May 2010
Our one hundredth issue!
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
Vince Poisella: 61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087;
609-294-2148; poise I la vi ncent@ya hoo. com
Rich Foy: 24 Prestwick Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603;
845-454-1393; Rich a rd. foy@verizon.net
Gus Nolan: 65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603;
845-454-6116; g usnola n@aol.com
David Kammer: 476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141;
386-426-6349; j ka m merl@cfl. rr. com
Rob Schmidt: 1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016;
847-824-1073; RJDB@comcast.net
Inspired by the humility, simplicity, and modesty of
Champagnat, we find no need for any special fanfare in the
celebration of the 100th issue of Marists All. In other words,
instead of this editor expounding on the wonders of this
miracle, allow the many voices that follow herein to speak to
you. Read and enjoy this kaleidoscope of ever-changing
patterns of Marist Spirit.
Writers who contributed to
Click on any writer's name or
this issue:
any topic to move directly to
that contribution
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Joan and John BradY- 1957
Dick Brannigan
1950
Bob BuckleY-
1966
Bill BY-rne
1952
Jerry-----6.y'.rne
1960 about
George Kopper
Kevin Carolan
1950
Bill Deschene
1953
Gene DonnellY-
1946
Rev Ed Doran
1960 a bout
George Kopper
Pat Gallagher
1953
Jim Guldner
1966
Br Hank Hammer
1975
Bro JoseP-h Belanger
obit
1943
JoseP-h Horan
1950
JudY- Kammer
J David Kammer
1942
Don Mulcare
1957
Gus Nolan
1948 on the
Kammers
Gus Nolan
1948 about
Richard Lapietra 1950
Allan Perrone
1961
Br. Albert PhilliP-P.
1951
Vince Poisella 58
Bill Reger Nash
1961
Rev JoseP-h Roth
1956
Rich Shaw
1958
LarrY- WhartenbY-
1957 about
John Miller 1957
Marist Spirituality Weekend
Marist College July 9-11, 2010
All are invited!
From JOAN AND JOHN BRADY (1957): The annual Marist
Spirituality Weekend will be held at Marist College from Friday,
July 9, through Sunday, July 11, 2010. The weekend will be a
time to reflect on our lives and mutually explore what lies
ahead. Our theme, Companions on the Journey, reflects the
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vision of the XXI General Chapter of Marist Brothers concluded
in 2009.
We are grateful that Br. Sean Sammon, past Superior General,
has agreed to join us and give the presentation on Friday
evening. After sixteen years in key leadership roles, Sean is,
without doubt, the perfect person to set the theme for the
weekend ahead. Br. Hank Hammer will be with us on Saturday
to share his thoughts on renewal of the Marist spirit and help
us reflect on our role on this journey. On Sunday morning we
will be pleased to welcome Alice Miesnik, Assistant Principal for
Academics, Marist High School, Bayonne, who has been closely
involved in activities related to the Marist laity.
Send a deposit of $25 to Maurice Bibeau, 4 Van Wert Place,
Hyde Park, NY, 12538 by June 15, 2010, to reserve your place
for this very special weekend. Checks should be payable to The
Marist Brothers. The remaining balance is due upon arrival at
Marist College. The cost of the weekend, including six meals
and lodging at Marist College, is $185.00 per person or
$330.00 per couple. Any questions may be directed to John
Brady at (732) 739-3911 or at jejpbrady@aol.com.
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From GUS NOLAN (1948): As I approach the one-hundredth
issue of Marists All, I would like to submit a short piece
focusing on David and Judy Kammer and what had once been
started through their efforts. Surely, David is the originator of
the idea, but he could not have persevered without the support
of Judy.
Several influences joined together to establish Marists All.
Three emerge quite clearly among a host of others. Marists All
is a publication that has linked hundreds of friendships that
might have remained forever separated. It has revealed a
special Marist spirit and has washed away a wall of separation
between canonical and non-canonical brethren. A few words
about each:
For a number of years, many young men who studied, played,
and worked together in Marist training centers and in various
types of communities developed a great bond of friendship. In
the course of the years, a number of these young men
separated themselves from the Marist Brothers by choosing
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other ways of life. The bond developed in those years now lay
dormant. The creation of Marists All served as a vehicle for
reuniting old friendships and linking together hundreds of
former and current Brothers to form the GMC -- the Greater
Marist Community.
Marists All revealed a factor not really grasped in earlier years;
namely, once a Marist, always a Marist. Like Baptism,
becoming a Marist marks one with a special indelible character,
hard to define, but reflecting a certain humility, modesty, and
charity special to the Marist character. There still remained a
special care and concern for anyone in the group. Time and
real support of all kinds are generously given. The Marist
Brothers' concern for their former colleagues is equally
widespread.
Lastly, I believe that Marists All has played a significant role in
helping to bring about a unity in the U.S. Marist world. Perhaps
the greatest display of this common concern and unity takes
place each year at Mt. St. Michael Academy. Through the
efforts of Marists All and the community at the Mount, there is
an annual GMC picnic where the Marist Brothers invite their
former colleagues into their home. It is an occasion for sharing
news, talking of earlier days, and experiencing much laughter.
Perhaps most significantly, each one sees that the life once
shared is still cherished, and the ideals of St. Champagnat are
still very much alive.
Thanks, Dave and Judy, for all the countless hours of seeking
material and editing and revising many forms of
correspondence in the early years. Creating the mailing list
was also an awesome job. There were many trips to
Poughkeepsie from Connecticut to pick up the four hundred
printed copies that had to be folded, stuffed, and mailed. There
was no email at that time. We thank you, David, for your own
articles on the Eucharist and the Mass. We can never thank
you enough for what you have established. I pray for blessings
on you both.
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From JUDY KAMMER: Congratulations on the publication of the
one- hundredth issue of Marists All! I extend many thanks to
all who have contributed to this successful endeavor.
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I remember the early, tentatively hopeful attempts of
establishing a newsletter that would maintain contact among
the Marist Brothers and former Marists. I believe that the
newsletter has been a great blessing for many. It has served
as a catalyst in re-connecting long-time companions and
friends. It has helped forge many long-lasting friendships. It
has been a vehicle for sharing life stories that admirably show
that the spirit of St. Marcellin lives on. Ad Multos Annas!
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From DAVID KAMMER (1942): Can you believe that Marists All
has come to its one-hundredth issue? It has continued
quarterly for over twenty-three years. Our Marist friends from
around the country and even beyond have seen a value in
maintaining contact with one another. Many have been willing
to share stories of their lives. And it seems that all have been
eager to read the thoughts of people they have known. So
many of the stories are stories of generosity that give evidence
of enduring Marist spirit. In gratitude for the blessings of
Marists All, we acknowledge those who have supported the
newsletter by taking the time to write and by helping with
expenses.
There is also need to recognize the influences of people and
events that affected the beginnings of Marists All. There was
the newsletter of the Marist provinces. There was the
encouragement of Marist provincials. There was the
Poughkeepsie GMC -- the group that held together for enduring
mutual support. There was the annual GMC picnic. In
particular, there was the September 1986 picnic that was held
at the FDR State Park off Taconic Parkway where Gus Nolan
was kind enough to listen to an idea. Gus has been generous
enough to embrace the idea for close to twenty-five years. And
there is, of course, need to recognize that a gracious divine
Spirit influences the kindness of good people and the flow of
good events.
There is one more recognition: with the turn into the new
millennium, the endurance of the newsletter has been
maintained by the talents and devotion of Vince Poisella, Rich
Foy, and Rob Schmidt. They are doing fine work.
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(The following "off the cuff" email comments from David to
Gus Nolan give more particulars of David's reaction to reaching
issue # 100. Editor) I certainly never expected the newsletter
to get to # 100. In fact, when I was more directly involved and
concerned a bout the next issue, I never knew if there wou Id be
enough for that issue and never knew if there would be a
following issue. Even though we celebrate # 1 as May of 1987,
I consider the beginning of Marists All the day at the GMC
picnic in September of 1986 at the FDR State Park when you
said, "Fiat! Yes, let's do it! I'm with you!" And you have been
with us ever since. Thank you beaucoup! So, from my
perspective, we're now into our 24th year! And we have to
thank the three collaborators who have come on board. From
the middle of the year 2000, Rich Foy has given our newsletter
access to and maintenance on the web. With this coming issue
Vince Poisella will have edited thirty-two issues. Rob Schmidt
has been handling the Marists All address book and the
announcements for the past two years. Furthermore, the
newsletter would not have happened if we did not have the
good will, encouragement, letters, and financial help from all
our confreres in the wide Marist world. And when I express the
following conviction, it is not a "politically correct" customary
footnote: I really believe that Marists All was meant to be, that
it is a gift of community that the good Lord had a hand in.
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From DON MULCARE (1957): Ad multos annos! I offer many
thanks to Marists All's founders, sustainers, and contributors.
What an idea! The very first edition came as a complete
surprise, and since then, the echoes of Marists All continue to
reverberate: the September picnics at the Mount, the July
spirituality weekends at Marist College, the OB/bwat Easter
(August 2010 in Methuen) gatherings, the opportunities to
experience "Embracing Our Call" and "Sharing Our Call," and
most importantly, the gift of reconnecting to Brothers and
brothers for visits, long-distance conversations; and
sometimes, the chance to say goodbye before it is too late.
Marists All has made my life better and happier. How can I
thank all of you enough?
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So, thanks to Gus, Dave, Vinny, Richard, Judy, Rob, and
everyone else who has given birth to and nurtured Marists All
and to all of you who read and contribute to this opportunity
for grace. (7 Staffon Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719; 508-994-
8605; dmulcare@comcast.net)
From BR. HUGH TURLEY (1954): I continue to read each issue
of Marists All with pointed interest and am awed by how keenly
our early Marist training and experience has contributed to our
values and spirituality throughout life. It is a tribute to the
older men whose shoulders we stand upon and to St. Marcellin
Champagnat who inspired it all. </div>( 4200 W. 115TH Street,
Chicago, IL 60655-4397; hugh1001@hotmail.com)
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From JIM GULDNER (196): On March 19, eleven B/brothers got
together for a small reunion at Donovan's in Bayside. All of us
attended Marist Prep and graduated from the Prep in Cold
Spring in '64 or '65. Our history teacher and fellow hockey
player, Br. Dan Grogan, joined us. Those who met were Bob
Joyce, Ed Gerrity, Tom Murphy, Ed Jennings, and Pat Blaser
from the graduating class of '64; Jerry Woods, Br. Sean
Sammon, Joe Wilson, and me from the class of '65. Richie
Rodgers was also planning on attending but had to drop out at
the last minute.
Since we all graduated high school in '64 and '65, that would
make our "Marist dates" '65 and '66. From my experience in
reading the issues of Marists All since 1987, this article is
somewhat "rare." The large majority of the articles seemed to
come from B/brothers ten to fifteen years older than we are.
So, hopefully, there are some classmates reading this with a
lot more familiarity than they might have had from past issues.
The idea for this small reunion stemmed from a chance
meeting between Ed G. and Tom. Ed has been golfing with Bob
over the past few years while Bob and I have stayed in touch
since our days at the Prep. After Ed and Tom met, the idea
became reality. We heard that Br. Dan was going to be in
Queens in mid-March. So the evening was planned to coincide
with his stay up North, and it worked. Incredibly, Jerry flew in
from the West Coast, and Joe flew in from Georgia to join us. I
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was really impressed with that type of commitment for such a
small reunion. It says something about our closeness we each
had to the Marists and to the group.
Obviously, Br. Dan and Br. Sean have stayed in the
congregation. Ed Jennings stayed as a Brother the longest of
the rest of us; Ed left when he was twenty-seven or so. He is
now married, living in Queens, and teaching at Molloy. All but
Br. Sean and Br. Dan have been married. Many of us spoke
about the joys of grandparenthood. Some of us spent time in
one of the two Novitiates, Esopus or Tyngsboro, while some
others did not return after high school. We were certainly a
mixed group, but all of us graduated from Marist Prep.
The stories about our times forty-five years ago were probably
"mostly accurate." Who, at our age, could dispute any of them
anyway? Army-Navy games were a big topic as were our
basketball games against other seminaries. Other topics were
any and all trips "off-property" and our experiences at Camp
Marist. We also discussed our teachers with a lot of laughs. For
the night, Br. Dan was unanimously chosen as our favorite
teacher. We also warmly recalled our days with JL, PJ, Br.
Dennis, Br. Gregory, Br. Roy, Br. Vincent, and, of course, Berky.
Br. Sean gave us an update on some of the things going on
among the Brothers, mostly overseas.
Dinner and drinks were a definite afterthought, and we played
musical chairs all night. Some of us brought old photos with
us. It was like a game of "who is that?" Ed J was the best at
recognizing our classmates in the year ahead of him and our
two years. I did notice at the end of the evening that the five
guys from the year ahead of me were at one end of the table
while my classmates and I were at the other end with Br.
Daniel. I guess that is exactly how this night of musical chairs
should have ended. I'm guessing that God was in the middle of
the table smiling at all of us. (15 Stanley Place, Budd Lake NJ
07828; 973-347-9061; jguldner@mtac.com)
From JOE STRANG (1953): I am in good health and have been
teaching a variety of communication courses at Heald College
in Salinas, California, for the past twelve years. I am currently
taking a quarter off so that I can travel to Japan in mid-May.
(PO Box 857, Pacific Grove, CA 93950; 831-375-8672;
stra ngjoe@ya hoo. com)
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From ANTHONY MISERANDINO (1966): I have enjoyed a
terrific career with many varied paths over the years, both as a
teacher and as an administrator. Currently, I serve as the
President of Mount Saint Michael Academy and adjunct at the
Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. My wife
of thirty-seven years works at the Nightingale-Bamford School
in NYC, and our daughter lives and works in DC. Like so many
former monks, I, too, find the reading of the many stories in
Ma rists All life-giving and spiritually nourishing. The si m pie
faith and trust that Champagnat's life reflects is alive and well
as embodied in the cohort of Marists All and here at the Mount
today. All the students get to know the man and his message,
and all are encouraged to live with "a heart that knows no
bounds." It is a "divine curiosity" that I find myself here at the
Mount since this is where I first started teaching as a monk
after Marist College. The kids are great, and we do terrific work
with them through a variety of academic programs, retreats,
and co-curricular activities. I have been able to enjoy
friendships with Marists and former Marists over these many
years. No doubts - I have had a very blessed life story - and I
am very grateful. We have a great legacy with this publication
of the newsletter. I offer a special word of thanks to the editors
who have sustained this effort over so many years. (60 East
96th Street, NY, NY 10128; anthony@miserandino.com)
From KEVIN CAROLAN (1950): Congratulations on issue #100,
and many thanks to the editors for their dedication and
devotion to such a worthwhile project.
After forty-four years in Poughkeepsie, Donna and I moved to
southwest Florida in 2006. Although we are no longer in the
seat of the GMC, we have been able to renew and strengthen
many Marist friendships. We hope that we will be able to
continue to do so in the future and would love to hear from
anyone who happens to be in the area. (9020 Spring Run Blvd
#601, Bonita Springs, FL 34135; 239-949-4376)
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From BR. ALBERT PHILLIPP (1951): I have just completed
twelve years as Director of Religious Education and
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Administrator at San Felipe de Jesus Parish in Cameron Park,
Brownsville, Texas. It is the poorest community in the United
States according to the 2000 census report. Fr. Mike SM and I
were the founders of the parish. We had over a hundred First
Communions per year and close to forty for Confirmation per
year and close to thirty Baptisms per month. Several small
Christian communities were founded and were the center of
the parish family. We organized the greater community with
them and others. We were able to raise the number of people
voting from 250 to 1000. The streets got paved, street lighting
installed, public parks built, and a sheriff's station built in the
neighborhood. The church was expanded, classrooms built,
parking lots built, multipurpose center created, and an after­
school program initiated. A parish rectory was built, and we left
the parish with no debt and a good-sized bank account. The
support and encouragement we received from the Marist family
certainly is appreciated and helped immensely to get through
so many difficult times.
At this time I am now assisting Br. Jim Adams with a feasibility
study in Albuquerque for a Christo Rey High School for low­
income students. It is a Jesuit model where the students work
in a white- collar job one day a week to help pay their tuition.
They also pay what they can afford. Fund raising is also a big
part of the administrative tasks. A deadline of March 2011 has
been set to make a decision on the feasibility of the school. We
need your prayers. (1818 Coal Place, SE, Albuquerque, NM
87106; alabert1934@juno.com)
From MARTIN LANG (1947): The name of Br. Joseph Cadroes
has been long off the radar (even our obit list), probably
because he was such a self-effacing person. I remember his
"old world" ways, sitting under a tree in Esopus tending a small
flock of sheep, feeding them slices of left-over bread, and
actually calling them by name, something I always questioned
until I saw him doing it. In the classroom he called each of us
by name up to his desk for the recitez, to answer in French
what he had asked. Then he would enter our grade in his
cahier. Most of his first-year French students passed the French
II Regents that year. I always thought of him as a saint, but
then there was that pitched battle, snowball war, just in front
of the Mansion. Two groups were heaving at each other with
10/32







the juiciest ice balls. I let one fly with all my might just as Br.
Joseph stepped out to serve as prefect. It hit him flat in the
face, knocking off his glasses. He took out his handkerchief
and dried his face. There was a hushed pause in the battle as
we waited for the victim's reaction. He said nothing. With
passions high, the fight picked up where it left off. It was then
that I was convinced that the man must be a saint. During the
following year he died in the Infirmary in Poughkeepie. (10
Palmer Bridge, Fairfield, CT 06824; malangj5@sbcglobal.net)
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From ALLAN PERRONE (1961): (In a response to Rob
Schmidt ... ) Thanks for the photos of Tyngsboro and Cardinal
Hayes. They brought back many memories. My wife and I
visited Esopus this past fall, and I was able to show her the
"Great Lawn." We also got a guided tour of the juniorate. When
we last visited Hayes (about eight or nine years ago), it was
like being in a time warp. School was in session, and when
class change came around, it was silent as usual and took only
two minutes. All the students were dressed like gentlemen -
jackets and ties - just like 1955-1960! Everyone and
everything was clean and neat, unusual for the south Bronx.
Esopus was essentially unchanged as well. The dorm, however,
was divided into two - girls come there now! Interestingly
enough, the ladies' half of the lavatory retained the urinals that
I cleaned for many months. My wife Terry and her mom
Thelma really enjoyed seeing where I spent my senior high
school year. Terry and I hope to go back there this summer if
my work schedule permits and spend a week helping with
whatever needs to be done. We'll bring "the bus," a '94 motor
home, so we'll not need accommodations. Maybe we'll even be
able to take a dip in the Hudson. Our class was the last allowed
to do that. The class of 1960 built the pool.
Thanks again for the memories .... (11185 Howells Fry Rd,
Semmes, AL 36575; 334-645-2476 or 251-753-7000)
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From JOSEPH HORAN (BR. EUGENE MICHAEL) (1950): To my
Marist Family: I recently wrote some news about my daily
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ventures and how my life is now revolved around
grandchildren. Since our youngest daughter was recently
divorced and her employment is such that she needs
babysitting assistance, my wife Dolores and I have taken over
this responsibility. Because of the distance between our
present home and our daughter's, we decided to purchase a
condo in the Ft. Lauderdale area. We will be selling our present
home and moving into the condo. We have been involved in
this practice for several months and actually are enjoying this
new responsibility. Being involved in the grandchildren's lives -­
ages 6 and 10 -- is one that keeps us, as they say, "on our
toes." It also brings back many memories.
In early February we joined our other daughter and her family
on a cruise that took us to many European countries. We
toured Spain, Rome, Greece, and Turkey and spent several
days in Egypt. We ended our tour in Malta. There was so much
to see and so many wonderful opportunities for our
grandchildren.
Reading about the recent deaths of our Marist Brothers brings
back more than a few memories. It rekindles the personal love
and friendship we had for each other and the devotion of those
who taught us, not only about Our Lady and our community,
but also more importantly, about ourselves. From all this
experience, I know I have grown spiritually and have been able
to fulfill the needs of my family. On my visits to Esopus viewing
the many gravesites of my Brothers, it isn't a difficult task to
put together the impact that was made upon me as I reviewed
my memories of them. It was so genuine and given so freely
that the bond that grew from these men of God has had a
lasting impression. I was more than fortunate to be chosen and
spend so many years in the Marist family. So, as I read about
the recent deaths, my thoughts are always the same: family is
family and will always be family. My bonding with my Marist
family is everlasting.
(10456 NW 24 Place, Sunrise, FL 33322, 954-682-5344;
jhoran6@tampabay.rr.com)
From DICK BRANIGAN (BR. STEPHEN ALOYSIUS) (1950):
Every issue of Marists All bolsters my faith in the spiritual
thread that remains woven inside "lucky us" who were
fortunate enough to have Providence steer us to a place where
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we got the foundation of a lifetime. It was Esopus for me,
Tyngsboro later. Being green to the spiritual life, we did not
realize that the long-lasting effect of this training would hold us
in good stead later in life. It is during the lazy times when
moral slippage knocks and the agnostic gets comfortable that
that kind of guidance has a long reach.
When I read these pages, even though I do not personally
know so many of the contributors, I feel close to them because
they are of my thinking as well. Their words strengthen my
faith simply because I think, "Here are all these folks,
intelligent busy people who take the time to stay connected.
There must be something to this." The communion of saints
comes to mind.
Outside of Marists All, I have kept in happy touch with some of
my Marist class of 1950. Charlie Scott lives just a drive away in
Madison, and we are close friends. I talk with Bill Powers, Larry
Haggerty, Ed Castine, Br. Hugh Andrew, and others. It keeps
the Marist friendships moist. We lost a dear pal recently in Joe
La Pietra, and, of course, others have slipped on. Some years
ago I walked in the Esopus cemetery and found them.
The Esopus estate has changed since we scrubbed those
hallways and hoed the dirt from between the stones in the rain
gutters down to the boathouse. It is being put to good use
today with another focus. Life moves on. I am retired ten years
now from a publications and teaching position at the University
of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. I am active in an educational/fun
outreach organization. My wife of fifty years, Pat, is involved in
teaching religion to the handicapped. Again, my early time with
the Marists has left its good mark. (1814 Fairview St.,
Oshkosh, WI 54901; branigan@uwosh.edu)
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From BILL REGER-NASH (1961): Greetings from Morgantown,
WV!
Reading Marists All has been a wonderful source of inspiration
and satisfaction. Thanks to the many who have generously
contributed their time and energy. I cannot count the number
of Marists that have moved back into my life because of your
work. Bravo!
Life is good here in West Virginia. My wife and I have good
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health and a loving family. We make spirituality a priority in
our lives. I continue to teach in our undergraduate health
education and graduate public health programs. My research
focuses on social marketing of regular physical activity and a
good diet. I attempt to bring holistic wellness to the medical
student education program. My wife and I team-teach a
Foundations of Wellness course in the summers, with a focus
on body, mind, and spirit.
I have the good fortune of bicycling to work daily even though
the severity of this past winter was a mitigating factor. The
twenty-eight-mile round trip commute gives me a bit of
fitness.
My main life challenge remains "over-committing." Meditation
is a solid antidote but not always as effective as I might like. I
am looking forward to ongoing communication. 304 Dream
Catcher Circle Morgantown, WV 26508, 304-598-5935;
wreger@hsc. wvu .edu)
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From MSGR. PATRICK ROTH (BR. PATRICK KIERAN) (1956): I
remember my days as a Marist Brother all the way from the
juniorate in Poughkeepsie with Br. Joseph Damian as Master of
Juniors through novitiate at St. Joseph's in Tyngsboro, MA;
from my taking of the habit and my first vows to my days at
Marian (Marist) College in Poughkeepsie, NY; my tenure with
Bro. Tarcisius in the Marist Press to my teaching days with Br.
Conan Vincent at Holy Trinity in Poughkeepsie; and then my
many years as a Brother at Marist High School in Kobe, Japan,
followed by my going to the seminary at Pope John XXIII
National Seminary in Weston, MA, interrupted by two years in
the work force with Metropolitan Life in computers in NYC and
then on to the priesthood; ordination for the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Charleston (the entire State of South Carolina) and
my trip from parochial vicar to Vicar General of the diocese and
now as pastor of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach.
What a journey! At 73, I am still going full steam, and I thank
God every single day for all I have received from Him. I must
say it is difficult to hear of the passing of many of my
classmates, but I am able to remember them in my Holy
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Masses, and that gives me great consolation. (120 Broad
Street, Charleston, SC 29401; 843-448-5930; jrr@catholic­
doc.org)
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From RICH SHAW (1958): I went to St Helena's in the Bronx -­
September '53 to June '54. The person who had the biggest
impact on me was my homeroom teacher, Br. Peter Mary. He
was a young teacher. I think he is deceased.
I was also fortunate to have a young General Science teacher,
Br. Philip Richard (Degagne), who recently celebrated his
sixtieth year as a Brother. He is in Laredo, Texas, and has been
for many years. He became a family friend, and my Mom
(1917-1988) admired him greatly.
When Br. Aidan Francis made his presentation about the Marist
Brothers, with Peter Mary smiling on, I was hooked. I was in
the first group to arrive in Esopus on August 24,1954, by car
from St. Ann's Academy. Two of those with me left within a
week. The fourth was Joe Roth, who is now a Monsignor and
pastor in Myrtle Beach, SC. My brother Vin, who lives in
Greensboro and is a deacon and police chaplain, knows Joe.
The Brothers in Esopus, especially Br. Joseph Damian and Br.
Leonard Alphonse, greatly impacted me and still do for that
matter! To this day, I believe the greatest event in my life was
meeting the Marist Brothers! I believe many or most of the
Marists I know feel similarly! (3015 Conner Way, San Diego CA
9122 7-4306, 858-27 4-6299; richshaw2@hotma i I .com)
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From BILL BYRNE (1952): One of the elaborate practical jokes
played on Br. Joseph Abel during his tenure as Director of
Camp Marist involved a series of circumstances that come
together only once in a New Hampshire blue moon. It took the
heirs to the Ron Rico rum empire, a Sunday supplement for
JAWA motorcycles, and a casual remark from Br. Lawrence
Michael, Brattleboro's only Marist monk, to have Joe "fall" for
what follows.
The Background:
On a Sunday morning at the Marist community room in
Roselle, Larry was reading the New York Times, and
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offhandedly, he asked me to take a look at the advertising
supplement for a little known Czech motorcycle brand trying to
generate some United States awareness. In the centerfold
spread for the ad, which I still own (and treasure by the way),
is a handsome young man seated on the JAWA Wanderer with
an equally handsome young lady on the bike's back. What was
compelling about that picture was the setting - a tropical
backdrop of lush green carpeting and palm trees. Larry's
remark to me was something to the effect that the "handsome
young man" in the ad looked very much like me in my then
young Marist days.
That previous summer, one of the tasks Joe Abe asked me to
do was accompany two young boys to JFK airport at the end of
the camping season and make sure they made their return
flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It so happened that both these
preteens were heirs to the Ron Rico rum fortune. Kiddingly, I
later told Joe that after I saw them safely on the plane, the
boys invited me to visit them in their San Juan estate at some
future date.
The Sting:
Armed with the JAWA ad piece and an old typing book with
practice letters complete with rudimentary company
letterheads - now remember all this copy predates computers
and cut-and-paste logos -- I fudged and copied a letter from
the ACME Advertising Agency. The letter did not identify me,
only referenced one of "Mr. Joseph Abel's staff" who modeled in
that JAWA ad in Puerto Rico and received some $400 for the
gig. The problem I noted in the correspondence was that ACME
failed to collect the income tax due from the payout. In effect,
"Mr. Abel" was being held responsible for the monies owed the
government.
The Resolution:
Into the U.S. mail went the correspondence - my threatening
letter and a copy of the supplement - and no reference as to
who the "model" in the ad was. Larry was in on this every step
of the way, so we waited anxiously for the outcome.
Several days later when both Larry and I were in the common
room, Joe approached me and literally flung the letter at me.
Now those of you who remember or ever noticed, Joe Abe had
a "chuff" whenever he spoke, a sort of mild snort. "If you think
16/32






(chuff) I'm going to pay this (chuff), you have another guess
coming, young man (chuff, chuff)!" Pretending to be shocked
at the outcome, I stammered that I spent the money on my
Puerto Rican vacation and had no way of paying the
government. Joe stormed off with the remark that "You'd
better ( chuff) find a way."
Larry and I laughed a lot about Joe's reaction since the ruse
had worked so perfectly. I later heard that he checked with
Norbie, then Roselle community's "boss," before confronting
me about my perceived indiscretion. I never learned what
Norbie thought, probably because he didn't buy the whole
thing, or like Joe, he, too, believed me capable of such a thing.
The "Mark":
Now Joe Abel could best be described as "frugal." He once
confided to me that he saved empty scotch and rye whiskey
bottles and refilled them with Mr. Boston brands, remarking
that "The monks can't tell the difference." So, I never expected
him to step up and pay what I pretended he owed. The curious
thing is that he believed I was capable of doing something this
outrageous and "un-monkly." But what I've learned over the
years is that every good practical joke plays to a "mark's"
weakness, and Joe's was tightness.
Epilogue:
To his last days, I believe that he was convinced that I took
advantage of the Ron Rico boys' largesse and that I modeled in
and was paid for my look-alike's role in the JAWA ad.
"Joe, I'm sure that you now know the truth. We were only
having a little fun at your expense. No Ron Rico Caribbean
vacation, no modeling fees, and I've never driven a
motorcycle, much less had a beautiful model draped around
me while sitting on one." (154 West Church St., Clarkston, M
48346, 248-625-6555; davbakou@yahoo.com)
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From PAT GALLAGHER (1953). I have just celebrated my 74th
birthday, and I realized I have been associated with the Marist
Brothers for sixty-six years going back to those dark days for
both the country and for our family in the early 1940s during
World War II.
I still don't know all the reasons, although recently in searching
17/32





through the available records and letters that I have, I think I
have the major part of the answer for all our familial turmoil.
On December 23, 1941, just after Pearl Harbor, my father, a
Wall Street stockbroker, packed a small bag and walked out,
took the train (we later found out) to Boston where he had
grown up, changed his name, and spent the rest of his life
working as a maitre d' and bartender until he died of a heart
attack at work. (In 1965 at Molloy I found out that he had died
in 1958. Only in the last two years has my research surfaced
the legal and probable criminal difficulties he was enmeshed in
that led to his flight to another life and cover.) The effect on
my mother and us was cataclysmic. A stay-at-home mom, she
sold everything she could, rented a smaller place, and went
back to work on Wall Street as a secretary after fourteen years'
absence.
We moved from one place to another and one boarding school
to another until in 1944, I entered St. Ann's (my fourth
grammar school) in the fourth grade meeting the Marist
Brothers for the first time. Entrance into St. Ann's was
preceded by the lowest point in my mother's struggles to keep
us together, for in '43 she had somehow found out where my
father was, had hoped for a reconciliation, had given up the
apartment in Queens and her job, had moved our furniture to
Boston, and had even looked at new rental houses when he
disappeared again. No place to stay, no job, and no furniture.
We couldn't come home even for weekends from the Catholic
boarding school on Staten Island.
But St. Ann's and the Brothers were something different. I
found there any number of kind father figures: Br. Michael
Kenny in the 4th, Br. Dave Kammer in the 5th, and then the
prefects for the boarders, Brs. Daniel Emilan and Denis
Coleman. I first met B. Sergius (Sarge) Gerard, little thinking
that I would teach alongside him at St. Helena's. There was B.
Sixtus Victor, who would later be my boss for a while in
Roselle. I experienced the ongoing kindness from Brs. Stephen
Regis and Leo Hyacinth, had Br. Gerry Weiss and Br. Paul
Stokes in class. They were all good men.
I will always be grateful for all of them and many others, who
sheltered the then-shy kid at that stage when I had been
through a lot, who showed a happiness in their teaching and
18/32
I
r






work with young men, who exemplified a life with meaning and
purpose, and who lit the same enthusiasm in me so that at the
end of freshman year, I wanted to "join up" to become a Marist
Brother. They were father figures and big B/brothers. They
were athletic, intelligent, funny, and caring. They were
fantastic role models, and they got me started in my
adolescence in the Order, for I wanted to "be like them." So in
1950 I went off to Esopus, then on to Tyngsboro and Marist
and out teaching. I took the road because of their example,
"less traveled by and that made all the difference." I will be
eternally grateful to all of them, past, present and future, and
to the organization. Sure, I am no longer in the Marists; but
the Marists will always be in me.
(Box 310, Springtown, PA 18081; 610-346-6637;
g patrickgal lag herl l@verizon.net)
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From CHARLES SCOTT ( 1950): So, the 100th issue of Marists
All is now out and about in the broad family of Marists old and
young. What a wonderful tribute to the efforts of Gus and
David these many years to bring this linchpin of Marist
community to this point! I have enjoyed reading it since its
inception, and I continue to be mightily impressed by the
achievements of so many current and former Brothers,
particularly by the depth and vigor of their spiritual lives. I am
often humbled by what I learn from the contributions of those
who continue their Marist attachment in the secular world.
I believe the very first contribution posted in the first issue of
Marists All was from me. But now it has been a very long time
since I last wrote, and the number of those who will remember
me is getting smaller and smaller. Joe LaPietra was the most
recent of my classmates who have gone ahead of us.
Sometimes I try to remember by name all those in the class of
1950 who are no longer with us. I tried it out on Dick Branigan
once, and he thought I had the full roster. No matter: I keep all
of my Marist brothers in my prayers, and I hope they do the
same for me.
As I write this, it is a beautiful sunlit day in Madison,
Wisconsin, the kind of special day that spring brings when the
grass greens, the trees and bushes bud out, daffodils and
19/32




tulips abound in front yards, and the cardinals set up an
excited chorus in the early mornings. Madison is not exactly
around the corner from the Marist hub in the Poughkeepsie
area, so I am very grateful for the wonders of emailing, my
best means of keeping in touch with some of my classmates.
Dick Branigan is about a two-hour drive from Madison, and we
do occasionally meet for lunch and a chance to catch up on
each other, but we are mainly in touch by email; so too, with
Larry Sullivan, Larry Haggerty, Ed Castine, and Brothers Bill
Lavigne and Hugh Crowe. Because Bill Powers is not yet
comfortable with emailing, I resort to real letters once in a
while to stay in touch with him. I wrote a long email letter to
John Carolan about a year ago, then learned that he had
moved to Florida and so assumed that that was why I had not
heard from him. That was too bad. I wanted to tell him that I
had met Carolyn Howley, a friend of his sister and the widow of
a grade school classmate of mine. Joe Kelly is good about the
Christmas card connection, our once-a-year tradition of trying
to keep in one another's orbit.
When spring comes, the baseball season also comes, and that
always sets me to resurrecting memories of the ballfields at
Esopus and Tyngsboro and my futile efforts to drain a field at
Marian College so that we could create a baseball diamond.
I am now retired ten years from my post as professor of
English, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and it scares me to
realize how quickly those ten years have gone by. I lunch
several times a week with other retired colleagues, but all of us
feel the ties to the department and to the campus weakening
as the years pass. So we often turn to more personal projects
to occupy our restless minds. I am presently engaged in
finishing a memoir of the years (1958-60) that Anne and I
lived and worked in Afghanistan, wishing I had kept notes of
our days in that time of peace in that battered land. The
memoir will serve as an introduction to the letters my wife
wrote to her parents, all of which they saved, during those two
years, and the whole of which I hope to give our children as a
Christmas present sometime soon.
After that is finished, there are several other writing projects I
have in mind. But time's a-wasting, and I hope it all doesn't
end in wishful thinking!
20/32






So, hello to all of you out there who might still remember me
from juniorate, novitiate, and scholasticate -- Esopus,
Tyngsboro, Poughkeepsie. Keep me in your prayers as I do
you. And, again, thanks to all who have kept this wonderful
Marists All newsletter going. ( 4737 Lafayette Drive, Madison,
WI 53705; 608-233-3995;
ctscott@wisc. ed u)
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From BOB BUCKLEY (1966): I was in Connecticut when I
received word of Joe Bel's death, and I was able to drive to
Esopus for his internment. Although I didn't know Joe well, he
was around the college campus when I was in the
scholasticate. I felt drawn to join the Brothers at Joe's
committal. Being at Esopus roiled myriad thoughts and feelings
associated with my tenure as a Marist. It was good to have
been back. It was very good to be among the Brothers again. I
had arrived early and walked the path to the cemetery. The
value of shared ritual was vividly evident -- flashing back to
the daily walks after meals. Most striking was the number of
Brothers' markers of those I had known personally in contrast
to the few markers in 1966. It was good to pray the rosary
with the community accompanying Joe Bel to the cemetery. I
greatly enjoyed my conversation with Phil Robert. It was good
to pause at Esopus after these forty-three years.
Lesley and I are living in The Villages, near Ocala, FL. Should
anyone sojourn this way, do call. (352-259-1992)
From JOHN WARREN (1966): When I checked my files, I was
embarrassed to see how long it has been since my last posting
for Marists All. A lot has happened in those years. Here is a
quick summary.
After fourteen years in California, Mary and I moved to Cape
Elizabeth, Maine (just outside of Portland) for five years.
During that time we had our daughter Kelly, husband Carl,
(from Trinidad), and son Kahlil live with us for two years while
Kahlil grew from one to three. Then they went back to their
home in the rain forest of northern Trinidad, a fantastic place
for vacations and hikes that specialize in birds, butterflies,
waterfalls, or just "limning" in scenic beauty. Check out their
21/32




website at www.brassosecoparia.com.
We left Maine when Mary was recruited to be the nurse
admissions coordinator for Crossroads Centre, a drug and
alcohol residential treatment facility founded by Eric Clapton on
the island of Antigua. (If you know anyone who needs such a
service, visit www.crossroadscentreantigua.org.) We lived on
this beautiful island for two and a half years, making frequent
visits to our daughter and family in Trinidad (just a few islands
away). Now they have two children, (Kahlil is 7 and Kamala is
4), and being grandparents is one of our greatest joys.
During those years I continued to be a lead trainer and
presentation skills coach for PowerSpeaking, Inc., a company
I've been teaching for si nee 1988. ( www. powerspea king. com)
Much of my work was bringing me to Europe. So, when Mary
finished her contract at Crossroads, we decided to move to
Europe. After deciding against Ireland (where I have both
family and friends) because of the weather and high cost of
living, we found the region of Italy called Abruzzo. It is straight
east of Rome (about two-and-a-half hour drive) on the
Adriatic. From the balcony of our apartment we can see the
Adriatic Sea, the Maiella and Gran Sasso mountains of the
Apennine range -- endless rolling hills of olive groves and
vineyards. We are in a small city called Citta Sant'Angelo in the
province of Pescara. We are learning Italian slowly. (How I wish
I could remember any of the three years of Latin I took at
Molloy!) We love the hospitality and generosity of the Abruzzi
people, the quality of the food and wine, and the slow and
peaceful lifestyle.
My work with PowerSpeaking is now split between live training
programs for companies in Europe and virtual programs taught
over the Internet. Mary retired from psychiatric and chemical
dependency nursing and is enjoying reading, writing, and
traveling with me. We both view this as a wonderful time to
explore the many wonders of Italy and the rest of Europe. Our
only regret is now being so far from our daughter and her
family. But we spent a month with them at Christmas, and
they will spend the month of August with us. Now, if they could
just get a high-speed Internet connection in their village, then
staying in touch by using Skype would be so much easier.
My religious studies have taken me quite far afield from what I
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learned in Esopus or Poughkeepsie. I completed a two-year
program in Celitc Shamanism while we were living in Maine. It
was under the guidance of Tom Cowan, a fantastic teacher and
author. Our moves from California to Maine, to Antigua, and
now to Italy, have all been guided by a strong spiritual force in
our lives. Each move opened up new worlds to us. We are still
adjusting to our new lives in Italy (We've been here just one
year.) and are both open and eager to the spiritual and life
lessons that await us here.
Thanks to all who write, edit, and contribute to Marists All. It's
a great way to keep both memories and friendships alive. I am
looking forward to this 100th issue. (Via Dell'Annunziata 46/B,
Citta Sant'Angelo, Pescara, 65013 Italy;
<john@powerspeaking.com>
home: ( +39) 085-969-9076; cell: ( +39) 345-414-4705.)
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From GENE DONNELLY (1946): Congratulations on the great
work that has been accomplished by Marists All. This
newsletter continues to remind us of the tremendous value of a
Marist education. The Champagnat miracle lives on stronger
than ever. It continues in the Marist schools throughout the
world and in the daily lives of the men and women who have
been touched by it. ( 43 Harbor Drive #305, Stamford, CT
06902)
From BILL DESCHENE (1953): Congratulations and thanks to
the editors of Marists All. The very first letter we ever sent to
Marists All in 1989 was a description of our lives as Indians
living on the north shore of the Merrimac River in Methuen. We
were part of a federation of five tribes, four of which actually
lived in the region long ago. The Pawtuckets were upstream
from the rapids in what is now known as Lowell. The
Shawsheen lived across the river from us in present day
Andover. Teddy Morris collected many arrowheads and other
artifacts on the property of Shattuck farm now occupied by
Hewlett-Packard. The Pentuckets lived downstream beyond the
rapids in Haverhill, and the Penacooks lived in North Derry
near the archaeological site known as America's Stonehenge.
We called ourselves the "Tribe with No Chiefs." The purpose of
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this fantasy was to help us live out the Dream of the Earth as
outlined by geologian Thomas Berry in a book of that name. In
the book, the author describes four stages of creation: Genesis
I, the actual creation; Genesis II, the evolution of various
beings up to the first humans; Genesis III, the attempt of
humans to "master" the earth; and Genesis IV, the realization
that humans are part of the Earth community and not its
"masters." In the words of Chief Seattle, "We are part of the
earth. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the
earth." To this end, we grew our own food organically, tapped
our maples for syrup, got honey from our bees, and shared our
bounty with our many animal friends. Any "dominion" we
might have had was more in the form of "noblesse oblige." We
used our gifts to serve our little tribe.
Alas, the Boston sprawl engulfed our little village, and it soon
became too "pricey," tax-wise, to continue our dream here, or
maybe it was a movement of the spirit, a call of the wild, so to
speak; but here we are in the woods of central Maine, well off
the grid, doing most of what we did in Methuen, but now with
deer, moose, eagles, foxes, and coyotes as animal friends; and
oh, yeah, mosquitoes and black flies. There are two Indian
tribes still in the area: the Penobscot and the Passamaquoddy.
I'll close with a story told us by Fredda Paul, a Passamaquoddy
medicine man and friend, which I think may point to Genesis
V:
"At this time, there was lots of fighting among the tribes. Many
chiefs from different tribes came together to hold council to try
to bring peace so that future generations would be stronger in
spirit. The children were asked to come, too. During this
gathering there was a tremendous thunderstorm. The
Grandfathers were very angry, and in their anger, they threw
lightning to the earth.
"A huge white pine was lifted out of the ground. When it fell
over, none of the roots were broken; even the smallest
fragments were intact. At the large hole where the tree had
been, the Grand Chief threw in his weapons and asked the
others to throw in theirs. They held back, but the children
pushed them closer. Then all the chiefs threw in their weapons.
The evil leapt out of the hole, making a sound like a terrifying
scary laugh.
24/32






"When it was all over, the Grand Chief thanked the Creator,
then looked at the children and smiled gratefully. A wind came
and lifted the tree on its end and settled it into the hole as if it
had never been touched. That is how the white pine became
known as the peace tree."
Peace, beauty, shade, windsong, and maple syrup: gifts from
the trees to you all. (Marge (Laughs Like a Mountain Stream)
and Bill (Talks with the Animals) Deschene (Of the Oaks); 184
Bryant Ridge Rd, Grand Falls, Pit., Maine 04417)
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Concerning those who have died ...
From GUS NOLAN (1948): Richard LaPietra's death on
February 19, 2010, came suddenly, even though Richard had
been seriously ill for some time. (The Marists All website
contains Dennis Murray's obituary for Richard.)
A number of relatives and friends spoke about Richard at the
end of the Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Sea of Wisdom
Chapel - the construction of which Richard played a part -­
including Richard's brother Frank, Barbara's brother Bill, Dennis
Murray, Marty Lang, Marc vanderHeyden, and Bob Lewis. Rev.
Richard LaMorte gave the homily weaving through it the
Gospel and elements from Richard's life. The ceremony
concluded with the Marist Choir and the congregation singing
of "The Holy City." Tears flowed freely.
May Richard rest in peace.
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From LARRY WHARTENBY (1957): Unfortunately, I haven't had
many links to things Marist over the years. I was at Esopus
three years, Tyngsboro and Poughkeepsie, two each. I guess
you could say that things then sort of fell apart. Many reasons.
Lois and I will have been married forty-two years this coming
June. We have three great children, equally great in-law
children, and ten grandchildren who are really the treasure of
my life
I would like to take a moment to remark on the recent passing
of John Miller (David Joseph). I had the good fortune to meet
and befriend John at Tyngsboro in the fall of 1956. John's
25/32




bright smile and resilient sense of humor helped all around him
brave the choppy waters of Tyngsboro, which we all remember,
including such wonderful tasks as stripping and refinishing
chairs, and then again peeling somewhat unpleasant versions
of potatoes down in the basement, and scrubbing cows in the
barn. John had an innate ability to skim the dross of whatever
life threw at him and radiate inner peace to fellow postulants
and novices. His approach to friends was always inclusive
rather than exclusive. At some point during Poughkeepsie,
John found himself on the persona non grata list and was soon
on his way back to West Virginia. How ironic that he went on to
become an excellent teacher, principal of a school, and teacher
of theology both in the Methodist and Catholic communions.
Obviously, his spine was stronger than some realized.
I lost contact with John for many years, but somehow we
reconnected through Marists All. About six years ago, I had
traveled to Pittsburgh to visit my son and his family. At this
point, John and I spent many hours over a very long lunch,
laughing and reminiscing as though we had never been
separated by time, space, and administrative decisions. We
shared details about our families and problems. What meant
the most to me about John was the fact that we could share
anything with each other. At this time, John shared with me
the "C" word. He had contracted a form of cancer that was
attacking his system through the nasal passages. As the
months progressed, we kept in contact by email, supporting
each other. John didn't do much contact via phone because of
his health problem. The cancer caused unpleasant echoing in
his hearing. John put up a brave fight, suffering through many
surgeries, gradually succumbing to the difficulty of breathing
and the difficulty of moving around. Aside from his family,
hundreds of friends both from the Methodist and Catholic
persuasions attended his funeral. John's life was a blessing to
all who knew him. All mourn him and miss him. Our loss is the
Lord's gain. (lwhartenby@gmail.com)
From BR. HANK HAMMER (1975): (The following excerpt from
Br. Hank's homily for Br. Vito Aresto serves as a tribute to all
those Brothers who have died in their service to God, to the
church, and to humanity. Editor) In 1997 and again last spring,
I had the opportunity to visit what Marists around the world
26/32




call "Champagnat country" in France. Both times I was thrilled
to walk where Marcellin walked and to see the first Marist
house in Lavalla. Just a few miles north of Lavalla stands Notre
Dame de !'Hermitage -- "the Hermitage" as we call it -- the
huge training house that Marcellin and the first brothers built in
the 1820's. The countryside around the Lavalla and the
Hermitage is incredibly rugged and mountainous, and it was
probably more so in the time of Marcellin Champagnat.
What struck me on my first visit in 1997 was that Marcellin's
calling to found the Marist Brothers and to educate young
children in need had to be something based deeply in his heart
and in his relationship with Jesus and Mary. He faced many
obstacles as he tried to bring about his vision of education for
poor and illiterate children. As always there was the challenge
of funding; and in addition, he faced the obstacles of local and
church politics. An equally significant obstacle was the terrain
itself. With no modern modes of transportation, and a region
too treacherous for horses, Marcellin literally "walked the talk"
in his efforts to visit the communities of brothers scattered
throughout the region. It is said that in one instance, he
walked sixty-six miles in two days, just to visit a sick Brother.
This past spring, Vince Andiorio and I had the opportunity to
visit the Hermitage again at a gathering of lay Marists and
Marist Brothers from around the world. Again, I was impressed
by Marcellin's sheer determination to respond to the urgent
needs of young people. Marcellin was tenacious; he kept
moving forward even when others told him he was a fool. His
deep trust in Jesus and Mary motivated him and gave him a
confidence that helped him overcome the obstacles he
encountered.
It has dawned on me many times since my first visit to the
Hermitage, and again since my visit last spring, that our
beloved Vito shares many characteristics with Marcellin. Both
lived lives deeply rooted in their relationships with Jesus and
Mary. With the faith and confidence that grew out of those
relationships, both were tenacious, a word that our principal
Larry Tucker has often lovingly used to describe Vito.
For Marcellin and for Vito, it was always about the mission. It
was never about them. There was no ego involved. Perhaps
that is why both of them were so successful at what they did.
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It was simply about the mission of "making Jesus Christ known
and loved." (10114 South Leavitt, Chicago, IL 60643; 773-239-
4116; hankhammer@hotmail.com)
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From Lawrence, MA, Eagle-Tribune obituary: (Eulogies and
statements appear on the Marists All website.) Br. Joseph
Belanger (1925-2010), as a Marist Brother, filled his life with
prayer and work. His was a long academic journey through
classrooms as a teacher in Marist Brother schools along the
eastern coast of the United States. As a reflection of his search
for peace in the world, he spent a year teaching English to
students in Lujiang University in Xiamen, China. His dedication
and service to Marist College as a professor of French and a
resident were well-known and appreciated by the college
administration, colleagues, and students.
Family, friends, students, and indeed, all with whom he came
into contact, will remember Br. Joseph for his optimism and joy
of life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Br. Joseph
Belanger Scholarship Fund, c/o Marist College, Poughkeepsie,
NY 12601.
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From JERRY BYRNE ( 1960): Ma rists All and the an n ua I Esopus
Gatherings have afforded us the chance to keep in touch with a
very special part of our lives. It is like going to a high school
class reunion every year and even quarterly.
I recently attended my wife's fiftieth high school class reunion
in north Jersey, at Union Hill High School, class of 1960. What
a wonderful time she had seeing old friends for the first time in
fifty years. I too enjoyed the reunion. It made me think of all
the Marist gatherings we've been to and the countless articles
that have kept us all in touch through a hundred issues of
Marists All. This is awesome!
(Jerry sent the following to his classmates since he felt he did
not know Br. George Kopper well enough to write about him.
Editor) Greetings, former classmates, class of 1959 at Marist
Prep. I recently read of the deaths of two of our "prep-mates"
from that year: Ron Mulholland and Br. George Kopper. Several
small articles appeared in February '10 Marists All concerning
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Ron but only a little information concerning George. We all
lived together in Holy Rosary that senior year. 1959 was the
last time I saw George. He went to Tyngsboro, and I went to
the mansion. I left for good in July 1960, not donning the
habit.
If you would share some thoughts concerning George, please
do so. It would be nice to remember him. None of us should
ever be forgotten. I found a picture of our graduating class,
and there was George in the front row right in front of me. He
was next to Ron Guirdanella. We were placed by size, and
George was short like me. There were forty-six of us in that
class, and George was one of the very few who persevered in
the religious life.
(After receiving Ed Doran's response .... ) It seems George
Kopper liked to keep things simple. Thanks to Ed Doran for his
warm insight into the lives of both George and Ron. I didn't
realize until recently that about fifty years ago, I was living
with some future saints. May they both rest in peace.
(jerryb89@verizon.net)
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From REV. ED DORAN (1960): George Kopper was a rather
"low key" type of man who was deeply committed to the Marist
life of prayer and dedicated service to those in need.
His main early influence was his father, an active member of
the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Every summer he and his
dad would work together sending "inner city kids off to camp."
George, in his uncanny sense of humility, never "advertised"
this side of his life, but rather served quietly and typically, like
a disciple of Marcellin Champagnat, and simply went about
doing good for those in need.
George and Ron were two men who dedicated their lives to
service. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I can
truly say that I look forward to greeting them when my final
day arrives!
(St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn, NY; Edoran5096@aol.com)
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From BR. KEVIN BLYTH: Marist Brothers' Sydney Province
(Australia) Hermitage Pilgrimage and Study Tour
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Every second year the Ministries Office of the Sydney Province
offers this one-month-long opportunity to members of the forty
or so Marist schools and colleges in our network. Occasionally,
special groups are organized. Last year, Heads of our schools
made up such a group. Those applying usually pay their own
way, but it may happen that the school will help with some
part payment. The pilgrimage usually begins at the time of the
Easter school holidays, but the final two weeks need to be
supported by the school providing a replacement teacher/staff
member. In Australian dollars the cost is in the vicinity of
$9,000.00. We are able to claim a tax rebate on some of this
(about 40%). An arrangement with a couple of Universities
enables participants to claim three points toward their degree.
The Pilgrimage begins in Paris where all meet at a particular
hotel on Easter Sunday afternoon. This is to give an
opportunity to appreciate the difficulties Fr. Champagnat had in
walking the streets endeavouring to seek approbation for his
fledgling Community. All the places we know he visited are
located and walked to (with some assistance from the Paris
Metro!). This section usually takes about six days (with time
for the ladies to do the shops!). As we take a chaplain, Mass is
available most days -- often privately or in one of the great
Paris churches.
Then follows a trip to Lyon and visits to, and explanations of,
the places of Champagnat interest - Fourviere, the Cathedral,
the old town, and so on. Plenty of occasions for sampling the
culinary and shopping delights before moving off to Notre
Dame de L'Hermitage. This last group of Pilgrims was the first
to use the new and renovated facilities at L'Hermitage that we
found to be excellent. All the places of interest to Marists were
visited: Le Rasey, La Valla, the Montagne and Lost in the Snow
incidents, Marlhes, and so on. While in residence, we had daily
lectures on a variety of subjects. One set came from our
chaplain on our Catholic identity; another set from Br. Michael
Green on Father Champagnat's letters and the lives of the
early Brothers; then from Br. Jim Jolly (FMSI in Geneva - he
works from the General House with a USA Brother) on the
rights of children; and also from Br. Neville Solomon (a Sydney
Brother) on the history of the foundation of the Institute, and
so on. The hospitality of the newly formed International
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Community was great as were the accommodations and the
food and beverages.
After about nine days of these highlights, we were bussed to
Florence, via Avignon, Nice (where we spent one night), and
Monaco. Following a few days of accompanied tour of this
beautiful city and its delights, we set out for Assisi for a taste
of additional spirituality. We experienced three days before the
short bus journey to Rome where we stayed with the De La
Salle Brothers at Casa La Sale in Cornelia. Rome presents its
own delights with all sorts of walking tours (aided again by the
Metro) and an audience with the Pope - with tens of thousands
of other pilgrims. The highlight of the Roman sector is a visit to
our General House and meeting with Brother Emilie and many
of the General Council with tours of the house and all the
various offices associated with the complex work of
administering the vast Marist network around the world.
Our own particular pilgrimage and the organization of it
maintained the pilgrim attitude with plenty of time for prayer
and reflection, great liturgies, and a great deal of sharing our
own insights. Our group numbered about thirty -- seen to be
about the optimum number. We commenced in Paris on
Sunday, April 4, and concluded with a marvelous 'end of
pilgrimage' dinner at Frascati (in the hills of Rome) on
Wednesday, 28th. We flew off to our various locations on the
next day.
(Should your group ever be interested in mounting a
Pilgrimage, Tony Clarke from our Ministries Office would be
only too happy to help wherever he can. I would be happy to
introduce you to Tony, naturally. blythkfb@tpg.com.au)
Thanks in abundance to those who have made our 100th issue
of Marists All
so
special. Those who have missed the
opportunity to share their lives with us in this issue have
another opportunity in the 101st issue. Please send your note
to poisellavincent@yahoo.com by August 15. Thanks to those
who support us with the monetary help that allows us to
continue this very special project. Most recently, thanks to Bill
Deschene.
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