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Thanks to the following for their recent support:
Andrew and Jama Badinghaus
John Burke
Michael Gillespie
Jill Hilgefort
Carole King
Fr. Alvin McMenamy, SM
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. |
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Heaven on Earth
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you know you're meant to be? It's peaceful. It's home. Your arrival is a homecoming. You're on holy ground. You can be yourself and know that you are not an island?
On August 4 the Marianist Family said goodbye to and celebrated the life of Bro. Frank Deibel, SM who was received into eternal glory after 103 years of life here on earth. A year ago he celebrated his 85th year of religious profession.
In the sharing of some of his journal entries, we learned that when he first arrived for the postulate he thought he was in heaven. He found delight in the molasses bread upon his arrival, and then Benediction that evening. He was inspired by the singing, prayer, incense and the beauty of the chapel. I'm sure he enjoyed the fellowship. And I suspect that devotion of the Blessed Mother was probably icing on the cake. He wasn't in heaven, but I think in that encounter of Marianist life, he glimpsed heaven on earth.
I frequently encounter similar experiences - arriving on the property at Mt. St. John, walking around any of the Marianist university campuses, seeing people light up about Cape May, LIFE, or Tecaboca, communal experiences, sitting in the chapel of an otherwise nondescript house, prayer and fellowship with members of the Marianist Family all over the country and world, and the list goes on.
It was obvious that people loved Brother Frank. But this wasn't just any funeral. Words can't explain the knot in my throat and the tears in my eyes as those assembled, without advance knowledge, joined with Provincial, Fr. Marty Solma, in unified voice, singing On This Day, O Beautiful Mother to honor Br. Frank's devotion to Mary. His life had come full circle in that singing. I imagined him looking down from heaven smiling, and thinking, THIS is the Heaven that I fell in love with and devoted my life to.
We are more than church. We are more than community. In our own ways, we can be heaven on earth for each other, for those around us, and for the world. May it be so.
May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
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Ministry Honors Mary Across the Miles
This is a picture of 72 handmade cord rosaries in bundles of 5 made by Marianist Family members Charlie and Marge Wick of the Coppell, TX. The Rosaries will be going to Columbia with Fr Orlando of St. Ann Parish (Coppell) as he travels to visit his family this month. Each rosary takes 20 feet of twine to make. Our Mother Mary will be honored by all the Rosaries to be said by our Columbia folks. Thanks to Sharon Kohl of the Denton, TX Marianist Family who taught Charlie and Marge Rosary making. |
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Community Seeks Members
 | | Community members visiting with UD students |
The Nassau/St. Paul Lay Marianist Community (Dayton) is currently looking for new members to join the living community. They are a community in the Twin Towers neighborhood of Dayton working to be an example of Christ through prayer, formation, hospitality, simplicity and works of social justice. A primary ministry of the community is an urban farm known as Mission of Mary Farm. Time, talent and treasure in all forms are appreciated. They are particularly in need of individuals, couples or families who have gifts in the following areas:
- financial management
- volunteer coordination
- program leading
The community is especially interested in inter-generational living, with an openness and desire to welcome folks from all walks of life.
If you know someone who might be interested or would like more information e-mail: nassaumarianist@gmail.com or call 937-281-0326.
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From One Marianist City to Another
Members of the Malianika Community (HI) recently said goodbye to member Lisa Vega as she moved from Honolulu to
San Antonio, TX. She's looking forward to getting in touch with Marianists in TX and has already talked to some young adults about getting together! The picture above features Lisa surrounded by the Malianika Community. |
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Save the Date
A GLBT Day of Reflection is scheduled for Saturday, September 22nd at Mt. St. John (Dayton)
On September 30th members of the Marianist Family will hold a pancake breakfast at QAC (Dayton) to raise funds for the Chaminade-Julienne food pantry.
More details for both will be in the September newsletter. If your community (or region) has something to promote feel free to send information to us for the newsletter!
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Social Justice Resources
On the website of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative  (MSJC) there are several places on the homepage that are worth exploring for your community.They are:
- Under Justice Happenings, there are three things:
- Community Starters
- A reflection/discussion resource for communities that want to use "How Do Marianists Do Social Justice?"
- Movies with a social justice theme that communities could use for discussion.
- In the right column, there is a section titled "Marianist Groups - Programs for You."
The MSJC is a collaborative ministry funded by the Marianist Family Council of North America. Since MLNNA represents the laity on the Council, contributions to MLNNA help support this work. |
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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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