 GIFTS & TASKS
"DONS et DEVOIRS"
Helping each other live the Gospel at home & around the world
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Intl. Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC)
Region of North America, Asia, Australia, and Ireland
JANUARY 2010 |
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Greetings!,
Haiti is part of the Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA) and so the tragic earthquake that devastated this small island has a personal connection for lay Marianists. Of course we mourn, pray for, and want to help ALL Hatians to rebuild their country, but we have special concern for those we know personally. Wesly Etienne, the National lay Representative for Haiti has communicated with me and is unhurt. To read the most recent news we have of all Marianists who lived in Haiti, see: ENGLISH FRANÇAIS ESPAÑOL To Donate: MLNNA moved quickly to set up a relief fund the day of the earthquake. The response during the first week has been very gratifying. If you would still like to donate go to: ENGLISH FRANÇAIS ESPAÑOLUnder PROGRAM DESIGNATION select HAITI HURRICANE RELIEF.
Friday Magnificat expands As of January, 2010 we almost doubled our Friday Magnificat e-mail list. The World Council put a priority on sending this e-mail to more international SMs, FMIs, and MLCs. Since it comes in English, French, and Spanish we can be in solidarity with more Marianists as we cry out with Mary to remedy injustices. During 2010 the focus is justice in Marianist education. The January Magnificat focused on Teens Acting for Peace (TAP) in which students from Purcell-Marian and Moeller high schools in Cincinnati, Ohio teach students at St. Francis de Sales grade school how to live more peacefully. Ask others to sign up for it. See archives for the full picture or to sign up. United in prayer across the miles,
Regional Responsible
N. America, Asia, Australia, and Ireland
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LEARN SOMETHING NEW
- Want an even quicker way to learn about Fr. Chaminade?
Check out this 9 minute YouTube video. Engaging and easy.
- While Haiti lacks even the bare necessities of life like WATER,
here are ways that you can be responsible consumers of water:
1. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use 
for it such as
watering a plant. a garden, or cleaning.
2. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers.
3. Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the
tank. If the toilet is leaking, color
will appear within 30 minutes. (Flush when test is done since food coloring may
stain tank.)
4. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other such waste in
the trash.
5. Take shorter showers.
Replace you showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
6. Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face.
7. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when full or set the
water level for the size of load you are using.
8. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink with
soapy water. Quickly rinse under a stream from the faucet.
9. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run.
Green Tips brought to you by the Mt. St. John Green Team
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FOCUS ON Québec
French:
Bonjour du Québec! Notre région connaît actuellement une période de renouvellement et
suite à l'étude du document issu de la Rencontre internationale de Naïrobi, nous
avons choisi de nous concentrer sur un point en particulier, soit le point 2.10, et un calendrier de rencontres fut ensuite proposé à nos membres
pour en faire notre plan Josseline Laverdière, Jacqueline Carrier
d'action pour l'année. National Rep, Marie-Paule Guénette
2.10 "Un des plus grands défis des CLM est d'arriver à avoir une
attitude d'ouverture au dialogue avec notre entourage de façon à obtenir une
influence sociale de transformation plus grande ainsi qu'une importante
implication missionnaire."
Par la magie d'Internet, nous avons établi
de nouveaux liens avec nos frères et sœurs de la République Démocratique du
Congo et nous sommes invités à être en union de prières avec eux. Nos
« cousins français » ont eux aussi tissé des liens avec nous et sont
intéressés à mieux nous connaître, surtout du fait que nous partageons une
langue en commun. C'est là une autre retombée de notre participation à la
Rencontre internationale de Naïrobi.
C'est le 6 décembre que nous avons vécu, ensemble
avec les religieux et les membres de l'Alliance, de la Fraternité et du
Cœur du Centre, une splendide journée de
renouvellement de nos engagements lors d'une rencontre au Centre marianiste de
St-Henri.
English:
Bonjour from Québec! The French speaking MLC in
North America. Our Region is going through a rejuvenating process and after a
study of the Nairobi
document, has chosen one point, 2.10, to be our challenge for the year:
2.10. "One of the main challenges for our
MLCs is to attain a dialoguing openness within our environment, which may
result in a greater social and transforming influence, and in a greater missionary commitment."
From this
challenge, a calendar of events for the year was proposed to our members.
Through the magic of Internet, a close link with our brothers and sisters from Congo
has been initiated and our members are invited to be united in prayers with
them. Our "French cousins" from France
have also tied some friendly contacts and are eager to know us better, as we
share a common language. These relations are the results of our presence in Nairobi.
On December 6, a
splendid day of renewal was held at our Marianist's Center in St-Henri, and we
were invited to renew our commitments, vows and consecrations, together with
the religious and members of Alliance Mariale. |
 AROUND THE REGION
Australia - Julie Ahern tells us of the December 31, 2009 death of lay Marianist, Carmel Leveritt. ..Let us prayJapan - Teresa Kim Hyeon-Sook, newly professed FMI has just been diagnosed
with agressive cancer. The
Sisters are asking for prayers through the intercession of Mother Adele. 
Quebec - On the other end of the life spectrum, we greet the new granddaughter of Marcel Dion and Josee Roberge. (Right)
Philippines - Johneleen Lardera (Philippine Natl. rep.) reports: "I visited the MLC in Manila last November for their monthly meeting. I shared with
them my great experiences in Nairobi, and the MLCs in the Church and in the World document.
 I was impressed with
their simple and yet significant efforts to help their neighbors and society. One project they started is to gather
children from ages 3 up and catechize them in a program they call "SMILING
SANTO NIÑOS" (the smile of little child like Jesus). They also make beautiful handcrafted handbags out of recycled newspaper for export. I really like their simplicity and appreciated how they work
together to help each other like a family. Since they prefer to use their native language, I translated MLCs in the Church and in the World into Tagalog for them. All of them are busy working mothers and
devoted to Mother Mary. Noemi Ardon is the local leader." |
AROUND THE WORLD
February Feasts
 February 2 - The Presentation of the Lord
This feast commemorates Mary's purification and the presentation of Jesus in the temple. In the Middle Ages, a tradition began of blessing candles and holding a procession of light on this day. As a result it is also known as "Candlemas" - Christ our light has come to us. We also remember the first members of the Bordeaux Sodality who made their first act of consecration on Feb. 2, 1801.
See Fr. George Cerniglia's reflections and other February Feasts.
Via Latina
22 Online
 The following articles are found in the January #185 issue of Via Latina 22, the
newsletter for the General Administration of the
Society of Mary:
- Venancio Garagorri SM, dedicated Marianist religious, pastor, and Superior
- Appeal for Prayers from the District of Eastern Africa
- Ordination of Ramón Ramos (MA)
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