FamilyOnline April 2026

Guess Who’s Back—Back Again

Joseph Ellis-Vela to the left of Fr. Bob Jones at UD

StMU/Holy Rosary Confirmations with Fr. Neville O'Donohue

CUH Confirmations with Fr. Chris Wittmann (2025)

Vianney student Confirmation with Bro. Chicago Schuller (Center)

Across the country, a quiet but powerful movement is taking shape on college campuses, drawing the attention of national media outlets. The Catholic Church is seeing a surge as more students are yearning for meaning and a community of faith.

At University of Dayton (UD), the number of student Confirmations tripled this year to 24. But the real story is not the number—it’s the intention behind it. “These are students who are actively deciding that this is something they value,” said Katie Matthews, Campus Minister for Liturgy and Sacraments at UD.

For UD student Joseph Ellis-Vela, that decision came after years of waiting due to the demands of college football. Now, he sees it as a defining step forward. “Choosing Confirmation as an adult feels like finally stepping into the person I’m meant to be,” he said. “I plan to enter the police academy, and I know the work will be unpredictable. I don’t want to just be a face in the crowd. I want to be a helping hand for people on their worst days, and my faith gives me the peace to lead with my heart.”

His experience was made even more meaningful by his sponsor—his mother. “It felt wonderful knowing I am accepting my faith with the person who helped me get to this point in my life.”

At St. Mary’s University (StMU), a similar spirit is flourishing. During Easter 2026 and Intercollegiate Confirmation, eight students received sacraments, including Confirmations, First Communions, and a Baptism. Additionally, two recent graduates were confirmed, and seven other students are currently engaged in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) sessions to receive sacraments this fall and next year.

This growth is perhaps fueled by a strong sense of community, especially through the university’s partnership with nearby Holy Rosary Catholic Church. “Our daily Masses have shown a steady increase in student attendance as well as our Sunday Masses,” reported Deacon Albert Sanchez, Director of University Ministry at StMU and pastoral team member at Holy Rosary.

He notes that many students are also choosing to “reclaim” their faith once they arrive on campus, inspired by their peers. “They see many other students being active in their faith and feel more comfortable doing the same.”

In an uncertain world, students have revealed that they find refuge and a sense of hope in a community of faith. “I believe St. Mary’s is capitalizing on these growing interests by offering solid support of our affiliate student organizations such as the Catholic Student Association, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Athletics, Rattlers for Life, Student Government, and Greek Life. It’s quite moving how these organizations then, in turn, sponsor students financially to attend our Rattler Awakening retreats,” said Sanchez.

At Chaminade University of Honolulu, Fr. Marty Solma shared, “We had eight Confirmations last year and four this year, which is fairly standard for us.” He explained that many of the students commute and receive sacraments in their home parishes.

The movement is unmistakable, though—and it is beginning even before college.

Gross Catholic High School in Omaha, NE, recently welcomed three students and one teacher into the Church. St. John Vianney High School rejoiced as a coach and a student were welcomed into the Catholic faith, reflecting in a social media post, “Moments like these remind us of the strength of our brotherhood and the beauty of faith that unites us.”

Together, these moments tell a larger story. From high schools to universities, whether they be Marianist, Catholic, private, or public, students are not simply inheriting faith—they are choosing it. It’s a hopeful turn of events, especially given that a few years ago, research indicated a deep decline. Fr. James Heft co-authored the book Empty Churches: Where Have All the Young People Gone? In it, he examined why many young people had drifted away from the Church—citing a lack of connection, belonging, and meaningful engagement. What is happening now suggests young adults are once again finding community and purpose and are choosing to belong. And in that choice, the Marianist Mission continues to come alive in a new generation.

Gross Catholic Student & Teacher Confirmations

Confirmations at Church of the Immaculate Conception (Dayton) with Bro. Ed Longbottom (Back Left)

Vianney President Ian Mulligan (L) with Confirmed Coach Chris Starkey '09

StMU/Holy Rosary Stations of the Cross

Bro. Robert Moriarty recently wrote an article that looks at the increasing number of Marianist Lay Communities at a time of an aging and decreasing number of religious.

In the article, Aggiornamento, Ressourcement, and the Development of the Marianist Charism, he writes, “With this emergence, there has also developed an increasing recognition of our Marianist Family identity, the essential relatedness and interdependence that calls all the branches to a more collaborative engagement in pursuit of the common mission we share.”

Marianists have a strong history of serving the Church and rising to the challenge. By reconnecting with its roots and responding to today’s needs, the Marianist Family is ready to begin a new era of service. Click here to read the full article.

In The News

Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Father Lawrence Monheim, S.M. and Archbishop Fulton Sheen 1953

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified by the Catholic Church on Sept. 24, 2026 at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.

Sheen was internationally known in the mid-20th century as a television personality and evangelizer. In 1930, he started a radio show, The Catholic Hour, which attracted millions of weekly listeners during its 20-year run. In 1951, his nationally syndicated television show, Life Is Worth Living, began and ran until 1957 and earned Sheen an Emmy for “Most Outstanding Television Personality.”

Sheen was also a well-regarded author of religious works, writing more than 20 books, including The World’s First Love. In 1953, the Marian Library awarded Sheen its first Marian Library Medal, honoring him for his moving reflections on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon receiving word of the award, Sheen wrote,

“I am deeply grateful for your decision, and for a tribute that delights my heart. May I receive this honor, as the window pane receives the rays of light, not to store them, but to let them pass through me, back again to God, the Giver of all gifts.”

Marian Library director Fr. Lawrence Monheim, S.M., presented the medal to Sheen in New York on July 16, 1953. In gratitude, Sheen gave the Marian Library a signed copy of The World’s First Love, which today resides in the Marian Library’s rare books collection and can be viewed upon request.

Click here to read about the miracle that put him on the path to beatification.

U.S. News and World Report Ranks St. Mary’s Among Best

The St. Mary’s University School of Law Advocacy Programs ranked in the top 15 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report — tied for the No. 12 spot in the 2026 Best Graduate School Rankings of Trial Advocacy Programs released today. This is an increase of four spots from last year’s ranking in this category.

“St. Mary’s University School of Law remains committed to providing an excellent legal education that includes exceptional opportunities for skill building to talented students who embrace our Catholic and Marianist values of service, justice and peace,” said Patricia Roberts, J.D., St. Mary’s School of Law Dean.

For the second consecutive year, two members of the St. Mary’s Law National Dispute Resolution Team were named national champions at the American Bar Association Negotiation Competition. Kendall Michaelis and Caroline Villarreal, both third-year J.D. students, won the 2026 national championship in Chicago. This qualifies them to compete for the second time on the international level. The National Team is ranked No. 4 in the nation by the American Bar Association for 2025. For the last eight years, the St. Mary’s Advocacy Program has been ranked by the ABA in the top 10 in the country.

Service Spotlight

Retreat Guest to Faithful Volunteer

The first thing people might notice about Tony Mercogliano isn’t what he does—it’s how he does it: unassuming and humbly. He was hesitant even to be interviewed about his volunteer work at the Marianist Family Retreat Center (MFRC) in Cape May, NJ. “I usually like to stay out of the spotlight,” Tony admitted. “But I’m willing to take a step out of my comfort zone.”

That humility has shaped a lifetime of service rooted in his early Marianist formation that began as a high school student at Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY, in 1960. “The one extracurricular activity from my high school days which has carried over my entire life was membership in the Sodality of Our Lady of the Pillar Marianist Lay Community,” he reflected.

By 1966, while attending Manhattan University, Tony found himself visiting Cape May—back when it was simply a gathering place for college-age Marianist communities seeking retreat and renewal. He didn’t know it then, but Cape May would become a thread woven through the fabric of his life. In the 1980s, he, his wife Kay, and their daughter Anne began attending family retreats at MFRC, which then led to volunteer work that continues to this day.

“In the last four years since my wife passed away, I’ve been volunteering about every 6 to 8 weeks,” he shared. “I’ve done just about every possible job from being the kitchen assistant, hosting retreats, painting, and cutting the grass. Recently, I’ve helped in updating and publishing a booklet on the history of this ministry.”

There is no task too small, no role too insignificant. “Tony is truly dedicated. He lives in Virginia and travels four to five hours at least 15-20 times a year, and we are so blessed to have him,” exclaimed MFRC Director Anthony Fucci.

Ask Tony what keeps him coming back, and his answer is simple—but profound. “Volunteering gives me an opportunity to help spread the Marianist Charism of hospitality and acceptance,” Tony said. “The fact that after a 23-year career in the U.S. Navy, I love the ocean and the beach helps too.”

It isn’t the beauty of the beach that keeps him coming back, though; it’s the community and faith that flourish beside it. “The best part of my time at the Cape is meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends. Listening to the stories of the events which brought each one of these folks to, and back to, the MFRC helps to strengthen and renew my faith.”

It’s in those stories—in shared meals, quiet conversations, and moments of prayer—that Tony finds the heart of his service.

Tony encourages everyone to experience a retreat at MFRC.

They offer retreats for teenagers, young adults, women, men, and senior citizens on topics such as Contemplative Prayer, the Gift of Aging, and many more.

For single folks, if you’re not sure where to start, he suggests one of the Spiritual Getaway Day programs held every spring and fall. For married couples, there is a great Couples Retreat each September. For families, he suggests one of the Advent Family Weekends in December.

Click here for a listing of the wide range of retreats available.

Marianist Moments

Bringing the Marianist Mission to Malawi
Photograph courtesy Karonga Diocese

University of Dayton doctoral physiotherapy student Jacob Hammye ’27 traveled last spring to serve at clinics in Malawi, Southeastern Africa. Each day began with early morning Mass, grounding the team’s work in prayer before caring for patients and supporting local clinicians.

Driven by a desire to serve others, Hammye treated patients, shared knowledge, and even led a presentation on cerebral palsy—living out the Marianist call to educate for service and build community.

More than a clinical experience, the trip became a moment of spiritual growth. “I was able to reflect on my ‘why,’” Hammye shared, crediting the mentorship and faith-centered mission that shaped his journey.

He returned home with a deeper sense of humility and gratitude, inspired by the strong faith and community he witnessed. For Hammye, the experience affirmed a simple Marianist truth: when rooted in faith, service becomes a powerful way to bring hope to the world. Click here to read the original story featured in UD magazine.

Pray With Us

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2022

Good to Know

Honoring the Fiat

A contemplative retreat pondering personal Fiat will be held at the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning, in Dayton, OH, May 8-9. In honor of Mother’s Day, the following day, this retreat will honor Mother Mary, the mothers in your personal lives, as well as the creative, nurturing force in all human souls. The retreat facilitator, Jen Straw, has led more than 100 retreats, bringing wisdom, compassion, and creativity to individual and group sessions. Let It Be will be a focal point of the discernment for participants. Click here to read more and register.

JOIN US!

Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.

New listings include:

Chaminade University (HI) – Director of Campus Ministry

Chaminade University (HI) – Campus Minister

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School (OH) – Assistant to Principal and President

Check Out More Marianist News

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Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies

All Things Marian podcast from the International Marian Research Institute

Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative

AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities

Region Update #102 from the Marianist Region of India

FatherSide Chats is a web video series featuring Fr. Gene Contadino. Discover new episodes every Tuesday about a variety of topics. Click the graphic to view episodes. Click here to read more.

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A Saint’s Story Renewed—Thanks to Chaminade University Science
Students Emma Rosales and Samantha Casarrubias, Dr. Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala, and anthropologist Vincent Sava

At Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH), the Marianist tradition of educating for service, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation is not just a motto—it is lived daily. That mission took on extraordinary significance as the Catholic Church entrusted the CUH Forensic Sciences Unit with a sacred task: helping recover and preserve the remains of Saint Marianne Cope, beloved caregiver of those with leprosy at Kalaupapa, HI.

Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences Unit—founded 30 years ago and recognized as one of the most innovative programs in the Pacific—was uniquely prepared for the challenge.

Under the guidance of forensic anthropologist Vincent Sava, the team is using professional-grade forensic techniques to sift soil, identify bone fragments, and honor the saint’s remains with the reverence they deserve. Students are working side-by-side with faculty, gaining a hands-on experience found at few universities.

This collaboration stands as a testament to Chaminade’s deep commitment to serving the Church and the people of Hawai‘i.

Bishop Silva, President Lynn Babington and Gutiérrez Ayala Carlos

During a recent visit, Bishop Larry Silva, along with Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington, witnessed firsthand the precision and care being brought to the project. Their visit highlighted the university’s unique role as a Marianist center of learning dedicated to forming both the mind and the heart.

Director of the Forensic Sciences Unit Dr. Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala described the work as “a profound educational moment,” giving students a chance to combine scientific training with a spiritual and historical responsibility. “This is the kind of experience,” he said, “that shapes not only careers, but character.”

With each soil sample examined and each fragment preserved, CUH demonstrates what it means to be a Marianist university in action: uniting intellect with compassion, and academic excellence with service to others.

A Legacy Continued Through Science and Faith

Saint Marianne—beatified in 2005 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012—devoted her life to caring for those abandoned by society. She was a German-born American Franciscan nun who traveled from Syracuse, NY, to the Kingdom of Hawai’i in the late 1800s to help build the medical infrastructure. She’s most famous for her work tending to the spiritual and medical needs of leprosy patients at Kalaupapa, Moloka’i. Now, Chaminade students carry forward her legacy through their meticulous work. The bone fragments recovered will be shared with parishes across Hawai’i, allowing communities to honor the saint who once walked among them.

Click here for more information about the CUH Forensic Sciences program.

Additional photos linked here. Media coverage linked here.

In The News

From the Heart to the Future

University of Dayton (UD) President Eric F. Spina announced he will retire in June 2027, closing an 11-year chapter marked by steady leadership, student focus, and a renewed emphasis on the university’s Marianist mission. In a message on his From the Heart blog, Spina said the decision followed “months of reflection, prayer, and conversation,” calling it “without a doubt, the hardest thing I have ever done.”

“Dr. Spina’s successful decade-plus as president has brought transparent leadership, stability, and inspiration,” said Deb Tobias, chair of the board of trustees, noting his impact on philanthropy, community partnerships, and a welcoming, student-centered campus culture. Provost Darlene Weaver added that Spina helped redefine UD as a “university for the common good,” pairing vision with a human touch.

Since 2016, Spina has been a visible presence on campus—at move-in days, student town halls, and Flyer games—while advancing access and affordability and strengthening UD’s role as an anchor institution. Under his leadership, the university completed the We Soar fundraising campaign, expanded opportunities for lower-income and first-generation students, and earned national recognition from American Talent Initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies for progress with lower-income students. The campus also saw major investments, including upgrades to UD Arena and the opening of the Roger Glass Center for the Arts, along with community partnerships such as onMain with Premier Health.

The board will engage a search firm to guide the process. For now, Spina’s message is simple: the work continues—rooted in Marianist values, and aimed squarely at the common good. Click here to read more.

Chaminade Julienne Names New President

Following a comprehensive national search, Dr. David Wright has been named as the next president of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School (CJ) in Dayton, OH.

Wright, who currently serves as the headmaster of Subiaco Academy in Arkansas, was selected to replace outgoing president Dan Meixner ’84. Meixner announced in April 2025 that he would be stepping down at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year after 22 years in the role.

“David embodies the values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Marianists. The feedback from interactions he had with our teachers, staff members, leadership team, parents, alumni, coaches, and our founders was absolutely off the charts. He truly resonates with and embraces the sense of the CJ family spirit,” stated Kevin Weckesser, ’93, chair of the Board of Trustees.

“I join our assistant for education, Bro. Jesse O’Neill, in gratitude for Dr. David Wright’s leadership to continue to nurture the faith, community, and inspiring service that are pillars of the Marianist Charism found at Chaminade Julienne,” said Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States Fr. Oscar Vasquez. “Our prayers and congratulations to the CJ community as he prepares to lead the school into this hopeful new chapter.”

Mirror of Hope

The Three O’Clock Prayer is a Marianist tradition rooted in the act of coming together to pray as a community. It is especially meaningful during Lent as it recalls the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and the role of Mary in salvation.

With donor support to the Marian Library Fund, the Marian Library is offering a newly designed prayer card with the Three O’Clock Prayer printed on the reverse side.

The cards feature Jesus on the cross as depicted in the “Mirror of Hope,” an art installation in the Marian Library by artist Kevin Hanna. The 12-foot-wide, 5-foot-high sculpture was commissioned by the Marian Library in 2000 as a visual story of creation, Incarnation, Resurrection, and Redemption. As it was made just for the University of Dayton (UD), the piece includes a temple-like structure with a cupola and brick gateways reminiscent of those on the University’s iconic Immaculate Conception Chapel, making the entire art piece a favorite of UD visitors.

Two versions of the card have been printed, one in English and one in Spanish. Click here for English and Spanish versions that are available to download, print, and share.

Marianist Ministries in Action

Summer Camp Became a Calling
Leo Tierney

Archbishop Moeller High School senior Leo Tierney was first introduced to Agape Latte during a summer camp at Boston College. It is a popular, student-led coffeehouse-style speaker series that originated at Boston College in 2006 to explore faith, love, and life in an informal setting. It’s a program that fosters meaningful conversations around faith, vocation, and service. Inspired by that experience, Leo helped bring an Agape Latte chapter to Moeller so students could engage in similar dialogue.

Bro. Bob Donovan

Students recently gathered for an Agape Latte featuring Bro. Bob Donovan, who shared his journey from practicing medicine to becoming a Marianist Brother. He spoke about his work providing medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Cincinnati and how that work has evolved throughout his career. Currently serving at the Respite Care Center, Bro. Bob also shared his excitement about moving into a new facility designed to better serve individuals with disabilities.

Students were deeply moved by Bro. Bob’s kindness, humility, and genuine dedication to serving others. His reflections encouraged many to think more intentionally about how they hope to live lives rooted in compassion and service.

Marianist Moments

A Small Yes — A Lasting Witness
L-R: Bro. Dan Klco, Stela Sifuentes, Molly Forestal, Emmanuel Varela, Andrew Martini, Stephen Garcia, Fr. John Tompson, Julianne Peña

On an unusually cold Sunday morning in San Antonio, TX, something beautifully hopeful took root. A group of St. Mary’s University students gathered not just to attend Mass, but to make a commitment—to one another, to Mary, and to a way of life shaped by faith in action. With that simple but profound step on January 25, 2026, they officially formed a new Marianist Lay Community: Parve Sodilitia Mariae.

The name, drawn from Latin, loosely means “Mary’s little group” or “Mary’s small fellowship.” It’s a humble title, but one rich with history and meaning. It reaches all the way back to the Bordeaux Sodality, the first Lay Marianist community founded in 1801 by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. In choosing this name, these students placed themselves squarely within that living tradition—one that believes small communities, rooted in prayer and mission, can help renew the Church and transform the world.

Their commitment marks a promise to walk together in faith, to support one another, and to live Marianist values through service, prayer, and community. Like the first sodalists more than two centuries ago, this “little group” begins with simple steps—and a big hope—that God will do something extraordinary through their shared “yes.”

Pray With Us

Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.

◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family

◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2022

Good to Know

The Annunciation in Color, Symbol, and Faith

The Marian Library invites visitors into a rich and prayerful encounter with one of the most beloved moments in Christian art and devotion: the Annunciation. Two new exhibits—each distinct yet beautifully connected—will be on display through October 23, offering fresh ways to reflect on Mary’s courageous “yes” and the mystery it set into motion.

Blessed Among Women features a collection of modern Annunciation artwork recently gifted to the Marian Library by collector John A. Kohan of the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection. These contemporary pieces explore the Annunciation through varied styles, colors, and perspectives, showing how artists across time continue to be inspired by Mary’s faith, humility, and trust in God’s plan.

Complementing this collection is Fiat and Faith, on view in the Marian Library Gallery. This exhibit invites viewers to look more closely at the rich symbolism traditionally found in Annunciation scenes—light, lilies, books, gestures, and setting—and to discover how these visual details tell a deeper story of obedience, grace, and divine invitation.

Together, these exhibits offer more than an art experience; they create a space for contemplation, wonder, and renewed appreciation for how faith is expressed through beauty. Visitors are encouraged to linger, reflect, and see the Annunciation not only as a moment in history, but as a living story that continues to speak through art today.

Click here for more information.

Marian Forum – All Invited

All are welcome to attend the 2026 Marian Forum on Wednesday, March 25, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the University of Dayton (UD). The forum is an academically-minded gathering focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary, incorporating liturgy and creative campus participation.

Can’t make it in person? No problem! It will also be livestreamed so everyone can attend. Save the date! Activities begin at 10 am (EST) with the livestream available here at that time.

This symposium provides a yearly occasion to reflect more deeply about Mary and the wide range of topics related to Mariology. Events include a lecture from University of Dayton Marian certificate student Rev. Thomas-Mary, O.C.D., a Eucharistic liturgy, and a talk from artist Holly Schapker.