AJ Wagner USA Responsible 

AJ Wagner is the President of the Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA). Although the USA has the most lay members (1,500), MLNNA also includes French and English speaking Canada (82 members) as well as Haiti (100 members). The  leadership team consists of AJ, Kay Stone (Community Development), Jacqui Griswold (Communication), Kathleen Henricksen (Co-secretary), Caitlin Jacob (Co-secretary), and Carol Weiss (Treasurer) as well as eight Area Reps and six Project Reps.

MLNNA's big news is that the Continental Assembly which occurs every three years is taking place as you read this (from July 22-25) in Hawaii. Yes, we are redefining "continental" since technically Hawaii is not physically attached to the mainland. 134 lay Marianists plus 16 supportive SMs and FMIs from across North America come to what is often referred to as "paradise." Guests will also be coming from Korea.

The first Continental Assembly was held in 1988 in St. Louis, MO. Since then, six Assemblies have been held in various cities. One or two people from Hawaii often came but distance and cost prohibited significant attendance. The lay movement has been growing stronger in Hawaii, however, and it seemed only fair to finally join the islands on their own turf. The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC) and the Marianist State Community are holding their annual meeting and retreat in conjunction with the Assembly.

Kay Stone, chair of the Continental Assembly, tells us that it is the first Assembly west of the Rockies and will have a heavy emphasis on introducing the "rest of the continent" to the indigenous culture of Hawaii. Networking, workshops on social justice, and of course prayer to stir our hearts will all be included in the agenda.