The beginning of the year not only reminds us to rekindle our lives and to challenge ourselves for growth but also to be thankful for what has been. For the Marianist Family, this includes gratitude for our very foundation . . . the essence of us being a Catholic religious movement inspired by the lives of Jesus and Mary.

It is fitting that toward the beginning of this new year, 2007, we honor those who have created and passed along our spiritual charism: Blessed Chaminade and Venerables Marie Th�r�se and Ad�le.

Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, stated it eloquently at the recent Chaminade Day celebration in Dayton when she said of them: ?A priest, a lay woman, and a teenage girl?brought together in a time of national crisis?were people of great heart. As different as they were, they worked together and formed profound friendships, respected one another even when they disagreed, and relied on one another for emotional support, insight, and practical help with setting up the communities that each one of them was tied to.?

As we celebrate the anniversary of the first consecration of the sodalists of Bordeaux (February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord), in many ways the birthday of the Marianist Family, let us rejoice for what they have given, be inspired by their example, and live the Gospel by presenting Christ to the world.

?Daniel M. Jordan, MLNNA E-News Editor

The Marianist Family Council of North America invites you to join in praying this common prayer on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the anniversary of the first consecration of members of the Bordeaux Sodality in 1801.

Prayer of the Marianist Family

God of all time, all people, all places, You called us to witness the depth of your love through the shared vision of Blessed Chaminade, Ad�le, and Marie Th�r�se.

Through the grace of God and inspiration of Mary, they understood the profound role of small church community in creating a more compassionate and just society.

Like our predecessors, we ask you to bless our efforts in building community, the essential context of all things Marianist, so that the gospel may be lived fully in the most ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.

Indeed, we are empowered by Mary, our model of liberation and courage. Led by Mary, affirmed by Marianists throughout time, one with all members of the Marianist Family gracing the planet today, we say confidently, ?Yes, God of history! Yes, God of life!?

Se�or de todo tiempo, de toda persona y de todo lugar, T� nos llamaste a ser testigos de la profundidad de Tu amor por medio de la visi�n compartida del Beato Chaminade, Adela, y Mar�a Teresa. Por la gracia de Dios y la inspiraci�n de Mar�a comprendieron el rol profundo que tiene la peque�a comunidad cristiana en la creaci�n de una sociedad m�s compasiva y justa.

Como quienes nos precedieron, te pedimos que bendigas nuestros esfuerzos para formar comunidad, el contexto esencial de todo lo Marianista, para que vivamos el Evangelio a plenitud en todas las ocasiones ordinarias y extraordinarias.

De hecho estamos fortalezidos por Mar�a, nuestro modelo de valor y de liberaci�n. Guiados por Mar�a, afirmados por los marianistas a trav�s de los tiempos, en uni�n a todos los miembros de la Familia Marianista en el mundo de hoy, decimos confiadamente, ?S�, Se�or de la historia, S�, Se�or de la vida.?

Dieu de tous les temps, de tous les peuples, de tous les lieux, tu nous invites � �tre t�moins des profondeurs de ton amour � travers la vision que nous ont transmise le Bx Chaminade, Ad�le et Marie-Th�r�se. Avec la gr�ce de Dieu et sous l?inspiration de Marie, ils ont compris l?importance des petites communaut�s d?Eglise pour faire advenir une soci�te plus compatissante et plus juste.

Daign nous b�nir, comme tu as b�ni ceux qui nous ont pr�c�d�s, dans nos efforts pour faire communaut�?le noeud focal de la vie marianiste?pour que l?Evangile puisse �tre v�cu en pl�nitude aussi bien dans les moments les plus ordinaires que les plus exceptionnels.

Car Marie, notre mod�le de lib�ration et de courage nous en a confi� le mandat.

Guid�s par Marie, affermis par les marianistes au cours des �ges, unis aux membres de la Famille marianiste du monde entier nous disons avec confiance: ?Oui, Dieu de l?histoire! Oui, Dieu de la vie!?

Maria Mergler, a member of the recently- created Branches Community, shares her reflection on the community?s first retreat since members took the vow of stability and "branched out" from the University of Dayton to distant locales. Perhaps Maria's words will bring back memories of when your community was finding its own identity after a time of transition.

The University of Dayton?s Office of Campus Ministry is seeking faith-filled applicants willing to share their experience of God with others.

Gain campus ministry experience while pursuing a master?s degree in theology or pastoral ministry. Positions are available in Retreats, Faith Development, Residence Life Ministry, and the Center for Social Concern. Graduate Assistants build community and offer undergraduates the opportunity to grow personally and spiritually through planning spiritual and social programs, directing retreats, advising and encouraging participation in service clubs and faith and justice activities, and providing pastoral support.

Tuition, stipend, and housing are provided. See the link below for application or contact Crystal Sullivan, 937-229-2574, for more information.

Applications are due March 1.

Dear Moderators and Friends of the Marianists:

LIFERegistration paperwork for our 2007 summer programs is now available online (see link below).

Similar to last year, information will not be mailed to you or your institution. Therefore, you must download and photocopy all of the information for you, your administration, your participating moderators, or your students. Please note these important dates:

• March 15, 2007 ... Pre-registration forms (# of students and moderators) and deposits are due to the national office in Philadelphia
• April 15, 2007 ... All moderator and student registration forms are due to the national office
• May 15, 2007 ... Final payment due to the national office (checks made payable to Marianist Province )

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Administrative Assistant, Marie Wyman, at marianistlife@sm- usa.org.

Peace,

Brian F. Reavey

The Vocation Office for the Society of Mary?s Province of the United States announces a retreat for those involved in the visual arts. The retreat is scheduled for February 16 to February 18, 2007, at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center in Eureka, Missouri.

Invited to attend are Marianist artists, practicing artists, committed high school or college art students, art teachers in our high schools and colleges, and those interested in promoting the Marianist artist vocation.

To register or for more information, e-mail Brother Charles Johnson, SM, at cjohnson@sm-usa.org or call 314.533.1207.

[Left to right, Brian Reavey (Marianist LIFE), Isabella Moyer (International Org. of MLCs), Marge Cavanaugh (MLNNA), Bro. Tom Giardino, SM (International Center for Marianist Formation), Bro. Mike O'Grady, SM (Office of Religious Life), Carol Ramey (NACMS), and Joan McGuinness Wagner (former director of Lay Formation Initiative). Not pictured are Bro. Jack Ventura, SM (Office of Religious Life) and Pati Krasensky (CMSC).]

The recently formed ?Alliance for Marianist Lay Formation? gathered in Dayton, Ohio, the weekend of December 1-3, 2006, to help discern the future of lay formation in the Marianist Family. The meeting was convened and sponsored by the Society of Mary's Office of Religious Life.

?God speaks to us, I would say, much more often than we realize or than we choose to realize. Before the sun sets every evening, he speaks to each of us in an intensely personal and unmistakable way. His message is not written out in starlight, which in the long run would make no difference; rather, it is written out for each of us in the humdrum, helter- skelter events of each day; it is a message that in the long run might just make all the difference.

Who knows what he will say to me today or to you today or into the midst of what kind of unlikely moment he will choose to say it. Not knowing is what makes today a holy mystery as every day is a holy mystery.?

Frederick Buechner, Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2006), p. 19.

[Editor's Note: Queen of Apostles Community, a Marianist parish in Dayton, Ohio, was recently featured in The Catholic Telegraph, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.]

Marianist Community Tries New Approach

By Lenore Christopher

DAYTON DEANERY - At Queen of Apostles Community (QAC) Parish, on the campus of Bergamo Center/Mount St. John in Dayton, similar to other churches, parishioners are being encouraged to take more responsibility for the operation of their community.

But unlike other churches, whose parishioners may share a pastor with another congregation, Queen of Apostles has four priests for its community of about 210 families.

?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.

• In gratitude for the birth of Ethan Daniel (see above), grandson of NACMS staff member Joyce Daniel. (Submitted by NACMS staff)



• For the repose of the soul of Sister Rose Marie Eggleston, FMI, who died at 94 in San Antonio, Texas.



• Please pray for Patrick F., a friend who had a double stroke. He is now recuperating from brain surgery. Please pray for his recuperation and his family's continued strength, faith, and hope. Patrick is 36 and has two children. (Submitted by Tricia Kelly Keener)



• Please pray for John Wagner who has a heart problem. Doctors are having trouble treating it. (Submitted by Val Bergeron)



• For Father Matt Kohmescher, SM, known to many at the University of Dayton as "Fr. Fuzzy" or "Fr. Beanie" because of his trademark red and blue beanie. May God grant him grace as he deals with cancer of the lungs and brain. (Submitted by the UD Community)



• For Donna Bergquist, who is being treated for problems with her eyes. She is in need of surgery; because of other health issues, doctors have been unable to operate. She has been living mostly indoors because of her health problems. (Submitted by Val Bergeron)



• Lay Marianist Janet Krumm, from New Hampshire, has experienced a setback in her recovery from abdominal cancer and is starting a new round of chemotherapy. May the members of the Marianist Family keep her in prayer. (Submitted by Sr. Laura Leming, FMI)



• Please pray for Ross Maguire, facilitator for the Marianist Family of Mary in South Australia and a former member of the former Cincinnati Province, who is in the terminal stages of cancer, and for his family. (Submitted by Mary Gorgette)



• Please pray for the repose of the soul of Alice Buckley, mother-in-law of lay Marianist Susan Buckley of Dublin, and for the family. (Submitted by Mary Gorgette)



• I would like the Marianist community to raise up Dan Sherman, the brother of Sr. Sally Sherman?executive director of Mercy Connections where I minister. He is battling lung cancer at this time. (Submitted by Bob Wiethorn, SM)

• For Louis, Paullette, and family. (Submitted by Lawrence Wakaruk)



• For the aunt of Ben Dougherty (NACMS intern) who is recovering from cancer surgery. (Submitted by NACMS staff)



• Prayers are needed for a young adult facing important life decisions. May God's presence be with her and her family. (Submitted by a loving relative)



• For the healing of Sr. Audrey Buttner, FMI, who is recovering from lung surgery.



• For the continued healing of Jakob Burdick's ears. (Submitted by Dan Jordan)

+ Amen

Please pray for the members of the Marianist Lay Network of North America's Leadership Team, who will be meeting in Greater Cincinnati from February 16-18.