June/July 2006

District Assembly 2006 plans announced

The Midwest District Assembly will take place on July 28th from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm and on July 29 from 8:00 am to12:00 pm at Lewis University. The District Day for the Brothers begins after lunch on the 29th, and the Jubilee celebration will be that same afternoon. The District Assembly is open to, but not limited to, administrators, all Lasallian Animators, and all Midwest District Brothers. These groups are the target audience, but other Lasallians are also strongly encouraged to participate. Assembly participants are welcome to arrive Thursday evening, July 27th.

Jubilarians will be celebrated in July

On Saturday, July 29, the Midwest District will honor eleven Brothers who will be celebrating their jubilees. They include the following: Brother Mark Gault (70th), Brothers Edward Everett, Nicholas Geimer, Pius Kamphefner, and David Pieters (60th), Brothers Jerome Cox, Roman Jarosz, Raphael Mascari, Norman McCarthy and Kevin Ryan (50th), and Brother Anthony Gajewski (25th).

Meeting for Brothers will be on July 29

On Saturday, July 29th, the Brothers of the District will meet in the afternoon. This will be during the Assembly and Jubilee days at Lewis University. The program will include a State of the District report by Brother Frank Carr, a Visitor forum, and discussion of the Quality of Life survey in conjunction with the Being Brothers Today CIL session recently held in Rome.

“Being Brothers Today” retreat is still open

Every Brother of the U.S./Toronto Region should have received information on the retreat on the vocation of “Being Brothers Today.” It is based on the document that was prepared for the 44th General Chapter, The retreat will be held at the Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago on July 9 – 14, 2006. Some spaces are still available for this retreat. The cost for the program is $740. Registration deadline is June 15th. Check the CBC Conference web page for information and details.

District Offices will be closed

The offices of the Midwest District in St. Paul and in Burr Ridge will be closed on July 4th to celebrate the national holiday.

Visitor nominees will attend meetings

The eight Brothers who received the most votes to be the next Visitor will meet with both the District Council and the Mission and Ministry Council in June. They will also meet with the participants of the District Assembly in July.

Two Councils will meet in June

The meeting of the District Council will be on June 8th at the Burr Ridge office. Then on June 12th the Mission and Ministry Council will meet at the same place.

Brother James Miller’s anniversary is next year

A year from now, on February 13, 2007 the Midwest District will memorialize Brother James Miller on the 25th anniversary of his death. Brother Frank Carr has appointed a committee to consider the ways in which the District should celebrate his life and death. Please send ideas and suggestions to Brother Robert Smith (SMUMN), Lou Anne Tighe (CDH), Brother Martin Spellman (Provincialate), or Brother Stephen Markham (Iowa).

District Chapter planning committee will meet

Brother Superior has approved the Midwest District request to delay the next District Chapter until after the International Assembly on Mission and Association (October 2006) and the 44th General Chapter (May 2007). The last District Chapter passed a resolution calling for a “two-pronged” Chapter when it next meets, so Brother Frank Carr has appointed a seven-member committee to explore creative ways to achieve this proposal. Members are Brother Milton Barker (TG), Dr. Mary Fox (SMUMN), Brother James Gaffney (LU), Karin McClelland-Anderer (Provincialate), Dr. Evelyn McDonald (CBU), Jerome Meeds (Dunrovin), and Brother Mark Snodgrass (DLS/BS).

“Beauty and the Beast” tickets available at Lewis

Lewis University will be presenting the musical, "Beauty and The Beast," in the Philip Lynch Theater on Thursday, evening, July 27th. That is the date when participants will be arriving for the Midwest District Assembly. The box office is prepared to hold 40 tickets for this performance on a "first come, first served" basis for any Assembly participants who would like a free ticket to see "Beauty and the Beast." Remaining tickets will be released at least one week before the performance. That evening the only agenda item for the District is a welcome social. Lewis University will hold the social open until 11:00pm in order to accommodate anyone who attends the performance. Those who would like to reserve tickets should contact Brother Joseph Martin at ONLY.

Lasallian Spirituality Retreat will be in Wildwood

From June 18-22 the Lasallian Spirituality Retreat will take place at La Salle Center in Glencoe. Designed for Partners and Brothers, the program will include reflection and discussion about Lasallian spirituality, meditation, community and association. Marianne Stich (Bishop Kelly) is the retreat director, Mary Hoff (Bishop Kelly) is the community director, and Karin McClelland-Anderer is the district representative. Brother Armand Alcazar and David Hotek (St. Joseph) will also lead parts of the retreat.

District will collaborate with the Jesuits

The Midwest District will collaborate with the Jesuit Province of Chicago on a feasibility study for a possible future Cristo Rey High School on the west side of Chicago. Brother Ed Siderewicz and Gordon Hannon will serve on the feasibility committee.

International Solidarity Day was in April

The World Union of Former Lasallian Students (UMAEL from the French) has become increasingly popular with Lasallians around the world. On April 20th UMAEL observed the anniversary of the birth of the Founder as International Lasallian Solidarity Day. On that day an invitation went out to all the UMAEL members worldwide to support a Lasallian work or project in one of the neediest corners of the world – Hope House in Santiago, Chile. The advisor to the group is Brother Claude Reinhardt, a member of the General Council. The UMAEL web site is for those interested.

Lasallian Educational Fund awarded grants

At its annual meeting on May 11th the Lasallian Educational Fund Board approved grant requests for the year totaling $89,000. The ministries that received the awards were the following: Fe y Vida, San Juan Diego Middle School, De La Salle Blackfeet School, Fatima School in Nigeria, De La Salle Center, St. Mary’s Boys School in Kenya, and San Miguel/BOY. All the decisions were unanimous. With these grants the Fund has now contributed $1,171,000 to support various ministries.

Midwest District nurses will meet

The four nurses of the Midwest District will meet in Burr Ridge from July 14th to 16th. This will be their first meeting and will allow them to share best practices, collaborate on articles for News Notes, and discuss common interests. The nurses and their areas are Cathie Swanson (Twin Cities), Pat Bader (Memphis), Maureen Guillou (Winona), and Sheila Hallman (Chicago, Missouri, Wisconsin)

Brother Michael Collins sent a message

“Thank you to those who sent notes of condolence on the death of my father, Jacob. As an only child, it’s comforting to know that I have a family of Brothers.”

Lasallian Youth to meet in Manitowoc

Members of Lasallian Youth groups from secondary schools of the Midwest District will meet at Roncalli High School, Manitowoc from July 30 till August 4. More information will be provided in the August News Notes.

Health Updates

  • Brother Edward Staszak had umbilical hernia surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on April 24th and is recuperating well.
  • Brother Raphael Mascari had a right knee arthroplasty at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet on May 23rd. He is doing well at home and will start physical therapy.
  • Brother Peter Dannecker had a right eye cataract removed on May 22nd and is healing well at home.
  • Helen Ford, mother of Brother Chris Ford is in declining health with a recurrence of cancer. Remember her in prayer.
  • Joseph W. Martin, father of Brother Joseph Martin (Lewis University/Provincialate), who suffered a sub acute stroke on Tuesday, May 30, in Florida. Mr. Martin was released from ICU on Monday, June 5, and he is still recovering.

Congratulations to

  • Brother Andrew Jacobson who received the Guadalupe Award from San Miguel in Minneapolis in recognition of his volunteer service.
  • Brother Maurice Anglim who retired from the Board of Trustees of Lewis University at the board meeting of May 8th following a long and highly distinguished period of service.
  • Brother Louis Rodemann ‘61who will receive the Religious Service Alumni Award on June 17th at the SMUMN Homecoming weekend for his more than twenty years of service to the homeless and poor.
  • Bishop James Peter Sartain of the Little Rock Diocese who was appointed the fourth Bishop of the Joliet Diocese following the resignation of Bishop Joseph Imesch who will be 75 in June.
  • Mary L. Ogilvie, Professor of Biology at CBU, who received the 2006 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award on April 27th.
  • Brother Joseph Martin who was appointed to the Advisory Board to the Vicar for Religious for the Joliet Diocese.
  • James Segredo, President of Montini Catholic H.S., who was presented with the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Excellence in education by the Order Sons of Italy in America which recognizes Italian Americans who have become a pride and inspiration to their communities.
  • Helen Friedl who will be honored on June 25th at De La Salle at St. Matthew for her 50 years of service in education.

Rest in Peace

  • Frances Zeman, 89, mother of Brother Larry, died on May 22nd in Minneapolis. Other survivors include her sons Gary, Mark, Richard and Bruce. Her funeral Mass was on May 25th at St. Charles Borromeo in Minneapolis.
  • Kathleen Dupré, sister of Brother Edwin, died on June 4th in Chicago. She is also survived by her sister, Joan O’Reilly. Her wake and funeral Mass will be held at the Divine Word Conference Center in Techny, Illinois, Saturday, June 10th beginning at 10:00 am.
  • Marlon Terry, a junior at St. Joseph H. S. in Westchester, who collapsed at home and could not be revived by paramedics. His funeral was at St. Malachy in Chicago on May 27th.
  • Charles Dusselier, AFSC, died in Kansas City. His funeral Mass was on Friday, June 3rd at St. Regis in Kansas City.
  • Roger Foiles, brother of Donna Kiel, principal of St. Joseph High School died May 23rd. His funeral Mass was on Saturday, May 27th at St. Turibius Catholic Church in Chicago.

Check for this web page

During his visit to the Provincial Office in April Brother Jerome Cox left word about his new web page. Those interested in his jewelry and sculpture can learn more about his offerings at from the Lasallian International Art/Culture Center in Vicchio, Italy.

Healthy News Notes from Sheila Hallmann, RN.

June 2006

Welcome to the month of June where we can finally get out there and consciously exercise our large muscle groups for good mental and physical health.

To burn more calories when walking or running, do it on sand. Choose soft sand if you want a more strenuous workout; that can increase caloric expenditure by almost 50%, if you can keep up the pace. Wet, firm-packed sand makes for an easier trek. Don’t run on a sloped shore at the beach, since that can put extra stress on ankles and knees. Source: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, June 2006.

Avoid sitting with a wallet or any bulky item in your hip pocket for long periods of time. It’s no joke that people who do so have ended up with what’s been called “credit card sciatica.” Any object that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve can, over time, contribute to sciatica, characterized by pain that begins in the lower back or buttocks and radiates down the leg. Regular exercise may help prevent sciatica by improving posture and strengthening the muscles in the back and abdomen. Remember to stand up straight and hold in your abdomen. Source: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, June 2006.

Although it’s only been recognized since 1988, this looming threat to America’s health has already been known by several names; Syndrome X, the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, and the Deadly Quartet. Researchers have learned more about this disorder and have settled on a name that’s more accurate. What is the metabolic syndrome and what does it mean for your health you may ask? The metabolic syndrome was originally classified as a quartet of abnormalities. Doctors have now identified five components.

The following are the most widely accepted criteria for the diagnosis.

  • Abdominal obesity (waist circumference 40 inches or more)
  • Fasting triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dl or higher
  • HDL cholesterol levels below 40mg/dl
  • Blood pressure of 130/85mm Hg or higher
  • Fasting blood sugar of 110mg/dl or higher

Be well and I wish all of you reading these news notes God’s joy and many blessings.

Death Anniversaries

Please keep the following Brothers in your prayers:

July

6Justin Oliver (FREDERICK NOELKE), 1990

9Jarlath QUENTIN (George HIGGINS), 1983

10Josephus Bertram (James O’Brien), 1956

John Aurelius (JOHN MAZE), 1988

12Hubert GERARD (Edward SCHMITZ), 1983

16John Victorian (John Leahy), 1970

21Lambert Aloysius (William Hall), 1964

Thaddeus Luke (Roy Bohanon), 1964

23CHRISTOPHER (Anthony MOKRZYCKI), 1970

25Agnel Isidore, Visitor General, 1953

27Ignatius ANTHONY (John FIRST), 1967

JEROME Benjamin (William GAFFNEY), 1984

28Ildephonsus Damian (James Brown), 1952

30Jarlath Peter (George Seiler), 1956

James DANIEL (Hilary KELLER), 1971

Bertrand Leo (Robert Kirby), Assistant to Superior General, 1993

August

1RICHARD DAHMEN, 1997

2LAWRENCE PORRETTA, 1994

3Hubert Maurelian (Casper Herbes), 1962

Camillus Dufresne, 2001

4JEROME De La Salle (L. Vincent BECK), 1982

5Leopold Gregory (James Toole), 1951

Ulrick Michael (Thomas Ruane), 1957

7Barnabas Paul (John Broyles), 1993

ALFRED (Richard J. MORONI), 2002

11Junian FELIX (John SCANLAN), 1990

12Liguori EDWARD (Robert WELCH), 1985

14Lawrence Egbert (Edward Flood), 1976

17I. George Bedard (Robert J.) 1998

18James Walter (Michael Marnane), 1955

19Mancos Eusebe (Lionel Thibault), 1986

21LAURENCE WALTHER, 2002

24Hyacinth GABRIEL (Patrick CONNON), 1978

25Loman Joseph (Henry Gorman), 1966

26ANTHONY SULLIVAN (Edward Joseph), 2002

28Liguori William (John Kelly), 1970

Julian AUSTIN (Richard SCHWAAB), 1977

September

2Blessed Solomon, 1792

JEROME MARTIN, 1999

THEODORE DRAHMANN (Robert J.), 2002

4Jarlath ROBERT (Joseph LANE), 1981

J. Edward DOODY (JOHN LAMBERT MICHAEL), 2004

6Amian GEORGE (Eugene LAMOUREUX), 1981

7ANTHONY PISANO, 1991

RICHARD KELLY, 2001

9Lambert THOMAS (James Leslie MATTHEWS), 1969

10Athanase Emile, Superior General, 1952

Gontran Francis (Daniel Russell), 1954

16Ildephonsus Austin (Francis Delaney), 1964

LEONARD James (James PETERSON), 1975

17Levian ANSELM (Eugene DEVINE), 1972

18Justin Declan (Thomas Egan), 1952

19Honorius Bernard TALLE (JOSEPH A.), 2004

20Leander Joseph (DELBERT E.) BRUSNAHAN, 2001

22Henry Virgil (James Pelant), 1963

23ARTHUR DICKERSON, 1978

Hector BENEDICT (Francis HARTIGAN), 1986

24Loman Daniel (MICHAEL RYAN), 1978

26Leopold THOMAS (Howard LAMBERT), 1971

27Julius Hugh (Joseph Zimmerer), 1956

28Placidus Leonard KROMHOUT (EDWARD) 1998

30Arese Casimir (Noel Bression), Vicar General, 1954

Joel Adrian (Bertram Seiler), 1957

Please refer to In Your Charity Pray for Your Brothers (edited by Brother Hilary Gilmartin in 1990) for more complete information on the Brothers listed and for complete listings of Brothers of the Midwest District who died prior to 1950.

Birthdays

July

2Michael Fugger

6Patrick Craine

Edwin Dupré

7Charlene Hermann

8Jerome Cox

9Christopher Oddo

11Kevin Brutcher

James Roszak

12Bernard LoCoco

Gary Smith

13Nicholas Schumer

14Raymond McManaman

16Dominic Kennedy

18Robert Thomas

22Len Suhadolc

23Augustine Kossuth

24Frederick Oberrieder

25Paul French

27Milton Barker

Patrick Dochety

Sheila Hallmann

30Leo Kramper

August

3John Grover

Pierre St. Raymond

7Michael Fehrenbach

8Matthew Smith

10Thomas Sullivan

James Wegesin

13Philip Jones

18Martin Michuda

21Joseph Wilhelm

24Douglas Hawkins

James Zullo

26Eamon Gavin

28Mark McVann

Dale Mooney

29Martin Sellner

31Felix Bland

Bertrand Juettner

September

2Roger Betzold

4Charles Gregor

Cheryl Garrigan

5George Fowley

6Eric Garza

8Michael Rivers

16Katie Krzysik

17Jill O’Brien

18Stanislaus Sobczyk

John Wozniak

22Christopher Baker

24Leo Hirsch

Marshall Sharp

25Martin Grimm

28Philip Johnson

Belayneh Medhanit

Derek Nelson

29Michael Kadow

11Christopher Kavanaugh

David Schultz