Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA)

Marianist Lay Network of North America

Building a Community of Communities
 
September 2009
 


Start Your Day with a Daily Gospel Meditation from
Father Bert Buby SM
Bible
   
 
 
Link to the blog for  his S
cripture Reflections. 
http://scripme
d.blogspot.com


Quicklinks
MLNNA Website (under construction)

E-News (this document) and Saying Yes Archive

Please Pray for the Healing of

Betsy Rickter
Richard Csarny

"Before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear."
Isaiah 65:24



Support for MLNNA

Network for Good
Donations to the Marianist Lay Network of North America can be sent electronically through this link to Network for Good.

Your contributions support this publication. We want to do more but our funds our limited.

Here's a waste of time.
   Enjoy ;>


      WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Marianist love is in the air!!

Here's how Rick Monnier of the Summons Communtiy describes his proposal to Holly DeHaven of the Wellspring Community.

So yesterday, Holly was singing at a wedding and later at the evening mass so I met up with her at the wedding.  After Mass we were planning on going down to UD to hang out, and it was driving Holly crazy because I told her that hadn't really planned anything yet, I called it planned spontaneity.  So when we got to campus we took a walk and went to Serenity Pines to pray. We sat on the bench right in front of Mary Louise Stuart (who after death was left to the care of the Marianists and her parents' farm became UD), we used to pray there a lot when we were students.  We prayed for a little bit; I prayed that we would continue to keep God in
Holly_DeHaven_Rick_Monnierour relationship, I thanked God for the blessing of Holly, then I turned to Holly and said we have had a really great today and I want to make it a little better. Then I got on a knee, pulled out the ring, and said Holly Jo DeHaven will you marry me. Then for the next 20 seconds Holly was somewhere between laughing and crying but she did say yes.

 
Here are more engagement announcements from young Marianists:

Brad Lawson and Chelsea Korfel
Brad_Lawson_ChelseaKorfel
Ken Barrett and Allison McCarthy
Ken_Barrett_Allison_McCarthy


And there have been some weddings this summer too!!


Betsy Rickter
Betsy_Steve
Jill Lammers and Kyle Hilgefort
Jill_Lammers_Kyle_Hilgefort







Leslie Cibula and Eric Barrett
Affiliates Oct08

Eric Eble and Andrea Padgett
Eric_Eble_Andrea_Padgett

Bless all of you! There are undoubtedly more engagements, more weddings, more births, and more life-changing events. Let us know so we can share the prayer.
 

peace and love,

aj  



ONLINE SHOPPING

Every time you shop online at your favorite stores you could be saving money and earning a donation for MLNNA.
good search
Our new toolbar, developed by GoodSearch & GoodShop takes just a few seconds to download.  More than 1,300 top stores including Apple, Best Buy, Gap, PetSmart, and Staples are pitching in and will donate a percentage of each sale to our organization. There's no extra cost to you and you may even save money as the merchants are providing us thousands of money-saving coupons!

The GoodSearch toolbar also includes a search box which is powered by Yahoo!  Each time you search the web, about a penny is donated to us!

There's no easier way to help MLNNA.  Please spread the word!

Here's a link to the new toolbar for more information
http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/



MLNNA Leadership Team Meeting

UD The MLNNA Leadership will be meeting at Alumni Hall on the campus of the University of Dayton the weekend of September 25 - 27.

If you have any items you wish to see discussed or if you would like to attend the meeting please contact A.J. Wagner at [email protected] for more detail. All are welcome in body and in spirit. Prayers are appreciated.

 
Also please pray for our Hawaiian MLCs as they meet this weekend. Besides prayer, reflection and rejuvenation they will be putting some final touches to the planning for our Continental Assembly this coming July 23 - 25, 2010 at Chaminade University. We hope you can join our Hawaiian communities for a wonderful spiritual weekend in Honolulu this Summer.
SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT
FOR MARIANIST

 

Sponsored by The Rector's Office of The University of Dayton and
The North American Center for Marianist Studies

A workshop for those seeking ways to deepen a community's under-standing of itself and to assist the community's movement toward the fullness of what it can be and do.

OCTOBER 31, 2009
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
DAYTON, OHIO
MOUNT ST. JOHN, MARIANIST HALL,
MARIANIST FAMILY ROOM

WHY ATTEND?
As new Marianist communities form and established communities mature, accompaniment by an objective but invested individual will deepen the life of a community, strengthen interdependence with the wider Marianist Family and encourage outreach and service.

THE GOALS OF THE WORKSHOP ARE TO:
  • Define spiritual accompaniment. How does this role fit with other dynamics of a community?
  • Delve into how individuals interested in spiritual accompaniment learn to recognize what is needed, what to do, and when to do it.
  • Explore the benefits for a community with spiritual accompaniment.
  • Articulate the value for the wider Marianist Family of spiritual accompaniment in each community.
The day will include presentations, case studies, and interaction with people experienced and knowledgeable about the gifts and impact of Marianist community.

Cost for the workshop is $30.00, including lunch

To Register, email [email protected]
by October 15, 2009
More Information? Contact Carol Ramey, [email protected], or 937.429.2521

Limited Housing is available in Marianist Community houses. Contact Eileen Maloney , 937.229.2409

Speakers Include:

                              Carol Ramey,
                              Director of the North American Center for Marianist Studies

Carol_RameyTom_Piper

Brother Tom Pieper, SM
Campus Minister, Stuart Hall, University of Dayton


Joan McGuinness Wagner,
Director of Marianist Strategies, Office of the Rector, University of Dayton

JoanMcGuinnessWagnerTomGiardino

Brother Tom Giardino, SM
Executive Director of the International Center for Marianist Formation

 


GREEN TIPS
Green Tips brought to you by the Mt. St. John Green Team

Shorter days and crimson leaves are trumpeting the change of seasons. Here are some tips to help save energy as we turn off the air conditioners and think about turning up the thermostats.

1)    Filters:  Change or clean filters from air conditioner, heater, dryer vents, stove hood and room fans monthly, or as needed.
2)    Roof: Check roof, vents, skylights, chimneys for leaks. Repair as needed.
3)    Windows and doors: Get out that caulking gun and reseal around windows and doorframes as needed. Replace seals as needed.
4)    Faucets: Check faucets in bathrooms and the kitchen and replace washers as needed. Make sure there is no water in your outside hose and remove from outdoor faucets to prevent freezing.
5)    Hot water heater: Drain water and remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

For more tips on preparing your home for the change of seasons go to planetgreen 

Go to http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org to be a part of the solution.

 


PRAYING THE ROSARY WITH THE SMILING POPE

    While some misinterpreted the Second Vatican Council as downgrading devotion to Our Lady, Bishop Albino Luciani of Vittorio Veneto, Italy (later Pope John Paul I), was concerned about his people that no longer prayed the rosary.  He continued to promote devotion to Our Lady and to the rosary.  But he urged more than superficial devotion.

    At times Bishop Luciani he was approached by simple faithful who asked him out of pious curiosity what title of Our Lady he liked best.  Without satisfying their curiosity he would reply with a twinkle in his eye, "If you would let me give you some advice, may I suggest that you have devotion to Our Lady of the Pots and Pans, or Our Lady of the Broom.  You see, Our Lady became a saint as a simple housewife, washing the dishes, preparing meals, peeling the potatoes, or things like that."

    "What I was trying to tell them," he explained to his priests, "was that, yes, they should have great devotion to Our Lady, they must pray to her and have great confidence in her, but above all, they must imitate her virtues."

    Albino Luciani, now affectionately remembered as "The Smiling Pope" and recognized as a superb catechist, loved the rosary and was frequently seen with it in his hands.  In 1972 he wrote, "The rosary becomes a look at Mary, which grows in intensity little by little as one proceeds.  It ends by being a refrain which springs from the heart and when repeated sweetens the soul like a song.  When I speak with God and Our Lady, I prefer to think myself a child rather than a grown-up.  The miter, the zucchetto, the ring disappear.  I send the grown-up on vacation, and the bishop with him, and abandon myself to the spontaneous tenderness that a child has for its papa and mama.  To be for a while before God as I am in reality, with the worst of myself and the best of myself; to let rise to the surface from the depths of my being the child I once was, who wants to laugh, to chatter, to love the Lord, and who sometimes feels the need to cry so that he may be shown mercy, helps me to pray.  The rosary, a simple and easy prayer, helps me to be a child, and I am not ashamed at all."  

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2009

 
MESSAGE TO THE MARIANIST FAMILY
Presentation of the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace of Fatima Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

World Day of PrayerMary Wanda
October 11, 2009

PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR THE MARIANIST WORLD DAY OF PRAYER AT THE MARIAN SHRINE OF THE DEM. REP. CONGO
 "Our Lady of Fatima"


  • Let us pray for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that the war, all the violent acts, the injustices, the marginalization of those who are the victims of political intolerance, may cease; and let us pray that the blood of the sons and daughters of this land may be brought to the heavenly altar through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
  • Let us pray for the spread of the Marianist charism in the Democratic
  • Republic of the Congo; that each branch may work together and deepen their reflection on the charism through their commitment and activity in the Church and in Society.
  • Let us pray for the resolutions of the 5th International Meeting of the Marianist Lay Communities, that all the challenges for the future in no way discourage the new International Team but encourage all to look to Jesus through the intervention of the Virgin Mary.
  • Let us pray for the canonization of Blessed Chaminade: Give us O Lord, visible signs of his holiness and grant your grace to those who are in need of help, through his intercession, so that by following his example we will know how to welcome and serve Jesus and make him loved by the people of our times.
  • Let us pray for the Marianist Family that these four branches live and grow in unity on the foundation of their particular Marianist vocation and be supported in resisting those all too human temptations to disunity.
  • Let us pray for vocations in each of the branches of the Family: that Our Lady of Fatima may obtain for us the courage to offer the call to those around us, certain that the harvest is abundant and only workers are lacking.
  • Let us pray for all those who, throughout the world, are united with us in prayer and confidence in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary: that this time spent in communion may
    renew us in our vocation to serve the Church
    and the world.



MARIANIST ON-LINE COURSES


Autumn - A Time for Casting Seeds

Signs of Blessings

Why not take some time this autumn to collect seeds of knowledge about the blessings of Marianist life in one of our Marianist Virtual Learning Community Courses?
(These courses are offered by NACMS in collaboration with the UD-VLCFF program).
The following courses will be offered from
October 18-November 21, 2009.

Go to vlc.udayton.edu to register from
September 1-October 14, 2009.

Marianist Studies: Founders
Explore the spirit-filled lives of the Marianist founders and discover ways their stories inspire our lives today.

Marianist Studies: Prayer
Enhance your personal prayer life as we reflect on the Marianist Spiritual Journey together.

Marianist Studies: Justice
Have you been feeling nudged by the Spirit to become more active in Social Justice? Learn how the Marianist Founders responded to the Spirit and how we can continue their legacy today.

Marianist Studies: Leadership
Being a positive, collaborative, and purposeful leader is more important than ever in these tough economic times. Join us as we find ways to develop the gifts of Marianist Leadership.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 937.429.2521.

CALLING ALL MARIANISTS!

 We are currently in the planning stages for the next gathering of the
Marianist Lay Formation Initiative
the weekend of April 9-11 2010.

Do you know anyone who may be interested in deepening their 
commitment to Marianist life through forming a Marianist Lay Community?

Are you currently in a community that could use a little boost?
Need a way to re-energize your community?

Are you someone who may like to be involved with our mentorship program for new communities?    Have I got an offer for you!

Call me at 215-634-4116, for more information,
Or visit our website at www.marianist.com/mlfi.
I'd love to talk with you!
    Pati Krasensky-Director
    [email protected]

Enter the Upper Room . . .
The roots of Marianist lay communities trace back to the "upper room,"
where the first Christian community gathered after Jesus' Ascension
(Acts 1:13). Fr. Chaminade's mission to rechristianize France began with
small communities of faith patterned after these first disciples.

The Marianist Family Council invites you to enter the upper room
experience through the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative (MLFI). This
one-year program supports laity who are passionate about the Marianist
charism and desire to spread the Marianist spirit in their area.


Called to Mission...

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth."

(Acts 1:8)
                            
SAYING "YES!"

We call them "pooh berries." While others are looking up at autumn leaves that change colors, enjoying the splendor of our magnificent God, in our neighborhood we are looking down. We don't want to step on a pooh berry. When a pooh berry is squished it smells like pooh. This is not a pleasant odor to drag into your car or house.
 
Thus we have a somewhat different perspective on Autumn. Looking down we not only find pooh berries, but we also find acorns, maple seeds, and other beginnings waiting for the chance to take hold and grow.
 
For us, autumn is not a time of death as trees are stripped bare. Autumn, looking at the seeds, reminds us of hope and the new life to come.These seeds remind us of a Christ who died and returned after three days. They also remind us of a Christ who is to come again.
 
Few of the seeds will have a chance to take root and grow. Most will be washed away, raked up, mowed over or killed by lawn chemicals. But some will make it and we don't know which ones.
 
God must look down at us this same way. Who will be swept into the sin that can destroy our lives? Which of us will grow? Who among us will carry the hope of the second coming?
 
I suggest to you that it is those who, like Mary, say "Yes!"

peace and love,
aj

Editor's Note
Your MLNNA Leadership team will be meeting in Dayton the weekend of Sept 25-27th.  This is the once a year face to face meeting when we review what has been acheived and discuss our plans for the next year.  I welcome your ideas for this E-news monthly newsletter.  I want to provide information and news you can use.   What other things do you think we could do?  The Marianist Lay Network exist to connect you with resources to support you and/or your local community.   Please pray that the Spirit will be with your leadership team as we come together.

NEXT MONTH'S E-NEWS
Submit an article about the news from your community. 
Keep copy short and describe who, what, why, when and how.  Deadline for the next E-news is  Oct. 12th. 
 If possible provide a digital picture (
JPEG format 100 - 900K) with your news story.  Send to Jacqui Griswold, MLNNA editor

JOYFUL NEWS?  Do you want to share a big event in your life?  New job, new baby, or recovery from an illness.  You can submit any information for the E-news Click here
PRAYER REQUEST?  Submit a request for community prayers to the E-news here.


Thanks for reading to the end.