"It was a cold night in February 1999 when I joined a group of students from the University of Dayton at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville for the execution of Wilford Berry, the first Ohio execution since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. ...That night changed me. .... I realized that Jesus was killed by state sanctioned death. He was executed. Christ's response was that of forgiveness.  "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." It also struck me that there are a lot of people who have been victims of violent crime and lost loved ones to murder who hold vengeance in their hearts and I wondered what I could do to help them overcome such hurt and despair...."

None currently scheduled pending the Supreme Court's decision in Baze V Rees. Click Here

In the spirit of recommendations from Always Our Children, the pastoral letter from the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Marriage & Family, a new MSJC team is exploring possibilities for providing more effective pastoral care within the Marianist Family among families of gay/lesbian Catholics. The effort is consistent with the Church's teaching - especially considering the principles of Catholic Social Teaching - and is profoundly pastoral in its outreach. The team, which met in St. Louis recently, includes (front row) Dominic Garascia , Nancy Mascotte, Beth Garascia (chair), Linda Zappacosta ; (back row) Hank Mascotte, Jim Vorndran SM, Terry Weik SM.  They have developed a two-hour program, " A Place at the Marianist Table," that considers the struggles of faithful gay/lesbian Catholics and how groups can be more welcoming and inclusive. If your lay or religious Marianist community or group is interested in experiencing the program or would like more information, contact B Garascia@sdcglobal.net.