_JL
marill
all
ISSUE #30
February 1995
KOBE: SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MARIST SCHOOL
The fault line of the January earthquake in Japan ran right through the center
building of the Marist Brothers International School in Kobe. It left a foot wide
separation on all three floors. We understand that the complex consists of two
wings roughly at 120 degrees angles to the center structure. The retaining wall
behind the two-story left wing, which had housed the primary grades, was
demolished, thus leaving that wing essentially without foundation. It is a hazard
in itself and a danger to homes below the retaining wall; it must be tom down
immediately. The center building has classrooms on the first two floors and the
Brothers' residence on the top floor; it cannot now be used.
The wing to the right - offices, chapel, library, cafeteria - was left intact. The
parking lot and soccer field in front of the buildings also have fissures, but the
gymnasium, across the fields from the school, is intact.
Prior to the quake the school enrolled some 270 students, of which as many as
35% were Japanese, 10% American, 5% European, plus Koreans, Chinese,
Indians, Pakistani. Because many have moved from the stricken area, the
Brothers are uncertain of how many students will return. They had hoped to
open classes in the gym by February 20th, but the gym is still needed for
humanitarian purposes. The Brothers plan to lease pre-fab structures.
Marist International School was founded in 1959 by a handful of European
Brothers who had been expelled from China. These Brothers, mostly German, all
now deceased, soon turned the leadership of the school over to Br. Pat Tyrell
('49), Br. Gus Landry ('50), and the Poughkeepsie province. Presently Br.
Vincent Moriarity ('56) is the director and Br. George Fontana ('59) is principal.
Also on the staff are Br. John Byrd and Br. Raymond Bereicua.
Marist High School in Kumamoto, an hour's trip by plane from Kobe, was
founded in 1961. The student body of one thousand is totally Japanese with
Japanese lay teachers. Presently the only one of the Brothers there is Br. Pat
Tyrell, acting in the capacity of President. Last year Br. Bernard Yamaguchi ('82)
was principal, but that position is now held by a layman.
Bernard Yamaguchi became a Christian and interested in the Marist Brothers in
his midthirties through contact with Br. Joseph Yoshida. He made his novitiate in
Chicago under Brother Luke. He is now back in Chicago doing language studies
and will go on to a second novitiate in Italy in January of 1996. Br. Joseph
Yoshida ('63) studied in Tyngsboro and Poughkeepsie in the early sixties. He is
the director of the Marist house in Tokyo and is assigned to vocation work. Br.
George Kopper is also in Tokyo, presently teaching English at a seminary.
The first Japanese vocation to the Marist Brothers was Br. Joseph Hayashi ('60)
who came to Tyngsboro at the age of 26. He returned to teach in Japan, but frail
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health led to an early death at 37 in January of 1970 after only ten years in
community. (more about Kobe on later pages)
MONK TELLS OF TREMBLER'S HORRORS
Boston Globe headline: 1-20-95
BR. VINCENT MORIARTY ('56) of Westfield, Massachusetts, was taking his
morning shower in the residence at the Marist Brothers International School near
Kobe when the earthquake hit this week. "It was like being a pingpong ball in a
bottle," he said with a small laugh on the telephone yesterday. "I don't know why
I wasn't cut by flying glass and tile. One of the Brothers came in to help, and I
grabbed a blanket and got out." Brother Vincent, 57, is one of several
Massachusetts men teaching at the Marist school. The others are Augustine
Landry, 67, of Fitchburg, and Thomas Higgins, 32, of Salem, a lay teacher there
for the last six years.
Brothers Vincent and Augustine spoke of the terror that surrounded them. "There
was an 80-year-old woman trapped in a house near us," Brother Vincent said. "It
was an old style home that just collapsed. Brother Gus tore away the timbers,
and we got the woman out. She's now staying in our gymnasium. So are a dry­
cleaning couple whose shop was near the school; their house was on fire and the
neighbors pulled them to safety."
Though the school has a huge crack down the middle, much structural damage,
and one wing separated from the main building, its gym remained intact!
Everything around the school just flattened," Brother Gus said, "but our gym is
quite sturdy. Now we have 800 people sleeping there or living in our school bus
or anything else that's livable." After the quake the Brothers set up a soup
kitchen. "We had earthquake soup," Brother Vincent said. "Anything you could
find to mix together."
Brother Landry, who has been at the school for 27 years, was asleep on the third
floor of the residence when the quake hit. "They always tell you to get under the
doorsill in an earthquake, but they never tell you how to get to the doorsill.
Everything was flying through the room. We always thought Kobe was safe from
the quakes," he said.
The Brothers are trying to account for the 275 youngsters who attend classes
there. "Some of our children live in areas completely devastated by fire," Brother
Vincent said. On the morning of the quake lay teacher Higgins was still asleep in
his 9th floor apartment. "Everything went smashing around me," he said. "After
the first shock I grabbed my flashlight and ran to stand under the archway. I
could hear the family with children next door screaming. Everything came down
bookcases, canned goods, the refrigerator. It was like a giant shaking your house.
Somehow all twenty of us who live there and teach at the Marist school were
accounted for."
"It will take some time before things get back to normal at the school," the
Brothers said, "but first we must tend to the living." ( adapted from the Boston
Globe, byline: Gloria Negri)
BR. SEAN SAMMON, V.G. This past fall Brother Sean attended a meeting of
the Asian Provincials at the Marist Asian Centre in Manila. He also met with Br.
Luke Pearson, Dean of Academic Studies at MAC, and with other administrators
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there. After Manila, Sean visited the Brothers in Beijing, China, before returning
to Rome. (from Poughkeepsie province (Newsnotes, November 1994)
BR. RENATO CRUZ (Tyngsboro '58), Philippine provincial, was diagnosed
with Chronic Myologenous Leukemia last November. He traveled to New York
in mid-January to seek additional treatment. (from FMS Update, Rome,
February, 1995)
RETREAT WEEKEND ... FROM LARRY KEOGH, BR. DENNIS DUNNE
AND BR. HUGH TURLEY
For the past several years the idea of a Marist retreat for everyone who receives
a copy ofMarists All has been germinating out here in the mid West. We
envision the weekend as an event that would be more than just a reunion, though
that would be part of the program. We want an event that would have a spiritual
element. We believe that there are others like ourselves who would be eager to
come together to pray and to reconnect with their Marist roots. Consequently, a
weekend retreat seems the logical vehicle to accomplish these goals. And as
usual with things of this sort where humans are involved, after so many years of
talking about having an event of this kind, the pieces have begun to fall into
place, and we are happy to invite all of you to join with us this summer at a
location in the Hudson valley, either at Marist College or in Esopus. The retreat
would begin on Friday afternoon, June 30, and continue through Saturday and
Sunday, coming to a close after lunch on July 2.
So many times we've read stories in the newsletter about our Marist heritage,
and like a time release capsule, that Marist spirit just keeps working and working
and working. When you combine that spirit along with the life cycle events that
all of us are experiencing, we believe that it would be a good idea to renew
ourselves in our commitment to the Lord in the presence of our confreres from
the past as well as the present. The weekend would afford us an opportunity to
share, as well as to support one another in our spiritual lives.
So, come join us for a weekend of prayer, support, and sharing. Of course, your
spouses are invited as well. The program for the weekend is in the planning
phase, but the following items are tentatively set to be part of our retreat.
On Friday after supper there would be a focus meeting to set the tone for the rest
9of our time together. That would be followed by prayerful time led by Brother
Dennis, then the Salve Regina and a time set aside for socializing.
On Saturday we will have a presentation by Larry Keogh, an Emmas walk, visit
to Esopus, a talk on Champagnat and Marist spirituality, followed by Mass in the
Esopus chapel and then a picnic supper at St. Paul's Bay.
After breakfast on Sunday, time will be set aside for a video about recent Marist
activities. Then we'd like everyone to share some funny stories about their
Marist days. A prayerful time will conclude the morning activities, and the
retreat will come to a close after lunch.
As part of this communication we are enclosing a postcard. We'd like you to fill
it out and by return mail tell us that you'd be glad to be a part of this retreat. That
way we can begin making all the necessary arrangements for lodging. We are not
sure of the costs associated with the weekend, but be assured that the costs will
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be minimal; this is not a fund-raising event. So please give some serious thought
to joining us in June.
Our names and telephone numbers are listed so that if you have any questions,
you may feel free to contact us . . Dennis Dunne 708-385-1488 12212 Irving
Avenue, Blue Island, 11. 60406 .... Br. Hugh Turley 312-881-5343 10114 South
Leavitt, Chicago, 11. 60643 ... Larry Keogh 815-838-1570 17125 West 145th
Street, Lockport, 11. 60441
FROM JACK (Timothy Joseph) CRAVEN ('48):A short note to indicate how
very much I appreciate receiving Marists All. Be assured that your efforts are not
taken for granted, as much time is required to gather, edit, and mail each issue.
Jim Kearney first told me of this priceless publication which I read and re-read
each time it arrives.You provide a far more valuable service then you realize.I
am forwarding a small check to help with postage, and I send a promise of a
summary for future use in Marists All. God bless you for your efforts.Yours in
J.M.J. (3202 Wagon Wheel Road, Boise, Idaho, 83702)
FROM JERRY WORELL ('61 ): Thanksgiving Day, 1994. When I came home
last night, I was too tired even to go to the mailbox, so this morning after waking
at 6 a.m., coffee in hand, I went out and was happy to see the November issue of
Marist All. Alone in the quiet house with everyone else still asleep, I read the
entire packet and reflected, in the spirit of this Thanksgiving day, on my past.
Marists All for me continues that connectedness begun so long ago in Fsopus,
Tyngsboro, and Poughkeepsie. So guys, thanks for so very much of your time
and energy, thanks for your letters. The very last editor's note remarked that issue
#30 is on the horizon and that you wondered how you could make it "something
quite special." While I am not a "techo weenie" and I wouldn't know a gigabyte
from a ram, perhaps someone smarter than I could establish a Marists All on a
BBS. I know that Marist High School in Chicago has its own Bulletin Board on
line, and that Marist College, whose offices glow with LEDs certainly could
provide a base. The service, along with an 800 number for access, could enhance
and strengthen the sense of connectedness that Marists All already provides.
The possibilities of such a service for job placement are interesting. If anyone is
interested in pursuing this with me, I'd sure like to help, so please write. (AOL
JERRYW7105)
Next ... it seems to me that next year should be a reunion year for my graduating
group from Marist College. I make a special plea to those who were not present
five years ago to consider attending next October. I would like to forfeit the title
of "he who traveled farthest" among the former monks. Ford, Carroll, Hanley,
Gonya, Kelly, and all the others who attended fed my soul that weekend. So, as
you make up your budget for the coming year, please include a line item for the
reunion. I wish for you the exhilaration that I felt at the first handshake that
began the reunion. (13738 South 83rd Ave., Orland Park, 11. 60462)
FROM GUS NOLAN ('48): On January 11th, Liz and I returned from a
wonderful week in Miami.We visited my brother Bernard and the monks at the
retirement house there. Lawrence Ephrem was very low at the time, slipping in
and out of consciousness, but most accepting of the situation. Br. Cornelius
Russell is back in Miami after a Christmas sojourn to visit his sisters in the New
York City area. He looks well and seems to have things well under control.
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We spent a few days with the Lannings in Delray Beach, and then we went to
Sanibel Island on the lower west coast for a few days. Wish I would afford to
live the life of a retiree there! (Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601-1387)
FROM MIKE O'NEIL ('61 ): It's been over three years since I've communicated
with my Marist family; that's long overdue. Mary Ann and I have been married
26 years, and for the first time since 1968 we have an empty nest. What a great
experience of rediscovery, renewed love, and intimacy!
The five children, ages 25 to 19: Sean recently married a Mary Ann clone (how
lucky for him), and he is completing his Masters at B.C.; Scott, after three years
of working with the New Jersey Nets, has just been hired as Director of
Corporate Sponsorships with the Philadelphia Eagles; Michael is a 23 year old
account executive with the Deutsch Advertising Agency in NYC (still thinks he's
moving too slowly); Matthew finishes an accounting major at B.C. in June; and
Shannon, a sophomore at Villanova, finally decides (7th choice overall) on a
career in physical therapy. She's our All-American lacrosse player!
What a wonderful Thanksgiving we, as an extended family, just celebrated. We
had our annual Turkey Bowl. I'm getting too old for that stuff, but I don't want to
let the kids know, so I keep answering the bell and their taunts. I don't think of
winning or losing or. even playing well. I just keep focused on getting out of the
game without significant injury. The highlight of the weekend was after dinner
when I asked each of the eighteen present to share what they had to be thankful
for that year. And after two or three had said some vanilla kind of things,
Michael upped the ante and challenged us all to recapture what always made our
family unique in his eyes. He felt that we had been slipping into some ordinary
patterns in regard to our immediate and extended family, as well as with friends
and acquaintances. Our criticisms, diminished tolerance, and less caring for
others were too much of a departure from the core of what the O'Neil family had
always brought to the world. As we went around the table, each now given
license to share something important, there wasn't a dry eye in the room; there
were deep and special messages and commitments from all. (It was the most
spiritual human experience I've had since Brother Hilary pulled a tick out of my
arm during meditation at Camp Marist in the spring of 1961). All kidding aside, I
am awe struck at how God has blessed Mary Ann, myself, and the O'Neil family.
I don't bother to question His choices anymore. His ways are sometimes hard to
figure out, but I do know that without my five years inside the Marist family
(1959-1964) I would never have been able to connect our good fortune to God at
this level and frequency.
I mentioned in my last update that Mary Ann and I own and operate a
management training and consulting company. The business is flourishing. Our
three major clients for 1995 include McDonald's Corporation, Xerox, and ADP.
Work in leadership development and self-directed team building puts us in touch
with literally thousands of people each year. Our business is to create a healthy
environment, to increase trust and reduce pain in their world, and to challenge
those who lead and those who follow to be all they can be professionally and
personally.
We've produced leadership tapes and have written the first draft of a book to
promote The Arrow Theory. It will help people understand how they hurt others
and are hurt by others and what the consequences of that behavior are. It will
provide people with ways to reduce the pain in their world. It's our ministry, so
to speak. I've got one more thing undone, to share the gifts God has given me
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through TV or radio; it's a dream, who knows? I do know this though: "To make
a great dream come true, you must first have a great dream." (Hans Se lye) I wish
that for all my Brothers and Sisters in the Marist family. P.S. Call or write; I'm
getting nostalgic in the second half of my life' We're at 20 Lucy Way, Simsbury,
Ct. 06070; 203-651-9272.
FROM GENE (Louis Francis) ZIRKEL ('53): Pat and I had a wonderful holiday.
We visited Lenny Voegtle in Bayonne, ate at the old Broadway Diner (still home
of the world's best cheesecake), and enjoyed Boopsie's collection of Disney
memorabilia just before we took off on our own visit to the Magic Kingdom.
While in Florida we visited with Bernie Ruth and Lou Savino at Christopher
Columbus High School. We also went to the retirement houses and enjoyed
visits with Norbie, who was my first principal at the Mount and later my boss at
Molloy. We saw Tim Martin, who ran the laundry next door to the print shop in
Poughkeepsie where Tarcy taught me the intricacies of printing. No matter how
hard I scrubbed, my hands were always ink-stained; it was Tim who came to the
rescue on visiting day, bleaching my hands clean before my folks arrived.
In Florida we also saw Larry Joseph and Danny Kopecki . . During my first year
at the Mount, Larry was guidance counselor. One day as he was helping me, the
bell for the recitation of the Office rang. Larry just kept talking. So I stayed and
missed Vespers. Of course, Wally called me in later and explained the facts of
life to me. I never forgot it!
All in all, I had a wonderful time reminiscing with the Brothers, and they really
seemed to appreciate our visiting them. It was similar to the sharing that goes on
at the Mount during the annual Marist picnic. Incidentally, I agree with Barney
Sheridan; I, too, wish we could end with a Mass, an Ever Forever, and a Salve.
Keep, spread the faith. (Six Brancatelli, West Islip, N. Y. 11795;506-669-0273)
FROM RONALD "Reggie" DISS ('60): Our lives continue to be filled with the
joys and challenges of raising kids, teaching, and "getting older!" A highlight of
this past year was listening as Lily delivered the validictory speech at her high
school graduation in June. She has finished her first college semester at Virginia
Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. John is doing well at the Webb Institute of Naval
Architecture in Glen Cove, New York. He begins a two-month internship at the
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington state on January 3rd. The work
period there will be a nice escape from the academic rigors of Webb's program.
The first of March he returns to his second academic semester.
Mary continues teaching 5th and 6th grade Chapter I (remedial reading) classes
at the local middle school. She stays very busy trying to keep up with the latest
technology in her "electronic classroom." I am still teaching child development
and teacher preparation courses at the Emory and Henry College. Teaching for
the University of Virginia keeps me busy most weekends. We wish we could
enjoy a long visit with you. It would be the "perfect gift" to be able to sit and
rehash the past, fill in the present, and anticipate the future. (Box A-5, Main
Street, Rural Retreat, Virginia, 24368)
FROM ROBERT O'HANDLEY ('61 ): Nothing much new to write about for the
newsletter. Three kids in college: U Mass, Amherst, and B.C. There may be
employment or place of employment change coming up in my life soon, but
nothing certain yet. It's all driven by the shrinking pool of federal funds from
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which to draw research support. I hope all is well with all. (3 Glenn Cove,
Andover, Massachusetts, 01810)
DECEASED On January 10th, BR. EPHREM CORBIN ('32) died in Miami.
He had lived at the Esopus province's retirement community there. During many
of his later teaching years he was at St. M
ary
's in Manhasset.
We have word that JOHN COGGER ('62) died of cancer on February 8th. He
would be 51 years of age. A native of Lawrence, John taught a number of years
at Marist High School in Chicago before moving to teach in a public school in
New Jersey.
THANK YOU BROTHERS! We understand that all on this newsletter's mailing
list were recipients at Christmas time of the Memorial Booklet honoring the 28
Marist Brothers who died, 1990 through 1993. We take the liberty to speak in the
name of all in thanking the Provincials and the Brothers for this greatly
appreciated gift.
FROM REV. FRANCIS X. (Stephen Joachim) GALLOGLY, O.S.A. ('52): I am
settled in Mechanicville, New York, near Albany. I live with two wonderful
friars: one a former student of mine (1968) and the other my successor as pastor
in Hoosick Falls (1982). We enjoy praying together as well as the simple
pleasures of hiking, watching TV, and cooking for each other. At Thanksgiving I
announced that I would cook for anyone who was not going home. I had six
takers. I didn't need a cook book; I simply pictured my mother and carried on as
she had done. At Christmas we went to our fri
ary
in Troy. It is nice to have about
ten friaries scattered throughout the Albany area.
My heart started acting up again. I began huffing and puffing and feeling pains
in my chest and arms. I was sent off to the hospital for an angiogram and then a
week later for angioplast. The doctor said that I had done pretty well after my
first treatment in 1990; the blockage had stayed open for four years. I felt fine
two days after returning from the Albany Medical Center. I preached at four
Masses on Christmas.
Two weeks ago I had a delightful time when my cousin Terence was here from
Northern Ireland. He is a wonderfully brave seventeen year old boy who has
been physically challenged since birth. I had first met him when he was a wee
lad in a hospital in Dublin. This time I picked him up south of Boston and
brought him to Portsmouth for a few days. He met several of my own friends,
and we had supper with a lobster fisherman whose son is also challenged. The
lobsterman told us that God had blessed him in a special way that day; he had
caught 550 pounds of lobster, a career record.
A few weeks ago I called Robert Hopkins ('52) and Edmund McElroy ('52); they
are doing fine. It was wonderful to talk with them. I hope to get the chance to
talk with others from the class of'52. (52 William Street, P.O. Box 308,
Mechanicville, N. Y. 12118; 518-664-6106)
FROM HENRY (Robert Baptist) GOETZE ('46): I recently visited Br. Paul
Ambrose in Poughkeepsie with my brother Bob. We had a great visit, since we
had not seen each other for many years. I was amazed at the extraordin
ary
progress made by the college. Brother Paul mentioned the publication Marists
All, and suggested that I write to be put on the mailing list. (1334 Shiloh Trail
East, Kennesaw, Georgia, 30144-2044)
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NATIVE HELPING IN KOBE
Wheeling Intelligencer: 1-31-95
BR. JOHN BYRD ('67), an English teacher and guidance counselor at the Marist
school in the Suma district of Kobe, has spent the past two weeks helping
victims of the earthquake. "You see the people just staring at their homes and
using the word "dame," which basically means that everything is gone and
there's no hope," said Byrd in a phone interview from the school. "We live in one
of the most historic districts of Kobe. All the shops and homes that were down
the street from us either have the second floor touching the ground or they are
completely collapsed. It's terribly depressing."
Byrd had to battle for his own life when the jolt rumbled through Kobe at 5: 16
a.m., January 17th. My room was one that separated from the rest of the
building. I knew there was no place to hide. I just said a quick prayer; I thought I
was going to die. Yet, with all the things flying around I still felt very sheltered,
that God's presence was indeed there, and that's very humbling."
Byrd spoke of the efforts he and the other Brothers made following the 7 .2
magnitude quake. "Help was pretty slow in coming, so our school gym was
probably the first shelter to open in the area, and we started our own soup
kitchen. We haven't really participated in much rescue work. It's really dangerous
to walk around in some areas because most of the structures are very weak. We
did go out and look for some of the people we knew and helped them collect
what they could from what used to be their homes."
Byrd said the Marist school sustained extensive damage, forcing him to sleep
inside a school van. "Our building is badly damaged and it will need to be
rebuilt. It's going to be a very spartan existence, but we're not complaining. Just
as we've lost our home, so have 300,000 others in Kobe."(adapted from the
Intelligencer; byline: Steve Novotney)
FROM THE PROVINCE LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Dear Brothers and Marist Family:
We have joined in the pain and struggle of the Brothers and people of Kobe. The
Brothers continue their efforts to assist city officials in sheltering and relocating
the homeless. Thank you for your prayers, calls, and letters of concern.
The Board of Directors ofMarist International School has made a commitment to
the parents, students, teachers, and staff that the school year will be completed.
The Brothers will set up alternative classrooms, and they must contract for the
demolition of buildings that endanger homes in the neighborhood. The financial
cost of these temporary solutions will be very high.
The Province will seek financial assistance from agencies and organizations in
Japan and from the international community. With the combined efforts of our
Leadership Team, Development Office, and Marist Foreign Mission Appeal, we
will be seeking charitable contributions to the "Marist-Kobe Relief Fund" from
our brothers, communities, schools, alumni, and benefactors. Most of all, let us
continue to pray with and for our brothers in Kobe. (from Province Newsnotes,
February)
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EDITOR'S NOTE: We hope to publish the next issue ofMarists All in mid May.
We are most grateful to all those who help us with letters! Write to: David
Kammer, 476 LaPlaya, Edgewater, Florida, 32141; or to: Gus Nolan, Marist
College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 12601.
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