MLNNA announces the appointment of Kay Stone to the position of Community Development for the MLNNA Leadership Team. Kay, who has served as the MLNNA Area Representative for the West Coast, brings with her a passion for building community, a deep prayerfulness, and a zeal for Marianist life.

MLNNA thanks Kurt Weber for his service in the Community Development position.

Members of the Marianist Family?both lay and vowed religious?were in abundance at a recent talk of Sr. Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions.

Sr. Helen spoke on the death penalty and strategies to abolish state-sanctioned executions in the United States during her October 25 talk to an overflow crowd at St. Rita?s Church in Dayton, Ohio. Key to her message was the need for outreach to families who have lost a loved one to violence.

Here are some ministry activities you can do related to death penalty in the United States:

• Become a member of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative?s Issue Team (MSJC) on the death penalty (See the link below.)
• Write or visit a prisoner on death row
• Sponsor prayer services in your parish for murder victim?s families
• Plan a candlelight vigil at midnight (the time of most executions) in front of government buildings to pray for prisoners on death row
• Contact the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at 888/286-2237. (See the link below.)

MSJC Death Penalty Issue Team

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

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.

The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC) has information on voting from a values perspective.

Voting for the Common Good is published by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. The guide outlines principles that Catholics should consider as they make voting decisions.

Click Here for Voting for the Common Good

Voting God?s Politics is published by Sojourners. The ecumenical guide does an excellent job in identifying current social issues facing our country that should be considered by all of us who want to see Christian values reflected in our political process.

Click Here for Voting God's Politics

Jos� Luis P�rez, director of the Marianist International Volunteers, would like to share the latest MIV newsletter. The September 2006 issue includes the following:

• Current MIV volunteer stories
• MIV at the 33rd SM General Chapter in Rome
• News from the US Marianist Volunteers Program MVP.

Click below for the link to this and past MIV/VIM newsletters.

English

French

Spanish

Due to increased interest in young adult events and ministries, we are conducting a Marianist Family-wide survey for young adults between the ages of 21-40.

Before making any concrete decisions to expand, create, or offer more programs, we wish to poll folks in the 21-40 age bracket to identify their exact needs. We encourage and appreciate your participation. (Provided by Pati Krasensky and Brian F. Reavey, Co-Coordinators of the Young Adult Survey)

If you are age 21-40, please fill out the survey only once by Friday, November 10.

Click Here for the Young Adult Survey

(If this link does not work, the url for the survey is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp? u=894712654145)

A unique aspect of our Marianist charism is our genuine and heartfelt interconnect: brothers and sisters, vowed religious and lay, young and not so young, living Mary's words to "do whatever" Jesus tells us and following the grace-filled inspiration of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.

Two gatherings are about to occur that emphasize our interconnectedness as the comprehensive Family of Mary.

The World Council of the Marianist Family, comprised of representatives of the Daughters of Mary, Society of Mary, the Alliance Mariale, and International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities, will meet in Rome from November 8 to 10.

Prior to this gathering, the Leadership Team of the International Organization of MLCs will meet in Rome from November 5 to 7.

In addition, the Marianist Family Council of North America will meet in St. Louis from November 4 to 5. This Council is comprised of two members of the Daughters of Mary, two members of the Society of Mary, and two members of the Marianist Lay Network of North America.

Please keep the Leadership Team of the International Organization of MLCs and the two Family Councils in your prayers.

The Chaminade University's Marianist Educational Associates (MEAs)?see picture above?participated in a commitment ceremony on October 2, followed by a "Happy Birthday Society of Mary" celebration. The MEAs meet monthly for Mass and dinner with the Marianist Hall community and then a time of prayer and spiritual sharing.

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Yes, we had an earthquake in Hawaii; while there was definitely some damage to roads and structures on the Big Island of Hawaii, the main effects of the quake were some very anxious people (many of whom, like Father Ken Templin, SM) had never experienced an earthquake. For those of us living in Honolulu, the biggest effect was the whole island was without power and most cell phone service for 20 hours. The positive side of it all was that because it happened on a Sunday, families spent the day talking and spending time together. (Written by Kay Stone)

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Brother Jack Ventura, SM, came to Hawaii in September and had a day with current and prospective lay Marianists. Members of the two existing communities, Faith of the Heart and Ohana Kaminaka (Hawaiian for Family of Chaminade), as well as folk interested in starting a new community, attended. From this meeting, a new community is looking into starting up in West Oahu and a young adult community named ?Just Do It" will begin meeting on November 6.

?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 healing of Angela Schmidt, sister of NACMS librarian Teresa Trimboli, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. (Submitted by NACMS staff)

• In thanksgiving for another successful operation. ?I pray in thanksgiving for the skill of the doctors, the dedication of the nurses, the healing power of the human body, and the support and love of family that comes together each time I am in need. The most recent surgery (Oct. 16), to repair the lower back, is successful with no return of the infections that dogged me through past surgeries. Every day is a new experience free of pain and appreciating the marvels of God. Thanks to all for their prayers and support.? (Bob McAuliffe)

• Prayers for my nephew, John Daley, who is recovering from a fall that fractured his ankles, for my sister, Mary Daley, who has been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, and for my brother-in-law, Jack Daley, who is recovering from brain surgery. (Submitted by Brother Kevin Whelan, SM)

• For the quick recovery of my mother, Mary Helen Halderman, from knee surgery. (Submitted by Brother Brian Halderman, SM)

• Please pray for a special intention for a young woman named Kate. She is seeking God in her life, but may not yet realize that God is her answer. (Submitted by Pati Krasensky)

• For the safe and healthy birth of my grandson, Joshua, who is due to be born on Nov. 3 by Caesarian section in Honolulu. For Chaminade University's fall Awakening Retreat (Nov. 3-5), which will have 104 student participants. (Submitted by Kay Stone)

• For Tony Sullivan; Susan Adrians, SSND; Pat Underwood, CSJ; and John Bower. (Submitted by Brother Jeff Sullivan, SM)

• For all who have left the Table of the Lord, may they discover Your love in those that You send to guide them back to the Table. Also, for the health of Lucile and daughter. (Lawrence Wakaruk)

+Amen

On October 15, 2006, the Marianist Family around the world gathered for a spiritual pilgrimage with our sisters and brothers in France at the shrine of Our Lady of Verdelais, a place dear to Blessed Chaminade.

Pictures from the worldwide gatherings are located on The Marianist Family (marianist.org)

Click For the Photos