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AROUND THE WORLD
Inspiration from Japan
The following was excerpted from a letter written by a Vietnamese immigrant who is a police officer in Fukushima Japan.
Dear brother, there was a really touching incident involving a Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson in how to behave like a real human being.
Last night I was sent to a nursery school to help a charity distribute food to refugees. There was a very long line and I saw a boy of about nine years wearing a shirt and a pair of shorts.
 It was getting very cold and the boy was at the end of the queue. I was worried that, when his turn came, there could be no more food. I was talking to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake occurred. His father worked nearby and was heading to school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami take the car from his father.
I asked about his mother. He said his house was right near the beach and that his mother and sister have not survived. He turned his head to wipe a tear.
The boy was shaking. I took off my police jacket and put it on him. It was then that my bag of food fell. I took it and gave it to him. "When your turn comes, the food might be over. So here is my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?
He took my food and bowed. I thought he was going to eat immediately, but he did not. He took the bag of food, went to the front of the queue and put it where all the other foods waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he had not eaten instead of putting food on the pile for distribution. He replied: "Because I see people hungrier than me. If I put the food there, they will distribute the food more evenly."
When I heard that, I turned around so that people can not see me cry.
A society that can produce a person of 9 years who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good should be a great, great people.
Ha Minh Thanh
Ten Things to be Learned from Japan
by Liubomir Topaloff, April 8, 2011
1. CALM
Not a single visual of wild shouting displays of grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated to a new level.
2. DIGNITY
Disciplined lines for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. ABILITY
The incredible architectural achievement--buildings swayed but didn't fall.
4. GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so that everyone could get something.
5. ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking, and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.
6. SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed in the high radiation level area to pump sea water into the nuclear reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices instead of raising them. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. TRAINING
The old and the children--everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did it.
9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly antics to gain attention. No over-blown emphasis on tragedy to gain ratings. Only calm reporting.
10. CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly.
FEASTS: June 12, Pentecost
All of us have been baptized into one and the same Spirit. That same Spirit, the Advocate, was given as a gift to the disciples to strengthen them to go forth in the name of the Lord, "to renew the face of the earth."
Read other June Feasts
FRIDAY MAGNIFICAT - Chaminade Anniversary Year
During 2011, the Friday Magnificat is featuring an historical moment in Fr. Chaminade's life. In addition, it features a work of justice within the Marianist Family to remind us of our call. Below is May's photo.
Members of the Alliance Mariale in Quebec, Canada helped serve a "hunger dinner" at a local parish.
VIA LATINA - Online The following articles are found in the April #204 issue of Via Latina 22, the newsletter for the General Administration of the Society of Mary. - A festival of photos from around the world showing the Marianist Family celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade - Chaminade Year 2011-2012 - News and Reminders ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL 日本語 | 
We have had a special visitor, Bro. Don Neff SM, from the States who came to stay for a couple of months and it has been a delight to have him with us. Don was able to meet with some of the new members after morning Mass for a coffee and chat. It was a great way for them to learn some of our Marianist heritage. Bro. Don discussed our early founders and gave suggestions that will help for our future meetings. Three new members have joined our community and another lady is coming to our next meeting. 
