SAYING YES
Marianist Reflection
May 2008
Presentation Prayer, Counsel and Experience 

by AJ Wagner, President of Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA)



When seeking the will of God, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade recommended prayer, counsel and experience. By "experience" Chaminade meant that, among the Brothers, the older ones should listen to the experience of the younger ones and vice versa.


So here's what the younger ones have to say. Chris "Marv" Nieport, a member of the Branches Community and a twenty something recently wrote:

I believe deeply that community is the essential context of the entire Christian life, and so of course of all things Marianist.  And I think the international, bottom-up movements of small church communities that the Holy Spirit has initiated all through the church are something the Marianist Charism can say something valuable to and learn something from.  Even before I knew Marianists existed, I came to understand that if we're all made in the image of God, we can get closer to God by becoming closer to one-another in genuine, loving, communal relationships.

            Parishes in the US are being consolidated all over the place; they are becoming less personal, less challenging, less comforting, less mission-oriented places.  Many Marianist Lay Communities are not parish affiliated, and there is nothing wrong with that.  But I think we as Marianists have something very valuable to offer our parishes: experience and wisdom on how to operate small church communities that are personal, challenging, comforting, and mission-oriented. 

 

As if she heard Marv, Sara Durand wrote about the New York City/New Jersey Young Adult Community, on the occasion of their second anniversary:

 

Throughout the past year we have continued our 'study' and discussion through the "Growing in the Virtues of Jesus" book as well as incorporated the "Things Marianist" booklets into the discussion the past 3 months.  We have been looking and learning more about what it means to be a Marianist community specifically.  Many of us participated on the Young Working Adult Retreat in Cape May Point in February and plan on going to the newly added one for June.  Also, we are in the very early stages of planning an Adele weekend here in the NYC area.  And to start the year we made a group donation to MLNNA.  All of these things have continued to nurture our group and build a strong foundation for the following years to come. 

 

This is the experience of the young ones. We, the old ones, must listen.

Contact Info
If you would like information about the Marianist Family visit the website of Marianist Lay Network of North AmericaThe Society of Mary,  Marianist Sisters or The Marianist Family. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Marianist Family, e-mail AJ.

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Jacqui Griswold
MLNNA Communication Coordinator