 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
AUGUST 2011
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Greetings!, 
Your intrepid representative is embarking on the "ministry of travel."
- Recently I was at a conference in Milwaukee, WI and added on a lovely visit to some Marianist Affiliates (Rolly & Elaine Acker).
- Next month Jim and I will spend some time with the Marianist Lay Communities of Korea and Japan.
- October brings an MLNNA meeting and in November I go to the World Council meeting in Rome (where there are plenty of Marianists).
I don't tell you of these trips to impress anyone, but rather to put a bug in your ear about travel.
Paul and other apostles traveled around the ancient biblical lands visiting communities and forming new ones. I'm no Paul but that doesn't mean I can't bring greetings and encouragement from one MLC to another. AND SO CAN YOU!
Think about it the next time you take a trip. Not only might you get some free lodging but time to share the ups and downs of each other's communities. It's about sharing and learning new things.
Speaking of learning new things, I've been cajoled into learning some things I didn't want to learn lately, namely how to start a Facebook Group and how to Tweet.
Aarrgh, I really didn't want to add another layer of complexity to my technological world but others pushed me to adventure into the unfamiliar. (Contact me if you want to know why.)
The import of this is not to know what I'm doing but to know that you too can start something new. Often lay Marianists graduate from our Marianist colleges and want to continue being in a community. BUT, they may find themselves in a city with no Marianist ties. What to do?
Pick up your courage (and some resources that the Lay Formation Initiative offer) and start your own. It helps to have Marianist friends to help, but for the intrepid, it's not impossible to launch an MLC (or something that might turn into one) yourself. See Community Building resources below .
 United across the miles and kilometers,
Susan Vogt,
Regional Representative:
N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
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FOCUS ON PHILIPPINES
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Johneleen Lardera
Natl. Rep-Philippines |
National Responsible, Johneleen Lardera, is moving from her MLC in Davao to Manila. She will be joining the MLC there. She leaves behind an MLC in Davao committed to service.
Johneleen reports that:
There are many new members have recently been joining the monthly and quarterly MLC formation programs. The Society of Mary helps with the formation and other activities like
days of recollection retreats.
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Feeding program -MLC Davao |
For more than a year the Davao MLC has been committed to do a feeding program every last Wednesday of the month to the street families. They also serve at a home for the aged and patients at the government hospital.
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Davao MLC w visitors 2011 |
This second photo was taken last August 4, 2011 at the Marianist House, Davao City. Gathering with Sr. Fomiko Yamada, FMI from Japan and Noemi Ardon, a local leader in the Manila MLC (wearing green t-shirt in the photo)They come to Davao City at least once a year.
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Marianela Sotto |
Marianela Sotto from Peru, has lived in the Philippines for 22 years as part of her previous mission as a member of a religious congregation. For the past two years Marianela has been an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the Marianist Lay Community in Davao. By September this year, she will be the local leader of the Davao City MLC.
And yours truly will be leaving Davao for Manila next month. But once in awhile I can visit my hometown to keep in touch with my family and the Marianist Family. I will really miss them but will continue to communicate and journey with them through my prayers.
Love and prayer,
Johneleen Lardera |
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AROUND THE REGION
3 COMMUNITY BUILDING RESOURCES FROM NACMS
1. FREE Chaminade Game
Jim Murray, a member of Micah, a Marianist Lay Community in Dayton, Ohio, has developed a Marianist trivia game in honor of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Chaminade.
Your community may enjoy playing this free resource at an upcoming gathering. Game categories include:
 �Word Wise: Unscramble words, naming lists
�Fast Facts: Various trivia questions
�Act It Out: Charades
�Artist In Action: Molding clay, drawing images, or identifying pictures
The game is located in Open Access Resources on the NACMS homepage (left hand side).
2.FREE Becoming a Caring Community: Process Guide for Beginning a Small Faith Community in the Marianist Tradition  | |
Phil Lohr
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Based on more than 20 years of experience in forming and sustaining Small Christian Communities, Phil Lohr invites us to begin new Marianist Lay Communities in union with Marian Scriptures and the foundations of the Marianist charism.
This process guide includes suggestions for group formation, logistics, and continuation, as well as periodic evaluations of community life. Each session outline provides guidance on developing all aspects of a vibrant small faith community, including group dynamics, faith sharing, shared prayer, and outreach. In addition to reflection on the Marian Scriptures, insights and discussion on key elements of the Marianist charism are also included. Click here to download it free.
 3. Promise and the Path:
Starting and Sustaining Marianist Communities Promise and the Path by Tom Giardino SM offers a variety of community building ideas for all branches of the Marianist Family. Beginning with a fresh interpretation of the Marianist charism it follows with chapters on Marianist spirituality, Chaminade's principles for building communities, practical wisdom about commitment, models for Marianist community development, and leadership in the Marianist tradition. Groups can use the "Community Conversation" in each chapter to stimulate dialogue among members. $10 from NACMS. INDONESIA H.B. Denny writes that, "Our project for this special month of Ramadan, Holy Month for Muslims, is to support a Muslim orphanage in Jakarta. It was beautiful to share the our joy with respectful hearts while visiting with these needy children - especially from a different faith."
 
LET US PRAY - For our brothers and sisters facing famine in Somalia. Catholic Relief Services is working around the clock to help those affected by this hunger crisis. Click here to make a donation.
- For the courage and wisdom to start new MLCs.
- For lay Marianists in the US who are exploring the possibility of starting a Spanish-speaking MLC.
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AROUND THE WORLD
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2011
The World Council of the Marianist Family announces that this year the Marianist World Day of Prayer will be Sunday, October 9, 2011. It will be hosted by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Pilar in Saragossa, Spain. Thanks to the Marianist Family in Spain who prepared the materials for prayer to strengthen the relationship with our Marianist roots in this anniversary year of Blessed Chaminade's birth.
ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL
FEASTS: Sept. 5, Blessed Mother Teresa
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, the future Mother Teresa, was born on 26 August 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. After spending her adolescence deeply involved in parish activities, Agnes left home in September 1928, for the Loreto Convent near Dublin, Ireland, where she was admitted as a postulant and received the name of Teresa, after her patroness, St. Teresa of Lisieux. Since this woman of faith was dedicated to simplicity and serving the poor it seemed only right to chose a simple black and white photo of her.
FRIDAY MAGNIFICAT - Chaminade Anniversary Year
During 2011, each Friday Magnificat features an historical moment in Fr. Chaminade's life. It also includes a photo of a work of justice within the Marianist Family to remind us of our call. Below is the August photo showing Lay Marianists in Lumberton, New Mexico.
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Lay Marianists in Lumberton, New Mexico working with the students of Saint Francis School near the Jicarilla Apache Reservation
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VIA LATINA - Online
The Via Latina Newsletter takes a vacation during August. Maybe I should too.
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