MLNNA wishes to express its profound gratitude to everyone who made the seventh Continental Assembly (?Come to Cana, Many Stories, One Table, One Family?) a success.

A special thanks goes to Rey Gustamente who was the local organizer for the event.

The Assembly was a rich blend of prayer, culture, and sharing. Approximately 120 people partook in the Assembly, which was held at St. Mary?s University in San Antonio, Texas, from July 27-30.

Look for information brainstormed in ?open space? groups in an upcoming issue of MLNNA E- News.

Children at the Assembly created the lovely wedding art shown above. Their artwork was the backdrop for our closing Mass that incorporated the image of a wedding and the living out of marriage in everyday life.

(If the link to the photos does not work, email Dan Jordan at mlnnacom@yahoo.com, and he will send them to you.)

Marie Th�r�se de Lamourous died on September 14, 1836, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Inspired by her courage, strengthened by her love, we the members of the Marianist Family remember her legacy and faithfulness to God in a special way during September.

If possible, have your local community hold an activity such as a prayer service or faith-sharing experience related to the life of this venerable lay woman who has inspired our Marianist Family.

MLNNA has a ready-made prayer service, written by Joanne and Ray McCracken, on its web site. Visit www.mlnna.com for resources on Marie Th�r�se.

Have you seen your friends wearing porcelain clay Marianist medallions, and have you thought, ?I?d like one of those?? If so, here is the answer for which you seek: Hart Street Pottery.

Hart Street carries three different styles of Marianist crosses?the MLNNA logo, which appears in the masthead of this MLNNA E-News; the traditional, which consists of a cross with an M through the bottom of it; and the newly designed cross of the SM Province of the United States that is pictured above.

Each medallion is handmade of high-fire porcelain clay and glazed insert and strung on a 32? braid. (Each medallion sells for $2.25.) To order medallions, call toll free 800/805-7222 or in the Forth Worth area call 817/429-7222. You can also order by email: hartst@sbcglobal.net.

Ray McCracken has developed a new guide to help individuals and communities to ponder In Alliance with Mary, the international lay Marianist document that was adopted at last summer?s meeting in Bordeaux, France.

Here is a sample from the guide.

• St. Theresa of Lisieaux, when speaking about Mary, said: ?For a sermon on the Blessed Virgin to please me . . . I must see her real life. . . . They show her to us as unapproachable, but they should present her as imitable, bringing out her virtues, saying that she lived by faith just like ourselves giving proofs of this from the Gospel.?




• What do you think that Mary as a first century Jewish woman would have looked like? What were her values? What situations might have been difficult? What situations might have brought her joy?

(Ray developed the guide on behalf of MLNNA and the North American Center for Marianist Studies.)

Here are some social justice opportunities provided by the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC).

• Immigration Reform: Contact your representative and senators to support comprehensive and humane immigration reform. For background, read the MSJC statement on immigration reform, visit MSJC on the web, and visit Justice for Immigrant (www.justiceforimmigrants.org).



• Dead Man Walking: Rent the video and view it with your community. Then use the ?Reflections on Dead Man Walking? faith-sharing booklet to discuss the issue for one or several gatherings. Booklet available from the MSJC office? apsjustice@hotmail.com?or from RENEW International (www.renewint.org).



• The Ad�le Social Justice Project is looking for young adults in the Washington/Baltimore area to participate in a social justice immersion/reflection weekend in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6-8. If you know someone who might be interested, contact Laura Libertore at asjplibertore@yahoo.com or 937/254-5445.

On October 15, 2006, the Marianist Family around the world will gather in a spiritual pilgrimage with our sisters and brothers in France around the shrine of Our Lady of Verdelais, a place dear to Blessed Chaminade. At fourteen years of age he suffered a leg injury that stubbornly refused to heal.

His brother, Jean Baptiste, suggested that William Joseph have recourse to the Virgin Mary, ?who is never invoked in vain.? William eagerly and happily took up his suggestion, and the two brothers vowed to make a pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Verdelais if the Blessed Virgin would obtain the cure they were seeking from her goodness.

The healing occurred so quickly that William Joseph always regarded it as miraculous. A short time later, he and his brother were able to walk on pilgrimage to Verdelais, about fifty miles (80 km) from Mussidan, where they thanked the Blessed Virgin for her favor.

A document has been prepared for distribution among our communities in preparation for the World Day of Prayer.

?People are Fragile, Handle with Prayer.?

As members of the Marianist Family, let us lift up the following prayers that our brothers and sisters have requested.

For the repose of the soul of Thomas Kudyba, the brother-in-law of Larry Cada, SM. (Submitted by NACMS staff)

For the repose of the soul of Dee Puig, aunt of lay Marianist Linda Zappacosta, who died peacefully on August 24. (Submitted by Linda Zappacosta)

For Mary Lou Lewcun who is undergoing treatment for cancer. (Submitted by Laura Leming, FMI)

For Janet Krumm, who is battling cancer and for the Krumm family. Here are the words of her husband, Jack:

?I request prayer for my wife, a lay Marianist, who is battling a re-occurrence of cancer. Thus far, signs are good it can be kicked back into remission. Please pray for healing and courage and the kind attention of Our Lady upon Janet Mary Krumm. Janet worked closely with many Marianist priests, sisters, and brothers in helping establish the Marianist Retreat Program (Christian Family Living) in what is now the old Province of New York."

For Betty and Dan, a wife and husband, who have multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) respectively. (Submitted by Mike and Adriane Lunny)

For Kathleen Wilke, member of the Marishka community in Cincinnati, who is recovering from intestinal surgery. (Submitted by Chris Wilke, husband)

For Bernice, the mother of lay Marianist Christine Suriano, who is in rehab after hip surgery. (Submitted by Mary Gorgette)

For Pauline Perry, member of the Metro Marianists, who is scheduled to undergo surgery on September 6. (Submitted by a member of the Metro Marianists)

For Greg Borkowski who is recovering from a pulmonary embolism. (Submitted by Beth Garascia, a family friend)

+Amen