Ave Mar i a
LIVING
M eet T h e M cQ u ad es
- Page 7
Issue # 2 | October , 2016
A Stella M ar is of FL Publication
Graduate Story:
Clare Maagad
- Page 3
"THEWORKOFLIFESITENEWS
IS AMISSIONTOSERVEALL
THEPRO-LIFEAND
PRO-FAMILYGROUPSAND
LEADERSINTHEWORLD, AND
AMISSION, ABOVEALL, TO
SERVETHEWILLOFGOD. "
- STEVE JALSEVAC,
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
LIFESITENEWS
WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO M AKE THE WORLD M ORE BEAUTIFUL:
CLARE M AAGAD
"I WORKWITHANDFORSUCH
AMAZINGPEOPLE, WHODO
WHATTHEYCANTOFIGHT
FORWHATISRIGHTAND
WHATISTRUE. I AMSO
HUMBLEDBYTHEIR
DEDICATIONANDTHE
SACRIFICESTHEYMAKEIN
ORDERTOSPREADTHENEWS
OFWHAT'SGOINGONINTHE
WORLD, INAWAYTHATYOU
WOULDNEVERREADIN
MAINSTREAMNEWS
OUTLETS. "
- CLARE MAAGAD
"THAT'SALLVERYWELL, BUTTHEREISATHIRDTHINGYOUMUSTDO. YOUMUST
DOSOMETHINGTOMAKETHEWORLDMOREBEAUTIFUL."
- COONEY,BARBARA. (1982). MISS RUMPHIUS. LONDON: VIKING PRESS.
In the first
edition of Ave
Maria Living, we
featured an Ave
Maria University
graduate, Paul
Rush, who has
dedicated his life
to starting a
Missionary
Formation Center
named
"Guadalupe Gardens" in San Marcos,
Nicaragua.
In this edition, and future editions,
we will continue to feature AMU
graduates to let you know where
they are now and what kind of fruit
their lives are bearing in the world.
This section title comes from a
beloved children's book, "Miss
Rumphius." In the story, little Alice
Rumphius wants to grow up to be
like her grandfather. She too wants
to go to faraway places and come
back to live by the sea. Her
grandfather tells Alice "that's all
very well, but there is a third thing
you must do. You must do
something to make the world more
beautiful."
Meet Clare Maagad, AMU University
graduate this month. In many ways,
Clare reminds me of little Alice
Rumphius. Clare was born and
raised in the Philippines. She moved
to the Florida with her family when
she was 11years old. After her
experiences in college, she left her
home near Florida's sandy beaches
and sun-drenched coastlines to
work in different locations across
the country. After several years of
wonderful life experiences, she is
excited to be moving back to Florida
to be near her family and the sea.
But most importantly, she strives to
make the world a more beautiful
3
place through her work with
LifeSiteNews.
Clare graduated from the
University in 2007 with a
bachelor?s degree in Biology.
She has many fond memories
of her time at Ave Maria
University: late night
conversations, random dance
parties, dinner conversations,
and beach trips with her
roommates and friends.
"I also had the great privilege of
spending a semester in Austria.
It was life changing," Maagad
said.
Clare's family home was only
two hours away from AMU. Her
mother wanted her to be close
to home and Clare loved the
idea of being a pioneer? her
first year was the University's
first year in Florida. She said it
was all very exciting, the start
of that first school year.
"I like to think the Blessed
Mother helped me choose Ave
Maria at my mother's urging,"
she said of how she chose to
come to AMU.
After graduation, she took a job
as the Dorm Director and
Special Events Coordinator for
St. Bernard's Catholic School, a
small private school in
northern California. Then she
became the Residence Director
for Benedictine College in
Kansas.
When a friend and fellow AMU
graduate posted a job listing for
LifeSiteNews, she knew she had
to apply. She was given the job
of Office Manager of the United
States office for LifeSite, a
non-profit news website
reporting on stories that affect
life, family and culture.
LifeSiteNews management and
staff writers/researchers are
located in various cities in the
United States, Canada, Mexico,
Italy, Australia, New Zealand
and France. They also employ
three translators who assist
with their Spanish version of
LifeSiteNews.
Daily News reports at LifeSite
are widely circulated reports on
important developments in the
United States, Canada and
around the world. Their
purpose is to provide balance
and more accurate coverage on
culture, life and family matters
than is usually given by other
media outlets.
During the next three and a
half years as the office
manager, she worked to
support her coworkers and
supervisors in all things, and to
keep them organized so that
they could concentrate on
doing their best in producing,
researching and writing the
content for the site.
Her faith in what is good, true
and beautiful fuels her desire
to help share the news and
stories that LifeSite produces
and circulates in any way that
she can.
"I work with, and for, such
amazing people who do what
they can to fight for what is
right and what is true. I am so
humbled by their dedication
and the sacrifices they make in
order to spread the news of
what's going on in the world in
a way that you would never
read in mainstream news
outlets."
She now has a new job with the
company and is taking on much
4
more responsibility. Her current
role allows her to help fund the
work that she is so passionate
about. She is now managing the
advertising department and
working with email marketing.
LifeSiteNews operates on
donations from its readers as
well as with the paid
advertising program, so Clare's
new role is crucial in keeping
the site running.
"I like to think
the Blessed
Mother
helped me
chose Ave
Maria..."
-Clare Maagad,
class of 2007
"I absolutely love the challenge
of learning something new and
acquiring new skills,? Maagad
said.
She plans to continue her work
with LifeSiteNews while she
makes the welcome transition
back to life in Florida.
"I'm moving back to Florida to
be closer to my family, which
I'm really excited about. I
haven't lived near family since
graduating from college. And
I'm really excited to be living so
close to the beach again,? she
said.
Thank you, Clare Maagad, for all
you are doing to help promote
goodness, truth and beauty in
our world!
M eet the M cQuades!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
If you drive through Coquina and spot a house with
a single-car garage and ten bicycles in the
driveway, you know you have found the McQuades.
If you venture inside on a typical day, you will find
seven McQuade children scattered throughout the
home playing, reading, or working on their
homeschool lessons. Among them, two young men
from Immokalee homeschool as well.
Another son, Hadyn McQuade, passes through
between classes at Ave Maria University to give a
violin lesson. Two more adult children pop in on
occasion when they take a hiatus from their work
or study to come visit.
If you're really lucky, there may be a litter of
Goldendoodle puppies to play with! The McQuades
breed their family dogs and care for the puppies
until they are ready to be sent to loving homes.
The lifestyle of this family of 12 may seem a bit
overwhelming to some, but the McQuades wouldn?t
have it any other way. Their adventurous and
fun-loving journey began at Ole Miss where Mike
and Jenn McQuade met. The two fell in love and got
married.
The McQuades have moved 19 times as a family. In
the early years of their marriage, Mr. McQuade was
in the United States Air Force. He flew F-16s all over
the world. In fact, they were living in Korea when
their first child came into the world... 16 weeks early!
It was the Fourth of July weekend and the McQuades
were spending time with some military families at
the beach in Korea when Mrs. McQuade suddenly
became ill. She developed a very high fever and had
to be rushed to the hospital while her husband and
friends packed her body with ice. The hospital was
five hours away.
7
When she got there, her water
broke. She was only 24 weeks
pregnant. She had an emergency
C-section and a man at the
hospital, who was not even a
doctor, fashioned a mask small
enough for their new baby out of
materials he found in the kitchen.
Thanks to him, baby Rylan was able
to breathe until they could be
transferred to a hospital with a
neonatal ICU. Mrs. McQuade was
unconscious for three days.
Thankfully, the two survived
without any lasting complications.
Now, Rylan, 24, has just begun his
second year of medical school, is
newly engaged to be married, and
aspires to use his gifts and training
on medical missions.
Three brothers followed Rylan into
the world: Curran, 22; Hadyn, 19;
and Eamon, 17. While the young
family was just about to set down
roots in Texas? as the builders
broke ground on their new
home? two airplanes struck the
twin towers on September 11, 2001
and their plans instantly changed.
Mr. McQuade had started working
for American Airlines and was part
of the U.S. Air Force Reserves at
the time and was immediately
called to fly around New York and
Washington D.C., protecting the
area from any potential threats.
The Air Force had planes in the air
24 hours a day for over a year.
The family found a home in New
Jersey that was move-in ready, so
they packed their things and moved
sight unseen.
?People were so gracious and
understanding during the time
after 9/11. We got our money back,?
Mrs. McQuade said of their home in
Texas.
A little over a year later, they
moved back to Texas and Mr.
McQuade continued flying for
American Airlines. But in 2003, the
Continued on page 10
8
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- Specialt y Grade Beans = Except ional Flavor
- Each Bag is From a Single Origin
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- All Proceeds Fund Mission Work
Order at : guadaluperoast ery.com
Ask for t he Guadalupe Roast ery DARK ROAST at The Bean Of Ave Maria
Article
and Support t he Missions and Local Business!
Updat e from Guadalupe Gardens- A Baby in t he Garden!
By: The Fassbenders
Paul and Lorelei Rush are expecting a baby! Instead of throwing them a baby
shower, we would like to help them install a well at Guadalupe Gardens! This well
will provide fresh water for their family and about 50 other families that live
nearby who have no consistent access to drinking water. Check out our video at
guadalupegardens.com/projects/ to learn more.
If you would like to donate go to our website guadalupegardens.com/donate-2/ or
make a check out to Guadalupe Gardens and mail to: 4359 Kentucky Way, Ave
Maria, FL 34142.
Also, we are happy to announce that Mark and Lora Eckstine and 8 of their 11
children will be moving to Nicaragua and will be staying at Guadalupe Gardens
starting October 17th! The Eckstines spent 6 years with Family Mission Company
as missionaries. Much of their time was spent working with the poor in 3rd
world countries. Connect with Markand Lora Eckstine on Facebook or learn
more about their specific mission by visiting their blog at
rooftopmissions.wordpress.com
Please pray for the Eckstines and Rushes!
airline forced Mr. McQuade to
work out of the Saint Louis
airport.
?Rather than commute back and
forth between Texas and Saint
Louis, we decided to put our
camper on the Air Force base in
Saint Louis so we were able to
have the whole family there and
together? 218 square feet was
more than enough for the happy
6 of us!? Mr. McQuade said.
They -Quote lived Author in the camper for eight
months. Living in such close
quarters with four kids did not
lessen their desire to expand
their family. The McQuades had
always hoped for a large family,
but as time wore on and Mrs.
McQuade wasn?t getting pregnant,
they felt that maybe God had
another plan for them. They
began to contemplate adoption.
After yet another move? this time
a transatlantic one to
Germany? the McQuades really
felt that God wanted them to
adopt, but were unclear how to
proceed. One night, Jenn prayed
for a sign. If adoption was what
God wanted for them, she prayed
He would make it clear.
The next day, the family went to
a different church than their
usual one. A woman there, whom
they hadn?t met before,
approached Mrs. McQuade. The
woman had three children with
her. She sat down and said, "I just
want you to know that my
children are adopted. I don't
know why I'm telling you this. I
never tell anyone that my kids
are adopted because they look so
much like me, but I just feel like
God wanted me to tell you that."
That was the sign the McQuades
needed.
Their next adventure would bring
them to China and back home
with a baby girl named Grace,
now 10 years old. At 16 months
old, Grace had many physical and
emotional obstacles to overcome,
but her new family, including her
four big brothers, put all their
effort into helping her get well.
Challenging as it was, it was
more than worth it and they
decided to adopt another baby
girl from China? Hope, now eight
years old. They felt so blessed to
have these beautiful girls in their
family, but they weren?t finished
yet.
They began making preparations
to head back to China, this time to
adopt a baby boy. That boy was
Liam, now six years old. During
the long wait for Liam, they
learned of another boy in an
orphanage there who was about
to turn 14? Keane, now 19. When a
child turns 14 in an orphanage in
China, they are sent out onto the
streets.
?I would read the stories of these
older children who so desperately
wanted a family. It broke my
heart to read their stories and I
advocated for them on the Yahoo
groups and our blog. We prayed
for these children and rejoiced
when they found their forever
families. We cried as we watched
so many lose that chance. God
was changing our hearts as a
"We prayed for
these children and
rejoiced w hen they
found their
forever families.
We cried as w e
w atched so many
lose that chance.
God w as changing
our hearts as a
family."
- Jenn McQuade
family,? Mrs. McQuade wrote.
So, when she received a message
from an adoption agency called
?Gifts to China with Love? about
Keane, she prayed, ?Lord, find
him a family.? Then one day she
asked her family during dinner,
?do you think that this boy is our
son??
Continued on page 12
___________________________________________________________________________________________
10
They prayed about adopting him and Mrs. McQuade
recalls, "I got Rylan, Curran, Hadyn, and Eamon
together and told them that this decision would
affect them more than anyone else in the family. I
asked them to bow their heads and close their eyes
and pray about the decision."
Then, she asked them not to look at each other and
to raise their hand if they wanted to adopt the boy.
All four raised their hands. She said, ?our family,
who at the beginning of this adoption journey had
only considered a child under three, was now
begging to bring home a 14-year-old.?
They had only a few short weeks to raise the
additional $17,000 for their second son?s adoption.
Thankfully, they found a great organization that
could help them raise money. It was called "Both
Hands." The organization, named for James 1:27, was
designed to help widows and orphans.
The McQuades found an elderly widow who needed
help with her home. They raised funds and worked
to do a complete remodel of her home with donated
supplies and volunteered labor.
Then, their completed project and their desire to
adopt two boys from China was published on the
organization's website, on their blog
12
(gettingliam.blogspot.com), and sent out in ?support
letters.? People began to donate money. They raised
$14,000.
?As you?d expect from the God we serve, the last
?Our family, w ho at the
beginning of this adoption
journey had only
considered a child under
three, w as now begging
to bring home a
14-year-old.? - Jenn McQuade
$3,000 came in the very day we left for China,? Mr.
McQuade said.
It was clear that Keane was meant for them. They
got both boys the day before Keane's 14th birthday. It
was a bit daunting bringing home a teenager who
spoke no English, especially since the McQuades
spoke no Mandarin, but Keane learned quickly. He fit
into the family perfectly. Continued on page 14
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Being nam ed after Saint John Paul the Great (a town where it?s com m on, and one young
John Paul who attended the canonization)
By: Robb Klucik
On April 27th, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope John Paul II officially entered the canon of saints of Christ?s
Church. On that day, m any fam ilies in the town of Ave Maria also planned feast days for their sons ? or their
Sister! It is fitting that a town where one of the streets is nam ed ?Pope John Paul II Boulevard? ? a town
whose founding was inspired by that pope?s ?new evangelization? ? has so m any boys and young m en
nam ed after that extraordinary m an.
His papacy saw a rise in the popularity of the nam e ?John Paul? for newborns
in the USA as shown in this graphic, with spikes in
popularity based on events in his life.
Of course not everyone bearing the nam e received it as a
newborn boy. Sister John Paul, OP, who taeaches in Ave
Maria at Donahue Academ y, received the nam e when she
entered Religious life.
Am ong the estim ated dozen John Paul?s in Ave Maria,
several have provided photographs, below.
One lucky Ave Maria boy bearing the nam e had the trip of a lifetim e with his m other ?
they traveled to Rom e to attend the canonization cerem ony! John Paul Allan?s friends and neighbors were
able to follow his special pilgrim age via Facebook. Mrs. Allan owns a Catholic gift and book and hom e school
supply store called By Way of the Fam ily that she nam ed after a phrase from Saint Pope John Paul's apostolic
exhortation Fam iliaris Consortio: ?The future of hum anity passes by way of the fam ily.?
John Paul Raiger
John Paul Klucik
13
John Paul Tamisiea
John Paul Allan on his
pilgrimage in Rome
He was diligent with his
schoolwork, loved to read, and
was happy to help with household
chores.
The family recalls how fun it was
to watch him try new things for
the first time, like swimming,
skating, guitar and jumping on
the trampoline. Liam acclimated
to his new home quickly, too. He
was full of energy and enjoyed
playing with his sisters. Their
family was feeling more complete
with each adoption.
The family decided to adopt one
last time, another baby boy so
that Liam would have a brother
close to his age to grow up with.
But again, this trip would see
them return with two new sons
rather than one. As they
prepared to bring home baby
Brogan, now three years old,
Keane came to his mother and
father and said, "I've been really
praying about it and I think we
need to bring home my
roommate."
He was referring to the boy with
whom he shared a room at the
orphanage? Kai, now 16. The
McQuades were touched by their
son?s love and compassion for his
friend. Keane added, ?I remember
money was a problem for getting
me. If you need more money, I
could give you all of mine.? Of
course, the McQuades could not
refuse. They brought home
Brogan and Kai together, making
them a family of twelve and
making two boys, who were best
friends, brothers!
The McQuades are so thankful for
the beautiful journey their family
has experienced through the
adoption process. It?s been a
life-changing experience for
everyone. Looking back on their
journey, they can see the hand of
God at work, even in the details.
After many years in the
Evangelical faith, they recently
14
came back to the Catholic faith in which Mr. and Mrs.
McQuade were both raised. During their reversion to
Catholicism, they started to consider making the move to
Ave Maria and they?re glad they did.
"We finally feel like we're at home,? Mrs. McQuade said.
?We feel at home primarily because of our coming back to
the Catholic Church, but also because this is such a
special community to be a part of,? Mr. McQuade added.
The McQuades have not been in Ave Maria very long but,
in true McQuade fashion, they have already become
active members of the community and in Immokalee as
well.
Mr. McQuade is the small group coordinator for the Ave
Maria Quasi Parish?s ?That Man is You? ministry, Mrs.
McQuade is on the welcoming committee for the parish,
Hadyn and Eamon play violin at Mass, and Grace and
Hope sing in the children?s choir.
Additionally, the four teenage boys volunteered with their
parents at the ?Household of God? program this summer,
?We feel at home primarily
because of our coming
back to the Catholic
Church, but also because
this is such a special
community to be a part of."
- Mike McQuade
15
and Keane bags groceries at
Publix and has a knack for fixing
broken cell phones. On the
weekends, the younger McQuade
children can be found splashing
at the water park with their
parents and the teenage boys
love to play soccer and often play
together.
Hadyn aspires to start a youth
orchestra here in Ave Maria. He
writes, "I am happy to announce
that, by the end of October, I'll be
starting an orchestra for strings,
winds, brass, and percussion,
open to children from the whole
community."
Eamon is a very talented soccer
player. He joined the Immokalee
Pit Cobras shortly after his family
moved to Ave Maria. The team
won the United States U-17 Youth
Soccer regional tournament this
summer, advancing them to play
in the President's National Cup
tournament.
"It was so exciting to watch the
little town of Immokalee advance
to nationals," Mrs. McQuade said.
The team?s coach, Manny Touron,
is dedicated to helping the boys
on his team advance, not only in
their athletic abilities, but in all
areas of their lives. He
encourages them academically
and promotes hard work and
integrity. To him, it's not just
about soccer, it's more about
helping the youth be the best
versions of themselves.
That's a mission the McQuades
can get behind. In fact, that is
how they came to meet a young
man called "Chino." Chino plays
on the team also. He is from
Guatemala and does not speak
English, so he was not allowed to
enter the public high school
system. When they heard about
16
his struggles, they asked if he
would like to be homeschooled.
He said yes and has been joining
the McQuade children daily in
their lessons ever since. A friend
of Chino?s has begun
homeschooling with the family as
well. The family is happy to give
these boys the opportunity for a
better life.
The family?s new home in Maple
Ridge Reserve is almost complete,
so they will soon be moving yet
again.. Let?s hope this is the last
move they?ll be making for a very
long time. They are looking
forward to feeling settled in their
new home in this great
community.
Welcome to Ave Maria, McQuade
-Quote Author
family!
Why use an Attorney (rather than a title company) for Closing? By: Robb Klucik
In Florida,
both
attorneys
and title
companies
can issue title
insurance.
Premiums for
title insurance are set by the
State of Florida, so title insurance
obtained through an attorney is
priced the same as from a title
company. Closing costs charged
by an attorney acting as a closing
agent are comparable to those
charged by a title company. So,
why use an attorney rather than
a title company for closing?
When using an attorney as the
closing agent, the client has legal
representation throughout the
transaction, from negotiations
through closing. But a title
company cannot provide any
legal advice, input, or guidance.
Often a buyer will need a
contract addendum, a
non-standard document, or a
change to standard documents in
order to address specific issues
that arise with transaction. An
attorney can prepare such
documents, whereas the title
company in many instances
cannot (or should not).
An attorney can assist the realtor
with the contract preparation
(generally at no additional
charge), answering the client?s
legal questions during contract
negotiations and preparing
relevant documents as needed. A
title company cannot do so.
If the title search reveals a
potential issue, the attorney can
provide legal advice as to the best
and fastest way to cure the issue
and prepare the corrective
documents so the parties can
close without a delay. In contrast,
a title company cannot generally
prepare curative documents, and
can never provide legal advice or
guidance when or as an issue
arises ? and would normally have
to consult an attorney and pass
the cost on to the buyer.
When purchasing real estate, one
of the most important decisions
the Buyer has to make is how to
take title to the property. An
attorney can discuss the options
available to the Buyer and the
legal aspects and tax advantages
concerning same. A title company
cannot provide this important
legal advice.
In summary, there is a major
benefit in having an attorney as
your closing agent and on your
closing team.
Attorney Robb Klucik has been an
attorney title agent and real
estate lawyer in Ave Maria,
Florida, since 2009.
17
Stella Maris of FL
Ave Maria, FL 34142
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