.R. 1-Box 3300,
Smithfield, Maine, 04978-9517.
FROM BR. RENE ROY ('60): This word of thanks is long overdue. Received
Marists All #38 well after everyone else. Thanks. Your editing was very
successful. I've received several letters from "non-conical" Marists as a result of
that issue and of the Development Office's Campaign for Rwanda. Al Perrone,
Al Senes, Jim Gargan, Gerard Brunelle, Eugene Connolly, and Charley Kelly
have not only sent letters and contributions, but have offered on going help. I
read the manifesto stating that M.A. is not a vehicle for fund raising, but people
have been moved nevertheless.
I'm hoping to be present for at least a brief time at the GMC retreat in early July
to see and thank people in person. You've doubtless heard that I'll fly to San
Francisco to receive one of the Called to Brotherhood awards to be given this
year by the National Association of Religious Brothers but I'll swing back to
catch the gang on retreat.
I can't believe that the first two years of my time in Rwanda are almost up. I'll be
home in June for some R & R. Then two more years to go. I'm constantly
thinking of how I'll describe. this experience to folks. I'll need some quiet time,
as well as some lively time with the American Family before I can even begin to
do justice to the scope of the experience. It's helping to put things in perspective.
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Meanwhile, for me you can once again thank the many who have shown support
via letter, prayer, and contribution. So much goes back to the Tyngsborough of
1959-61!
(Freres Maristes, B, P. 80, Gitarama; Rwanda, Africa)
FROM RICHARD LA PIETRA ('50): You might think about it as the changing
of the guard, a gradual replacement and relief of the men at the front. Or you
might picture a thin line of men climbing a mountain path toward the summit
into the sun.
Amateur historians sometimes refer to 1958 as a date of the modem founding of
Marist College, to distinguish the beginnings of the college we know today from
the training ground for the monks that began with the 1946 founding charter. If
there is any validity to that conceptualization, the past several years have seen
the beginnings of the passing from the scene of the Marist founders of the
modem Marist College. These are men who have spent the equivalent of a
lifetime, in most cases much more than a quarter century of service, in the
building of Marist and the pursuit of her unique mission. At the end of this past
academic year, two more names were added to that list, Joe Belanger and Gus
Nolan.
Both were honored at baccalaureate and commencement exercises, and were
feted, together with Professor Ted Prenting, at a testimonial dinner on May 13.
Two more different characters would be difficult to imagine, and as the long list
of their contributions were enumerated, it was so clear that evenin the human
realm, each tree bears its own special, idiosyncratic fruit. Yet, in both instances,
one did not have to scratch away the surface very much to find the common
theme of Marist dedication and Champagnat's spirit.
Some wonder about the impact on Marist as this changing of the guard
continues, and continue it will. One only needs examine a listing of personnel by
age to verify that. I have to believe that Joe and Gus have inspired younger
colleagues by their lives, actions, and their spirit, and in so doing leave aMarist
legacy that will continue to quicken and enliven the Marist community here on
the shores of the Hudson that witnessed the founding of the Marist presence in
the United States.
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ISSUE # 39
May 1997
FROM BILL (William Maura) DESCHENE ('53): Can't write too much about
ourselves since our accomplishments are not very noteworthy, unless you call
the trace of geese across a yellow sky on an evening in winter noteworthy. We
do enjoy hearing about all of you, so keep the stories and news coming.
However, I did try to write a few short recollections of Nilus Vincent Donnelly
... and got carried away:
"Who's Brother Nilus?" my mother asked as I entered the kitchen. I had just
taken the stairs two at a time and had tossed my school bag into the boot box at
the end of the hallway, to be retrieved only on my way to school the next
morning. To answer my mother's question I hadn't the slightest clue. I was, after
all, just a freshman at Lawrence Central Catholic in the fall of 1948, and the only
Brothers I knew were my own teachers: Brothers Philip Bernard, Henry Felix,
Aloysius, Paul Celestine, Justin Gabriel, and Mr. Moynihan, the only lay teacher
on the staff. Later, when I took my $6/month tuition to the treasurer's office, I
discovered Brother Nilus. Still later, as a sophomore I learned that Nilus was the
chief engineer and architect of the magnificent new gym building built by the
Brothers of that era. We occupied part of the building in 1950 as juniors. By
then, instead of operating a crane, Nilus could be seen working on the interior of
what had become the largest gym in east Massachusetts. The adjacent
classrooms, bright and airy, were equipped with innovative green blackboards
that called for the use of attention etting yellow chalk. Central's new building
would become the model for other schools to copy in later years .
The reason for my mother's query about Brother Nilus well, Nilus was also in
charge of the Mothers' Club. Parenthetically, I have a hard time imagining this!
It seems that some of the mothers thought that Nilus was "so good looking."
"They say he looks like Bing Crosby," said my mother (not a member of the
club), disapproving of the fuss these marrieds were making over a Brother. I just
checked out the '49 yearbook and, sorry Mom, but the mothers were right; he
was good looking, a lot better looking than der Bingle!
The next time I saw Nilus was at Marian College in 1954. But first there was
Tyngsboro, Tyngsboro could have been an island far off the coast of Maine
inhabited by a delightful people with a unique culture, totally unaffected by that
of the mainland. Marian College was a return to modern America. The lights of
the Milky Way and of the Auroras that lit up the skies over Tyngsboro were
replaced by the bright lights of Route 9 and the red neon sign locating McManus'
Bar across the road from old St. Ann's Hermitage.
At Marian, Nilus had the same jobs that he had had at Central. He was the
community treasurer and the contractor general of the ongoing building
operations at the young college. As treasurer he had no farm or tuition stipends
to depend on, and yet the population he was responsible for was even larger than
that of Tyngsboro. I'm still hooked on peanut butter and honey, prime matter for
breakfast, but the peanut butter now isn't as good as the government brand that
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we enjoyed at Marian. The skills of devoted, creative cooks kept us happy; their
efforts were blessed by that magical thing called "the grace of state."
Nilus was the heart and soul of his other job, the one most associated with him,
"the projects." With the help of an architect from Lawrence, a few very skilled
people like Big Gus, Ed Castine, and some gifted Chinese Brothers, plus a large
pool of unskilled laborers, a group of buildings were constructed which, to my
mind, put the Marist Brothers at the cutting edge of the fabulous fifties.To see
these projects to fruition took a man with almost wild determination, and yet
Nilus was most patient with the neophytes assigned to work with him.An
incident stands out. We were putting tar and marble chips on the roof of the new
diningroom/study-hall when Joe Strang (Br. Joel Gilmary) met with a little
mishap. The tar was in a barrel on a sawhorse. It had a little door which you
lifted, and the tar would come oozing out into your bucket, which you then
dumped onto the roof. Someone would spread the tar around with a special tool.
This time the tar would not ooze out, and Joel tilted the barrel to get the tar
moving faster. The barrel slipped and Joel had to grab it with both hands or be
crushed. Nilus was walking by and was about to say something like, "Oh no,
what now." Instead, he looked at Joel and said, "You're in trouble, aren't you,
Brother," and walked away. As we looked on, we knew that but for the ... so we
all ran to help our unfortunate co-worker, whose clothes were by then covered
with tar.
If Nilus was patient with the unskilled, God help those who were being paid for
a job and were supposed to know what they were doing. He could direct a
distressed driver to "take his soupy concrete mix back." and the poor fellow
would blurt out, "What am I supposed to do with it?" We need not print the
reply!
Now I admit I was never a confidant of the man, nor was I ever fortunate enough
to live in close proximity to him, but I am privileged with a special insight to his
success which he divulged to Pete Ginnity and me the summer day when we
were cooking on the project. He said, "People don't get souls until they're 21." It
was as simple as that. You don't feed steak or lobster pie to someone who doesn't
have the soul to appreciate these delicacies. So he wanted the best for the
Brothers on the project. It had nothing to do with the fact that they were bargain
labor; the point was, they were over 21! So Nilus' quick departures from table at
the college now made sense for me. After wiping imaginary traces of soup with
his napkin, he would go off to a meeting with the architect - at Nick Beni's. Of
course, Nilus was over 21!
The elders of my tribe were all skilled crafts-folks. My Dad was a master
electrician, and his siblings were experts in auto mechanics, carpentry, and metal
craft, Typical of the tribe, the young were not inducted into adult craft until they
were ready. So my only responsibility in growing up was to play. Even school
was not to supercede the precious learning time of play. By the time I was
"ready" I was in college with little opportunity to apprentice, except for Nilus
and "the project." Like many others I looked forward to the periodic stints on the
project. One particular Saturday stands out. It was very misty, and I was in a
trench deeper than I was tall, working a jackhammer and splattering myself with
wet, powdered rock. Over the Rack-a-jack-ack-ack" of the hammer, I heard
someone yelling, "Willie! Willie!" It was Nilus; when I looked up I saw my
parents looking down at me, I had forgotten that they were coming from
Lawrence to see me that weekend. The embarrassment over forgetting was swept
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away by the awareness that my father saw that I had finally been initiated into
the world of work, and he approved!
Among my collection of relics is a picture of Pete Ginnity (Br. Brendan Regis)
and myself in the kitchen at old St. Mary's. Attached to it is a note. It says:
"Willie, Nilus sent this photo to me. Thought you might like it. How the hell did
we ever get meals out of that place? Brings back old memories, doesn't it. Hope
all is well. Panther." It sure does bring back memories. Thank you, Panther.
Thank you, Nilus! (11 North Lowell Street, Methuen, Ma, 01844,.)
FROM PROVINCE NEWS NOTES:
Brother Dennis Dunne ('51) has accepted an invitation from Brother Benito and
the General Council to replace Br. Roy Mooney ('52) on the staff at the Marist
Center of Spirituality, Manziana, Italy, (formerly called the Second Novitiate).
Dennis will leave his present ministry as a member of the Senior Administrative
Team of the Archdiocese of Chicago where he has worked as senior aide to
Joseph Cardinal Bernadin. Dennis was privileged to do the first reading at the
Cardinal's funeral Mass.
Br. John McDonnell ('59) has been appointed by the General Council as one of
the Directors of the Marist Family Renewal Program to take place in Belley,
France, in the Fall of 1998. This program will be sponsored by all four branches
of the Marist family.
Br. Timothy McManus ('51) died at Baptist Hospital in Miami on February 14th
after suffering a coronary, He had lived at the Marist retirement community in
Miami for nearly eleven years and had done much of the cooking there. Tim had
just celebrated his 70th birthday and was a Marist for 46years. He had ministered
in many of the Marist schools in the States and had served as a missionary in
Sibu and in Japan.
Br. Philip Bernard Gilbert ('31) died at the Nevins Home in Lawrence March
10th after a lengthy illness. He was 82 years old, having been born in Suncook,
New Hampshire, in 1914. Brother Philip entered the Marist Brothers as a junior
in Tyngsboro in 1927 and completed his novitiate in Poughkeepsie in 1932. He
had served at the Mount at Cardinal Hayes, in Lowell and at Lawrence CCHS. In
a homily Brother Kenneth Hogan reminded family and friends of Phil's fierce
sense of responsibility, his wonderful passion and emotion, and his colorful side
which showed in peppery sayings and gestures.
Br. Cyprian Rowe ('53) has announced that he is joining the African-American
Catholic Congregation, a church formed seven years ago by Archbishop George
A. Stallings, Cyprian will be ordained a priest and a bishop of the congregation
on March 22, 1997. As Bishop, his main work will be in the area of theological
education of the congregation's priests and seminarians." (as reported in the
Catholic News Service and the NCR, February 28th) Cyprian has written a letter,
requesting a dispensation from vows as a Marist Brother. Although this is a very
painful decision for Cyprian, he states that he believes that the Lord is calling
him to this decision. He treasures his Marist roots and family; however, he feels
called to greater service to the African-American community, Cyprian will
include a Marist symbol both in his episcopal ring and in his Bishop's insignia.
We express our gratitude to Cyprian for his many years of Marist life and work
in the United States. We pray that this decision, painful for us all, will lead
Cyprian to an authentic expression of ministry for God's people.
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Zaire: Three Marist schools in eastern Zaire are in full operation. However, there
have been air attacks on the city of Bukavu. In the center of the country one of
the communities in Kisangani is near the front line of combat.
Bougainville, New Guinea: Our two Marist communities on the island have
decided to stay despite heightened danger for everyone, the result of rebellion on
the island. The Brothers and their colleagues have received several threats of
violence on their lives and works.
FROM CHARLEY (Peter Daniel) KELLY ('51): I really enjoyed the February
issue of Marists All. The article on "Praise to the Presidents" brought back many
wonderful memories of Brother Paul Ambrose and Brother Linus ... "Marian"
College ... building the chapel ... My name is probably still on the back of one of
the walls and under the cross on the roof. I have strong recollections of the
"hearse" that carried a bunch of rowdy young men and their supplies around the
campus. We used that hearse for supplies for the chicken coop, too. I missed
hearing the story about the crane that came onto campus under its own power but
never moved again without the assistance of 30 or more people pushing it
around the building site. And there was the telephone pole that we strapped to
the crane to hoist the outside cross over the center of the chapel!
Many other memories flood back ... Brother John Patrick in Esopus and his "fire
sales" for the Souls in Ptwgatory ... and Brother Simeon in Tyngsboro with his
shoe box of stories to bring the gospel to life. We teased him a lot back in those
days, but forty years later I can still remember some of those stories and the
lessons they illustrated.
I teach at the University of Texas now and on occasion I find myself greeting my
students with "Good afternoon, Gentlemen.'' That is Doc Schroeder, vintage
1953!
Of late I have come to realize that there is much in my life, and in my soul, that
is a result of living our Marist life as a young man. My thoughts„ prayers, and
thanks to the men who were our role models in those forming years.
I was moved by the account of the Brothers in Zaire and the work of Brother
Rene Roy in Rwanda. I felt a deep sorrow at the loss of those dedicated men. I
didn't even know them, yet I felt a link with them and a pride in their courage to
stay ... simply because "the needs were much greater than they had been in the
past."
Everything is going well for the Kellys in Texas. Our family is spread out in
Oklahoma, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. It continues to grow with
eight grandchildren now. Marilyn and I are heading forNew York at the end of
next week, spring break at UT, to visit with two of our sons and their families.
We'll be in the Poughkeepsie area, so I plan to stop off for a visit at the college
while I'm there. (6905 Jester Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78750)
FROM MIKE (Michael Vincent) KELLY ('50):I just now received the February
issue of Marists All! It was addressed to Atlanta. We now live in Burbank,
California. (Sorry, Mike, for neglecting to make the change.)
We have adjusted to the move from the east to the west coast. We deal with
occasional small earthquakes, the traffic on the freeways, the constant fixation of
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the news with O.J., and the extraordinary dominance of the entertainment
industry.
We are described as a nation on the Pacific Rim and in many ways the
population reflects the name because of the large number of those from Asia.
However, the Latinos are dominant. We do not have a melting pot; we have a
patchwork quilt with the different cultures living in harmony. There are
problems but in general people are making the effort to accept diversity as a
positive rather than a negative condition. More in the future. Come and visit.
(705 :North Kenwood Street, Burbank, Ca 91505; 818-848-4406)
FROM PAUL. FURLONG ('60): It's been 29 years since live had any contact
with the Marist world, a long time to miss vital connections with an important
part of my past.
Recently, by sheer good luck and kismet, I came onto Reggie Diss' address and
phone via the Internet. I contacted him, and we had a delightful conversation!
that a thrill to get reconnected again. So much of life has happened in the
interim. Reggie gave me addresses of several others in our group and made me
aware of your newsletter. He then sent me some back issues of the newsletter
which I consumed in one sitting! I would surely love to be put on your mailing
list.
For me the last thirty years have been quite an adventure. I got my Masters in
Counseling Psych two years after I left the Marists, 1970. I spent ten years
working for the Juvenile Justice System in Eugene, Oregon, holding a variety of
positions there. Married into a family of six kids (most were teenage or grown).
Divorced 16 years later. Moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1980 and developed my
career in counseling, adjunct college teaching, and Human Resource consulting.
It has been a fulfilling and rewarding career.
The divorce was particularly devasting for me. For a couple of years I did not
function very well, and eventually had to declare bankruptcy. It became a period
of intense looking inward. Luckily I found a really good therapist to do some
deep structure work with. I'm glad that period is over - lots of pain and lots of
learning. Now I feel much more open and have more of myself available to me.
For the past five years Hazel and I have become life partners and also work
partners.This is a wonderful - and different - relationship for me. Hazel has
owned and operated a
very successful dry cleanihg business for 14 years. Two years ago we decided
that I would join her in that business with the idea of selling it and together
beginning another that is less strenuous.The new business is called HP
Connections. It offers a variety of services. Haven't had much time to properly
market the business, but I feel it's the right step into the future. A part of me
misses not being in the "helping profession," but another part is glad to be doing
something different and more "entrepreneurial."
I was so glad to get the past issues of Marists All! Came across names I hadn't
thought of in years. I have never regretted the years spent as a Marist Brother.
Those were happy times for me. As with so many things in life, it became time
to move on. Now it seems right to begin completing the circle and reconnect in a
way that ties in the past with the present.
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I think you are doing a wonderful thing by keeping the newsletter alive. From
the issues I have read it seems that a lot of others applaud your effort and derive
meaning from its pages. (e-mail = paulvf@ix.metcom.com) (8217 SW Oak
Street, Portland, Oregon, 97223; 503-246-5181; fax: 503-246-3275)
FROM TOM MOORE ('61): Keep the newsletter going. Don't hesitate to keep
readers posted on financial needs of the paper. I really enjoy reading each issue.
Wish I had some news to report, but I live a quiet life here in the mountains of
Pa! My mother died December 7th. She didn't suffer much at the end and is now
in God's loving embrace. She was 87. Peace. (1028 Hillside Trail, Johnstown,
Pa. 15905)
Retreat/reunion: Marist College, July 3rd to 6th. Call Larry Keogh: 815-838-
1570.
FROM BR. SEAN SAMMON ('66): You probably have heard that we had four
more of our Brothers killed by the militia in Zaire, a terrible loss to us all and to
the people among whom they lived and worked in refugee camps. I knew only
one personally, Servando, a lovely man about 40. I spoke with him last at the
Nairobi airport a few months back; he was going home for a month's leave and
then returning to Zaire. I would have been shocked had anyone suggested that
he'd be gone before the year had run out.
Many thanks for your work with Marists All. I'm grateful to receive it and even
more grateful for the news. (Fratelli Maristi; Piazzale M. Champagnat, 2; C.P.
10250; 00144,. Rome, Italy)
FROM DICK (Stephen Aloysius) BRANIGAN ('50): I bet you got a slew of e-
mail after the distribution of the last Marists All, and I guess I'm just one of
many who took the opportunity to thank you for all you've done to keep us all
sewed up in one blanket. You might remember me as Br. Stephen Aloysius ...
speech impediment practically gone. I live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with a first
wife and have three married children. I sent something to Marists All many years
ago, I'm about to retire from publication work at the University of Wisconsin,
Oshkosh, probably at the end of this year. I see Charlie Scott from time to time
(Madison) and keep in close touch with Bill Powers (Nanuet, New York). With
each succeeding newsletter I find so many more "later years" reports from
people I don't know. Yet they are of the same training and spirit ... and this
brings them into my company ... and I thank you again for making all this
happen.
Just as I have not been able to make the reunions at the Mount each year, I will
not be able to make this year's retreat. After I retire I might be able to get
involved. Ten years ago I made a "roots" trip back to Brooklyn, ten days of
visiting and such. I visited Esopus, wept at Paul "Uppy Downs" grave where he
lies with so many familiar guys, had lunch in Poughkeepsie with Bill Powers and
Larry Sullivan, and recalled many good times in the Hudson Valley. They were
very precious years, years when I stashed away important values that have come
to my rescue in later times. I never knew the value of that training until way later
in life.
Gotta scoot.I am house pianist at the Oshkosh Country Club here and I'll be
playing there tonight. I'll open with a few mid 50's songs just to toast our old
days, something like "That's my Desire" or Tony Bennett's "Rags to Riches...Be
listening about 5:30 p.m. your time!(1814 Fairview St.,.Oshkosh, Wi.. 54901)
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FROM ( (Louis Francis) ZIRKEL ('53): On New Year's Eve after 291/2 years I
retired from full time teaching at Nassau Community College, This semester I
taught just one course and helped the new Catholic chaplain who is replacing
me. Next semester I'm outta here!
I have a new book out, "Happiness is my Decision." I deal with the ideas I have
been presenting in my personal growth seminars: goal setting and goal
achievement through positive self talk, affirmations, visualizing success, and
attitudinal changes. (Six Brancatelli, West Islip, New York, 11795; 516-669-
0273)
GMC Picnic:
Mt. St. Michael,
Saturday, September 13th;
noon to 4 or 5 p.m.
FROM BR. PATRICK EUGENE MAGEE ('43)
the Marist Monastery Community of Marist High School, Chicago
You have done a wonderful service to the for Brothers through well published
Marists All, I have enjoyed reading it from cover to cover every time it arrives, I
duplicate sufficient copies so that each member of the community has his own
copy for quiet and leisurely reading.I have been impressed by the good
accomplished by so many in the spirit of Champagnat. The story written by
Brother Bob McGovern from the Philippines was most informative and
praiseworthy.
Please have your reading public continue their prayers for Brother Luke Pearson
('56) who carries on with his daily administrative responsibilities while quietly
battling cancer. He stays with our community during the school week. He is a
wonderful example of resignation to God's will for all of us.(4200 West 115th
Street, Chicago, Il. 60655)
FROM VINCE (Vincent Jude) POISELLA ('58): Thank you for the latest
Marists All! One of the workers at our post office, mother of one of our students,
sent it over to me, even though it was incorrectly addressed. I am wondering if
you created a ruse to get me to write!
As for news, we continue to be blessed. Although the road has been a little
rocky, I am still coordinator of counseling and guidance services at Hopatcong
High School; Jane is librarian/media specialist at our middle school.. Mark, our
oldest, was graduated from Notre Dame in 1995 and works a couple of jobs
while residing in Evanston, Illinois. He plans to make a move shortly to get into
the film business. He is writing screenplays and has a dream of doing an
independent film along with some of his colleagues among the ND alumni.Our
second boy, Eric, is completing his student teaching with primary school
children in Castleton, Vermont. He graduates in May. Our daughter, Anne, is
finishing her third year in a business finance/computer concentration at Marist
College. I am pleased that she enjoys Marist so much, and has met the likes of
Joe Belanger and Brian Desilets.She cannot comprehend that these same
professors were on the Marist staff when her aged dad went to college. These
people must be ancient, revived, or even reincarnated!
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Regarding other Marist connections, Jane and I plan to be at the retreat at the
College in July. Having been to the other two retreats over the last two years, we
are charter members! We look forward to returning and we encourage others to
join us.
We keep in touch with John and Joan Brady. Both John and I are in the school
counseling field and have come across each other at meetings now and again, I
am still in the New Jersey Counseling Association; I was president in 1993-94.
The camaraderie I experience with other counselors in the state is faintly
reminiscent of the Marist community spirit.
In the next few years we hope to see our kids settled somewhat. I should be
retiring within the next five years. Jane, shortly after that. At that point, if the
globe hasn't imploded (in the style of the chapel at Camp Marist), we will be
ready for an elderhostel emphasizing travel/education, Now there is an idea for
retired members of the Marist family. Travel opportunities coupled with
educational opportunities, within the context of existing Marist residences. From
picnic to the retreat, to travel opportunities. What do you think? Keep well! God
bless! And keep Marists All coming Peace! (24 Brooklyn Mountain Road,
Hopatcong, N, J. 07843)
FROM GERARD (Alberic Gerard) BRUNELLE ('47):The last issue of Marists
All so greatly affected me. There was the martyrdom of eleven Marist Brothers
in Africa. And there was the golden jubilee of the class I was in at St. Ann's
Novitiate under a great novice master, Brother Henry Charles. My classmates
have taught in classrooms around the world, giving of themselves according to
the ideals of Blessed Champagnat.
My Marist education from 1943 to 1950 consisted of three years at St. Joseph
Juniorate, Tyngsboro, two years at the Poughkeepsie novitiate, and one
wonderful year as assistant to chief gardener Brother Abelus. I will never, never
forget that year with Abelus, for he gave me a love for gardening that still
prevails at my hermitage at Weirs in Laconia near Lake Winnepasaukee. My
Marist education did finally lead to my becoming the teacher I wanted to be. I
spent 33 years in the Lowell school system as a successful music teacher.
Since my retirement in 1992, I live on the most beautiful lake in the world,
Every morning I look at it and bless the Lord who gave me a piece of it. Some
days I play my grand piano. I have composed two sonatas, one in A minor, the
other in D major with three movements. I have written a Mass "a Notre Dame de
Noel" to be sung by a chorus in Lowell, as soon as the music is put to paper. I
also write poetry on subjects that are pleasing to me, or are interesting or
challenging,. I hope to publish in the future.
Do you remember the Maxims of Father Champagnat? How I loved them. We
had to do translations of them from the French. That was very interesting to me
since French was may first language. I still use French all the time. In 1988 at a
festival in Lowell I was invited to read my poem on Jack Kerouac's little
Canada. At the international meeting of poets in Quebec City I recited that poem
in French on Radio Canada.
In my retirement I also do walking sticks and canes.I sculpter miniature things
on the handles and staffs. Some of my works are on exhibition in an art center in
Newport, New Hampshire. I gave a lecture on them at the center last week. My
works - canes, walking sticks, poetry, and music compositions - are all little
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bridges, even if they are toil bridges, from the island of my heritage to the
mainland of society. (P.O. Box 5157, Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, 03247)
JUBILARIANS: 1997 *
30th
Br. John Byrd
Br. John Cummings
Br. Robert McCauley
Br. Richard Van Houten
35th:
Br. Gerard Brown
Br. David Cooney
Br. Gerald Doherty
Br. Eladio Gonzalez
Br. Sumner Herrick
Br. Anthony Iazzetti
Br. Michael Laratonda
Br. Marcos Longoria
Br. Joseph Madsen
Br. John Raeihle
40th:
Br. George Fontana
Br. Kevin Handibode
Br. Patrick Hogan
Br. William Lambert
Br. Fabian Mayor
Br. Bernard Ruth
45th:
Br. Bonaventura Cocco
Br. Vincent Damian
Br. Patrick McNulty
Br. Roy Mooney
Br. Dominic O'Brien
Br. Leo Shea
* The names of the golden jubilarians appeared in the last issue.
FROM BR. SEAN SAMMON, V.G. It is April 21st. Landed in Manila this
morning after almost three months in Korea and Australia. Many hopeful signs
and people in both places. About three quarters of the General Administration is
here for meetings at the Marist Asia/Pacific Center. Hope to be in Rome by the
first of May. Blessings to all. (Fratelli Maristi; Piazzale M. Champagnat, 2; C.P.
10250; 00144 Rome, Italy)
DECEASED:
Br. Philip Bernard Gilbert ('31) died in Lawrence on March 10th.
Br. Timothy McManus ('51) died in Miami on February l4th.
There is more about these two Brothers taken from the Poughkeepsie Province
ewsnotes that appears in this newsletter.
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William Philip "Phil" Kelly (Philip Martin, '51) died in Augusta, Ga. on March
14th, within a month of his 65th birthday. He is survived by his wife, three
daughters, and two sons, the elder of whom is named Philip Martin. Phil was a
graduate of the University of Georgia.He owned and operated several retail
stores in Augusta. He was a member of the American Legion and of the Knights
of Columbus, 4th degree, past grand knight. He was also past president of the
Irish American Heritage Society.
We invite all of our readers to join us in ongoing prayer for all Marists, those
living and especially those deceased,
FROM JOHN WESP ('65): Thanks for your work with Marists All. I enjoy
reading them. Hope to retire soon from teaching. Don Gillespie turns 50 on April
5th; there will be a party at his house. I see Bill White once a year, but I missed
Ed Jenning's wedding. These are my only Marist contacts (82 Main Avenue,
Centereach, New York, 11720-1640)
FROM ERNEST (Ernest Francis) BELANGER ('55): I will miss not being at
Marist for the retreat with the gang this summer.There is something I found
strange about last summer's encounter. None that I know of wrote about it in
Marists All. I will have to suggest putting Marists All on the net. That might be
cheaper than mailing and certainly easier for the publishers and for our
ecological system. There are inexpensive providers out there. Frankly, Marists
All is the only none obligatory reading we do as soon as it comes in. I get to read
it after Alicia!, via e-mail ... (240 Castellana - 8B, 28046 Madrid, Spain)
EDITORS' NOTE: We are in the 11th year of publishing Marists All. Our next
issue will be #40. We hope to have it off to the printers in the early part of
August. That's not very long from the time you receive this issue. May we
encourage you to send us something soon. The frequency and even the duration
of this newsletter depends on you! E-mail to Gus Nolan:
JZB2@MaristB.Marist.edu or mail to: Gus Nolan, % Marist College,
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601; or David Kammer, R.R. 1-Box 3300,
Smithfield, Maine, 04978-9517.
FROM BR. RENE ROY ('60): This word of thanks is long overdue. Received
Marists All #38 well after everyone else. Thanks. Your editing was very
successful. I've received several letters from "non-conical" Marists as a result of
that issue and of the Development Office's Campaign for Rwanda. Al Perrone,
Al Senes, Jim Gargan, Gerard Brunelle, Eugene Connolly, and Charley Kelly
have not only sent letters and contributions, but have offered on going help. I
read the manifesto stating that M.A. is not a vehicle for fund raising, but people
have been moved nevertheless.
I'm hoping to be present for at least a brief time at the GMC retreat in early July
to see and thank people in person. You've doubtless heard that I'll fly to San
Francisco to receive one of the Called to Brotherhood awards to be given this
year by the National Association of Religious Brothers but I'll swing back to
catch the gang on retreat.
I can't believe that the first two years of my time in Rwanda are almost up. I'll be
home in June for some R & R. Then two more years to go. I'm constantly
thinking of how I'll describe. this experience to folks. I'll need some quiet time,
as well as some lively time with the American Family before I can even begin to
do justice to the scope of the experience. It's helping to put things in perspective.
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Meanwhile, for me you can once again thank the many who have shown support
via letter, prayer, and contribution. So much goes back to the Tyngsborough of
1959-61!
(Freres Maristes, B, P. 80, Gitarama; Rwanda, Africa)
FROM RICHARD LA PIETRA ('50): You might think about it as the changing
of the guard, a gradual replacement and relief of the men at the front. Or you
might picture a thin line of men climbing a mountain path toward the summit
into the sun.
Amateur historians sometimes refer to 1958 as a date of the modem founding of
Marist College, to distinguish the beginnings of the college we know today from
the training ground for the monks that began with the 1946 founding charter. If
there is any validity to that conceptualization, the past several years have seen
the beginnings of the passing from the scene of the Marist founders of the
modem Marist College. These are men who have spent the equivalent of a
lifetime, in most cases much more than a quarter century of service, in the
building of Marist and the pursuit of her unique mission. At the end of this past
academic year, two more names were added to that list, Joe Belanger and Gus
Nolan.
Both were honored at baccalaureate and commencement exercises, and were
feted, together with Professor Ted Prenting, at a testimonial dinner on May 13.
Two more different characters would be difficult to imagine, and as the long list
of their contributions were enumerated, it was so clear that evenin the human
realm, each tree bears its own special, idiosyncratic fruit. Yet, in both instances,
one did not have to scratch away the surface very much to find the common
theme of Marist dedication and Champagnat's spirit.
Some wonder about the impact on Marist as this changing of the guard
continues, and continue it will. One only needs examine a listing of personnel by
age to verify that. I have to believe that Joe and Gus have inspired younger
colleagues by their lives, actions, and their spirit, and in so doing leave aMarist
legacy that will continue to quicken and enliven the Marist community here on
the shores of the Hudson that witnessed the founding of the Marist presence in
the United States.
