A word of welcome from the Vocation Director

Hello, my name is Father Bill Rowland and I want to welcome you to the Marist Fathers and Brothers web site and invite you to get to know us — and to even join us in living the Gospel in the spirit of Mary.

This you can do either as a Marist layperson or as a Marist religious. The Marist Fathers and Brothers is a branch of a much larger family tree that includes the Marist Sisters, the Marist Missionary Sisters, the Marist Teaching Brothers and the Marist Laity. Feel free to click on these names and you will be linked to particular web sites where you can find more information about each group.

What area of the United States does the Atlanta Province include?
The Atlanta Province covers more territory than the city of Atlanta, Georgia. In fact, the province includes all of the United States with the exception of Alaska, Michigan, New England and New York. Those states belong to the Marist Fathers and Brothers of the Boston Province. I am the Director of Vocation Ministry for the Marist Fathers and Brothers of the Atlanta Province.

What does the Director of Vocation Ministry do?
In this capacity, I am available to offer whatever assistance I can to anyone who feels a tug at his heart to explore Marist religious life. Being a Marist priest, I am delighted to share with you my own vocation story about how I became a religious in the Society of Mary. Maybe you will see some parallels in my story that will help you with your own life.

I am also the Marist who walks with men who are discerning whether Marist religious life is for them. My job is to provide you with as much information about the Marists as you need so that you can make an informed decision -- one that will be borne out of much prayer, reflection and dialogue.

Explain to me what happens if I request information about the Marists.
Asking for information about a religious congregation may be an unfamiliar experience for you. It takes some of courage to take that first step and to ask for information.

Let me make it easier by explaining what happens when I receive a request for information. Let’s say that you sent me a request for materials about the Marists. Once the request is received, an information packet is sent out by the Assistant Director for Vocations, Jack Ridout. Jack is a Marist layperson, who is a long-time friend of the Marists and a great guy.

After the information is sent, you can expect a phone call within two weeks. The reason for the call is to make sure that you received the material and to answer any questions you may have.

More than likely, you will receive many materials from different religious orders including videos, DVDs etc. When I call, don’t feel badly if you can’t readily remember having received the materials from the Marists or if you simply haven’t had the time to look at them. I understand.

If you have the time, I can explain a little bit about the Marists and give you some basic information about discernment that can be of help you.

You may also want to take this opportunity to tell me a bit about yourself: your age, how much education you have, whether you have been married, where you are working and what has interested you in religious life.

If I like what I learn about the Marists from what I read and from what I view on the video, what should I do if I want additional information?
Contact me or Mr. Jack Ridout by phone, letter or email.

Each religious congregation has something unique to offer, and while that uniqueness is often described in brochures, you really need to see it lived. Don’t be surprised if I invite you to visit one of our communities. That is really the best way to learn about any religious congregation.

I will invite you to visit our postulancy house in Berkeley, CA (my "home base") or our community in Atlanta, Georgia where we own and operate a Catholic high school. During the first visit, I would like to hear your story and give you the opportunity to become familiar with the Marists. Of course, there will also be time for visiting other Marist communities in the area and for some sightseeing. That is a must if you visit me in Berkeley, where the beauty and charm of San Francisco is so close.

If these visits are a financial difficulty for you, please let me know.

What if I like what I have seen on the video and read but am not ready to visit a Marist community?
When I call, you may be so busy that you really are unable to say either "yes" or "no." Again, no problem. You can tell me what kind of future contact you would like from me and we can arrange something that will be helpful to you. One option is to have your name placed on our mailing list.

What if I no longer have any interest in the Marists?
Finally, you may no longer have any interest in the Marists. Again, no problem. Just tell me that your interests have changed and that you will contact me in the future should you feel the need to do so.

Should I feel obligated to the Marists after having visited a community?
After the first visit, you can decide whether or not you want to maintain contact with us and if you would want to visit any of our other communities. I will tell you what I tell everyone who comes to visit: there is no pressure for you to make any decision that makes you uncomfortable. You should feel free to discontinue your contact with us at any time. Know that you will leave with the blessings of the Marists as you continue your journey.

Final comments
Finally, let me end by saying what a pleasure it is for me to walk with those who are sincerely seeking to discern God’s intentions for them. I am impressed with their generosity, their sincerity, their prayerfulness and their willingness to take a risk. I realize that given the current situation of the Church today, pursuing a vocation to the priesthood or religious life takes a lot of courage. I am grateful for having been in the company of such men.

That’s about it from my side. Now you know what to expect if you send for information about the Marists.

So, come on -- give it a try!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Bill

•Discernment      •Beginning the Path      •Using Your Gifts 
• I Am a Marist      •What About You?      •Come and See

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