August 2006
Directors’ meeting scheduled for October
All Directors of communities have been advised of the Directors’ Meeting that is scheduled for October
1st to 3rd at the Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago. All have been asked to make arrangements to be
present for the program. Sister Lynn Lebo, CSJ, of St. Luke’s Institute, will be the facilitator for the
meeting. This gathering is the next step in the “Being Brothers Today” discussions.
New Directory is being prepared
If anyone has any changes for the Midwest Directory for 2006-07, please send the information to
Charlene Hermann as soon as possible - address, phone number, fax number, e-mail. She is preparing
the copy at this time and needs all the correct information. Deadline: August 21, 2006. Email:
chermann@cbmidwest.org
Brothers heard candidates for the next Visitor
The second ballot in the process of nominating the next Visitor of the Midwest District will be mailed
in the first week of September. Ballots will be due on September 28th. During the District Day on July
29th the Brothers heard from four of the five candidates who have continued the discernment and kept
their names on the ballot. Brothers Frank Carr, Thomas Hetland, Larry Schatz and Thomas
Johnson each presented brief remarks explaining why they would accept the position. Brother
Lawrence Humphrey was unable to be present but also decided to leave his name on the ballot.
Brother Superior will appoint the next Visitor after receiving the results of the balloting.
District Assembly held at Lewis University
About two hundred and twenty Lasallians of the Midwest District participated in the Midwest District
Assembly, “Animated by the Holy Spirit,” on July 28th and 29th at Lewis University. The program
included a welcome by Brother James Gaffney and keynote addresses by Brother Frank Carr and
Mary Catherine Fox who spoke about the state of the District. Participants had a selection of sixteen
different workshops and a panel discussion over the two days. Karin McClelland-Anderer and the
members of the Planning Committee developed an impressive program to explore various Lasallian
topics, especially the meaning of Association within all educational ministries. The Committee
members included Brother Chuck Gregor, Marianne Stich, Brother Larry Schatz, Jeb Myers,
Evelyn McDonald, Patricia Friere, Deb Fagan, Brother Robert Smith, Kurt Schackmuth, Brother
Michael Kadow, Phil Reichle, Mary Catherine Fox, and Brother Armand Alcazar.
District Offices will be closed
The offices in Burr Ridge and St. Paul will be closed on September 4th for Labor Day.
Copies of major talks are available
Those who would like copies of the District Assembly keynote talks by Mary Fox or Brother Frank
can be obtained by contacting Charlene Hermann in Burr Ridge at chermann@cbmidwest.org
Jubilarians honored for their dedication
On Saturday, July 29th, the Midwest District honored thirteen Brothers who celebrate their jubilees this
year. During a liturgy at Sancta Alberta Chapel at Lewis University Brother Frank Carr spoke about
the Brothers as a group and highlighted their accomplishments. Fr. Ivan Marsh, O.Carm. (former
Brother Cormac) presided at the service, which was attended by over three hundred guests. The
honorees included 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). Those who could not attend because of their health were
Brothers Richard Gerlach and Urban Lucken (75th), and Brother Anthony Gajewski (25th).
District Day was attended by many Brothers
Brother Armand Alcazar, Auxiliary Visitor, conducted the annual District Day on July 29th, which
was held at Lewis University. Brother Frank Carr spoke first and discussed several topics with all the
Brothers present. Following his address, the Brother candidates for the next Visitor gave brief
presentations. Next Brother Armand led those present through the final results of the Quality of Life
survey. The Brothers then gathered in small groups for discussion on two questions. Finally, Brother
Armand closed the program with details about the use of the Survey results and the General Chapter
document, “Being Brothers Today.” Both will be used for the CAP meetings in the communities.
International Young Lasallians met in Rome
The International Symposium of July 25th to 31st with the title “Mission: Possible! A Shared Dream”
was an important step in the growth of the Young Lasallian Movement and offered an opportunity to
respond to the request which the whole Institute and the Lasallian Family has in front of it. From the
invitation of the General Chapter of 2000 “to rethink the mission from the perspective of association for
the human and Christian education of all young people starting out from the poorest” and from the
mandate given by Pope John Paul II to the young “to construct a civilization of peace without avoiding
facing up to injustices,” was born the need for an international network of young Lasallians. This took
form as the International Council, active since 2000, and with the Vicar General, Brother William
Mann, as its Advisor. The representatives from the Midwest District were Emily Vogel (SM-BOY)
and Andrew Blake (TG). Two Midwest District members were part of the international planning
committee for the symposium: Jeb Myers (DLS/BF) and Dianne Leutgeb (SMUMN).
District Chapter Task Force will meet in October
The Task Force that was established to prepare for the Midwest District Chapter will meet at the
Oak Brook campus of Lewis University on October 16th. The major task of the members will be to
combine the District Chapter agenda with the Mission Chapter program. This was a decision of the last
District Chapter meeting.
International Assembly planning committee will meet in September
Members of the Planning Committee for the International Assembly will meet from September 10th
through 12th in Burr Ridge. Eight members of the Midwest District will participate in the meeting in
preparation for the Assembly in Rome. They include Michael Anderer-McClelland, Karin
McClelland-Anderer, Julie Michels, Jeb Myers, Mary Fox, Brother Ed Siderewicz, Brother John
Johnston, and Brother Frank Carr. Brother Craig Franz, who was appointed by Brother Superior to
represent the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities, will also attend. In addition, twelve
other delegates from the U.S./Toronto Region will participate in the meeting. They will discuss the
document from the Salt Lake City Assembly and prepare recommendations.
Collaboration meeting set for August
Brother William Mann, Vicar General, has asked members of three Districts to meet in mid-August to
determine if there are ways they can collaborate for the enrichment of the Brothers life and the Mission.
Brother Thomas Johnson, Regional Coordinator, will be the facilitator for a meeting to discuss
collaboration between the Midwest, San Francisco, and New Orleans-Santa Fe Districts. The Visitors,
Assistant Visitors, Finance Directors and Education or Formation Directors from the three Districts will
meet in Lafayette, LA, on August 17th and 18th.
Planning meeting set for San Miguel Schools
Brother James Butler, Auxiliary Visitor of the Baltimore District, will facilitate a planning meeting
for the San Miguel Schools from September 17th to 19th at the Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago.
Representatives from the nine Miguel schools of the Midwest District, the District and Mission and
Ministry Councils, Finance Committee, and District administration, as well as one representative from
the Baltimore and LI-NE Districts and Christian Brothers Conference will participate.
Brother Visitor appointed new Directors
Brother Francis Carr has appointed Brother Robert Smith as the Director of the St. Yon
Community in Winona, MN. He also appointed Brother Richard Geimer as the Director of the
O’Hara Community in Kansas City, MO. Congratulations to both Brothers.
San Miguel Schools are expanding and merging
Terry Shields, Director of the Lasallian Association of Miguel Schools, has announced the opening of
San Miguel Academy in Newburgh, NY, this fall. It will be the sixteenth Miguel School sponsored by
the Brothers in the Region. He also announced a decision to merge the San Miguel Schools with the
Nativity Schools conducted by various religious orders. The new entity will be called the Nativity
Miguel Network of Schools. The Miguel Schools, Christian Brothers Conference, and the Visitors
endorsed this decision. The sixty-one schools in the network will share a set of Mission Effectiveness
Standards which will shape a collective identity and strengthen their capacity to deliver a unique, faith
based education to middle school students. Those interested can check the web page at
www.nativitymiguelschools.org for more information.
District Finance Committee will meet in September
Members of the District Finance Committee will gather at Burr Ridge on September 14th for their next
meeting. Brother Michael Quirk will chair the meeting.
Two Councils will meet in September
On September 15th the Midwest District Council will meet. The Mission and Ministry Council will
meet on September 21st and 22nd. Both gatherings will be in Burr Ridge.
Regional Task Force will meet in Burr Ridge
The Regional Task Force preparing for the General Chapter will meet in Burr Ridge on September 8th
and 9th. The members include the following: Michael Anderer-McClelland (SM-BOY), Brother
Kevin Dalmasse (CBC), Brother Louis DeThomasis (SMUMN), Gina Hall (DLSHS/New Orleans),
Brother John Johnston (CBU), Julie Michels (TGHS), Gery Short (DLS/Napa), Carole Swain
(SMC/Moraga), Stephen Sweeny (LAA/New Rochelle).
Brother Bob Werle sent a thank you message
“Thank you to Brother Robert Walsh from De La Salle H.S./Minneapolis and his colleagues for
securing over 35 yearbooks from DLS, Lourdes and Roncalli High Schools for the District Archives.
Thanks also to Brother Marty Sellner and the Brothers of the Christian Brothers Community at
Cretin-Derham Hall for securing over 27 yearbooks for the Archives, mostly for Cretin. Lastly, thanks
to Brother Joel McGraw for updating the CBHS collection and to Brother Richard Geimer for
updating the O'Hara H.S. collection. Anyone who has yearbooks to donate should know that the District
Archives would be happy to pay the shipping costs.” Contact: rwerle@cbu.edu or call 901-321-3243.
Lasallian Youth Conference held in Wisconsin
From July 31st through August 4th, Roncalli Catholic High School in Manitowoc, WI, hosted the
Midwest District Lasallian Youth Conference. Close to one hundred high school students from twelve
District high schools plus fifteen Lasallian Collegians participated in the conference. This year’s theme
was “Simply Love.” During the course of the week Lasallian students provided recreational, art, and
science activities for adults with developmental disabilities. There were also several opportunities for
Lasallian Youth to build community, pray together and socialize. Special thanks to Sara Masarik,
campus minister, and to the Roncalli administration and staff for their efforts in coordinating and
hosting the conference.
Brother Michael Rivers sent a thank you
“Thank you to the Brothers for their prayers, support and their expressions of sympathy at the time of
my mother's death.”
Brother Roger returns a Lasallian presence to Pacelli
Brother Roger Betzold was appointed Principal of Pacelli High School in Stevens Point, WI, after
expressing interest in the position and receiving permission from Brother Visitor to pursue the chief
administrator’s position. The Christian Brothers had served at Pacelli from its opening but left several
years ago.
Bethlehem Update
Brother Neil Kieffe has been appointed Acting Academic Vice President at Bethlehem University
while Brother Fergus McArdle undergoes tests for a brain tumor in Ireland.
Directory Updates
Brother Michael Schmelzer - Lambert Hall Community, 650 E. Parkway South, Box
#43 Memphis, TN 38104-5581, Home: 901-321-3510.
Brother Michael O’Hern – email address - mohern@cbisonline.com
Brother Gustavo Cinco - San Juan Diego Middle School, 1101 Douglas Ave, Racine,
WI 53402.
Brother David Schultz - Gwynedd-Mercy College, 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd
Valley, PA 19437. PH: (215) 641-5557. FX: (215) 641-5517. schultz.d@gmc.edu
Didier Aur – email address - daur@heliashighschool.com
Brother Patrick O'Brien – home: 1835 Northview, Ferdinand, IN 47532. Phone - 812367-1094. Cell - 812-489-0159. work - Sisters of Benedict, 802 E. 10th St.,
Ferdinand, IN 47532-9239. Phone - 812-367-1411, Ext. 2647.
Brother Paul McDonough - (Home and Community) 1140 West Jackson, Chicago,
Illinois 60607. work (312) 738-4383. home (312) 738-9604. (312) 738-9251 (FX)
paumcd@mercyhome.org
Brother Kent Connelly – email address - kentfsc@sbcglobal.net.
Brother John Vietoris – email address – vietorjo@lewisu.edu
Health Updates
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Brother Adrian Powers has been hospitalized with an infection in the duct of the gall bladder. He
is now home getting his energy back.
Brother Joseph Zastrow had cataract surgery August 2nd.
Brother Tony Gajewski had one cataract surgery the third week of July and is scheduled for a
second later.
Brother Chris Kavanaugh experienced pain and heart problems in June while at work at Montini.
He was admitted to the hospital and had two stents put in.
Brother David Paszkiet had a left hip replacement on July 19th and is in rehabilitation at the
Ballard Recovery Center in Des Plaines. He expects to continue his recovery at the Westmont
Community and will have both the right hip and a knee replaced over the coming school year.
Brother Martin Michuda will have a procedure to remove a small skin cancer.
Brother Felix Bland was diagnosed with “walking pneumonia” while attending the district
assembly. He is resting now.
Brother Arnold McMullen had a section of his colon removed at the hospital in Winona.
Brother Leo Srubas had a cyst removed from his bladder and is dealing with a subsequent
infection.
Brother Leo Keindel, District dean approaching 94, had his left knee replaced and will be at
Highland Chateau rehabilitation before returning to Cretin.
Brother James Saiz had cataract surgery on August 1st.
Congratulations to
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Brother Joe Saurbier who received an achievement alumni award for his professional
accomplishments from Lewis University on June 25th during the alumni weekend.
Brother Joseph Martin who was appointed to the Joliet Diocesan Pastoral Council by Bishop
Joseph Imesch before his retirement.
Brother Cyril Litecky for 20 years of service and Brother Neil Kieffe for 15 years of service, both
of whom were honored at Bethlehem University during a recognition ceremony on May 15th.
Helen B. Friedel who was honored on her 50th anniversary in education at a liturgy and reception at
Christian Brothers H. S. on June 25th in St. Louis. MO.
Rest in Peace
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Brother Timothy McCarthy (Timothy Stephen), 79, died on June 7th at Mercy Hospital in
Chicago. The son of Bernard McCarthy and Bertha Leitner, he was born Stephen Anthony in
Kansas City, MO, in 1927. He joined the Christian Brothers in 1942 at Glencoe, MO, made his first
vows there in 1945, and professed his final vows in 1952 in Winona, MN. He earned a BA and an
MA at St. Mary’s College in Winona, and in 1978 he obtained a BS in Nursing from Lewis
University. Over the years he served at St. Mel and St. Patrick high schools in Chicago. He was
principal at St. Joseph H.S. in Westchester and at Helias H.S. in Jefferson City. In later years he
also served at La Salle Manor in Plano, IL, and at Christian Brothers Center in Romeoville, IL. He
retired in 1995 and volunteered his services at San Miguel Chicago. In 2001 he moved to the
Benilde Community in Chicago. Survivors include his sister Pat West and nieces and nephews. A
Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sancta Alberta Chapel at Lewis University on June 9th.
Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville.
Raymond Bonderer, 91, father of Brother Raymond, died on July 25th, in Kansas City, MO.
Survivors include sons Brother Raymond and Philip and daughters Joyce Moran and Carolyn
Snope. The funeral Mass was on July 29th at St. Peter’s Church and burial was at St. Columban
Cemetery.
James Rackers, AFSC, 72, died on May 15th at his home in Jefferson City, MO. He started
teaching at Helias H. S. in 1956 and had served as a coach, athletic director, assistant principal and
principal. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, two sons Dennis and John, and two sisters. The Mass
of Christian Burial was on May 18th with burial at Resurrection Cemetery.
Marcella Rivers, 85, mother of Brother Michael, died in Rollingstone, MN, on July 6th. Besides
Brother Michael, survivors include her daughters, Jodi Rivers, Betty Rumpel, Mary Stoos, and Toni
Rivers. The Mass of Christian Burial was on July 11th at Holy Trinity Church and interment was in
the church cemetery.
Christian Brothers Midwest District
Newsletter
Health Tips August 2006
Weight Management…Not Rocket Science!!
Step 1: Know your BMI, Body Mass Index. Go to
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ to calculate your BMI and interpret the
results. If your BMI is 25 or greater, you can join the other 96,999,999 people in
the USA who are overweight!
Step 2: Set goals to reduce body weight by 10%, maintain that lower weight
over a period of time and prevent further weight gain.
Weight loss of 1 pound per week is a healthy goal. It’s not a race. It’s a lifestyle
change!
Step3: Develop your plan to take in fewer calories, expend more calories or
preferably, both! Remember:
a. Healthy food choices
b. Portion control
C. Exercise
Go to: www.mypyramid.gov for an individualized plan.
Step 4: Stick with the “new you” and the healthy lifestyle. It’s nothing drastic,
just better control over your daily routines and activities. Remember long-term
changes; not short term gains!
Step 5: Congratulate yourself for decreasing your risk for diabetes, heart
disease, stroke, hypertension, prostate cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder disease,
gout, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea! (Just to name a few). You even look
healthier!
Pat Bader
References: Harvard Medical School Letter, Life Clinic on-line, US Dept of Agriculture, and National
Heart, Lung, Blood Institute.