MLNNA
Marianist Lay Network of North America

               
E-News

February
2008


MLNNA President's Message   AJ Wagner

Dear Fellow Marianists;
 
Saturday, February 2nd, was the anniversary of the consecration of the first Sodality in Bordeaux. There were twelve members of that sodality who committed themselves to this Marianist Mission that we share. That brings to mind this passage from the Gospel;
 
 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.  Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:16-20)
 
I don't know that Jesus ever said "Thank you" to the apostles for their difficult commitment. Perhaps Jesus' love for them spoke all the gratitude they needed. But I want to recognize, on this anniversary, all of the time, talent, and treasure you give to the detriment of your loved ones in order to pursue this Marianist Mission that we share.
 
Because we can never stop loving God there is more to do. But for this moment, take a breath and accept the gratitude that comes from God in the form of God's unending love.
 
peace and love,
aj
Editor's Note
Spider web
  I want this newsletter to be read and valuable to all the Marianists in North America.  Let me know what types of 'news' you find interesting and beneficial.  It is through the linkage of the individual strands that the spider builds a strong web.  Likewise, it through the links that the members of the Marianist family form that provides resources, encouragement, ideas, and motivation for us to continue the work of Mary to bring Christ to the world.
Peace,  
Jacqui Griswold
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Community Spotlight
Nazareth Feb08

Februrary 2008

Nazareth Community,
Dayton OH

By Maryilyn Schwiterman

We of Nazareth just celebrated our Seventeenth anniversary in December.  It is hard to imagine that we have been together so long.  Of course, there have been changes in our membership.   People do move away from Dayton, especially the novices that have been with us.

Currently we are about to have another planning session for the next six or so months, but there are some things that we try to do continually.  One is a special attention to the growth and sustenance of Marianist lay communities.  In February we have invited the Nassau St. Community to join us for a meeting so that we can get to know each other.  This is a new community of Marianist young people who live in community.  In June, we will have our annual retreat weekend at Governor's Island and the Queen of Apostles Marianist Lay Community will join us for prayer, meals and a Sunday morning session.  We helped this community get started, so we have a strong relationship with them.

Our community is changing as we grow older and some of us have retired.  This of course causes some absence from meetings as people travel.  That is the bad news, the good news is we share new experiences of travel with one another and we realize how we miss each other when we are gone - whether we are the ones traveling or staying at home.  The other good news is the retirees enjoy getting together and going out for breakfast.

We also maintain a connection with the Prayer Vigils at the site of murders in the Dayton area.  We are notified of the services and when anyone is able, they attend.  When not attending we join in prayer at home.
Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
MSJC

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Please Pray for

* for the brother of Kevin Whelan, SM, Fr. Dennis J. Whelan, a priest serving St. Catherine of Sienna parish on L.I., who is having hip replacement and for his sister, Mary Daley,who has cancer and her husband, Jack, who is recuperating from brain surgery.

*Please pray for a special intention of Fr. [email protected] through the intercession of Blessed Chaminade.

* Korean sister is asking for novena to Mother Adele for the cure of her brother who has an advanced case of cancer.

*
Jeannie Perry (member of Grand Walkers) regarding issues with her vision.

Click here to send a prayer request for next month's E-news

 
Exemplify the Marianist Spirit

 Joan McGuinness Wagner invites so many students over for lunches, dinners and socials that she had to turn her living room into a dining room. She exemplifies the Marianist spirit of hospitality and inclusiveness.
UD Story
 
Dayton LENTEN EVENING PRAYER

Lent 2008 Dayton


                   

In This Issue
Community Spotlight
Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
Prayer Request
Marianist Spirit
Lenten Evening Prayer
NACMS Book
Peace Prayer
NACMS Book
Growing in the Virtues of Jesus
By Jacqui Griswold

Growing in the Virtues of Jesus by Quentin Hakenewerth, SM

Last month I talked about using the Marianist System of Virtues with my local faith sharing group.  Here is another of the resource books on this topic available from NACMS.  Below is an excerpt from Chapter 20 on Detachment:

"I heard a tremendous crash in the street outside of our religious community.  I dashed to the window and saw that a beautiful Cadillac had just crashed into four parked cars on the other side of the street.  As a fellow Brother bounded downstairs to the window, I said with a certain feeling of cheerful excitement:  "That drunk just wrecked his beautiful black Cadillac and the cars of four other people."  The Brother said: "Gee, I parked our car across the street last night."  The bottom fell out of my heart!  My mirth turned to panic and consternation.  I was attached to our car, but completely detached from the other five."

Quick Links

It is better to light one candle.... 
peace candle

     






Take a minute to pray for peace every Friday night at 9 PM.

"O my God, my heart is too small to love You.  But I will see to it that You are loved by so many hearts that their love will make up for the littleness of mine." 

Adele de Batz
de Trenquelleon (1789-1828)