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International Organization of MLC:
Region of North America, Asia
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May 2009
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S. Marie Jo�lle Bec, FMI (Superior General), Fr. Manuel Cort�s, SM (Superior General), Br. Domingo Fuentes, SM (MLC Assessor), and Anthony Garascia, MLC (President)
Dear friends, This month, we have received documents from three branches of the Marianist Family: Guide to Lay Life in the Marianist Tradition, and Circulars from the Superior Generals of the Daughters of Mary and the Society of Mary. While these documents reflect the uniqueness and diversity of each branch, our common charism weaves through all three. S. Marie Jo�lle writes,
As heirs of Mother Adele and Father Chaminade, at the
last general chapter we confirmed with joy: It is 'the hour' of the Marianist
Family, in which the various branches are called to offer the Church our gift from God, Mary and to
collaborate in her service. Let us dare to move forward together for the sake of the mission,
each with respective vocations, offering our unique contribution as Marianist women religious."
Chapter Doc. II 17 ff.
As we read, study, and ponder each of our unique contributions, may we continue to grow in family spirit, affection, and active collaboration!
United in prayer across the many miles,
Isabella Moyer
Regional Responsible
North America, Asia,
Ireland and Australia
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Guide to Lay Life in the Marianist Tradition
Anthony Garascia
PRESIDENT, IO-MLC
Dear Friends,
The International Team for Marianist Lay Communities is pleased to present the Guide to Lay Life in the Marianist Tradition. The Guide is a response to the Challenge of the 4th International Meeting of Marianist Lay Communities "to integrate the documents from the past four Convocations into one document that would be the starting point to a guide about lay life."
We have taken certain key passages from our foundational documents that we think can help form Lay Marianists in the Marianist tradition. The four documents can be found at www.clm-mlc.org .
The titles of our foundational documents are:
The Identity of Marianst Lay Communities, Santiago, Chile, 1993
The Mission of Marianist Lay Communities, (Lliria, Spain, 1997)
Being in Community (Philadelphia, USA, 2001)
In Alliance With Mary (Bordeaux, France, 2005)
We have organized the Guide in sections and each theme uses citations from all four of our documents. After each section there are discussion questions that can guide individuals and communities who seek to be formed into the Marianist tradition. It is our hope that as the Guide is used, communities and individuals will help shape the future editions of the guide by submitting their own study questions and comments on the guide.
Please take time in reflecting and studying the Guide to Lay Life in the Marianist Tradition and help us share the guide by making it available to all who seek to understand what it means to be a Lay Marianist.
With Mary as our mother and first disciple and believer in her son Jesus.
Sincerely,
PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
OF MARIANIST LAY COMMUNITIES
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New MLC Japan National Responsible
The International Organization of MLC would like to welcome Mr.
Hiroshi KAWAGUCHI as the new National
Responsible for MLC Japan. In his professional career, Mr. Kawaguchi was a lecturer of German Studies at Gakushuin
University, a reseacher at Munich University (by reseach
schlorship of Alexander Humboldt
Foundation), and the executive director of Gakushuin School
Corporation. He is presently professor emeritus of Gakushuin
University
 We also wish to extend our gratitude to past National Responsible, Ms. Seiko SAKANO for her commitment and faithful service to the International Organization of MLC and the Marianist Family in Japan.
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5th International Meeting of MLC
Nairobi, Kenya - August 1 to 7, 2009
The weeks are flying by quickly, and we continue to experience the power of prayer within our Marianist Family!
- The organizing team in Kenya is busy working to ensure that every detail of the meeting will be taken care of.
- Our writing team in Spain is collecting the survey data and preparing the first draft of our document, "Marianist Lay Communities in the Church and in the World."
- Delegates and participants are sending travel plans. Once these have all been received, we will be able to anticipate our pro-rate amount.
- Generous donations are being received to provide financial assistance to delegates who have requested it. God is good, indeed!
At this time, we are asking for nominations to the MLC leadership team, and suggestions for Challenges for the next four year term. Forms for Nominations and Challenges, and information on organizational aspects can be found online at our 5th International Meeting site.
Also, be sure to check out the growing list of participants!
5� Encuentro Internacional
de las Comunidades Laicas Marianistas (Please send participant photos to webmaster@clm-mlc.org. Email addresses will not be included if requested.) |
Online Community Friends Meet in Ireland
by Joanne McCracken
 Susan Buckley and Joanne McCracken finally meet and pray in person! Mellifont Abby, Co. Louth
Ireland
is said to be a land filled with green fields, fairy hills
and holy places. It surely was all of these things for me, but
the most delightful gift of this trip was an opportunity to
meet and spend time with the Marianist Community at St. Columba
and visit with Susan Buckley. Susan and I have been "in community" for four
years as members of the OLRT online cyber-MLC, but had never met in person.
Four days with Susan was like four days with a cherished friend. Because of our community connection there was none of the usual
awkwardness that occurs when two strangers meet. We
chatted easily about kids, school, the Marianist world and life in
general. The time went so quickly but ended with a promise to make
this happen again...soon!
Joanne and Susan at Sallygap Pass, Co. Wicklow
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FMI Circular 24
S. Marie Jo�lle Bec, FMI (Superior General) presented Circular 24 on May, 25, the Anniversary of the Foundation of the Daughters of Mary. Sr. Marie Joelle speaks of 'the hour' of the
Congregation, and shows how it parallels with 'the hour' that faced our founders.
It is to them that we look for both inspiration and practical models.
The Circular is available online at www.marianist.org
ESPA�OL
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SM Circular
In Obedience With Mary
Fr. Manuel Jos� Cort�s, SM (Superior General) explores the theology of obedience in his third Circular, presented on April 12, 2009, Feast of the Lord's
Resurrection.
The Circular is divided into three sections:
I. Obedience, at the very root of Christian life.
II. Living by and for obedience to the Word of God.
III. Seeking God's Plan together.
To live by and for obedience
to the Word of God presupposes, therefore, that one set up one's entire life by
active and attentive listening, as a search for and a discernment of God's
will. The search, the listening, and the discernment are essential elements for
living out obedience.
ENGLISH
ESPA�OL
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June Feast Days
George J. Cerniglia,
SM (Assistant for Religious Life, US Province) offers this reflection for the month of June:
The
month of June this year brings us significant liturgical solemnities. The rich
doctrinal Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ challenges us to pause,
listen to and contemplate the profound teaching of Jesus about the gift of his
own body and blood as food that nourishes us toward holiness.
We
also celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an event that felicitously unites
this popular devotion with theological depth. It was traditional - and in some
countries, still is - to consecrate families to the Sacred Heart, whose image
they would keep in their home. The devotion is rooted in the mystery of the
incarnation; it is precisely through the heart of Jesus that the love of God
for humanity is sublimely manifested.
In
addition, we mark the birth of St. John the Baptist, the only saint whose birth
is commemorated because it marked the beginning of the fulfillment of the
divine promises. His feast reminds us that our life is entirely and always
related to Christ and is fulfilled by accepting him. "He must increase, but I
must decrease" (John 3:30): the Baptist's words are a program for all of us.
At
the end of the month, the church solemnly venerates the Apostles Peter and
Paul. The feast helps us recall how these two served as models for the
understanding of the early Christian mission. It likewise marks the close of The
Pauline Year, during which we have highlighted Paul's contribution to the
spread of Christianity in the first century of the church.
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Via Latina 22 Online
The following articles are found in the May issue of Via Latina 22, the newsletter for the General Administration of the Society of Mary:
- General Leadership Assembly
- Mixed Composition Consultation
- First Vows in India
- Prayer Request
- Our Earth Community
- MLC International Meeting
- Inauguration of VOCSM
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VIM Newsletter
The May 2009 issue of the Marianist International Volunteers program includes stories and photos on
- New experiences in Peru and Malawi
- A volunteer on his way to Argentina
- Kenya and Peru, volunteers renewing their commitment...
ENGLISH
FRAN�AIS
ESPA�OL
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Haiti Newsletter
 Le P'tit Marianiste d'Haiti, Num�ro 5, includes the following articles:
1- Editorial 2- Une tourn�e nationale sans pr�c�dent.
3- 25 ans de vie religieuse Marianiste.
4- La visite de l'Administration G�n�rale en Ha�ti
5- La 4e assembl�e g�n�rale
6- Les r�actions
Br. Herv� Guillo Du Bodan
celebrating his 25th anniversary!
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Support Nairobi 2009
The 5th
International Meeting of Marianist Lay Communities will be held August 1-7, 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. Approximately 50
delegates from 29 countries will be invited to attend along with guests and observers.A Scholarship Fund for Delegates has been started for delegates who require aid for travel and/or registration costs.
Please consider making a National, Local, Community, or Individual donation to this fund.
ONLINE DONATIONS NOW AVAILABLE! 
Thanks to the MLNNA (Marianist Lay Network of North America), online donations to the International Organization of MLC may be made through their Network for Good account. In the PROGRAM DESIGNATION box, click "International Organization". In the DEDICATION box, you may specify if you want the donation to go to the general International Organization of MLC fund, or the Scholarship Fund for Delegates. International donations are accepted. All donations are in US Dollars.
CHECK OR MONEY ORDER DONATIONS
Cheques and Money Orders in US Dollars can now be made out to
"International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities"
and mailed to:
Isabella R. Moyer
Box 395
Neepawa, MB
R0J 1H0
CANADA
FREQUENT FLYER/AIRMILES DONATIONS
Are
you a frequent traveller and would like to donate airmiles for
delegate travel? Please contact NACMS intern, Ben Dougherty at bdougherty63141@yahoo.com.
Thank
you for your generosity, we will keep you up to date concerning the progress of
the fund.
Tony Garascia, MLC
President
International
Organization
of
Marianist Lay Communities
Isabella
Moyer, MLC
Regional Responsible
North America,Asia,
Ireland, and Australia
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Past issues of Gifts and Tasks are now archived online at GIFTS AND TASKS ARCHIVE
Gifts and
Tasks is published on the last Friday of each month. We need local and national
news, stories, reflections, and photos. Please send submissions and ideas for next
month's issue to moyerfam@mts.net
by the previous Sunday.
And kindly
forward this issue to contact persons within your country to help with its
distribution. If anyone would like to be added to the subscription list, please
send email addresses to moyerfam@mts.net. Thank you!
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