The Marianist Province of the US sponsored a group of more than 40 members of the Marianist Family to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, July 15 to July 20. They joined over 225,000 pilgrims from 170 countries. Bro Jack Ventura, Office of Religious Life, organized the pilgrimage.

A full article, plus links to pilgrims' reflections, photos, and a letter from Manual J. Cort�s, SM, Superior General of the SM, can be found in the August 19, 2008 issue of Family Online.

The Marianist Family of Brazil has the pleasure of presenting the Patron of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida and her sanctuary, for the Marianist World Day of Prayer in 2008.

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5. Intentions Suggested by the Marianist Family of Brazil for the World Day of Prayer

We, the Marianist Family of Brazil, inspired by the document of Aparecida of the Fifth Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops propose the following intentions for our day of prayer:
� To live our Christianity with the joy and conviction of the first missionary disciples of Christ
� To form communities of faith, which, like Mary, are able to stir up a more Marian Church
� To advance the participation and the role of women as key figures in the Church
� To renew our zeal and preferential option for the poor and outcast
� To accompany youths in their formation and mission
� To value and respect indigent peoples and those of African descent
� To care for our mother earth, preserving ecosystems in fidelity to God's project
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THE FULL DOCUMENT PRESENTING THE MARIANIST WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2208 IS AVAILABLE ONLINE:

 

The MLNNA Leadership Team will be meeting with Area Reps and Marianist Ministry Leaders in Dayton, Ohio from September 5th to 7th.

Look for news and photos in next month's issue of Gifts and Tasks.

May we unite in prayer and family spirit: that wisdom, faith and love will guide us all in our ongoing mission with Mary for her Son!

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,
 
For many of us, September marks another round of new beginnings. We embark on a new community venture, perhaps, or we find ourselves in a new ministry. We make plans and schedule events. In some ways, it is like the train leaving the station, slowly speeding up and then hitting a maximum stride.
 
As we get caught up in these new beginnings, new projects and new plans, let me encourage you to ponder the words of the American humorist Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), a distinguished alumnus of the University of Dayton. Her fine wit produced many memorable works, but few are as poignant as the words she wrote after finding out that she had a fatal disease:
 
"If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. Given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it,live it, and never give it back."
 
The busy-ness of beginnings sometimes diminishes the importance of people over things and lessens our commitment to others over self. Bombeck's words are an impetus to us to rethink our priorities and to allow the Holy Spirit to move each of us to sort out our lives and our loves. 
 
September also is a very Marianist month. We commemorate events of our history in the Society of Mary, and we join together to celebrate with joy our patronal feast, The Most Holy Name of Mary. Let us begin this ministerial year with great hope, and let us pray together for this beloved Marianist Family of ours that it may continue to spread far and wide!
 
Affectionately,
 
George J. Cerniglia, S.M.
Assistant for Religious Life