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MARIST EVANGELIZATION NEWSLETTER |
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Dear Member of the Marist Family,
We are happy to share with you the first edition of our Marist Evangelization newsletter. Our intention is to offer you an update on our evangelization programs once each semester.
The current issue highlights the success of our fall programs and introduces some new initiatives. Included, also, is a calendar of our spring events.
Please feel free to share with us pictures and details of local events: gatherings of Sharing Our Call alums, Marist Youth events, and local opportunities for prayer and fellowship. We will include this information in our next newsletter and post the pictures on our soon to be unveiled online evangelization microsite. Submissions can be sent to smilanfms@aol.com.
We are very excited about the future of our evangelization efforts in the United States and are very grateful for your support. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Br. Dominick Pujia Br. Steve Milan
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Evangelization Office Establishes Advisory Board
 | | Br. Dan O'Riordan and Valerie Savino commit to serve on the Marist Evangelization Advisory Board |
The Office of Marist Evangelization has established an advisory board to help chart the future of Marist Evangelization in the United States. Advisory Board members are Jeanne Burns (Assistant Principal, Central Catholic High School), Vinny Caramele (Religion Teacher, Marist High School-Chicago, Matt Fallon (Religion Teacher, Christopher Columbus High School), Lindsay Irwin (Assistant Principal, St. Joseph Academy), Valerie Savino (Religion Teacher and Campus Minister, Mt. St. Michael Academy) and Brothers Owen Ormsby (President, Roselle Catholic High School) and Dan O'Riordan (Co-Director, Marist Vocation Office). The group is currently looking at a long term plan for adult evangelization. The advisory board has held two conference calls, one in August and one in November, and met in Pelham, NY on December 2nd and 3rd. The next meeting of the Advisory Board is scheduled for February 17th-18th in Roselle, NJ.
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Sharing Our Mission:
Faith Formation Goes High Tech
 | | Jim O'Neill, Central Catholic High School relgion chair, reflects on the words of Mary Byrne Hoffmann, presenter. |
Campus ministers and religion teachers from schools with a Marist presence gathered from October 2nd-4th in Esopus for the annual Sharing Our Mission Program. Mary Byrne Hoffmann, religion teacher at Roselle Catholic High School and author of Catecheses in a Multimedia World: Connecting with Your Students, guided the participants through a "media pilgrimage". The practical, hands-on workshop integrated 21st century learning tools - blogs, social networking, Google Docs, and podcasts - with traditional spiritual practices. To round out the program, Brs. Mike Sheerin and Dan O'Riordan shared online vocation promotion resources, Br. Steve Milan facilitated a conversation on best practices for integrating the Marist Marks, and Br. Dominic Pujia introduced the Marist youth ministry reference document, Evangelizers in the Midst of Youth. Br. Ben Consigli, Provincial, also addressed the group and thanked them for their role in Marist Evangelization.
The following participated in the program: Jerry Gonzalez, Eyda Alegret, Br. Rick Carey from Christopher Columbus High School; Deacon Eduardo Blanco from St. Brendan High School; Valerie Savino, Sr. Connie Kelly, and Thomas Eikamp from Mount St. Michael Academy; Deacon Andy Neu and Tera Chun from Marist High School - Chicago; Michael Germano from Archbishop Molloy High School; Br. Bob Warren from Marist High School - Bayonne; Br. Francis Garcia and Sr. Monica Garcia Aleman from St Joseph Academy; Jim O'Neill and Sr. Terry Gavin from Central Catholic High School and General Councilors Brs. Josep Maria Soteras and Eugene Kabanguka.
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ARCO Norte:
Lay Formation Leaders Meet in Guatemala
 | | Vinny Caramele, left, leads a discussion on the role of lay Marists. |
A regional meeting on lay Marist formation was held from November 4th-9th at the Marist Brothers Retreat Center in Guatemala. The conference, entitled "Seeking Together Greater Vitality for the Charism", invited participants from the provinces of Norandia, America Central, Mexico Central, Mexico Occidental, the United States and Canada to share existing lay formation programs. In addition, the group was challenged to look at creative ways of developing the vocation of lay Marists within each province and the ARCO Norte region. Br. Steve Milan and advisory board member Vinny Caramele represented the United States Province. Br. John Allen served as a translator.
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Sharing Our Call:
Exploring Evangelization through Education
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Participants at the November SOC pose for a group picture. |
Seventeen members of the Marist family gathered in Esopus from November 6th-8th for Sharing Our Call #28. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about Marcellin Champagnat while exploring Marist education, Marist spirituality and the vocation of a Marist educator. Participants included Dario Camara, Greg Villareal and Lourdes Cofresi from Christopher Columbus High School; Susan F. Gardner and Ruth Maloney from Marist High School in Chicago; Kathleen DePoalo and Michael Power from Marist High School in Bayonne; Sr. Joan Whittle, OP and Mayra Nolan from Mt. St. Michael Academy; Elizabeth Marie Caram and Arlene Ceballos-Adams from St. Brendan High School; Pam Quantz, Joanne Williams, John Cowen and Olga Cisneros from St. Joseph Academy; and Tim Hagan and Teresa Stamatis from Roselle Catholic High School. The next Sharing Our Call is scheduled for March 11th -13th.
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 Marist Young Adults Moving Forward
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MYAAC members enjoy a group building activity during their winter meeting. |
The first semester has been a busy one for the Marist Young Adult Program. Beginning in September with the release of their new promotional video, "Keeping the Marist Connection", and ending with an online Advent retreat and Advent days of reflection and service, the young adult program has continued to offer online and in person opportunities for individuals aged 18-30 to grow as Marist Christians. Recently, the Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee (MYAAC) met in Esopus to plan events for the spring semester. The MYAAC consists of one graduate from each school with a Marist presence. The Marist Young Adult Program publishes a monthly newsletter, provides social networking through facebook and twitter, and maintains a website.
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Marist Youth Continue to Encounter Christ
 | | Encounter participants pray with the Marist saints in the Brothers' cemetery in Esopus. |
Thirty-eight youth from Marist High School-Chicago, Roselle Catholic High School, Marist High School-Bayonne, St. Joseph Regional High School, St. Agnes Boys High School and Mount St. Michael Academy gathered in Esopus from October 20th-23rd for the first Marist Youth Encounter of the year. The participants were invited to deepen their relationship with Christ while building community and learning more about their Marist family. Additional Encounters will take place in February and March and registration and preparations for these programs are already underway.
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Coming Soon: Marist Evangelization Microsite
Erbach Communications is currently developing a microsite for the Marist Evangelization Program. The site will feature a chat room, a discussion board, a photo gallery and a blog function. It will also enable the Evangelization Office to provide online program follow-up and allow members to share resources. Look for further information about the evangelization microsite early in the second semester.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Marist Youth Encounter Christ - February 2-5
Marist Evangelization Advisory Board Meeting - February 17-18
Sharing Our Call 2 - February 26-28
Online Lenten Retreat - February 26 - April 1
Gathered Around the Same Table Online Chat - April 15 - May 6
Sharing Our Call - March 11-13
Marist Youth Encounter Christ - March 29 - April 1
Marist Youth Gathering - May 23-28 |
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