Flyer News: What should everyone know about you and your house?

Sean Downing: We're holy ... We pray every day, and we go to Mass every day.

Tom Pieper: Our community consists of two houses. It's us and the brothers of 212 Stonemill. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we are usually together and over at 212 Stonemill for prayer and an evening meal.

SD: We recreate sometimes too.

Charlie Wanda: Watch the Bengals together.

TP: One of our main focuses is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we invite students in from the neighborhood, so it's one great way to get to know the neighbors. We usually talk about what it means to live here on campus and the Marianist charism and spirit.



FN: What is your porch most used for?

SD: Hanging out. Conversation. Sometimes it could be a deep, theological conversation. More often than not, it's just sitting back, having a good time. Relaxing.

TP: Friday and Saturday nights we're usually out there till midnight.

SD: We don't need a TV on Fridays and Saturdays.

TP: Yeah. We have our own reality show taking place.



FN: Is it hard living around so many students? Doesn't it get loud?

CW: Yeah, but there's ways to get around it. It's entertaining. And very refreshing.

SD: There are times when you get up and you say, "Ow. Where are those ear plugs?" But it's worth it.



FN: What's a must-have for a 301 Kiefaber party?

All: [Laugh]

SD: A sense of humor.

CW: We don't have parties. We do have them for celebrating the brothers' birthdays ... but that's not really a party ...



FN: What's your most memorable moment at 301 Kiefaber?

TP: One would be last year's wind storm and just sharing with the people around us. It was fun because people would come out with their guitars.

CW: I think it was edifying how students handled the situation. It was a good witness of the community.



FN: How long have you been living in this house?

TP: A number of us have been living here for 10 years. And Hugo and Nhan are both aspirants. It's the first phase of Marianist formation. They've been here for five months.

SD: Brother Charlie's the aspirants' director.

CW: Which doesn't mean much ... No, I'm just kidding.

SD: You're their wisdom figure!



FN: Hugo and Nhan, have you enjoyed your experience so far?

Hugo Bastida: Yes, yes. Very much.

Nhan Nguyen: It's a blessing to explore. And it's a very communal structure. I do enjoy every aspect.



FN: When you open your fridge, what's usually in it?

TP: Leftovers from the night before.

SD: Butter.

CW: What's not in there is beer.

SD: Brother Charlie loves to eat omelets on the weekend.

CW: As long as I can use butter.

TP: We do have a tradition of Marianist cornbread on Friday mornings.

TP: We put clear syrup on it.

CW: And lots of butter.



FN: Do you order pizza?

All: Oh yeah!

SD: Domino's ... Milano's.



FN: Cousin Vinny's?

TP: We've never done that here, but other people bring it in ... The Big 10!



FN: Do you have any house traditions?

TP: We do have one. 5 p.m. is quiet, reflective time. It's a time to relax, refocus on prayer, reflection.



FN: Are there any downfalls to living here?

TP: During the Christmas break, spring break and some of the summer months, when the neighborhood is vacant. It really is a ghost town. It's great to have a few days where everything is peaceful and quiet. But it's like the houses are crying out for students.

SD: We're always happy for move in day and the excitement around it.

TP: We also respect the fact that people really respect our house and our property.

CW: Like neighbors will say, "We're going to have a party. Let us know if it's too noisy."



FN: Do you have any nicknames for each other?

CW: Brother.

TP: For everybody.



FN: Is there anything else you want to share?

TP: I think it might be good to say our ministry work.

HB: During the first semester, I was helping out at the Office of Multicultural Affairs with the Hispanic students. Most of them are Puerto Ricans. Now I'm also doing an afterschool program held at the Holy Family church. It's for Hispanic kids.

NN: At this point, I have two projects; one with the community on the west side of Dayton. It's a community organization project. And then the second project will be working with children for afterschool programs ... The community started the Dakota Center.

SD: I'm currently involved in vocation ministry. Students will live with us and see what it's all about. It gets them away from the mysterious part of it.

CW: I'm a retired art teacher. I have a studio at Mount Saint John. I've done some commissioned work for the university and Marianist related things. And I do other vocation work.

TP: He also etched the Chaminade martyrs in Marianist Hall in the main lobby.

CW: And the windows in the Marycrest chapel. And the vase for graduation.

TP: And I'm in campus ministry. Most of my ministry is up in Stuart and outside programs.



FN: Any final thoughts or philosophies?

TP: Well for me, one is just that as Marianists, we want to have our spirit and charisma of Mary present here in the house and on campus. It's a spirit and presence of hospitality. Of bringing Christ into all of our situations and into who we are.

SD: He pretty much summed it up.

TP: And we want students to know that they have a safe place to come if they need one.