Marists All November 1995

ISSUE # 33

FROM BR. JAMES NORTON ('64): After reading the latest issue of Marists All, I decided that it was time for me to make my contribution. Since the first issue I've enjoyed reading each one. It is very encouraging to read how so much of our Marist tradition and of the charism of our founder, Marcellin Champagnat, are still such a strong part of so many peoples' lives. Somehow the thoughts of all who have written, help to make all that we are trying to do worthwhile. In the kind of world we live in today it can often be discouraging to talk about and live out our Christian values. Knowing that some others are experiencing the same challenges and making a difference is a tremendous boost.

This past August 15th I completed thirty-one years as a Marist. The last five months of my scholasticate I spent in Mexico City finishing off my B.A. in Spanish, after which I was assigned to Archbishop Molloy in 1968. Come this September it will be twenty-seven years since my arriva! A long time to be in one place. Yet for me it has brought many challenges and many opportunities to live out the Christian message. I enjoyed teaching Spanish at Molloy for twentytwo years. When I was asked to do some part-tune counseling in 1972 I really sensed that I had found what I wanted to do. I finished my Masters four years later and gradually increased the counseling until it became my full time work. The paper work is minimal and that gives us the time to talk with the kids and listen to the struggles they are going through. I don't need to tell you that their problems are many and in our present society more and more complex.

As I write about counseling at Molloy, I can't help but think of Leo Richard "Teddy" Morris and the tremendous influence he had on me personally and on so many lives. His funeral was a beautiful tribute to an exceptional individual. We will miss him very much. The young man who was hired to help us continue Teddy's work is a Molloy graduate who during and after high school worked very closely with Leo and is deeply committed to what he was about. Along with myself, he'll also have the support of Brothers Francis Regis Newbeck ('53), Stephen Urban Minogue ('39), Pat Charles Hogan ('57), and Dan O'Riordan ('92).

In the summer of '81 I took an intensive course in conversational Italian, which I had always wanted to learn. And that, along with Spanish, and the French I remember from high school, was a very big help to me during my stay in Rome for the Second Novitiate and again as a translator at our General Chapter in the fall of '93. Both experiences helped to expand my understanding of the humble curate of La Valla and the tremendous influence his Marist Brothers have had throughout the world. So much good coming from such poor, seemingly impossible beginnings.

About ten years ago I participated in a summer leadership program sponsored by the now defunct House of Affirmation. In addition to being a very worthwhile experience in itself, it was also where I began to swim regularly for exercise. I'm happy to say that I've stuck with it and I average about five miles a week now. (I guess that would qualify me as the "swimmingest" Marist Brother in the U.S., maybe even in the world! John Klein ('66) could be a close second). My work with Molloy's swimming team also helps to keep me motivated. It's a great way to clear away stress, keep things in perspective, and stay in shape. So if you've been thinking about it, I'd encourage you to take the plunge!

With the exception of the one summer referred to above, I've spent the past thirteen years working as support staff for the camps for mentally and physically challenged children and adults that the Brothers - along with hundreds of students, alumni, and adult volunteers - run on the Esopus property each year in the summer. It's really inspiring to see how hard all those people work to give the campers a good time. Two Sunday evenings ago I looked out the window of the house in Esopus and did a double take when I saw Tom Cumnings ('63) with his wife Cathy and their cute little daughter Megan sitting outside talking to Br. John Dunning ('63). Tom and Cathy had driven Tom Junior up to work as a counselor. I've run into Tom before at basketball games and more recently at Leo Richark's wake, but never had a chance to talk much. We had some good laughs and did a lot of reminiscing about the juniorate.

I have also chanced upon Pat Blazer, who was a year behind me in the juniorate, and Pat Forsyth of my group, opportunities to catch up on what has happened since we last saw each other.

I guess this is enough for this first time. Once again, I would like to thank those who have contributed to Marists All and to those who make it possible. Keep up the good work. I hope to read more about guys from the group of '64 in future editions. 

FROM JOE (Joel Gilmary) STRANG ('53): Thanks for keeping me informed on things Marist. I am in the Adriatic Sea on the nuclear cruiser U.S.S. South Carolina. I am with PACE (Program Afloat College Education) which puts teachers aboard navy ships at sea for periods of six to eight weeks. It pays a salary plus expenses. Shipboard accommodations are spartan and shared, but the chow is excellent. Most ships have gyms, small libraries, and a little store. It is a lot like living in the novitiate. The participants can accept assignments when they are available and can work out of Norfolk, Virginia, or San Diego, California.

I am on my fourth ship. The program usually gives its instructors opportunities to visit ports. So far I have been in Greece, Sicily, Bahrain, Israel, Spain, Korea, and Hong Kong. I expect to visit Corfu. Greece, soon and probably Italy. I am hoping that one of these days a navy assignment will take me into a place where there are some Marist Brothers.

Before the current deployment I met a 73-year-old Holy Cross Brother from Notre Dame who was assigned to another ship to teach English. Some of the Brothers or ex-Brothers may want to get involved in teaching the navy at sea.

FROM REV. BILL SEARS ('52): While I'm still retired with a severe heart problem and spinal troubles, I continue to help out in the local parish. Living near the beach and the bay, I swim and fish often; the fishin' stinks, and I don't mean because of red tide.

I wasn't able to go north for the Marist picnic in September because of a death in the family. I did attend the picnic in '93 and had a great time reminiscing, particularly with "Binsky" Murphy. I would like to reminisce more with Marist family members, perhaps with those living in my area, between Tampa and Ft. Myers. My phone is 941-474-5217. I wait for the answering machine to give me a clue before picking up; I get so many Sears Roebuck calls: I remember all Marists living and deceased in my daily prayers and Mass. 

DECEASED:

John (Patrick Alban) Tobin ('34) died September 25th after an extended illness. His wife Helen lives at 3 Brookwood Road, Towaca, New Jersey, 07082.

Br. William Mielke ('59) died from complications during an operation at New York Hospital. He had just returned to Molloy after a year of parish ministry in Kentucky.

Br. Robert (Francis Solano) Desrochers ('50) died of a heart attack Saturday, September 30th. He had been serving as director of the Manhasset community.

FROM BILL (Bernard Gilmary) CONNELLY ('55): My pen has been still for too many years since I last wrote to Marists All; yet all the while I have enjoyed reading each new issue of the newsletter. Since my last epistle much has happened; thankfully, all good. I retired from the FBI in 1989 after 23 years, and I immediately went to work as a Corporate Security Representative for Pan Am, until it went belly-up in 1992. At least it gave me three years of interesting travel to Europe and Latin American, visiting places I would never have seen otherwise ... and usually in the front of the airplane. That was a perk that I really miss, as most of my travel now is in the "cattle car."

After Pan Am, my partner and I started a small airline security business that affords us one or two trips a year, generally to Colombia and the Caribbean. I also obtained a Florida P.I. license and do security background in vestigations for several agencies, including the FBI. Since I recently qualified as a Police Instructor in the State of Florida, I am teaching Police Officers a few classes in Naples. In addition, during the past year I have worked as a substitute teacher at Naples High School. I generally covered science, math, and English classes, but once I was tapped for a Home Ec class. My wife Ellen commented that if the topic did not include carving a turkey or boiling an egg, the class was in trouble. Sorry, Ed Castine, I never acquired your culinary skills, but now that I know you and Maureen are in Florida, I may stop by for a lesson.

After spending nearly seventeen years in the Miami area, Ellen and I opted for the more laid-back life-style of Florida's west coast; last year we migrated to Bonita Beach, just north of Naples. We sold our home in Miami and are renting a large condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in front of us and part of Bonita Bay behind us. We have three large bedrooms to accommodate SHORT-TERM visitors. Ellen is a licensed condominium and property manager; she currently oversees 16 associations in the Naples area. For the first time in my life I have a fishing pole and a license, and I am actually using them. I turned down a full-time job teaching physics last year, to prove to myself (and Ellen) that I am really retired. Besides, I had earlier reviewed a current physics textbook and realized just how many formulas and procedures I had forgotten since I taught physics in Brownsville and at Christ the King some thirty plus years ago.

I was shocked into reality by the editor's note in the August edition of Marists All which pointed out that, although the end was not in view, the newsletter would not go on forever. I hope that my few scattered thoughts will add to its longevity or at least not contribute to its demise. My best wishes to all the readers, and congratulations on the success of Marists All through the past 32 issues.

FROM DON (Brian Denis) MULCARE ('57): We have had several opportunities to visit the Wang Institute of Boston University's Corporate Education Center in Tyngsboro (a.k.a. St. Joseph's Novitiate). Nancy, our children, and I visited the property in the mid-1970s, and in May and July of this year while Nancy attended conferences at CEC, I engaged one of the grounds keepers, and we discussed the then and now of the property, each of us learning from the other.

The periphery of CEC has reforested itself, but the groves and walks retain the tranquility of a novitiate retreat. The Tyng mansion, barn, and sheds no longer stand, and you cannot see the Merrimack from the boulder upon which Chief Wanalancet, guest of Jonathan Tyng, used to sit as he gazed across the fields at the meandering river; the Hussey Plastics factory now stands tall in what was once the field that grew cow beets, potatoes, and other crops.The farmer's residence has vanished, burned down by an accidental fire.The tailor shop has changed little but now seems to be a private residence. The Quonset-hut gym is a storage building, basketball hoops and scoreboard still on the walls, the block M still in center court, but the massive grotto built. by our group under the direction of Br. Pius Victor is nowhere to be found.

The asphalt basketball court is now part of a parking lot, as is the handball court area. Volleyball has replaced baseball and football on the athletic field.

The warming hut that occupied the extreme end of the ice skating pond is survived by scraps of burned wood, fragments of cinder block, and rusted green-white enameled lampshades. One snow scoop waits among the trees. The summer cow pasture that became a winter sports area is now a year-round pond.The quarry looks exactly as I remember it in 1958. There are signs of recent activity: cans, bottles, campfires. An iron rod from quarry days remains fixed in a granite socket.

The external appearance of the "novitiate" is much as it was, except that the black iron fire-escapes have been removed. An L shaped complex has been connected to the north wing so that the lavatory end of the rec hall on the first floor and the hallway on the second floor run straight into one branch of the L, which continues in a northerly direction with a number of classrooms. The other branch of the L extends eastward toward Tyng Road with an auditorium.

The inside of the building has been converted into a tasteful, compact, contemporary office building. Several of the large rooms have been compartmentalized into offices and classrooms. Mementos of the Tyng family and of the Marist novitiate have been kept. There are three framed photographs on an entrance wall: the serpentine Merrimack and surrounding area south of the bridge; the Tyng mansion, barn, and sheds; an aerial view of St. Joseph's Novitiate.

The chapel has been transformed into a library. The arched transom window contains the seal of Boston University. On the desk of the librarian is a postcard photo showing the chapel as it was; a legend explains the history of the building. The sanctuary has couches and book shelves. Tables and chairs in the library parallel the arrangement of the pews of old. It is possible to sit after lunch in a position that a postulant or a novice may have taken; it is also possible to pray five decades.

The family atmosphere of the Tyngsboro property remains, and there are subtle and obvious traces of the Marist influence even though there is a very professional and secular facade that covers everything. Some of us are like the Tyngsboro property, a mixture of family, Marist, and secular influences.

FROM FRANCIS X. "Barney" SHERIDAN ('55): Well, it's July 26th!. Happy Anniversary to one and all, my 40th! Recently Hugh Turley, Dennis Dunne, Larry and Jan Keogh, and maybe some unknown others, organized the First Marist Retreat. Br. Leonard, Fr. Pete Ostrowsky, Br. Pat McNamara contributed greatly to it. It was an extraordinary experience, and I feel very grateful to have been part of it. In no other event has the GMC celebrated our spiritual commonality as clearly as in this one. It was refreshing, challenging, and healing, We visited the cemetery and reflected on the influence of very powerful men in our lives. We meditated with some of Lenny's clarity on Champagnat's values and spirit. It's a Marist spirituality that I cherish in the present, not just as an "ex". My wife even claims to understand me better!!! We need more. One anecdote: We stayed in the student townhouses in Poughkeepsie. One morning, coming out of my room, I discovered Frank Casey in the hall and greeted him with "Laudetur Jesus Christus!" His response, "Same to you, Mac!" and added, "I always wanted to say that," Makes one look forward to the Mount picnics.

BR. Paul AMBROSE
Letter to friends of MARIST FOREIGN MISSIONS (adapted by editor)

On June 1st I took off for India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. I went to visit friends and to take photos to show donors what has been achieved in the missions with their help.

In INDIA my pleasure was to be with Oliver Palaia for a good part of my time. He had trained in the United States for three years be fore returning to promote various projects for students and for the poor. I took photos to report to foundations. Oliver traveled with me to visit our Marists in Trichy. There I saw our first Indian school and our first all-Marist Brothers community of five Brothers; they had been provided with needed water for their school by mission funds. Oliver's brother is a candidate in Trichy. While in India I visited the parents of at least six Indian students we have at the college in Poughkeepsie to give a first hand report of their children. The parents were surprised and delighted.

While I was in SRI LANKA the trouble from the North had somewhat abated. I was pleased to visit various projects which had been helped at Kaluthara, at the PA Niwasa Novitiate, and at the Tudella Farm, I also visited the provincial house and Marist Stella College in Negombo. Photos of these places were taken, along with a photo of the car obtained for catechist trips and for Provincial visits. It was a special time to visit the parents of each one of the Marist Brothers who are away from Sri Lanka studying in Manila or elsewhere. I was delighted to visit with my old time friends among the Brothers and to interview a new candidate from our Pakistan mission. I left heavy hearted at such a brief visit to my favorite country.

In the PHILIPPINES I first visited the Marist Asian Center (MAC). It is for Asia what MIC (Marist International Center) is for Africa, a scholasticate for all the provinces in the area. Then I went to visit our Philippine missions in Mindanao where so much work is being done for the Church. It is incredible, the number of students reached in our several colleges and schools, and all the non-school and very apostolic work being done. I personally visited most of the work done by Br. Bob McGovern and by Br. Crispin Betitta, I also saw a new vocational school geared to help students learn to repair motors, radios, TVs, and other appliances. In Kidapawan I visited our school and there I saw the new chapel and the plans for the extension of the school. At Notre Dame of Cotabato I visited among others Jim Adams for whom I get help each year for scholarships for some of the poor boys in that the first of our Marist schools in the Philippines, At the novitiate of Tamontaca I was delighted to find a candidate who is from mainland China; he is determined to get the training as a Marist Brother and to get back to China to help resume our work there. Later I was glad to hear that some of our Malaysian Chinese are also thinking along the same line. On returning to Manila I was able to finalize the transfer of Br. Henry Joseph Ruiz. He is coming back to the States to join one of our retirement homes. He has aged and is in need of companionship in his retired years. He has been assured of a welcome back.

When I returned from my tour, there was waiting for me an invitation to visit our Marist work in Sibu, Sarawak. It was the surprise of the year.Sibu had been started 35 years ago when I sent a telegram from Rome to OK the closing of a school in Quantan and to open Sibu. It was for the many Chinese who had been kicked out of China. Now it is the largest Chinese school in the area, and the alumni, who are so faithful to the Marist Brothers, wanted to celebrate their 35th anniversary. They invited me as well as the three Yanks who had gone there at my request to help them get started., Br. Timothy McManus, Adolph Leo, and Br. Alphonse Louis. On August 12th there was a special Mass and a party for the entire city. It was great to see the statue of Champagnat in a place of honor outside the newest gymnasium in the city. The Chinese Brothers continue the work in Sibu. Their provincial, Br. John Lek, a gratuate of Marist College, was present, and he took wonderful care of us. I have so much to thank the Lord for His many blessings on our work the world over.

Our mission collections have been good once again this year. I have asked our Brother Provincial to name someone to continue this work so that I can be of help to him while I am still around. I am keeping in fair health and am able to move around almost like one who is closer to 28. The reverse digits tell a tale of the Lord's blessings, for which there will never be enough expressions of sincere thanks.

JOHN LEE ('57)  (from his wife Diana)   When I saw the article from Bill Sears in the newsletter, I finally decided to sit down to write the letter I know Jack would want me to write. After leaving the Brothers, Jack served in Vietnam and then worked for Bankers Trust and finally for Barclay Bank as a branch manager. We married in 1971. At the time my parents lived in Florida and on several visits there we spent time with Bill Sears and kept in touch over the years.

Our Matthew was born in 1976 and in 1984 a two-year-old Korean child became part of our family. In 1986 Jack was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He fought valiantly and was on a respirator for six years.One great pleasure for him was having me read each issue of Marists All to him. His eyes would light up when I read the name of someone he had lived with or someone he knew. Marists had a very special place in his heart. Jack died on February 7, 1992.
(This letter was mailed to us in March of 1993. We are very embarrassed for having misplaced it, and we have apologized by phone to Diana.)

MARIST CEMETERY - ESOPUS

In our last issue we had a letter from Esopus written by Br. Emile Michael Bernard; he mentioned that he was "in this beautiful place abounding with so many fond memories and traditions. My favorite nook," he said, "is the lovely spot where over 170 Brothers rest in peace most of whom I have known and admired." With his letter Micky sent us a chart of the cemetery. We are pleased to include it in this issue; this is, after all, the month of November when we traditionally remember our departed friends and relatives in a very special way.

BROTHERS OF THE U.S. PROVINCE BURIED IN ESOPUS
     Hippolite
1893-1959 (66)
Terrence Jones
1918-1988 (70)
Louis Euthym
1891-1959 (68)
Theophile
1903-1988 (85)
Etienne Regis
1885-1960 (75)
Joseph Abel
1901-1988 (87)
Alphonse Sylvain
1889-1960 (71)
Louis Frederick
1910-1988 (78)
Adrian August
1898-1960 (62)
Denis Damian
1926-1989 (63)
Pius Victor
1909-1961 (52)
Owen Campbell
1898-1989 (91)
Aloysius Mary
1875-1961 (86)
Cletus Richard
1916-1989 (73)
Leo Brouillette
1882-1962 (80)
Michael Lineen
1942-1989 (47)
Conrad Richard
1900-1962 (62)
Kieran Brennan
1918-1989 (71)
Leo Bergeron
1885-1962 (77)
Leo Wall
1905-1989 (84)
Osward
1872-1963 (91)
James Creighton
1911-1990 (79)
Tertulien
1887-1963 (76)
Angus Willinson
1931-1990 (59)
Emil Fecteau
1889-1963 (74)
Ignatius Dooley
1912-1990 (78)
Constantine
1882-1963 (81)
Vincent Donnelly
1911-1990 (79)
Philip LaCroix
1939-1963 (24)         

Francis Xavier
1895-1964 (69)
Gilbert Barry
1919-1991 (72)
Peter Morisssette
1925-1964 (39)
Peter Hilary
1912-1991 (79)
Claude
1916-1965 (49)
Anthony Urban
1932-1992 (60)
Joseph Nathaniel
1906-1966 (60)
Leo Joseph
1896-1992 (96)
Edmund Conrad
1908-1966 (58)
William Lee
1930-1992 (62)
Andrew Bernard
1906-1967 (61)
Ernest Drolet
1900-1992 (90)
Michael Kieran
1922-1968 (46)
Daniel Sullivan
1933-1993 (60)
Joseph Albert
1900-1968 (68)
Gabe V. Barrett
1900-1993 (93)
Jos. Masrchesseault
1930- 1969 (39)
Ronald Marcellin
1940-1993 (53)
Arthur Clouthier
1900-1970 (70)
Victor Menard
1918-1993 (75)
Paul Philibert
1907-1970 (63)
Anthony Cicollela
1945-1994 (49)
Leo Hyacinth
1886-1970 184)
Bernard Flood
1917-1994 (77)
Paul Acyndinus
1882-1971 (89)
Lawrence Corbin
1907-1995 (88)
Eugene Lambert
1888-1971 (83)
Leo Richard
1930- 1995 (65)
George Istvan
1910-1972 (62)         
Joseph Stephane
1893-1981 (88)

Jude Driscoll
1921-1981 (60)

George LeBlanc
1912-1981 (69)

Giles Lemieux
1915-1981 (66)

Paul Felix
1905-1980 (75)

Jos. Alexander
1905-1979 (74)

Simeon Enest
1919-1979 (60)

Francis Michael
1905-1978 (73)

Albert Hamel
1896- 1976 (80)

Louis Viatueur
1887-1976 (89)

John Shannahan
1938-1976 (38)

John Arthur
1904-1975 (71)

Leo Camille
1884-1975 (91)

Ambrosa Marcou
1894-1974 (80)

Vincent Dominic
1899-1973 (74)   
Gen. Leo Laberge
1921-1981 (60)

Mary Sylvain
1898-1982 (84)

Lucian Sutton
1928-1982 (54)

Eric Anderberg
1932-1982 (50)

Mary Andrew
1892-1983 (91)

Philip Thellan
1934-1983 (49)

John of the Cross
1904-1984 (80)

William Garvin
1909-1984 (75)

Paul Stokes
1925-1985 (60)

Francis Mary
1906-1985 (79)

Walter O'Claire
1918-1985 (67)

Leo Verville
1919-1985 (66)

Barry Firmin
1910-1986 (76)

Michael Norbert
1892-1916 (94)
     
Benedict Croger
1908-1981 (73)

Paul Gauthier
1895-1982 (87)

Cyril Robert
1909-1982 (73)

Tarcisius Valliere
1902- 1983 (81)

Peter Trottier
1903-1983 (80)

Marcel Ginchereau
1904-1983 (79)

Leo Stratonic
1903-1984 (81)

Gerald Murry
1921-1984 (63)

Jobn Malachy
1930-1985 (55)

Philip John Cote
1911-1985 (74)

Peter Montague
1932-1985 (53)

Wilfrid Doiron
1892-1986 (94)

Anthony Murphy
1906-1986 (80)

Thomas Aquinas
1925-1986 (61)
     
George Robert
1904-1981 (77)

Aidan Thomas
1919-1981 (62)

James Elliot
1917-1981 (64)

Kevin Campell
1918- 1980 (62)

Thomas Aban
1909-1980 (71)

Joseph Hildebert
1905-1979 (74)

Linus Joseph
1899-1979 (80)

Louis Omer
1897-1977 (80)

Vincent Colella
1947-1977 (30)

John O'Shea S.M.
1908-1977 (69)

Paul M. Jones
1927-1976 (49)

Alexander Josephat
1893- 1976 (83)

Henry Bassus
1884-1975 (91)

Feliciani
1885-1974 (89)

Emond Alphonse
1889-1973 (84)

Petrus Dumond
1887-1964 (77)
Robert Koehly
1900-1991 (90)
Fred Dumaresq
1881-1965 (84)
Lawrence Michael
1976-1991 (65)
Joannes Bergeron
1887-1965 (78)
John Pat Caffrey
1906-1991 (85)
Anthony of Padua
1884-1965 (71)
Edward Michael
1905-1992 (87)
John William
1938-1966 (28)
Aidan Francis
1909-1992 (73)
Rudolph Foley
1898-1966 (68)
Daniel Demers
1920-1992 (72)
Carlos Sierra
1936-1967 (31)
Francis G. Dion
1904-1993 (91)
Brian Downs
1931-1968 (37)
Linus Carroll
1927-1993 (66)
Louis Mary
1883-1969 (86)
John Berchmans
1909-1993 (84)
Leo Sylvius
1912-1970 (58)
Stephen Forgoes
1906-1993 (87)
Abelus
1876-1970 (94)
Wallace Hamel
1907-1994 (87)
Anthony Masse
1931- 1970 (39)
Denis Luizzo
1926-1994 (68)
Stephan Damian
1932-1970 (38)
William Gleason
1912-1995 (83)
Peter Anthony
1891-1972 (81)
Joseph Robert
1887-1972 (85)         

Joseph Orens
1902-1954 (52)
Arthur Xavier
1906-1987 (81)
Edward Wilfred
1876-1954 (78)
Brendan Regis
1929-1987(58)
Joseph Leo
1915-1954 (39)
Linus William
1904-1987(83)
Kieran Martin
1928-1955 (27)
Mary Anthony
1910-1987(77)
Timothy Daniel
1929-1955 (26)
Damian Melvin
1946-1987 (41)
Victor Aime
1899-1956 (57)
Juan A. Mauri
1911-1987 (76)
Augustine Thomas
1907-1956 (49)
Felix Matthias
1934-1987 (53)
Roberto Teodulo
1924-1956 (32)
Leonard Boulanger
1915-1987(72)
Sanctus
1885-1956 (71)
Augostine Pinard
1919-1987 (68)
Placid Robert
1911-1957 (46)
Joseph Damian
1906-1987 (81)
Joseph Gerard
1895-1957 (62)
Anthony Rotunno
1910-1987 (77)
Nicholas Mary
1907-1957(50)
Michael 0'Keefe
1923-1988 (65)
Joseph Edward
1892-1958 (66)
Mark O'Rourke
1909-1988 (77)
Jerome Stephen
1936-1958 (22)
Henry Charles
1892-1988 (96)
Michael Damian
1929-1958 (29)

FROM DON (Christopher Matthew) EDWARDS ('56): Marists All and its deeper spiritual implications are something very special to me. Strange though, at times it is like going home, and that I find is something painful: wonderful memories, a moment's life with so many wonderful people with whom I shared work, prayer, challenges, disappointments, and all of life's arrows of misfortune. I guess the loneliness of starting a new life without the old friendships and risking new drama involves mixed emotions. No regrets, however, only an occasional longing to experience the camaraderie of bygone days. So I find it hard to write, making myself vulnerable to the known and the unknown readers of Marists All. How is that for a long-winded excuse for my not writing in quite a time.

I was very moved by Br. Sean Sammon's letter, with its honesty, courage, and sensitivity. Felt like I was touched by the Spirit. I never had the good fortune of knowing Brother Sean. I pray that the words of healing he shares so often in his letters (I read some also when he was Provincial) will come to him in abundance from the hands of the Lord.

I should have written to Br. John Malich. I was a postulant when he was a novice and then was with him and his group in Poughkeepsie. If I'm correct I knew him then as John Xavier, or has my long as well as my short term memory gone?

Hope Br. William Mielke will be okay; met him when I was a senior at the scholasticate; that word scholasticate goes back to the Middle Ages, right.!

Elaine's and my little masterpiece, Chris, has finished his fourth year at the University of Cincinnati studying architecture, with two more years of indebtedness to go. He has been in Europe since June 2, doing a quarter of study in Copenhagen for ten weeks or so, during which time his class visited Stockholm, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg. For almost two weeks now he has been touring Europe and will continue for two plus more. I think he will have visited just about every city that has a building, any building. As you all know, I love to exaggerate, but this time I'm probably closer to the mark than usual. Certainly at the end of it all he will have seen the three greatest art museums in the West: the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Prado in Madrid, and the Louvre.

Meanwhile, my wife and I visited family in the Midwest for a wedding/ vacation combination. Got to Tanglewood for four dress rehearsals; what gorgeous country the Berkshires. Retirement is on the two-year horizon. We are all healthy, a blessing for sure. Elaine's sister is very seriously ill with cancer, only 53; may we ask for your prayers. This is the second summer we have had serious illness and/or death in the family. To borrow words from Brother Sean, this is the time for understanding; as we seek the Lord's healing, we pray to be vessels and instruments of his grace, My deepest appreciation and loving gratitude for THE COMMUNITY OF MARISTS ALL. 

FROM BR. JOE BELANGER ('43): An update on the monks at Marist College this year: Don Kelly ('61) teaches math full time. Ziggy Rancourt ('48) has two math and two philosophy courses. Greg DelaNoy ('51) has two College Writings. Tom Delaney ('55) mentors same 150 Frosh in Leo Hall, and PA works away in the Kieran Gate House at his foreign mission projects.

John Nash and Mike Williams (both '59) reside at 2 Eden Terrace in town; John works in the Counseling Center and teaches one course, while Mike works in Campus Ministry. Steve Synan ('75) worked half time in counseling last Spring, but at the request of the General Administration in Rome he has now left for a two month immersion course in Nice, France, and will be working at the Marist International Center in Nairobi, Kenya, for two years. Hopefully he will then return to teach at the college or to work in counseling. Every Wednesday the college monks who can make it, get together in my place in Champagnat for dinner.

I am teaching two courses with miniscule enrollments: French Civilization and World Cultures, with feature films to parallel texts. Next year I hope to teach World Cultures at most. I had 65 family members up to Marist College on a weekend in early August to celebrate belatedly my 70th birthday; half of the 65 are under 16, and several are looking around for an appropriate college.

Paul Ambrose celebrated his 82nd birthday on August 28th. Mimo Naidza and family anticipated with a picnic on Saturday. August 26th, inviting relatives and friends from far and near. Like Duracell, PA just keeps ...

FROM JOE (Gabriel Francis) HORES ('49): Thanks for the latest Marists All. lots of interesting material in it. I read with deep regret the recent death of Henry Morneau, '49. Henry had one of the sharpest and driest senses of humor I have ever run into. I vividly remember the following story. It was mid-July, 1955, and we were in Esopus for the 30-day retreat exercises of St. Ignatius, The Jesuit retreat master was exceptionally good. All his conferences and meditations were delivered without notes. After two weeks we had our first and long awaited day off. The priest arranged for us to pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs at Auriesville, New York. We were met at the gate by the Procession Cross and Candles, and off we went for the outdoor Stations of the Cross. I know my heart sank at that! Afterwards a group of us was being taken around the property by a Jesuit. He stopped by a deep ravine and told us that somewhere in this area their student, Rene Goupil, was martyred and that his body was never found. We all looked around with solemn interest in the area ... at which Henry dead-panned: "Well, I doubt if we'll find him today." All burst into laughter, including the Jesuit. It was the perfect tension breaking moment. Thanks, Henry! 

FROM KEVIN BUCKLEY ('66): Nothing much to report other than a traumatic change of address. We went from the sublime (East Asia) to the less than sublime (Mexico City), diplomatic argot for "yecch." 

M 0 V I N G ?    Send us your new address.

FROM JOHN DILLON ('60): How to place me with relation to the Marist experience? In my class were Bob Holm, B.Connolly and Jerry Worrel. Raoul Molnar was my "buddy" when I started in Esopus as a sophomore. I spent two years there. Stephen Urban was master, Robert James taught me Spanish, Dennis Damian had geometry; also there were Peter Leonard, quite a different monk, John Berchmans, Leonard Alphonse, Solano ...Anyway, I do enjoy reading the newsletter and I thank you for it.

FROM MARTY (Martin Andrew) LANG ('47): Jerusalem: as a Jesuit friend and I sat in the back of the Franciscan Chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, planning our strategies for the day, I noticed walking into the chapel a man whom I hadn't seen in many years. "I know him!" I said to Steve, and I rushed up to have a better look.Yes! it was who I thought it was: Brother Roy Mooney. We greeted each other warmly. Roy is now director of the "Year of Spirituality" which I believe is the contemporary equivalent of the Second Novitiate. He was visiting the Holy Land from Italy with a group engaged in the year of renewal.

Later I thought about both of us being there at the same time, one with the Marist community and the other a part of a "wider Marist community." I promised myself that I would make known to that wider community a kind of personal spiritual regeneration that I have been engaged in for the last fifteen years.

After teaching scripture at Fairfield University for ten years, I had reached a point when I knew I should go to the Holy Land and investigate the places where Jesus taught, look carefully at the Jerusalem he walked in, and try to recapture personally what I was so familiar with in the Bible. With my wife Anne's strong encouragement I set off alone to explore to my heart's content what I had longed to do. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

Anne now wonders what Pandora's box she has helped to open, because I have been going to Jerusalem almost addictively every summer since then. We made one trip as a family, the two of us and three children. Soon I linked up with the Jesuit friend who teaches theology at Georgetown, Steven Fields, S.J. Together we became a team that leads adult groups to the Holy Land. He celebrates the liturgy (marvelously) at each of the shrines and provides the light hearted banter that puts humor into the trip. I give the biblical commentary and archeological information (with the modicum of humor that I can summon). We always have an Arab Christian guide and we go under the auspices of a Palestinian tour operator, but we do stay at a Kibbutz (nice one) in Galilee. So we have access to both the Palestinian and the Jewish communities.

For each of us it is a kind of yearly retreat and a powerful spiritual experience that seems to continue to enrich us in spite of our many trips. If any one would like to come with us this year or later, please feel entirely welcome. It doesn't take long before each new group gets to know each other, a community gels, and we have a great time.

The 1996 trip is scheduled from May 21st to the 31st. Call 203-374-1040,, or drop me a note at 295 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield, Ct. 06432.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We look forward to hearing from you. Our preoccupation is always concern about getting the correspondence needed to share with our readership. Please, get down to write today ... before the activities of Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon you. 

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Source: Original Marists All Site

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