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Thanks to the following for their recent support:
Andrew and Jama Badinghaus
John Burke
Michael Gillespie
Jacqui Griswold
Jill Hilgefort
Carole King
MLNNA operates through the generosity of lay Marianists and lay Marianist communities that make up its membership. This newsletter and our support of NACMS, MSJC, and MLFI couldn't happen without your support. To make a contribution click the Donate Now button above.
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Special Upcoming Dates |
February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes | |
February 22
Ash Wednesday
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We Remember
In addition to typical practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, two elements characteristic of Lent are the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and penance.
It's a time to remember - looking back, evaluating our lives and maybe making changes for the better. As I think about baptism I recall the Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium, and the laity's inclusion as priestly people. We have tremendous responsibilities and opportunities to help build the kingdom of God.
On February 2 the Church celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It also celebrated those called to a consecrated life (see article below). For Marianists, the date coincides with the date the first sodalists consecrated themselves to Mary in 1801.
In 2009, lay Marianists from around the world - through repsentation to the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities - drafted a document identifying and clarifying the characteristics of lay Marianists. In light of all the above I thought it would be nice to remember those characteristics to which we dedicate our lives.
They are:
- Lay Marianists grow in understanding of the founders of the Marianist Family and how the Marianist charism is a gift both to the Church and to the larger world.
- Lay Marianists grow in understanding of and relationship with Mary.
- Lay Marianists help build and sustain communities of faith and hope.
- Lay Marianists embrace the mission of Jesus that is expressed in Scripture: "Do whatever He tells you."
- Lay Marianists grow to be a prophetic sign within the Church.
- Lay Marianists grow in prayer and faith.
- Lay Marianists give time and talent to the Marianist Family and give treasure to support the lay organization.
May our Lenten journey include time for remembering. What does it mean to be Catholic? What does it mean to be Marianist? To learn more about the above characteristics see our MLNNA Brochure.
Peace and Love,
Matt Dunn
Editor
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Community Highlight - Anawim
The Anawim Community, Cincinnati, recently hosted Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch, a UD senior who will be embarking on a year of service in Otuzco, Peru this May. She will be living with a Marianist Lay Community that lives there at the Pastoral Center and be doing biological water testing and pastoral ministry with this community. In addition to learning about Caitlin's project she is seeking donations to cover her travel and health insurance. We fed her (and ourselves) - see the omnipresent food in the photo - and gave her donations.
Front: Ken Palisin, Lita Sharone, Mary Repaske, Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch, Jim Young
2nd row: Susan Vogt, Gail Miller, Frances Wolfe-Bertling, Glenn Miller, Sidney Johnson, Debbie Young, Gerry Hessling
Back row: Jim Vogt, Giancarlo Bonutti SM, Aaron Wolfe-Bertling, Jeff Campbell
Missing: Dan Breetz, Judy Gerwe, Deb & Aaron Milavec
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Celebration of Consecrated Life Coincides with Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
On February 2 the Catholic church celebrated The Day of Consecrated Life which coincides with the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple because that evangelical episode "is an important symbol of the gift of life made by people who, through the evangelical counsels, are called to demonstrate before the Church and the world the characteristic traits of Jesus: virgin, poor, obedient, consecrated in the Father. What we celebrate in today's feast, then, is the mystery of consecration: the consecration of Christ, the consecration of Mary, the consecration of all those who follow Jesus for love of God's Kingdom".
As the world-wide church celebrated consecrated life and the Presentation of the Lord, the Marianist Family recalled the first Sodalists who consecrated their lives to Mary in 1801. What a blessing! |
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Featured Links
With Lent a few weeks away it's possible you haven't really started thinking about it. To help you plan ahead here are some resources to consider. Some don't have a specific Lenten section up yet but if you visit the sites often, you're bound to see frequent updates!
American Catholic
Bread for the World (resources for prayer, fasting, almsgiving)
Busted Halo (has an annual Lenten calendar with daily reflections and suggestions)
Catholic Relief Services- Operation Rice Bowl
Susan Vogt's Blog (following her Lenten journey to do the Natoinal Food Stamp Challenge to eat on $4.50 a day)
US Catholic
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
If you have your own suggestions please share them with us on our Facebook page! |
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Opportunities
CAMPUS MINISTRY GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS. The University of Dayton is accepting applications for campus ministry graduate assistantships for students pursuing master's degrees in theology or pastoral ministry. Applications are due March 1. Email Kelly Adamson for more information.
The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative (MLFI) is accepting applications and referrals for its 2012 formation program which begins with a retreat in April. If you, or someone you know, would like to know more about the Marianist charism or about sustaining or starting a lay community please follow the link for more information.
The Marianist Manna program initiated by the Edgar and Nassau Street communities in Dayton is continuing its potluck and discussion series. The next gathering is Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. at 104 Edgar Avenue. To RSVP or learn more contact Caitlin Cronin Bennett or 513-509-6988. The next date is April 12. |
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Share Your Stories!
Don't be the proverbial lamp under the bushel basket! 
We'd love to feature a new/different community or even an individual lay Marianist in each issue of the newsletter. As a community of communities we want to remember and celebrate that we are all companions on this journey inspired by Fr. Chaminade, Adele, and Marie Therese. If you have a prayer service to share, meeting topic suggestions, stories about social experiences or service projects please let us know!! If you know a lay Marianist doing great things let us know so we can give them a shout out! You can send stories and pictures to laymarianist@gmail.com to be included in our newsletter!
Thanks for reading to the end! |
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