September 2017 Midwest District will affiliate three to the Institute The Midwest District will affiliate three new members to the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The prayer service and ceremony will take place on September 7 th at the LaGrippe Pastoral Center on the campus of Lewis University and will be followed by a reception. Robert and Lori Dressel have embraced the Lasallian charism and mission. He has been the President of La Salle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL, for over 25 years, and Lori has been an active participant in the retreat ministry. She is now part of the Lasallian Women s Conference, and he participates in Lasallian leadership formation. Twelve years ago Bob Daraskevich started helping retired Brothers and now volunteers weekly to assist the needs of the community members at Resurrection Life Center and St. Pauls House. Those individuals affiliated to the Institute are recognized as being persons who have been significantly active for a number of years in the mission of the Christian Brothers and whose lives are inspired by Lasallian spirituality. Affiliation is approved by Brother Superior and his Council in Rome. The Brothers show great appreciation for these people and are honored to welcome them as Affiliated Members (AFSC). Farewell lunch set for Samantha Samantha VenHuizen will be leaving the Midwest District Office on October 13 th after two years as Assistant Director of Development. In September 2015 she started the position with a focus on Lasallian events in the District. She has set a new standard for the management of the Lasallian Days and other events with her energy and commitment. A Lewis University alumna ( 09), she completed her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Lewis in 2016. In 2010 Samantha served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Pawtucket, RI, at Tides Family Services. She currently lives in Lockport, IL, with her husband Ryan and their cat. She and Ryan will be moving to California to allow him to pursue his dream of writing for television. The Midwest District staff will host a farewell lunch for her on October 12 th. Congratulations and best of success, Samantha and Ryan!!! NativityMiguel Coalition named new Executive Director The NativityMiguel Coalition has announced the appointment of Daniel Perez as its new executive director effective July 1, 2017. He has served for the past year as assistant principal at La Salle Academy in New York and has extensive experience working in NativityMiguel schools as principal, graduate support director and teacher at St. Aloysius School in Harlem and Nativity Mission Center in New York City. In those positions, he was integrally involved in the growth and development of NativityMiguel schools at the national level, having served on the Graduate Support Council and presented at various conferences.
Prescription drug subsidy verification may be coming Brothers who have the prescription drug subsidy (reduced prescription costs) under Medicare Part D may be receiving the annual verification of eligibility to complete for the Social Security Administration. It often arrives in September or October. Brothers should follow the instructions carefully and submit by the due date. Those who might have questions after receiving the form should contact Brother Joe Saurbier at the Provincialate Office. SMUMN dedicated new Science Center On May 12 th Saint Mary s University of Minnesota dedicated its new $19 million Science and Learning Center on the Winona Campus. The building has some special features: state-of-the-art classrooms and labs that will serve as optimal learning environments and provide a platform for increased research opportunities; a layout specially designed to promote hands-on learning opportunities; an interior atrium that will visually connect all three floors and welcome sunlight from the building s skylights, creating ideal spaces for study and student interactions outside of the classroom; a 120-seat tiered auditorium that will accommodate special events, guest speakers, and student presentations. Wight & Company of Chicago served as the architect and general contractor. LVs Award Best Moments at Debriefing Retreat The 2016-2017 Lasallian Volunteers (LVs) gathered together as a cohort for the final time for their Debriefing Retreat, which took place May 26-29 at La Salle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL. The retreat gave LVs the opportunity to relax, reflect, recharge and reconnect. LV alums Michael Phipps, 09-11, Chris Hueg, 11-13, and Shanae Farrell, 12-14 and Brothers Ed Phelan, Michael Reis and Michael Kadow accompanied the thirty-eight Volunteers as they navigated the retreat s theme, LV Awards. They guided them through periods of reflection to help the volunteers single out their best moments and award their supporting actors/actresses, best song that summarized their experience, and best experiences of faith, service and community. The weekend was spent in reflection, personally and in small and large groups. The participants had the opportunity to share their challenges but also celebrate their triumphs recognizing and celebrating those who supported and encouraged their service year in ministry and community. Brother Joseph received an award On August 30 th the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) announced the winners of the 2017 Excellence-in-Writing Competition during the 2017 Conference of the Federation of Genealogical Societies in Pittsburgh, PA. Brother Joseph Martin was honored with a Second Place Award in the category for published articles for his work, Apolonia Lewicka and the Priest, which appeared in the summer 2016 issue of Rodziny, the journal of the Polish Genealogical Society of America. The article featured the story of his great grandmother and the financial help she received from her paternal cousin, Father Jan Lewicki, pastor of St. Marcin Church in the city of Poznan, Poland. He assisted with funds to allow her and her brother to obtain tickets on the S.S. Slavonia to immigrate to the U.S. in 1892. Brother Joseph will receive a certificate and a cash prize for his entry. He has been a member of ISFHWE for several years and serves as the proof reader for its quarterly newsletter, Columns.
Brother Visitor appointed a community Director Brother Larry Schatz recently appointed Brother Dominic Ehrmantraut to his second term as the Director of the Lambert Hall Community in Memphis for a three year period starting on August 1, 2017 and ending on June 30, 2020. Congratulations, Brother Dominic! Midwest District welcomed Haley Renison Lewis University named a College of Distinction The Midwest District office welcomed Haley Renison on August 14 th. She will be the part-time Young Lasallian Coordinator for the 2017-2018 academic year. She is currently a senior at Lewis University in Romeoville majoring in theology with a minor both in Peace Studies and Creative Writing. Haley has several Lasallian formation experiences in addition to her involvement in Lasallian programs at Lewis. She participated in the Lasallian Youth Leadership and Global Understanding conference in Rome in 2015 and was just a participant in the International Women s Symposium in New Zealand in July, where she was the youngest woman attending. Haley will work with Brother Michael Kadow, Auxiliary Visitor, to build on the foundation of Young Lasallian development within the District, will network with other Young Lasallians and will accompany Brother Michael to ministry visits. Welcome, Haley! Lewis University has been recognized as a 2017-2018 College of Distinction by the national guidebook that highlights exceptional institutions across the United States as an alternative to the industry-standard surface statistics led by other rankings. To be designated a college of distinction, a school s curriculum must emphasize such core competencies as critical thinking, writing, oral skills, research, and global perspectives, as well as offering out-of-classroom learning and study abroad programs. Lewis University was chosen as a teachingcentered university that delivered exceptionally well in the four overarching features Engagement, Teaching, Community and Outcomes. It is an institution as noted by the Association of American Colleges & Universities that is dedicated to high-impact practices to ensure students gain the essential skills valued by employers and necessary for democratic participation and a life well lived. Midwest District Visitor elected CMSM Vice President Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor of the Midwest District, was elected to serve a two-year term as Vice President of the national board of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM). The election took place at the CMSM national assembly, which was held August 1-4 in Scottsdale, AZ. Congratulations, Brother Larry! Lasallian Volunteers completed training in July As the 2017-2018 Lasallian Volunteers begin their service year, they carry with them the experiences they had and the lessons they learned at the Brother Charles Kitson Institute for Formation of Lasallian Volunteers. Thirty-two LVs gathered at the Kitson Institute, which was held July 21-30 at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, to prepare for the service year ahead. The twenty first-year LVs and twelve second-year LVs are now spread across twenty-three ministries in thirteen states with one international volunteer. The Kitson Institute is an intentional formative experience which will focus on the key areas of faith, service and community. It will serve as personal, professional and spiritual formation of LVs at the beginning of their year of service and engage them in deepening their Lasallian identity and belonging. This experience will invite them into a process of understanding, articulating, participating and ultimately providing service and leadership in the core values of faith, service and community.
Retreat for community Directors in September The biennial retreat for community Directors will be held on the weekend of September 29 to October 1 at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, IL. Brother Larry Schatz will lead the Brothers through the program and present guidelines for the new academic year. CBS Medical Trust celebrates 50 th anniversary This year the Religious Medical Trust at Christian Brothers Services marks its 50 th anniversary. The late Brother Joel Damian established the Religious Comprehensive Trust in 1966 and served as its first director. The founding participants of the new organization included provincials of nine religious communities of men. The Trust provided cooperative programs to help religious institutes spread medical costs over time and provide for catastrophic medical expenses. Today the Trust continues to provide cooperative programs for 170 participating religious institutes with nearly 6,000 members throughout the U.S. and abroad. Midwest District staff attended a retreat On August 17 th the entire staff of the Midwest District office attended a one day retreat at La Salle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL. Brothers Michael Kadow and Bede Baldry and Sheila Cusack led the participants in a series of reflective questions and responses focused the Lasallian Mission in connection with the international theme for 2017-2018 - "Lasallians without Limits." The Manor staff members joined the group for lunch in order to get acquainted.
Happy Birthday Brother! This feature supports a Brother in Skilled Care. Send a card or letter; make a visit or a phone call. Brother John Wozniak will celebrate his 73 rd birthday on September 18. Lasata Senior Living Campus, Room 143B, W76N677 Wauwatosa Rd., Cedarburg, WI 53012. Residence: (262) 307-5060. Cell: (563) 580-4832. CBU President joined Catholic leaders Dr. John Smarrelli Jr., President of CBU, was among 65 presidents of Catholic colleges and universities who recently signed a letter calling upon Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to clarify the department s practices and intentions regarding immigrants previously protected under the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. The letter urges the secretary to carry out President Trump s promise to protect DACA holders from deportation and also requests a face-to-face meeting to discuss future protections for these young people. Directory Changes Brother Michael O Hern - 425 E. 51 St., Apt. 3C, New York, New York 10022; cell (212) 486-9080; email m.w.ohern783@gmail.com Brother Martin Spellman email mspellman1@yahoo.com Brother Philip Jones cell phone (901) 229-0032 Brother Richard Paskiet St. Pauls House, 3800 N. California Ave. #167, Chicago, IL 60618. Rest in Peace Brother Kevin (Kevin Malachy) Ryan, 78, died on August 20 th at CBU in Memphis, TN. A De La Salle Christian Brother for 61 years, he was born Kevin John Ryan in St. Paul, MN, son of James and Gertrude (née Bresnahan) Ryan. He attended Cretin H.S. in St. Paul and later earned a BA and a MEd from Saint Mary s University in Winona, MN. He entered the novitiate of the Brothers in 1956 in Winona and professed his first vows in Glencoe, MO, the following year and his final vows in 1963 in Plano, IL. During his years as an educator he taught in schools in Chicago, Omaha and Memphis. Brother Kevin started teaching science at Christian Brothers University in 1978 and has remained since then. Survivors include his sister Maureen Wolter of St. Paul and the De La Salle Christian Brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 26 th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Memphis on August 28 th. Memorials may be made to the De La Christian Brothers Retirement Fund, 7650 S. County Line, Rd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527. Joseph Toan Leba, 88, brother of Brother Leon, died in mid-august in Houston, TX. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available and might have been hampered by Hurricane Harvey.