 GIFTS & TASKS
"DONS et DEVOIRS"
Helping each other live the Gospel at home & around the world
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International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC)
Region of North America, Asia, Australia, and Ireland
JUNE 2011
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Greetings!, 
Summer is travel and transition time for many of us. Some people travel within their country and some are fortunate enough to see other lands and cultures. Some people's travel means moving to a new city or starting a new job. Changes like these can be refreshing and renewing. They can also be stressful.
How do you, and how does your community, deal with change? Does it enliven your life or scare you? Chaminade of course had to deal with the change of going into exile in Saragossa. What seemed like a crisis at first turned into a fruitful time of introspection, growth, and planning.
- If your community is dwindling in numbers, assess what might bring new life.
- If your community is growing quickly, make sure that newcomers get caught up and relationships built.
- Sometimes visiting a sister MLC as you travel can bring new insights into what it means to be a lay Marianist.
Personally, Jim and I will have the pleasure of visiting MLCs in Korea and Japan this September as we add those countries to a trip to visit our son in Singapore. On the home front, we finally bought a new car to replace the limping one we had. At first, the collapse of our trusty Toyota on a trip seems like a crisis. In the end it became an opportunity to get a used hybrid.
What opportunities, disguised as problems, lurk in your future this summer. Look around.
 United across the miles and kilometers,
Susan Vogt
Regional Representative: N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
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Hiroshi Kawaguchi
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FOCUS ON JAPAN
Greetings from MLC of Japan. Firstly, we would like to thank all of you, Marianists around the world, for your thoughtful prayers, especially during Japan's time of crisis. The Japan MLC, along with the Society of Mary and Daughters of Mary Immaculate here, planned to have a "Marianist Family Gathering" on March 27 of this year. However, due to the unexpected major earthquake and tsunami of March 11, we had no choice but to postpone this gathering. Fortunately, since the effects of the earthquake in the Tokyo area are on the decrease, we later decided to hold this "Marianist Family Gathering" on October 9, the Marianist World Day of Prayer. The Japan MLC held its Council Meeting on May 7. At that meeting we decided upon our Basic Plan for the current year. This plan was approved at the MLC General Meeting held on May 28. After the Meeting, the Consecration Ceremony for three persons was held. 
The main elements of the plan are as follows: - Sending financial support to assist Fr. Pablo (Rambaud), SM in his activities to help "street children" in the Philippines.
- Sending financial support to the Marianist Sisters in Ranchi, India, who are involved in similar work.
- MLC financial support for the schools operated by the SM in Nepal will be personally delivered by the member of the Japan MLC scheduled to visit that country next year.
- The renewal of the Website.
The above three donations came from the proceeds of the "Charity Concerts" put on by the Gyosei Elementary School Choir here in Japan. May the Grace of the Lord and Mary always be with you. Hiroshi KAWAGUCHI National Responsible of MLC Japan |
| AROUND THE REGION
INDONESIA
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They may be blind but they have a heart for worship
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To celebrate the Easter we visited and distributed the donation to community based rehabilitation of orphaned and disabled children.
Editor's note: I have a special place in my heart for Indonesia since one of our son's volunteered there for a year, but that's not the reason I'm featuring it two issues in a row. It just happens that Heribertus Denny sends photos of the inspiring work that the young adults he's gathered around Jakarta are doing. Send me photos and a short description and you too can let the world see what you are doing in the name of Christ.
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Orphaned and disabled kids, they always look happy specially when someone visit them.
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 LET US PRAY
- For leaders of governments and our Church, that they may serve humbly, always mindful of the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable among us. May the spirit of Vatican II give them inspiration and courage.
- For the family of Marianus Lugun, SM of India whose mother recently died. Fr. Marianus was the interim Country Responsible for India during 2009-10 while he prepared the way for Jinius Bara who took over the responsibility in January 2011.
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AROUND THE WORLD
FEASTS: June 29, Sts. Peter & Paul
The two apostles, both martyred in Rome according to tradition, have been honored from the earliest days. Peter became the "Prince of the Apostles" and Paul the "Apostle to the Gentiles." On this date we also remember the anniversary of the approval of the Rule of Life of the Society of Mary on June 29, 1983.
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 June's photo.
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Cana Project of Bauru, Brazil
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VIA LATINA - Online The following articles are found in the June #205 issue of Via Latina 22, the newsletter for the General Administration of the Society of Mary. - First professions of SM in USA and India - Celebration of Italian Lay Marianist Commitments ENGLISH
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