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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
Mary Koenke
Fr. Al McMenamy, SM
Pueblo Marianist Affiliates (Colorado)
Brian Reavey
Marceta Reilly
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. |
| Special Upcoming Dates |
May 13 Mother's Day May 20
Feast of the Ascension (observed) | |
May 27
Pentecost
May 28
Memorial Day
May 31
Feast of the Visitation
June 3
Holy Trinity
June 10
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ |
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What did Elizabeth and John Know?
On May 31 we celebrate the feast of the Visitation. We hear that upon Mary visiting Elizabeth, John leapt in her womb and Elizabeth proclaimed with joy, 'blessed art thou and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Mary responds with her canticle, the Magnificat.
We often talk about how we, like Mary, are to be bearers of Christ in the world. Do others see in us what Elizabeth saw in Mary?
In his book, "Our Marianist Heritage," Fr. Joseph Stefanelli SM reminds us that we each have the vocation not just of bringing Christ into the world but of becoming Christ. He also says,
"It follows, then from this vocation to be Christ and to reproduce Christ today, that it is important and necessary that the community itself reproduces Christ...This means the perfection of our life does not consist simply in each of one of us, individually, trying to be Jesus Christ. That is not enough. The community itself must somehow be Christ." (p.45)
What do others see in us? Do they see us like Elizabeth saw Mary carrying Christ into the world? Do they see us as Christ? In addition to our personal lives and apostolates, do others see our communities witnessing to the presence of Christ in the world today? Are our communities simply a place where people come together or do we come together with a shared vocation to be Jesus Christ?
As we embody Christ and bring him alive in today's world, let us enjoy this inspiration as we look to Mary as our model.
 | | Blessed Art Thou - Blessed One (Happy Mother's Day) |
and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! |
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Community Highlight - Marianist Lay Community of Cleveland
These pictures of the meeting of the Marianist Lay
Community of Cleveland were taken on Saturday, April 21, 2012. At that meeting the community processed the "Catholics Vote for the Common Good for Election 2012." The community also celebrated the birthday of Katy Schunter one of its members. It meets two times a month in the rectory of St. Aloysius Church and is presently using the book "Growing in the Virtues of Jesus" by Fr. Hakenewerth, SM.
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Marianist Lay Formation
The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative met for its 7th opening retreat in Dayton Ohio the weekend of April 27-29. 13 participants joined together from around the United States and Canada to grow deeper in our Marianist Charism in order to articulate and share that Charism with others in the form of Marianist Lay Communities. They were joined by Bro Tom Giardino and Danielle Weidner (NACMS Intern).
Pictured from Left-Right:
Front row - Urania Carvalho, Colleen O'Grady, Pam petty, Marta Almeida, Stephen Tumolo; Behind Couch: Gracie Pollicino, Danielle Weidner, Sarita Sankey,Malorie Chong, Gayle Burgher, Crystal Valencia; Back Row: Noel Stranen, Lulu Lulu, Jr., Pati Krasensky, Susan Kovach.
The group will continue to meet 'virtually' for the next 10 months to continue to explore how to build and sustain MLC's. A closing retreat will take place in San Antonio in Feb 2013.
If you'd like information about this program please contact Pati Krasensky, Director of Marianist Lay Formation Initiative at pkrasensky@sm-usa.org, or visit the webpage www.maranist.org/mlfi
The MLFI is sponsored by the Marianist Family Council of North America.
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April Showers Bring May Flowers
 | | The Life of flowers |
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The Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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For Your Consideration
Northeast Marianist Family Council
See the update in Family Online on the efforts of the Northeast Marianist Family Council.
Marianist Family in Dayton
Members of the various branches of the Marianist Family in Dayton continue to discern ways to collaborate locally. Watch for more to come.
Marianist Manna
All members of the Marianist Family are invited to participate in a potluck and discussions hosted by the Nassau and Edgar Avenue communities (Dayton). Summer dates are May 23, July 19, and August 23. For more information contact Caitlin Cronin Bennett.
Regional and International Efforts
Lay Marianists are doing wonderful things all over the world. To learn more, follow links to the Gifts and Tasks and Magnificat newsletters found in the links section above. |
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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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