Marists All: Issue #37 November 1996
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ISSUE # 37
November 1996
FROM RICHARD LACHANCE ('51): A year ago last fall my wife Bernadette
and I went to New York State to visit with her brother and his wife.We were so
close to Esopus that we decided to visit the place that I had not seen in forty-two
years. I drove into the courtyard of what used to be the Juniorate and looked
around to familiarize myself with the grounds again. Then we decided to drive
down to the ball.field area. There we came upon a group of students from one of
the Marist high schools. We stopped the car to let them pass, Holding up the rear
at the end of the line was Brother Declan Claude Murray. He approached the car
and I greeted him. I had changed too much in forty-two years for him to be able
to recognize me. Once I introduced myself his memory came back very quickly.
We spent a few hours in good conversation trying to learn what had happened in
the last forty-two years. One topic of conversation that I enjoyed most was
learning about some of the monks I had studied with. Sad to say, a number of
them have gone to their eternal reward. I heard that our Br. John Berchmans
spent his last years at Esopus; Brother John was a great inspiration to me!
Meeting Brother Declan again after so many years really has had a tremendous
impact on my life. It brought back so many good memories.The one thing I
regret most is that I did not go visit Esopus sooner.
Now a little bit about my wife, my family, and myself. Most monks who have
left have married the most wonderful person in the world. My wife and I (mostly
her) have raised nine wonderful children. Get this, nine children, eight girls and
one boy. Not many potential Marist vocations in that group. Our children have
blessed us with fourteen grandchildren.
My retirement is coming up this October.Seven years ago we purchased a home
in Florida. We are going to spend this coming winter there. My wife can hardly
wait. She is a warm weather person. We plan to be in Florida from mid-October
to the end of May. Our address in Florida is: (Richard & Bernadette IaChance
4658 Coachman Road New Port Richy, Fl. 34655 813-376-5521) Should any of
you be in the area of New Port Richy, or in the area of Salem, New Hampshire,
please feel free to drop in to pay us a visit.
One last comment I would like to make is that it is a spiritual bond that holds
this Marist Family together. All the years of prayer, sacrifice, and self-denial
during our training years in the juniorate and the novitiate have kept this Marist
Family bonded together for life. P.S. If anyone has information on the
whereabouts of Gilbert Levesque and Dominic Cavallero, would you be so kind
as to let me know how I might contact them. (45 Sandy Beach Road, Salem, N.
H. 03079; 603-893-0088)
TO BR. LAWRENCE JOSEPH POIRIER ('23) and BR. DANIEL ANDREW
KOPECKY ( '31) from David Kammer
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I am sure that both of you remember Paul Bierkortte who graduated with me
from Central Catholic High School, Wheeling, in 1940. He became a Marist
priest and was on their mission band for many years. He married a lady from
Argentina, in Atlanta I believe, around 1970 I believe. He and his wife Haydee
have children and grandchildren, how many I do not know.
I met Paul for the first time in many years in Wheeling in 1990 at our 50th
anniversary o£ graduation from high school. He did not attend our 55th last
September because he has a throat cancer and must use a sound device to speak.
Paul and Haydee live in Winter Haven, Florida, now. She is still teaching,
English and Spanish, and is doing much work with Cursilla.
Judy and I dropped in to see Paul and Haydee last February while visiting with
Paul Bruneau at his new winter home in the Winter Haven area.. We spoke of Br.
Lawrence Joseph and of Br. Daniel Andrew as the only living Brothers who
were on the staff of CCHS during our time there. I gave Paul a copy of Marists
All and subsequently mailed other issues to him. Yesterday I received the
following note from him, and I immediately thought of you two, that the tribute
to the monks should make its way through you!
"Greetings: I am so grateful for all the Marist information; I just lap it up. I was
especially moved when I saw the names of all the Brothers assigned to Central
when we entered there in 1936. I spent four o£ my important years with them.
And the number buried in Esopus! I owe so much to those dear servants of our
Divine Lord. It was Br. Vincent Dominic who got me interested in the religious
life; also Nathaniel. It was refreshing and uplifting to have you come for a visit.
We plan to get to your place.
Six weeks ago I had a cyst removed from my left arm, it was cancerous, And
after four days in the hospital recently, I'm home and feeling fine, but they think
my liver is not 100% healthy. Years ago when I was on the mission band, living
out of a suitcase, preaching here, there, and everywhere, I came down with
hepatitis and was hospitalized for weeks, ending up at the Lahey Clinic in
Boston for a battery of tests. I am no stranger to hospitals.
Guess what? As I am typing this, Haydee came from the mailbox with the latest
issue of Marists All. I find these letters better than any story book or novel!
Having been in the Marist religious life, these writings from Brothers and from
former Brothers are intriguing; I do feel so close to many of these men. I must
say that the Fratres Maristi Scolorum are indebted to you, as am I. How I wish
we had such a publication as Marists All for the priests. All the best ...
FROM BR. DERMOT HEALY ('79). Assistant Provincial, Province of
Poughkeepsie Adapted from the Province Newsnotes
On July 5th I flew to Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. I had envisioned arriving in a
small nearly empty airplane, but I found myself on a 757 packed with passengers
for Rwanda and Nairobi. At least half of the passengers got off the plane with
me. I had no idea what to expect as we were herded across the tarmac but was
delighted and put at ease as one of the first faces I saw behind a glass partition
was Br. Rene Roy, smiling and jumping up and down. He was accompanied by
the district superior and by a member of his community in Byimana.
Processing was made rather easy by a former Marist postulant, now an agent at
the airport. He brought Rene and company through the crowd, and we retrieved
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my considerable baggage. Though all I brought was inspected briefly, I was
actually whisked by customs and didn't have to pay a cent of tax on any of the
loot!
It was close to 10 p.m. when we arrived at the residence, yet the community had
waited supper so that we could eat together. A plentiful meal consisted in what
would soon become familiar fare: fried potatoes, green peas, a bit of beef stewed
in gravy, and a chopped cabbage salad; all tasted quite good.
Thanks to the Brothers and to Rene's family and friends, I was able to deliver
every item on Rene's wish list, ranging from aspirin to ping-pong balls. There
were even a TV-VCR unit and a "boom-box." All arrived unscathed. I also
brought more than thirteen thousand dollars for tuition assistance, repairs, and
needed supplies.
Byimana School of Science is a boarding school providing advanced high school
education for more than 700 boys and girls. The Brothers, faculty, and students
bear significant emotional scars from the civil war. The accounts of the torturous
deaths of so many innocent people are absolutely harrowing! Rene recognizes
that the primary value of his mission is simply to be with and to listen to the
people around him as they work through their thoughts and feelings, During my
two week stay I spent at least one period with each of Rene's classes answering
questions. The kids are anxious to practice conversational English and were
especially curious to learn some of our slang terms.
At best, life in Rwanda is inconvenient. There is no running water in Byimana
currently. Rainwater is collected in large cisterns via the roof gutters. The
drinking water must be boiled for twenty minutes and then filtered. Each of the
Brothers has two pails of water a day for washing. Supplies are scarce, but
thankfully food is in adequate supply.
The vicinities of our three communities seem to be politically calm, without
recent incidences of violence. The only scare I got was the day I came back to
my room after a walk and found a black and blue snake doing a sidewinder
across the floor. Rene, like Michael the Archangel, stepped on its head, and that
was that! The locals would not say what kind of snake it was, only that it was "a
bad one," You know I did a thorough room inspection nightly after that; turning
off the light was a sheer act of faith!
You will not be surprised to hear that Rene is already well known and much
loved by the Brothers, staff members, students, and all the neighbors. He looks
healthy, is not terribly thin as I had feared he might be, and he seems to be doing
generally well. No question, Rene misses his family and friends and keenly feels
the communication gap. A letter now and then would be a great support to him.
(B.P. 80, Gitarama, Rwanda, Africa; FAX: 011-250-30790)
FROM BR. PAUL AMBROSE: One of our Marist College graduates from India
invited me to his wedding in India. He gave me the option of visiting our Marists
in Trichy. We have about ten Indian Marists at work for the Church in the sector.
Our main goal is to get Indian candidates from the South, where there are
vocations, to be trained as Marists to go to work in the North. Meanwhile, the
Brothers have also been canvassing the North. In fact, while I was in Trichy, four
college graduates from the North arrived in Madras, after six days of travel, to
begin the postulant and novice programs. It was a real treat to meet with these
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candidates and to know that they spoke English so well and were ready for the
Champagnat experience.
On a later second trip to India these same candidates came down to Oliver's
house in Villukuri to celebrate my 83rd birthday and to pray and have talks on
the Founder and on our plans for Marist India. It was all just grand. Oliver, of
course, treated us royally. His is a Marist hone. I am the godfather of his two
daughters. His brother George Michael is a Marist candidate and has chosen me
as his spiritual advisor. He has been in contact with me for three years. It was
great for us to have time together. He will finish his college work in six months
and start his novitiate. He will be a dedicated Marist.
For my birthday there was a special Mass in the parish. In keeping with local
practice groups of elderly came to our house to recite the rosary for me. Later,
many friends, including some seven of the clergy, came for a catered dinner
Indian style.It was a good indoctrination to our Marist family spirit for the new
candidates from the North. They had a few days of rest at the beach and I gave
them some Marist talks about the new family they were joining.
(letter to Brothers, relatives, and friends, adapted)
FROM BR. GEORGE MATTHEW ('53): On July 26th I completed 43 years as a
Marist Brother. God works in strange ways to attract vocations. I was in the
Navy 1943-1946, serving in Europe. Upon my discharge I became an interstate
bus driver. When the Marist Brothers in Lawrence purchased a bus from war
surplus, I was approached to teach them how to drive it. That led me to where I
am now, at Mount St. Michael at age 76.
Along the road I was encouraged by Br. John Berchmans, Br. Stephen Urban,
and Br. Simeon Gerald. I went to the novitiate at the age of 32 and was the
grandfather of our large group of novices and postulants. At our final profession
we numbered 28.
After graduating from Marian College, I was assigned work in the laundry, and I
helped out in the print shop for five months. Then I was sent to Manhasset, to
Molloy, and to Bayonne. I went to Lowell for three years, to Wheeling for one
year, and in August of 1962 to Mt. St. Michael, where I am still. I thank God,
our Blessed Lady, St. Joseph, and Father Champagnat for their help so that I
have been able to stay active all these years.
Somewhere along the line, I was approached by Br. Pat Magee to sign up at the
college in New Paltz to become certified as a driver education teacher; thus, for
the next 23 years that is what I did at the Mount. I even became involved with
the New York State Driver and Safety Education group to the point that I went
all the way up to First Vice-President. God does work in strange ways! (Marist
Brothers, 4300 Murdock Avenue, Bronx, N. Y. 10466)
FROM TOM CRIMMINS ('63): All those "gentle reminders" have paid off and
I'm now finally sitting down to write that long promised letter that all of us plan
when we receive the latest issue of Marists All.
1995 was a "year to remember" for me.On New Year's Eve after leaving
basketball practice at school I suffered a massive heart attack. Typical of our
long Irish family tradition, I denied that anything could be wrong as I went
upstairs to rest a bit. As the elephant on my chest got heavier by the minute, I
recalled the CPR instructor's advice received every year as we renewed our
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coaches certificate: "Don't sit there and do nothing. Get to a doctor!" With my
wife Cathy still out shopping, I had my son call a neighbor who had me at
Winthrop University Hospital in five minutes. The guys in the "Indy 500" would
have been no match for Margaret Maguire that day. A minute after I arrived at
the emergency room my heart stopped and those nice little paddles we see on
"E.R." every week came to very good use. January 5th I underwent triple bypass
surgery.
With the God-sent support of my wonderful wife, family, and friends, I was back
to work three months later.The recovery seemed hastened by my daily routine of
watching "Barney" tapes with my two-year-old and of shamelessly overdosing
on the O.J. trial. These days I go to St. Francis Hospital for cardiac rehab three
days a week and, if I'm smart, I'll keep going for the rest of my (hopefully) long
life.
My brothers Ed and Frank decided it was time to do what all the "over 50's"
should be doing. They went to their doctors and had stress tests to see what
shape their hearts were in. Ed was told that he was "months away from a heart
attack," and underwent successful angioplasty last summer. Frank was also
found to have clogging symptoms and he is involved in a cardiac fitness
program. We were very lucky guys. Heart attacks don't always happen to the
"other guy." Don't wait. Go see your doctor and get a stress test! With that advice
I will get off my soapbox.
The legacy of Brother Leo Richard goes on! The other day I went up to see a
student in his classroom. There on the blackboard was a picture of Leo! It was
obvious that my colleague who was teaching that class was a "Stanner." Mike
Indovino is an excellent teacher and a marvelous coach at Elmont Memorial, He
told me that he keeps the picture of Leo on the board because he wants his
students to ask him about it. He always says the same thing: "That was the man
who made me the teacher I am today; in fact, he made me the man I am today."
Out on long Island, in a public school, the Marist tradition continues.
For the second straight summer my sonTom went to work with his godfather Br.
John Dunning ('63) at a summer camp in Esopus. Another Tom Crimmins
roaming the halls of the old Juniorate! I wonder if "Berkie" would have assigned
him my old number, "Mr. 49" as Br. Salerno would say. The place looks great, a
tribute to Br. Donald Nugent and the Brothers who live there full time. So many
wonderful memories for so many people. The property is put to such good use.
Champagnat would be proud.
Our family is a source of great joy to Cathy and me. Tam and Mike attend
Chaminade High. Katie is in the 7th grade, Mary is in the 4th, and Megan, our
three-year-old,, teaches us how many exciting adventures can occur in just one
day.
Cathy works as an RN at Mercy Hospital three nights a week, runs a Girl Scout
troop, and teaches CCD at our parish, St. Gregory the Great. We both serve as
Eucharistic ministers and as host family for parents planning the baptism of their
children. I'm still working as a guidance counselor. I've given up the high school
coaching and have found new joys working with my daughter's 4th grade CYO
basketball team.
Dennis Hartnett comes up from Florida a couple of times a year. He's Meg's
godfather. "Dee" brought me Ed Cashin's book, The King's Ranger. As I read it,
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I felt like I was back taking one of Ed's exciting courses at Marist College. I hear
that Br. leonard Voegtle's new book is also excellent. Len taught me World
History in the Juniorate. With teachers like Ed and Len, it's no wonder I couldn't
wait to become a social studies teacher.
Gerry Bowden, his wife Marie, and their children often come up to visit from
New Jersey. Along with John Dunning, we often suffer through Giants games
together.
I loved Br. Joseph Maura's reflections on Br. John Berchmans. "Berkie" was a
special man for so many of us as we went through those formative years.
Whether it was his ingenious way of getting us to do "our employment" or of
simply encouraging a reluctant Bronxite to get out on the pond ice for the first
time, he has left us all with so many positive impressions, a true man of God.
Thanks again for Marists All. that a great idea! (92 Superior Road, Bellerose
Village, New York, 11001; 516-3 52 4202)
FROM BR. DENIS HEVER ('64): I am presently in Wheeling, West Virginia,
with Dave Cooney ('62) and John McDonagh ('59). We were asked to re-
establish a Marist Brothers community in Wheeling and to work in conjunction
with the Marist Sisters. There are two Marist Sisters and three Marist Fathers in
town, but only Dave Cooney and Sr. Constance Dodd, S.M., are working
together. They provide the new leadership for the Catholic Charities Center,
replacing Sisters Laurentia and Daniel, known in Wheeling as Salt and Pepper
because one wore the white habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the other wore
the black habit of the same congregation. The Center provides some 50
breakfasts on a walk in basis, 60 to 70 dinners, and 230 meals-on-wheels. It has
been running on donations for the last 28 years.
When we arrived in Wheeling, we were and continue to be the recipients of the
good will earned by previous generations of Marists who taught during their
years at Central Catholic High School and those who worked here afterwards in
various ministries. John McDonagh is a chaplain at Peterson Long Term facility
and Rehab Center, and I am a chaplain at Wheeling Catholic Hospital.
After leaving Marist College, my life has been a continual shifting between
classroom, formation work, and parish work, the changes often occuring in
response to some call from the province. My life often seems to me like the
game of "Pick Up Sticks," so many unconnected lines, changes of location, of
ministry, and of community. I have learned to see the continuity and to trust the
hand that guides each one of us.
Recently I spent twelve months taking credits in Clinical Pastoral Education at
two hospitals in New Jersey. That is what has led me to Wheeling, that and the
suggestion of Br. John Klein, our Provincial. I enjoy my work at the hospital
very much, a daily mix of Emergency Room, Same Day Surgery, Cardiovascular
Intensive Care ... Ninety people come to the Dialysis Center three times each
week. In many ways the skills of spiritual companioning are called for at the
Dialysis Center, I am grateful for those people who have welcomed me. I would
like to think that maybe I can put down roots here and break my record of being
four years in any one place. (4509 Eoff St., Wheeling, Wv. 26003-1611; 304-
232-3618)
FROM BR. JOE BELANGER ('43): I checked my bags into China Air for Flight
301. Having plenty of time, I went to have a beer to relax, to think, and to pray, I
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almost immediately spilled my beer. Nervousness? Neurological disorder? I had
spilled my orange juice that morning.
The flight was very comfortable. After seven hours we stopped at Anchorage for
a 90-minute break, then reboarded the same plane for Taipei. Nine hours later we
landed in Taipei for a second welcomed break. Then we boarded a different
plane for Hong Kong. The young Chinese lady, to my left, talked about her
experience learning English this summer in Boston. On landing at 8:46 a.m. I
retrieved my luggage and walked down the ramp hoping to be recognized. The
crowd at that time of day was thin; Br. Anthony Tay picked me out easily. The
drive from the airport to the Brothers' quarters at St. Francis Xavier College is
only fifteen minutes. SFXC reminded me of the old St. Ann's Academy; not
much for looks, but great spirit. The Brothers were most hospitable all week.
Bosco Wei (66) had spent a few months at Marist College last year. One evening
Joseph Chang visited from our other community in Hong Kong and immediately
greeted me with a hearty "Joseph Emilian!" He said I had evaluated his practice
teaching of a BVM class in Esopus in 1956.
On Friday I went with Tay to pick up Br. Fabian Mayor. It's a good thing I knew
Fab, for the crowd was triple what it had been in the morning. Fabian became
my tour guide for the week. He had been in Hong Kong ten years earlier and was
anxious to revisit sights.
For three days we were busy with AITECE orientation. Excellent presentations
on traditional and modern China, on teaching English in a Chinese university, on
Chinese culture and the educational system today, on the Catholic Church in the
People's Republic of China, on health considerations, and on AITECE itself,
registered for bringing teaching experts to the PRC. Our last session was
followed by Mass and by dinner in a Chinese-American restaurant, an event that
cemented the conviviality generated by the days of conferences. Our group of
new participants in AITECE had nineteen, eight from Ireland, four from the
States, three from the Philippines, two from Canada, and one from Australia. In
all the agency is sponsoring 45 teachers during '96-'97.
After breakfast Br. Bosco drove Fabian to the railroad station for his three hour
ride to Canton and later drove me to the airport for my Boeing 757 flight to
Xiamen, one hour. One of the Chinese teachers of English met me and took me
by cab to Injiang U. My three pieces of luggage had to be hauled up an eight
storey residence with no elevator. I was shown to apartment 603, a very
comfortable area with spacious bedroom, sitting room, workroom, small kitchen,
and porch overlooking the harbor. The apartment is completely furnished with
utensils, dishes, sofas, TV, telephone, sheets, everything. And it is rent free!
Everybody has been most helpful. Across the hall in 604 is Mark Elfman, retired
from the U.S. military, and in 703 are Jack and Yvette Connell, beginning their
third year here and loving it. This morning Jack and Yvette took me to the
Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association church on Guiang Island. The CCPA has
fully valid priests and bishops. The singing at Mass would have cheered the
heart of Lapietra, vigorous and loud. After Mass we met an American couple
with five children; they were the cynosure with all the Chinese encircling us
listening to our conversation, fascinated by the very blond hair of the little ones,
perhaps wondering about the five children! After, we reboarded the ferry and all
went to MacDonald's for lunch!
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Tomorrow at 9:50, my first class. My students will be preparing for a career in
tourism.
(A circular to Brothers, relatives, and friends, adapted)
FROM MIKE (Michael Vincent) KELLY ('50): I cannot remember when I wrote
last, but I know it is time to write again if we expect to continue on your mailing
list. Yes, Janet and I have moved again, this time from Atlanta to Burbank,
California, the city made famous by Johnny Carson. Moving is a family failure;
unlike Des, however, we stay within the national borders.
A year ago our daughter Joan and her husband moved to Los Angeles; he is a
grad student at USC and works for Warner Brothers, Joan works for
Paramount.So we decided to settle in Los Angeles for a couple of years.Our
daughter Jean, a recent graduate from the University of Hartford, has joined
us.We are still unpacking boxes and trying to adjust to the sameness of one day
being as beautiful as the previous day. And we are still driving cars cross
country. Janet is about to fly back to meet Jean in Hartford, where she will begin
her next trip west. It will be Janet's fifth drive cross country this year. While we
prefer to be into cruises rather than being road warriors, we have really enjoyed
seeing the many facets of America.Ours is a fascinating country with fascinating
people. Every route has its own special attractions.
Out west I had the chance of retiring or of finding gainful employment. I was
fortunate to be offered the Northrop Grumman Endowed Chair of Manufacturing
and Design at California State University in L.A., where among other things I
am teaching two courses. I am very pleased to be at a school where, like Marist,
the focus is primarily on the student. We are in an area that is increasingly
dominated by Asians and Latinos, but the diversity is more a cause for
celebration than for concern. The diversity is particularly in evidence at CSLA.
As a consequence of moving into this state, I have been asked to write a strategy
that could lead to flat panel display manufacturing in California. I am pleased to
have the opportunity to contribute to the strategy, because the U.S. is at risk of a
continuous erosion of the electronics sector, increasingly dominated by Asia.
This is the conclusion of a study I was involved in over the past year.
If anyone would like to visit us and witness first hand a land almost totally
dominated by entertainment, be our guest. We shop at Soap Opera Star's food
stores, frequent restaurants where you see people whom you were watching on
TV the night before, and on Sunday we go to "Bob Hope's Church." Yes, Jesus is
still present.
During December and January we expect a lot of visitors, but there is always
room for one or two more. We can be reached at 705 North Kenwood Street,
Burbank, 91505, where our telephone number is 818-848-4406. At work my
number is 213-343-4507. Call and let us know you are coming. We pray that this
finds Marists all well, happy, and looking forward to an exciting drive cross
country. You owe it to yourself. Hope to see you soon.
DECEASED: We have word of the deaths of Lew (Simeon Anthony) Savino
('55), Tom Connors ('64), and Patrick Maloney ('74). Sorry that we have no more
information than this. May the souls of all of our departed friends rest in peace.
FROM BR. RICHARD "Ziggy" RANCOURT ('48): It's a rainy June day but the
receipt of your thoughtful letter, Dave, did brighten my day with a touch of
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sunshine! I couldn't help thinking about our lively conversation at Gus and Liz
Nolan's home, the evening after our morning hours of folding, stuffing, and
mailing another issue of Marists All. I found that conversation more scintillating
than some of our local GMC meetings. No doubt, new faces added to the zest
and sip of the evening. It's really a major treat having some old friends here not
only to reminisce about days at St. Ann's Hermitage when the roads were the
dustiest or about the simple joys of the Marist life way back then but also to add
fresh insights that enrich our present lives along so many unchartered paths of
Marist spirituality.
Every so often Jerry Cox will have Larry Sullivan and me join a few of his
classmates for an evening on the town. Actually few of us are still able to paint
the town red and talk about it the day after. Jerry, Binski, Joe McMahon, Buddy
Nolan, Greg DelaNoy, Larry and I make a very compatible group as we weave in
and out of discussions on politics, education, religion, you name it! I must
confess that I do find it difficult at times to engage in such animated
conversation with our younger Brothers (who are not really so young any more).
But then again our histories and stories are so different. Some things are
impossible to change save for divine intervention but let's not get carried away.
Certainly the '67-'68 General Chapter did much to change the course of Marist
history. That Chapter will always remain a dramatic focus in our lives. In spite of
the seriousness of that blessed event, remember the oodles of fun Ed Cashin,
Linus Foy, Gerry Weiss, you and I had on our Sundays off at the Italian lido. The
store bought roasted chicken, the bread, and the Chianti wine never quite
measured up to haute cuisine! Linus was into sketching our portraits at the lido. I
never thought his sketches did us justice. Now I can confess after all these years,
with no regret mind you, that I buried that sketchbook in the Polish cemetery at
Monte Casino' Forgive me, Linus.
Yes, I will continue to help with the mailings of the newsletter as long as my
health holds out. No, I'm not ill! I just threw that health part in to complete the
sentence and to remind myself that we are growing older. Gracefully?!?! Who
knows?
For your perusal I'm sending you copies of an article and a certificate of some of
my unexpected but now proud achievements of the past year. Quite frankly, at
this age I lap up any day in the sun that still comes my way. To heck with being
humble, modest, and simple! Where did all that get us? Of course I write this
with tongue in cheek., but as a contemporary novice master I would reframe
these virtues into a more upbeat style. Once you finish reading the article and the
certificate, throw them away or burn them as Champagnat did with those "grand
means of success!" If you have forgotten that story, I'll tell it to you the next time
we meet, most probably the next time we fold, stuff, and mail the next issue of
Marists All.
I like to think our Marists All is blazing a new trail. Never, probably, in our
Marist history have so many non-canonical Brothers (to steal LaPietra's phrase)
felt so much a part of the canonical Brothers ... and vice versa, In future years
this momentum may prevail and perhaps take a different twist, but we will have
been some of the founders. Now we have Dennis Dunne, Larry Keogh, and their
July retreats here in Pksie. Incidentally I don't take the distinction between
canonical and non-canonical Brothers too seriosly. If I were Pope for a day ...
well, I'd probably make a real mess of it! Any way, we had our few years with
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Pope John XXIII! That was a start. Take care. God bless. (Marist College,
Champagnat Hall, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601)
FROM GUS NOLAN ('48): The picnic at Mount St. Michael's this year was
blessed with the best day in years. Beautiful sunshine, clear sky, and a wonderful
touch of fall in the air. Many thanks to Br. John Bantz for the wonderful
reception and the generous use of the Mount's facilities, including the use of the
kitchen for warming dishes.
We were delighted to see so many of the Mount community: Brother Simeon,
Godfrey, James Gaffney, Robert Leclerc, George Matthew, John Colbert, and of
course the talented Francis "Scotty" Hughes who has done such wonderful work
building up the garth area to be a thing of beauty.A few Brothers from other
communities also joined us: Pat Tyrell, Alphonse Matuga, John Herrmann,
Victor Serna.
We invited those attending to include their names on a sign-up sheet, That
resulted in the following list:
Martin Lang '47 (MALAXG@FAIRI.FAIRFIELD.EDU)
Ed Cashin & Mary Ann '46 (ecashin@ac.edu)
Frank Reilly '48
Bill Krueger '51 (KAIRIE@gal.com)
John Wilcox '57 (JWILC0X@MANHATTAN.EDU)
Joe "Bernie" Woods '52
Frank Moran '50
Bill Powers '50
Jep & Joan Lanning '49
Ken Mannix '54
Ray Landry'56
Don Schmidt '53
Barney & Ann Sheridan '55
Bernard Connelly '61
Adrian & Betty Perreault '36
Dan St. Jacques '51
Bill Doherty '62
Frank McNiff '51
Vince & Jane Poisella '58
Barbara & Richard LaPietra '50
Artie Iavigne '55
Gus & Liz Nolan '48
From time to time during our time together we were informed of the progress of
the Notre Dame-Texas game, For the dramatic end I was on the road home, and
the news was good. Too bad there was not a continual flow of miracles for the
Irish for other Saturdays this fall. But there will be other years!
In order to help keep our newsletter alive and healthy, we are introducing a new
method of communicating: E-mail. Messages may be sent to Gus Nolan at
Marist College by using the following address: JZB2@MaristB.Marist.edu
This has to be used just as typed - no spaces.
For those of you still with the postal service, send your write-ups to Gus Nolan,
%Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 2601; or to David Kammer, 476
LA.Playa, Edgewater, Florida, 32141
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ISSUE # 37
November 1996
FROM RICHARD LACHANCE ('51): A year ago last fall my wife Bernadette
and I went to New York State to visit with her brother and his wife.We were so
close to Esopus that we decided to visit the place that I had not seen in forty-two
years. I drove into the courtyard of what used to be the Juniorate and looked
around to familiarize myself with the grounds again. Then we decided to drive
down to the ball.field area. There we came upon a group of students from one of
the Marist high schools. We stopped the car to let them pass, Holding up the rear
at the end of the line was Brother Declan Claude Murray. He approached the car
and I greeted him. I had changed too much in forty-two years for him to be able
to recognize me. Once I introduced myself his memory came back very quickly.
We spent a few hours in good conversation trying to learn what had happened in
the last forty-two years. One topic of conversation that I enjoyed most was
learning about some of the monks I had studied with. Sad to say, a number of
them have gone to their eternal reward. I heard that our Br. John Berchmans
spent his last years at Esopus; Brother John was a great inspiration to me!
Meeting Brother Declan again after so many years really has had a tremendous
impact on my life. It brought back so many good memories.The one thing I
regret most is that I did not go visit Esopus sooner.
Now a little bit about my wife, my family, and myself. Most monks who have
left have married the most wonderful person in the world. My wife and I (mostly
her) have raised nine wonderful children. Get this, nine children, eight girls and
one boy. Not many potential Marist vocations in that group. Our children have
blessed us with fourteen grandchildren.
My retirement is coming up this October.Seven years ago we purchased a home
in Florida. We are going to spend this coming winter there. My wife can hardly
wait. She is a warm weather person. We plan to be in Florida from mid-October
to the end of May. Our address in Florida is: (Richard & Bernadette IaChance
4658 Coachman Road New Port Richy, Fl. 34655 813-376-5521) Should any of
you be in the area of New Port Richy, or in the area of Salem, New Hampshire,
please feel free to drop in to pay us a visit.
One last comment I would like to make is that it is a spiritual bond that holds
this Marist Family together. All the years of prayer, sacrifice, and self-denial
during our training years in the juniorate and the novitiate have kept this Marist
Family bonded together for life. P.S. If anyone has information on the
whereabouts of Gilbert Levesque and Dominic Cavallero, would you be so kind
as to let me know how I might contact them. (45 Sandy Beach Road, Salem, N.
H. 03079; 603-893-0088)
TO BR. LAWRENCE JOSEPH POIRIER ('23) and BR. DANIEL ANDREW
KOPECKY ( '31) from David Kammer
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I am sure that both of you remember Paul Bierkortte who graduated with me
from Central Catholic High School, Wheeling, in 1940. He became a Marist
priest and was on their mission band for many years. He married a lady from
Argentina, in Atlanta I believe, around 1970 I believe. He and his wife Haydee
have children and grandchildren, how many I do not know.
I met Paul for the first time in many years in Wheeling in 1990 at our 50th
anniversary o£ graduation from high school. He did not attend our 55th last
September because he has a throat cancer and must use a sound device to speak.
Paul and Haydee live in Winter Haven, Florida, now. She is still teaching,
English and Spanish, and is doing much work with Cursilla.
Judy and I dropped in to see Paul and Haydee last February while visiting with
Paul Bruneau at his new winter home in the Winter Haven area.. We spoke of Br.
Lawrence Joseph and of Br. Daniel Andrew as the only living Brothers who
were on the staff of CCHS during our time there. I gave Paul a copy of Marists
All and subsequently mailed other issues to him. Yesterday I received the
following note from him, and I immediately thought of you two, that the tribute
to the monks should make its way through you!
"Greetings: I am so grateful for all the Marist information; I just lap it up. I was
especially moved when I saw the names of all the Brothers assigned to Central
when we entered there in 1936. I spent four o£ my important years with them.
And the number buried in Esopus! I owe so much to those dear servants of our
Divine Lord. It was Br. Vincent Dominic who got me interested in the religious
life; also Nathaniel. It was refreshing and uplifting to have you come for a visit.
We plan to get to your place.
Six weeks ago I had a cyst removed from my left arm, it was cancerous, And
after four days in the hospital recently, I'm home and feeling fine, but they think
my liver is not 100% healthy. Years ago when I was on the mission band, living
out of a suitcase, preaching here, there, and everywhere, I came down with
hepatitis and was hospitalized for weeks, ending up at the Lahey Clinic in
Boston for a battery of tests. I am no stranger to hospitals.
Guess what? As I am typing this, Haydee came from the mailbox with the latest
issue of Marists All. I find these letters better than any story book or novel!
Having been in the Marist religious life, these writings from Brothers and from
former Brothers are intriguing; I do feel so close to many of these men. I must
say that the Fratres Maristi Scolorum are indebted to you, as am I. How I wish
we had such a publication as Marists All for the priests. All the best ...
FROM BR. DERMOT HEALY ('79). Assistant Provincial, Province of
Poughkeepsie Adapted from the Province Newsnotes
On July 5th I flew to Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. I had envisioned arriving in a
small nearly empty airplane, but I found myself on a 757 packed with passengers
for Rwanda and Nairobi. At least half of the passengers got off the plane with
me. I had no idea what to expect as we were herded across the tarmac but was
delighted and put at ease as one of the first faces I saw behind a glass partition
was Br. Rene Roy, smiling and jumping up and down. He was accompanied by
the district superior and by a member of his community in Byimana.
Processing was made rather easy by a former Marist postulant, now an agent at
the airport. He brought Rene and company through the crowd, and we retrieved
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my considerable baggage. Though all I brought was inspected briefly, I was
actually whisked by customs and didn't have to pay a cent of tax on any of the
loot!
It was close to 10 p.m. when we arrived at the residence, yet the community had
waited supper so that we could eat together. A plentiful meal consisted in what
would soon become familiar fare: fried potatoes, green peas, a bit of beef stewed
in gravy, and a chopped cabbage salad; all tasted quite good.
Thanks to the Brothers and to Rene's family and friends, I was able to deliver
every item on Rene's wish list, ranging from aspirin to ping-pong balls. There
were even a TV-VCR unit and a "boom-box." All arrived unscathed. I also
brought more than thirteen thousand dollars for tuition assistance, repairs, and
needed supplies.
Byimana School of Science is a boarding school providing advanced high school
education for more than 700 boys and girls. The Brothers, faculty, and students
bear significant emotional scars from the civil war. The accounts of the torturous
deaths of so many innocent people are absolutely harrowing! Rene recognizes
that the primary value of his mission is simply to be with and to listen to the
people around him as they work through their thoughts and feelings, During my
two week stay I spent at least one period with each of Rene's classes answering
questions. The kids are anxious to practice conversational English and were
especially curious to learn some of our slang terms.
At best, life in Rwanda is inconvenient. There is no running water in Byimana
currently. Rainwater is collected in large cisterns via the roof gutters. The
drinking water must be boiled for twenty minutes and then filtered. Each of the
Brothers has two pails of water a day for washing. Supplies are scarce, but
thankfully food is in adequate supply.
The vicinities of our three communities seem to be politically calm, without
recent incidences of violence. The only scare I got was the day I came back to
my room after a walk and found a black and blue snake doing a sidewinder
across the floor. Rene, like Michael the Archangel, stepped on its head, and that
was that! The locals would not say what kind of snake it was, only that it was "a
bad one," You know I did a thorough room inspection nightly after that; turning
off the light was a sheer act of faith!
You will not be surprised to hear that Rene is already well known and much
loved by the Brothers, staff members, students, and all the neighbors. He looks
healthy, is not terribly thin as I had feared he might be, and he seems to be doing
generally well. No question, Rene misses his family and friends and keenly feels
the communication gap. A letter now and then would be a great support to him.
(B.P. 80, Gitarama, Rwanda, Africa; FAX: 011-250-30790)
FROM BR. PAUL AMBROSE: One of our Marist College graduates from India
invited me to his wedding in India. He gave me the option of visiting our Marists
in Trichy. We have about ten Indian Marists at work for the Church in the sector.
Our main goal is to get Indian candidates from the South, where there are
vocations, to be trained as Marists to go to work in the North. Meanwhile, the
Brothers have also been canvassing the North. In fact, while I was in Trichy, four
college graduates from the North arrived in Madras, after six days of travel, to
begin the postulant and novice programs. It was a real treat to meet with these
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candidates and to know that they spoke English so well and were ready for the
Champagnat experience.
On a later second trip to India these same candidates came down to Oliver's
house in Villukuri to celebrate my 83rd birthday and to pray and have talks on
the Founder and on our plans for Marist India. It was all just grand. Oliver, of
course, treated us royally. His is a Marist hone. I am the godfather of his two
daughters. His brother George Michael is a Marist candidate and has chosen me
as his spiritual advisor. He has been in contact with me for three years. It was
great for us to have time together. He will finish his college work in six months
and start his novitiate. He will be a dedicated Marist.
For my birthday there was a special Mass in the parish. In keeping with local
practice groups of elderly came to our house to recite the rosary for me. Later,
many friends, including some seven of the clergy, came for a catered dinner
Indian style.It was a good indoctrination to our Marist family spirit for the new
candidates from the North. They had a few days of rest at the beach and I gave
them some Marist talks about the new family they were joining.
(letter to Brothers, relatives, and friends, adapted)
FROM BR. GEORGE MATTHEW ('53): On July 26th I completed 43 years as a
Marist Brother. God works in strange ways to attract vocations. I was in the
Navy 1943-1946, serving in Europe. Upon my discharge I became an interstate
bus driver. When the Marist Brothers in Lawrence purchased a bus from war
surplus, I was approached to teach them how to drive it. That led me to where I
am now, at Mount St. Michael at age 76.
Along the road I was encouraged by Br. John Berchmans, Br. Stephen Urban,
and Br. Simeon Gerald. I went to the novitiate at the age of 32 and was the
grandfather of our large group of novices and postulants. At our final profession
we numbered 28.
After graduating from Marian College, I was assigned work in the laundry, and I
helped out in the print shop for five months. Then I was sent to Manhasset, to
Molloy, and to Bayonne. I went to Lowell for three years, to Wheeling for one
year, and in August of 1962 to Mt. St. Michael, where I am still. I thank God,
our Blessed Lady, St. Joseph, and Father Champagnat for their help so that I
have been able to stay active all these years.
Somewhere along the line, I was approached by Br. Pat Magee to sign up at the
college in New Paltz to become certified as a driver education teacher; thus, for
the next 23 years that is what I did at the Mount. I even became involved with
the New York State Driver and Safety Education group to the point that I went
all the way up to First Vice-President. God does work in strange ways! (Marist
Brothers, 4300 Murdock Avenue, Bronx, N. Y. 10466)
FROM TOM CRIMMINS ('63): All those "gentle reminders" have paid off and
I'm now finally sitting down to write that long promised letter that all of us plan
when we receive the latest issue of Marists All.
1995 was a "year to remember" for me.On New Year's Eve after leaving
basketball practice at school I suffered a massive heart attack. Typical of our
long Irish family tradition, I denied that anything could be wrong as I went
upstairs to rest a bit. As the elephant on my chest got heavier by the minute, I
recalled the CPR instructor's advice received every year as we renewed our
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coaches certificate: "Don't sit there and do nothing. Get to a doctor!" With my
wife Cathy still out shopping, I had my son call a neighbor who had me at
Winthrop University Hospital in five minutes. The guys in the "Indy 500" would
have been no match for Margaret Maguire that day. A minute after I arrived at
the emergency room my heart stopped and those nice little paddles we see on
"E.R." every week came to very good use. January 5th I underwent triple bypass
surgery.
With the God-sent support of my wonderful wife, family, and friends, I was back
to work three months later.The recovery seemed hastened by my daily routine of
watching "Barney" tapes with my two-year-old and of shamelessly overdosing
on the O.J. trial. These days I go to St. Francis Hospital for cardiac rehab three
days a week and, if I'm smart, I'll keep going for the rest of my (hopefully) long
life.
My brothers Ed and Frank decided it was time to do what all the "over 50's"
should be doing. They went to their doctors and had stress tests to see what
shape their hearts were in. Ed was told that he was "months away from a heart
attack," and underwent successful angioplasty last summer. Frank was also
found to have clogging symptoms and he is involved in a cardiac fitness
program. We were very lucky guys. Heart attacks don't always happen to the
"other guy." Don't wait. Go see your doctor and get a stress test! With that advice
I will get off my soapbox.
The legacy of Brother Leo Richard goes on! The other day I went up to see a
student in his classroom. There on the blackboard was a picture of Leo! It was
obvious that my colleague who was teaching that class was a "Stanner." Mike
Indovino is an excellent teacher and a marvelous coach at Elmont Memorial, He
told me that he keeps the picture of Leo on the board because he wants his
students to ask him about it. He always says the same thing: "That was the man
who made me the teacher I am today; in fact, he made me the man I am today."
Out on long Island, in a public school, the Marist tradition continues.
For the second straight summer my sonTom went to work with his godfather Br.
John Dunning ('63) at a summer camp in Esopus. Another Tom Crimmins
roaming the halls of the old Juniorate! I wonder if "Berkie" would have assigned
him my old number, "Mr. 49" as Br. Salerno would say. The place looks great, a
tribute to Br. Donald Nugent and the Brothers who live there full time. So many
wonderful memories for so many people. The property is put to such good use.
Champagnat would be proud.
Our family is a source of great joy to Cathy and me. Tam and Mike attend
Chaminade High. Katie is in the 7th grade, Mary is in the 4th, and Megan, our
three-year-old,, teaches us how many exciting adventures can occur in just one
day.
Cathy works as an RN at Mercy Hospital three nights a week, runs a Girl Scout
troop, and teaches CCD at our parish, St. Gregory the Great. We both serve as
Eucharistic ministers and as host family for parents planning the baptism of their
children. I'm still working as a guidance counselor. I've given up the high school
coaching and have found new joys working with my daughter's 4th grade CYO
basketball team.
Dennis Hartnett comes up from Florida a couple of times a year. He's Meg's
godfather. "Dee" brought me Ed Cashin's book, The King's Ranger. As I read it,
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I felt like I was back taking one of Ed's exciting courses at Marist College. I hear
that Br. leonard Voegtle's new book is also excellent. Len taught me World
History in the Juniorate. With teachers like Ed and Len, it's no wonder I couldn't
wait to become a social studies teacher.
Gerry Bowden, his wife Marie, and their children often come up to visit from
New Jersey. Along with John Dunning, we often suffer through Giants games
together.
I loved Br. Joseph Maura's reflections on Br. John Berchmans. "Berkie" was a
special man for so many of us as we went through those formative years.
Whether it was his ingenious way of getting us to do "our employment" or of
simply encouraging a reluctant Bronxite to get out on the pond ice for the first
time, he has left us all with so many positive impressions, a true man of God.
Thanks again for Marists All. that a great idea! (92 Superior Road, Bellerose
Village, New York, 11001; 516-3 52 4202)
FROM BR. DENIS HEVER ('64): I am presently in Wheeling, West Virginia,
with Dave Cooney ('62) and John McDonagh ('59). We were asked to re-
establish a Marist Brothers community in Wheeling and to work in conjunction
with the Marist Sisters. There are two Marist Sisters and three Marist Fathers in
town, but only Dave Cooney and Sr. Constance Dodd, S.M., are working
together. They provide the new leadership for the Catholic Charities Center,
replacing Sisters Laurentia and Daniel, known in Wheeling as Salt and Pepper
because one wore the white habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the other wore
the black habit of the same congregation. The Center provides some 50
breakfasts on a walk in basis, 60 to 70 dinners, and 230 meals-on-wheels. It has
been running on donations for the last 28 years.
When we arrived in Wheeling, we were and continue to be the recipients of the
good will earned by previous generations of Marists who taught during their
years at Central Catholic High School and those who worked here afterwards in
various ministries. John McDonagh is a chaplain at Peterson Long Term facility
and Rehab Center, and I am a chaplain at Wheeling Catholic Hospital.
After leaving Marist College, my life has been a continual shifting between
classroom, formation work, and parish work, the changes often occuring in
response to some call from the province. My life often seems to me like the
game of "Pick Up Sticks," so many unconnected lines, changes of location, of
ministry, and of community. I have learned to see the continuity and to trust the
hand that guides each one of us.
Recently I spent twelve months taking credits in Clinical Pastoral Education at
two hospitals in New Jersey. That is what has led me to Wheeling, that and the
suggestion of Br. John Klein, our Provincial. I enjoy my work at the hospital
very much, a daily mix of Emergency Room, Same Day Surgery, Cardiovascular
Intensive Care ... Ninety people come to the Dialysis Center three times each
week. In many ways the skills of spiritual companioning are called for at the
Dialysis Center, I am grateful for those people who have welcomed me. I would
like to think that maybe I can put down roots here and break my record of being
four years in any one place. (4509 Eoff St., Wheeling, Wv. 26003-1611; 304-
232-3618)
FROM BR. JOE BELANGER ('43): I checked my bags into China Air for Flight
301. Having plenty of time, I went to have a beer to relax, to think, and to pray, I
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almost immediately spilled my beer. Nervousness? Neurological disorder? I had
spilled my orange juice that morning.
The flight was very comfortable. After seven hours we stopped at Anchorage for
a 90-minute break, then reboarded the same plane for Taipei. Nine hours later we
landed in Taipei for a second welcomed break. Then we boarded a different
plane for Hong Kong. The young Chinese lady, to my left, talked about her
experience learning English this summer in Boston. On landing at 8:46 a.m. I
retrieved my luggage and walked down the ramp hoping to be recognized. The
crowd at that time of day was thin; Br. Anthony Tay picked me out easily. The
drive from the airport to the Brothers' quarters at St. Francis Xavier College is
only fifteen minutes. SFXC reminded me of the old St. Ann's Academy; not
much for looks, but great spirit. The Brothers were most hospitable all week.
Bosco Wei (66) had spent a few months at Marist College last year. One evening
Joseph Chang visited from our other community in Hong Kong and immediately
greeted me with a hearty "Joseph Emilian!" He said I had evaluated his practice
teaching of a BVM class in Esopus in 1956.
On Friday I went with Tay to pick up Br. Fabian Mayor. It's a good thing I knew
Fab, for the crowd was triple what it had been in the morning. Fabian became
my tour guide for the week. He had been in Hong Kong ten years earlier and was
anxious to revisit sights.
For three days we were busy with AITECE orientation. Excellent presentations
on traditional and modern China, on teaching English in a Chinese university, on
Chinese culture and the educational system today, on the Catholic Church in the
People's Republic of China, on health considerations, and on AITECE itself,
registered for bringing teaching experts to the PRC. Our last session was
followed by Mass and by dinner in a Chinese-American restaurant, an event that
cemented the conviviality generated by the days of conferences. Our group of
new participants in AITECE had nineteen, eight from Ireland, four from the
States, three from the Philippines, two from Canada, and one from Australia. In
all the agency is sponsoring 45 teachers during '96-'97.
After breakfast Br. Bosco drove Fabian to the railroad station for his three hour
ride to Canton and later drove me to the airport for my Boeing 757 flight to
Xiamen, one hour. One of the Chinese teachers of English met me and took me
by cab to Injiang U. My three pieces of luggage had to be hauled up an eight
storey residence with no elevator. I was shown to apartment 603, a very
comfortable area with spacious bedroom, sitting room, workroom, small kitchen,
and porch overlooking the harbor. The apartment is completely furnished with
utensils, dishes, sofas, TV, telephone, sheets, everything. And it is rent free!
Everybody has been most helpful. Across the hall in 604 is Mark Elfman, retired
from the U.S. military, and in 703 are Jack and Yvette Connell, beginning their
third year here and loving it. This morning Jack and Yvette took me to the
Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association church on Guiang Island. The CCPA has
fully valid priests and bishops. The singing at Mass would have cheered the
heart of Lapietra, vigorous and loud. After Mass we met an American couple
with five children; they were the cynosure with all the Chinese encircling us
listening to our conversation, fascinated by the very blond hair of the little ones,
perhaps wondering about the five children! After, we reboarded the ferry and all
went to MacDonald's for lunch!
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Tomorrow at 9:50, my first class. My students will be preparing for a career in
tourism.
(A circular to Brothers, relatives, and friends, adapted)
FROM MIKE (Michael Vincent) KELLY ('50): I cannot remember when I wrote
last, but I know it is time to write again if we expect to continue on your mailing
list. Yes, Janet and I have moved again, this time from Atlanta to Burbank,
California, the city made famous by Johnny Carson. Moving is a family failure;
unlike Des, however, we stay within the national borders.
A year ago our daughter Joan and her husband moved to Los Angeles; he is a
grad student at USC and works for Warner Brothers, Joan works for
Paramount.So we decided to settle in Los Angeles for a couple of years.Our
daughter Jean, a recent graduate from the University of Hartford, has joined
us.We are still unpacking boxes and trying to adjust to the sameness of one day
being as beautiful as the previous day. And we are still driving cars cross
country. Janet is about to fly back to meet Jean in Hartford, where she will begin
her next trip west. It will be Janet's fifth drive cross country this year. While we
prefer to be into cruises rather than being road warriors, we have really enjoyed
seeing the many facets of America.Ours is a fascinating country with fascinating
people. Every route has its own special attractions.
Out west I had the chance of retiring or of finding gainful employment. I was
fortunate to be offered the Northrop Grumman Endowed Chair of Manufacturing
and Design at California State University in L.A., where among other things I
am teaching two courses. I am very pleased to be at a school where, like Marist,
the focus is primarily on the student. We are in an area that is increasingly
dominated by Asians and Latinos, but the diversity is more a cause for
celebration than for concern. The diversity is particularly in evidence at CSLA.
As a consequence of moving into this state, I have been asked to write a strategy
that could lead to flat panel display manufacturing in California. I am pleased to
have the opportunity to contribute to the strategy, because the U.S. is at risk of a
continuous erosion of the electronics sector, increasingly dominated by Asia.
This is the conclusion of a study I was involved in over the past year.
If anyone would like to visit us and witness first hand a land almost totally
dominated by entertainment, be our guest. We shop at Soap Opera Star's food
stores, frequent restaurants where you see people whom you were watching on
TV the night before, and on Sunday we go to "Bob Hope's Church." Yes, Jesus is
still present.
During December and January we expect a lot of visitors, but there is always
room for one or two more. We can be reached at 705 North Kenwood Street,
Burbank, 91505, where our telephone number is 818-848-4406. At work my
number is 213-343-4507. Call and let us know you are coming. We pray that this
finds Marists all well, happy, and looking forward to an exciting drive cross
country. You owe it to yourself. Hope to see you soon.
DECEASED: We have word of the deaths of Lew (Simeon Anthony) Savino
('55), Tom Connors ('64), and Patrick Maloney ('74). Sorry that we have no more
information than this. May the souls of all of our departed friends rest in peace.
FROM BR. RICHARD "Ziggy" RANCOURT ('48): It's a rainy June day but the
receipt of your thoughtful letter, Dave, did brighten my day with a touch of
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sunshine! I couldn't help thinking about our lively conversation at Gus and Liz
Nolan's home, the evening after our morning hours of folding, stuffing, and
mailing another issue of Marists All. I found that conversation more scintillating
than some of our local GMC meetings. No doubt, new faces added to the zest
and sip of the evening. It's really a major treat having some old friends here not
only to reminisce about days at St. Ann's Hermitage when the roads were the
dustiest or about the simple joys of the Marist life way back then but also to add
fresh insights that enrich our present lives along so many unchartered paths of
Marist spirituality.
Every so often Jerry Cox will have Larry Sullivan and me join a few of his
classmates for an evening on the town. Actually few of us are still able to paint
the town red and talk about it the day after. Jerry, Binski, Joe McMahon, Buddy
Nolan, Greg DelaNoy, Larry and I make a very compatible group as we weave in
and out of discussions on politics, education, religion, you name it! I must
confess that I do find it difficult at times to engage in such animated
conversation with our younger Brothers (who are not really so young any more).
But then again our histories and stories are so different. Some things are
impossible to change save for divine intervention but let's not get carried away.
Certainly the '67-'68 General Chapter did much to change the course of Marist
history. That Chapter will always remain a dramatic focus in our lives. In spite of
the seriousness of that blessed event, remember the oodles of fun Ed Cashin,
Linus Foy, Gerry Weiss, you and I had on our Sundays off at the Italian lido. The
store bought roasted chicken, the bread, and the Chianti wine never quite
measured up to haute cuisine! Linus was into sketching our portraits at the lido. I
never thought his sketches did us justice. Now I can confess after all these years,
with no regret mind you, that I buried that sketchbook in the Polish cemetery at
Monte Casino' Forgive me, Linus.
Yes, I will continue to help with the mailings of the newsletter as long as my
health holds out. No, I'm not ill! I just threw that health part in to complete the
sentence and to remind myself that we are growing older. Gracefully?!?! Who
knows?
For your perusal I'm sending you copies of an article and a certificate of some of
my unexpected but now proud achievements of the past year. Quite frankly, at
this age I lap up any day in the sun that still comes my way. To heck with being
humble, modest, and simple! Where did all that get us? Of course I write this
with tongue in cheek., but as a contemporary novice master I would reframe
these virtues into a more upbeat style. Once you finish reading the article and the
certificate, throw them away or burn them as Champagnat did with those "grand
means of success!" If you have forgotten that story, I'll tell it to you the next time
we meet, most probably the next time we fold, stuff, and mail the next issue of
Marists All.
I like to think our Marists All is blazing a new trail. Never, probably, in our
Marist history have so many non-canonical Brothers (to steal LaPietra's phrase)
felt so much a part of the canonical Brothers ... and vice versa, In future years
this momentum may prevail and perhaps take a different twist, but we will have
been some of the founders. Now we have Dennis Dunne, Larry Keogh, and their
July retreats here in Pksie. Incidentally I don't take the distinction between
canonical and non-canonical Brothers too seriosly. If I were Pope for a day ...
well, I'd probably make a real mess of it! Any way, we had our few years with
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Pope John XXIII! That was a start. Take care. God bless. (Marist College,
Champagnat Hall, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601)
FROM GUS NOLAN ('48): The picnic at Mount St. Michael's this year was
blessed with the best day in years. Beautiful sunshine, clear sky, and a wonderful
touch of fall in the air. Many thanks to Br. John Bantz for the wonderful
reception and the generous use of the Mount's facilities, including the use of the
kitchen for warming dishes.
We were delighted to see so many of the Mount community: Brother Simeon,
Godfrey, James Gaffney, Robert Leclerc, George Matthew, John Colbert, and of
course the talented Francis "Scotty" Hughes who has done such wonderful work
building up the garth area to be a thing of beauty.A few Brothers from other
communities also joined us: Pat Tyrell, Alphonse Matuga, John Herrmann,
Victor Serna.
We invited those attending to include their names on a sign-up sheet, That
resulted in the following list:
Martin Lang '47 (MALAXG@FAIRI.FAIRFIELD.EDU)
Ed Cashin & Mary Ann '46 (ecashin@ac.edu)
Frank Reilly '48
Bill Krueger '51 (KAIRIE@gal.com)
John Wilcox '57 (JWILC0X@MANHATTAN.EDU)
Joe "Bernie" Woods '52
Frank Moran '50
Bill Powers '50
Jep & Joan Lanning '49
Ken Mannix '54
Ray Landry'56
Don Schmidt '53
Barney & Ann Sheridan '55
Bernard Connelly '61
Adrian & Betty Perreault '36
Dan St. Jacques '51
Bill Doherty '62
Frank McNiff '51
Vince & Jane Poisella '58
Barbara & Richard LaPietra '50
Artie Iavigne '55
Gus & Liz Nolan '48
From time to time during our time together we were informed of the progress of
the Notre Dame-Texas game, For the dramatic end I was on the road home, and
the news was good. Too bad there was not a continual flow of miracles for the
Irish for other Saturdays this fall. But there will be other years!
In order to help keep our newsletter alive and healthy, we are introducing a new
method of communicating: E-mail. Messages may be sent to Gus Nolan at
Marist College by using the following address: JZB2@MaristB.Marist.edu
This has to be used just as typed - no spaces.
For those of you still with the postal service, send your write-ups to Gus Nolan,
%Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 2601; or to David Kammer, 476
LA.Playa, Edgewater, Florida, 32141
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