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Thanks to the following for their recent support:
Andrew and Jama Badinghaus
John Burke
Michael Gillespie
Jill Hilgefort
Carole King
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 |
June 10 Birth of Adele June 16
Pacific LIFE | |
June 23
First Vows, Society of Mary
July 4
Independence Day
July 14
Central LIFE
July 15
South LIFE
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Movement
In conversations with lay Marianists around the country I've sensed a stirring. Many communities are in dialogue about who they are and what they are to be about. Some have mission statements, some have vows/commitments, some are action oriented, and some are separated by time and distance. The common thread is how to be Marianist and make a difference in the world.
The beauty is that we are not alone. Communities are coming together locally and regionally. Family Councils are forming, bringing lay and religious together with a common sense of purpose, just as it happens at both the national and international level. Did you know there is a Family Council of North America and a World Council of the Marianist Family? Did you know that MLNNA is the voice of Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) nationally and that there is an international lay organization of which we are a part?
As I reflect on my own involvement I think about my community, the local connections among communities, and my involvement with the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, along with MLNNA. I think about the 2010 Continental Assembly where I met Marianists from all over North America and from as far away as South Korea. I'm mindful of the interdependence between lay communities and among the branches of the Marianist Family. Indeed, we are not alone. There are 102 MLCs in North America and 1587 lay Marianists. We are also among the 553 MLCs worldwide which are made up of 6,963 lay Marianists. Imagine the collective power of our presence in the world!
Be inspired. Find joy and hope in the fact that we are moving through life as community, as a community of communities!
Well then, let us multiply ourselves for the greater glory of God, and may the name of the Lord be blessed from East to West, may God be known everywhere, loved by all hearts and served by all creatures! (Adele, August 23, 1821)
Peace,
Matt Dunn, Editor |
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On June 10th we remember Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon founder of the Marianist sisters who was born on this day in 1789.
O God, source of life and holiness,
We thank you for filling the heart
Of your servant Adele de Trenquelleon
With an ardent missionary spirit
And a deep filial love for the Virgin Mary.
We thank you for the enthusiasm
With which she tried,
During her short life, to spread faith
And love for Christ and his Mother,
Especially among the young and
Those most in need.
Lord, help us to follow her
In being a sign of your love
For our sisters and brothers.
In order that she may be glorified by
Your Church,
Grant us through her intercession
The favors that we ask of you,
(in particular...)
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Marianist Lay Formation
Over the weekend of May 18-20 twenty six Lay Marianists from Maui and Oahu gathered on Maui at Saint Anthony parish to participate in a Marianist Lay Formation Initiative(MLFI) cohort. MLFI is a program to assist individuals in developing an increased understanding of Marianist mission, tradition and history. Program director Pati Krasensky was assisted in presenting the weekend by local members of the Society of Mary - Father George Cerniglia and Brother Dennis Schmitz - and lay Marianists Barb Belle, Jeannie Pinpin and Kay Stone. Sessions ranged from formal presentations on Marianist history, steps in forming and sustaining a Lay Community and resources available, to a highly competitive Jeopardy style game of Marianist trivia with the winning team gaining bragging rights! The weekend concluded with a discussion of next steps. The cohort will be having monthly conference calls and meet again in about six months on Maui. The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative is funded by the Marianist Family Council in North America.
Pictured are the members of the Maui cohort as well as weekend presenters and Maui students who either have or will attend the Marianist LIFE retreat. Picture taken by Kay Stone.
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Call for Resources
We are frequently asked for ideas about meeting topics and prayer services. While we on the leadership team belong to our own communities that struggle with the same question, we realize the strength of MLNNA is our COLLECTIVE wisdom and capacity.
If you have a favorite prayer, prayer service, discussion topic, book to discuss, etc. that you or your community has used please let us know. Send prayers or discussion ideas to laymarianist@gmail.com. We will post them on our website and will make links available.
Don't worry if more than one person from your community responds. If your community is like mine, different people are responsible for meetings and everything's probably not all in one place. So the more people who reply, the better!
Thanks!
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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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