Marianist Lay Network of North America
Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA) E-Newsletter
Building a Community of Communities     

May 2009

In This Issue
Invitation to Walk
Online Courses
Marianist Volunteers
New Communities
Saying "Yes!"
Quick Links
E-news and Saying Yes Archive
 
MSJC Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
 
MEEC Marianist Environmental Education Center
 
NACMS North American Center for Marianist Studies
 
HAPPY News from Susan and Jim Vogt
 
They are proud to announce the birth of their first grandchild, Maya Vogt.
 
Good Article
 

Kay's Mission

You've probably heard the joke about the difference between a liturgist and a terrorist. Punch line: You can negotiate with a terrorist.

Kay Stone is the Director of Campus Ministry and Worship & Sacramental Preparation at Chaminade University. She's a liturgist. Kay does not fit that mold. She is also the Director of Community Development for MLNNA.
 
Kay Stone3
 
It's not like she has time for her volunteer position with MLNNA but, like many others, she believes in the mission of MLNNA. What is that mission?

Called into existence at the 1991 North American Continental Assembly, the Marianist Lay Network of North America seeks to:

  • foster relationships among Lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities
  • discern and respond to shared needs and concerns of Lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities and
  • develop effective language, processes, and structures that help Lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  • collaborate with other branches of the Marianist Family to achieve this vision
  • represent the interests of Lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities to the broader Marianist Family and to the Church

With kindness, concern and energy Kay works to keep the Area Representatives informed so that they might, in return, inform you of the Marianist activities in your area. Her efforts help accomplish this mission. She must be doing a good job. We asked for nominations to take her place in two previous newsletters and no one has come forward. We also asked for nominations for the position of Secretary. The only candidate is Susan Vogt, the current secretary. Because they are the only candidates, and have no opposition, they will be declared winners of their respective election unless someone steps forward to run.

It would be best to have an election. An election would indicate that there is interest and concern for what MLNNA is doing. It would challenge us to do better. If you have any interest at all in being a part of the Leadership Team of MLNNA please write to me, AJ at [email protected]
 
Consider our mission. Consider making it yours.
 
peace and love,
 
aj
INVITATION FROM GRAND WALKER COMMUNITY
 
 
 The Grand Walkers Community welcomes you to hike with us to Mount Saint John. The walk will start at Mary Seat of Wisdom statue at University of Dayton (between the Mariam and Virginia Kettering dormitories)
at 2:15 PM Saturday, June 6.  You may expect a scenic hike of approximately two hours eastward towards Mount Saint John along neighborhood sidewalks and bike paths.  Expect a mild pace graced with conversations of fellow hikers. The walk will end at the statue of Chaminade behind the Queen of Apostles chapel at approximately 4:30. 
 
Brother John Lemker has extended an invite to a mass at the novitiate around 5 PM and we will follow that up with a pizza picnic (cost will be your share of the pizza bill).  A free shuttle will be available to transport you back to UD. 
For RSVP and further information contact Paul Gehred at:  [email protected]
SPRING AND SUMMER - A TIME TO REFLECT AND GROW WITH MARIANIST ONLINE COURSES
VLC logo
"Look at the smallest blade of grass. Is there a human being skillful enough to make its like? Is there anyone else endowed with the power and authority to cause a grain of seed to multiply, as God does? Everything in nature sings the grandeur of God."
 (Ad�le's Letters, 3.4)
 
May 24 - Jue 27

Registration - April 21 - May 20
 Founders Walk with William Joseph Chaminade, Ad�le de Batz de Trenquell�on, and Marie Th�r�se de Lamourous as they respond to the needs of their day. Become more familiar with their personal stories, and reflect on the legacy they left for us to draw on in our times.
 
Prayer explore various "methods" or practices of prayer, including both individual and group prayer.  Notice how the Spirit of God is always working everywhere-including in our own  hearts.
 
Social Justice envision social change from a Marianist perspective through integrating William Joseph Chaminade's insights about responding to the world's needs with the realities of modern life.


July 12 - August 15
Registration - May 26 - July 8
Community Enhances your ability to form community in the Marianist spirit as you learn about the roots, expression, and unique characteristics of Marianist communities.
 
Charism Develop a deeper and broader understanding of how to live out the Marianist charism, spirituality, and mission in the wider Church and global community.
Education created specifically for Marianist educators (staff, faculty, administration), discover how to ground the characteristics of a Marianist education within the principles of Marianist spirituality while deepenng your understanding of and commitment to Mary.
 
To register please go to vlc.udayton.edu. For more information please contact Patti Gehred, Coordinator VLC Courses at [email protected] or call 937.429.2521.
 
The Marianist Volunteer Program Announces:  Two to Join Marianist Volunteer Community in Malawi
 
The Marianist Volunteer Program would like to welcome Chris Tavares and Alyson Youngpeter to the ranks of MVP! Chris and Alyson have committed to serve with the Marianist Volunteer Program in Karonga, Malawi from August 2009 to August 2011.

They will be joining Matt Meyers, Molly Heineman and Kat Brumm, who have been serving in Karonga at Chaminade Secondary School and MIRACLE since August 2008. Chris and Alyson will fill openings in the community when UD grads Sarah Wdowiak and Emily Richardson finish their two-year term of service this coming August.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for the amazing work that you do. We are so proud of you and you are always in our prayers. And welcome Chris and Alyson!   www.marianist.com/mvp.
WE ARE GROWING
                  
The Marianist Family continues to grow with the addition of two new communities from the University of Dayton. Twenty students composing the Bridges and Table communities made public commitments during Eucharistic liturgy on April 18th in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Surrounded by family and friends, religious and lay Marianists, members of these communities proclaimed:
                                                
"Called by the Spirit as members of the Table and Bridges communities, we commit to saying "yes" to God as Mary did. Like Mary, we say "yes" to bringing Christ into the world as a community that builds community. As members of the global Marianist Family, we will strive to be men and women living intentionally, strong in faith, firm in hope and constant in love...we are grateful for the gift of this charism, and we joyfully accept the task of incorporating Mary, Faith, Community, Inclusivity, and Mission into our lives."

 
 Bridges Community Apr09
The Table Community
First row: Michelle Cybulski, Gracie Pollicino, Colleen Fitzsimons, Fr. Paul Marshall
Second row: A.J. Wagner, LeeAnn Chromanics, Caitlin Cronin, Fiona Martin, Emily Klein, Joan McGuinness Wagner
Top row: Mike Sievers, David Theby 

 Table Community
The Bridges Community
Bottom row: Caitlin Jacobs, Katie Hill, Colleen Douglass, Gretchen Dyer, Patty Lehan, M.J. Pirages
Top row: Andrew Gerbetz, Lauren Hackman, Michelle Wintering, Mike McArtor

The communities are grateful for the continued prayers and support of the entire Marianist Family.
 
Editors Note
Hello friends, I caught a computer virus recently and my computer has been in the repair shop getting cleaned up for the past 2 weeks. (My whole computer has to be wiped clean and everything reloaded :<   I have had to create this edition of the newsletter remotely so it is much pared down.  Apologies as I may have missed some of the content people sent to me.
 
Deadline for submitting articles for the next newsletter will be June 8th.
 
Sincerely,
Jacqui Griswold
Communication Coordinator Marianist Lay Network of North America

Saying "Yes!"

Mary sculp 
The first Marianist Community came long before Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and Venerable Adele de Batz de Trenquellion began forming communities in nineteenth century France. The first Marianist Community actually included Mary.

It was gathered in what has become known as the Upper Room. The Apostles were there. Some women and Jesus' brothers were there. And there was Mary.

 
In the midst of this first Christian small faith community was the woman who had already experienced the Holy Spirit. Her previous "Yes!" gave her the wisdom and authority to prepare those who had yet to receive the Spirit. In the Upper Room Mary's "Yes!" was about to help generate a whole group of "Yeses!" That is how a Marianist Community works.
 
Today we come together in upper rooms, living rooms, basements, dens, kitchens, dining rooms and patios for the same reasons Mary gathered with the Apostles and others after Jesus ascended into heaven. We come together to prepare each other to catch the Spirit so that we too may go out and spread the Gospel to all nations.

Pentecost Sunday will end our Easter Season. Receiving the Spirit in community will begin our work.

peace and love,

aj