GIFTS & TASKS - 2012 March

GIFTS & TASKS
"DONS et DEVOIRS"

Helping each other live the Gospel at home & around the world

International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC)

Region of North America, Asia, Australia, and Ireland
MARCH 2012

In This Issue

ISABELLA MOYER

REMEMBERING JAPAN

AROUND THE REGION
Indonesia
Let Us Pray

AROUND THE WORLD
Marianist Vocations
The Annunciation
40 Days with 40 Least
Friday Magnificat
Via Latina

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Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC)

N. Am. Ctr for Marianist Studies (NACMS)

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SM Province USA

Greetings!,

It's still Lent. Lent is a serious time because it leads up to Christ's crucifixion - and suffering is not funny. BUT, remember that before Good Friday comes Palm Sunday. It's almost funny that Jesus' followers (and we are among them) could be so short sighted to look at the glory of Palm Sunday and not see the tragedy that would follow.

As we journey through Lent together, perhaps you will find these two short videos (below) an inspiration as we look at these conflicting events through fresh eyes. (Humor can often convey an idea more strongly than preaching.)

Then --

United across the miles and kilometers,
Susan Vogt,
Regional Rep: N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland

Isabella Moyer

A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTL. PRESIDENT

IO-MLC Communications

Sharing news and resources continues to be a priority for the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities.
The following updates have been made to our communications.

Web-Site

We have revised our website www.clm-mlc.org. The goal of our website is to provide quick and easy access to our documents, resources, and Marianist Lay Communities around the world. The new Regional pages list all our countries with the names of the National Responsibles, statistics, and links to national websites. Please visit these websites to learn more about our worldwide Marianist Lay Communities.

Blog

We are continuing our blog at http://clm-mlc.org/blog. The purpose of the blog is to share current news and reflections on Marianist life. It is usually written in English, but we have included an instant translator on the right-hand side of the page.

Facebook & Twitter

Our Facebook group is slowly gaining more friends. Please visit us, LIKE us, and share comments, news, links to newsletters and upcoming MLC events

on our wall. All languages are welcome. The more we know about each other, the stronger our community of communities will be. You can also join us on Twitter (@CLM_MLC).

If you have any questions or suggestions for improving our communications, please contact isabellamoyer@clm-mlc.org or any member of our International Team. We look forward to hearing from you!

REMEMBERING JAPAN'S EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI

March 11, 2011

When tragedies like the earthquakes in Japan or Haiti strike, it's hard to remember that God is good.

Our Marianist charism reminds us, however, of the importance of COMMUNITY. Community is what helps us rebuild our buildings, spirits, and lives. When you feel discouraged about the state of the world, your country, our Church, or your personal life, remember the gift of community.

Watch this uplifting video to give you hope in humanity.

Japan, One Year Later (3/2/2012)

After The Earthquake:

Humanity Wins Against Mother Nature

My visit to Japan in September of 2011 confirmed the strong spirit of the Japanese people we met. Lay Marianists were adjusting their work schedules and the SM community found many ways to conserve precious electric power by climbing stairs, turning off the AC, etc.

Hi! Korean MLCs! How are you doing?
Susan & Jim Vogt have arranged for me to stay at the homes of several MLC members in Covington, KY (next to Cincinnati, OH). Although I have only been here a week I have already met a lot of MLC members and Marianist brothers. I have felt the family spirit of Marianist profoundly.
When I attended the Anawim Community and Awakening the Dreamer meetings
I also learned about some of the local works that American MLCs do to contribute to our role in the church and the society.
I want to improve my English and have a good experience as a Marianist.
Take care and good luck to you! I miss you, Korean Marianists.
Fondly,
Christina Kim in Covington

INDONESIA

We began our Lenten journey with a charity project to distribute 405 basic food packages to poor families. Our hope was that they would not only enjoy the physical food but also feel the warmth of our hearts too. These kinds of events always teach us humility as we care for those who are needy.

Photo at right shows the side of one family's home to which we distributed food. Most of the housing is only bamboo-walled cubicles.

Thanks,

Hope you have a wonderful lenten experience.

Hb. Denny

LET US PRAY

For each of the "40 Least" countries that we pray for daily
For lessening of tensions between India and Pakistan
For war torn countries, especially Syria, Afghanistan, Congo
For Don Larkin, lay Marianist in Australia, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.

AROUND THE WORLD

Marianist Family World Day of Marianist Vocations

The World Council of the Marianist Family has chosen March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as a time for us all to pray for vocations to the Marianist way of life as Sisters, Brothers, Lay men and women, and those consecrated in the Alliance Mariale. Click below to read background material and prayers.

ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL 한국어

Feast of the Annunciation

The feast of the Annunciation is one of the most important in the church calendar. It celebrates the Incarnation of Jesus made flesh in the womb of Mary, his mother. In the universal church, this feast celebrates the beginning of redemption. It also honors Mary as the 'new Eve,' the obedient and faithful woman who generously agrees to be the Mother of God. Mary cooperates freely in the plan

of salvation.

40 Days With the 40 Least

Have you checked out any of the countries that "40 Days With the 40 Least" has featured so far this Lent? Today's country is Burkino Faso. Click your language below and learn about how some of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world live. Continue Lent with the 40 least countries of the world.
ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL

Click calendar on the home page for each day's resources.

Friday Magnificat In Ranchi, India, the Marianist Sisters continue to stand on the side of the poor.