Jose J Matos Auffant, Executive Director of Tecaboca Retreat Center, sends us this update. As we begin the Marianist Encounters Conference today at Mount St. John in Dayton, let us recall one of the five goals of Marianist Encounters: to Empower through Family Spirit.
Stella Maris, Memorare, Flor de Fe… members of these three Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) born in San Antonio led with their example at Boys Camp and Girls Camp this summer at Tecaboca.
Yasmin Rodriguez, summer program co-director, made her commitment as a member of Stella Maris back in December 2019. An alumna of St. Mary’s University, Yasmin also served at the Parish Council of Holy Rosary Church, among other contributions to the Marianist Family.
Arlene Chaidez, waterfront coordinator, and Susy Ibarra, music minister and arts & crafts coordinator, are both committed members of the Memorare MLC since 2022. They are returning camp counselors in charge of key activities for campers.
Doug Weller, the newest member of the newest MLC Flor de Fe (‘flower of faith’), is a St. Mary’s theology major and is very active with University Ministry retreats and programs. All these young Marianists share together another apostolate close to their heart: St. Mary’s Chapel Choir, a true ‘community in mission’ led by Maria Smith, minister for pastoral music at the Marianist University in San Antonio.
Intentionally choosing Tecaboca summer programs as their summer ministry allowed them to experience the Marianist charism in a unique way outside the classroom and sports arenas. By being role models willing to accompany youth and young adults in the camp, they also grow in their own calling of getting closer to Jesus, son of God made the son of Mary. They remind us that summer camp is a specialized area within youth ministry, and the Marianists are well-positioned to reach families through camp that otherwise would not get to know, love, and serve Mary’s Family.
Arlene Chaidez (left) and Susy Ibarra from Memorare MLC (right) with Bro. Gilbert Okade, S.M., a seminarian from the Region of East Africa, accompanied staff and campers for one week this summer.
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