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Dear Marist Young Adults,
May and June seem to have flown by and it has been good to see so many of you returning from college and reconnecting to our Marist Family! It's also great to see so many recent high school graduates join our young adult program.
During May, we hosted an event in Miami and one of the participants shared the following story. He had just returned from being abroad in Australia and he described his first few weeks there as just work and sleep. One day however, a coworker noticed his encounter cross. Recognizing the symbol immediately, the coworker asked about the cross and they struck up a conversation. As it turned out, the coworker had attended one of the Marist schools in Australia. Quickly the two became friends and no longer was our Marist young adult's life only one of work and sleep. This is just one example of our worldwide Marist connection.
As our Marist Young Adult Program grows in the United States, our international connections continue to grow, as well. Over the Memorial Day weekend some of our young adults traveled to Espous to help begin the formation of our Marist Youth leaders from the United States, Mexico and Canada. During July, some of our young adults will be travelling to Brazil for World Youth Day and the International Gathering of Marist Youth.
Whether it is locally, nationally or internationally, I encourage you to continue to connect with your Marist family during this summer days.
Best wishes,
Matt Fallon
Chair, Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee
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ONLINE
RESOURCE
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Christians are taught to love their neighbors as they love themselves. One way in which this is expressed is through the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) which advocate for the human dignity of every person. CST promotes a culture of the common good where decisions are based upon what is best for everyone, not just a few. Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good sponsors a website which keeps people informed about issues related to the common good. Visitors to the Common Good Forum can read articles which discuss the common good and how it can be applied to our current realities. The site also provides a link to Millenial, an online journal and blog for young Catholics interested in Catholic-based analyses of issues related to politics, religion and culture. To access the main site, click on the icon above. To visit Millenial, click on the icon below.
Thanks to Br. John Dunning for sharing this resource.
SIGNIFICANT SUMMER
Opal Vadhan is spending the month of June working with the Marist Missionary Sisters in Kingston, Jamaica. Check out her blog in the Huffington Post.
Following the Marist Youth Leadership Conference, Mike Bourie embarked on a pilgrimage to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Mike ended his journey with a visit to the Hermitage. He is pictured above with Brs. Allan de Castro and Desmond Connelly.
Are you having a significant summer? Send a picture and a brief description to smilanfms@aol.com or post your picture in the Marist Young Adult facebook group.
BULLETIN BOARD
Have you visited the Marist Young Adult website lately? Check out the pictures from the spring events in the photo gallery. Read the most recent blog posts. Post a prayer on the prayer wall.
Still haven't downloaded the YAP App. yet? Receive event alerts and a daily prayer while staying connected to the Marist Young Adult Program. Click below for more information.
Interested in learning more about the lifestyle of the Marist Brothers? Click on the icon below.
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Upcoming Events
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July 10 - L.I.F.E after HS - Miami, FL
July 13 - Beachin' It with MYA's - Manasquan, NJ
August 10 - Cookout and Camping - Esopus, NY
Please visit Marist Young Adults on facebook for event details and local service opportunities.
Look for information about local events to welcome new members on the member page on facebook. |
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HERE AND THERE - REGIONAL EVENTS - ONLINE EVENTS - AND MORE
 In May, Casey Garcia hosted "How's Your L.I.F.E after High School?", an event to help college students grow in their faith. A follow-up session was held in June. and a third session is scheduled for July...Luis Ramos and Opal Vadhan shared their thoughts about the Marist Youth Leadership Conference in a n article in the spring edition of American Marist...To celebrate Champagnat, young adults throughout the United
States were encouraged to display their Marist "M" on the young adult facebook page... Luis Ramos and Forest Wilson facilitated a graduation retreat for Mount St. Michael  Academy...A number of young adults joined the Roselle Catholic High School Community for their June service days...NY/NJ young adults hosted a welcome event for new MYA program members in Bryant Park in Manhattan. |
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MARIST YOUTH
AND MARIST YOUNG ADULTS -
THE NEXT GENERATION
 Throughout May and June Marist Young Adults have been involved in a number of activities to develop the next generation of Marist Youth and Marist Young Adults.
Over a dozen college-aged young adults served as group leaders and facilitators at the Marist Youth Leadership Conference in Esopus, NY. Valerie Savino and Luis Ramos spoke to the Marist Youth about their vocation as Marists.
Members of the Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee have been actively recruiting new members for the Marist Young Adult Program through facebook and school presentations. The MYA facebook group now boasts over 1000 members, an increase of over 300 participants.
Steve Cesareo, Corinne Crowhurst, Jordan Fernandez, Mary Napolitano, David Nikac, Luis Ramos and Opal Vadhan trained over thirty graduating high school seniors as Encounter leaders. Students from Mt. St. Michael Academy, Marist High School(Bayonne). Roselle Catholic High School, St. Mary's High School and Archbishop Molloy High School participated in the training sessions.
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MEET MYAAC MEMBER
JUAN ANTONIO SOLIS
 Home Town: Brownsville, TX HS: St. Joseph Academy
College: Georgetown
Interests: Playing the drums, sports, debate, politics and creative wrting
Accomplishments:
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, Marist Heritage Award Recipient,
"Le Grand Concours" Exam national finalist, 2012 Basketball District Champion, St. Marcellin Champagnat Award for Marist Youth
How did you get involved with Marist?
At Saint Joseph Academy, the entire student body loves to participate in the several projects that Marist Youth hosts each year. During my sophomore year, I was invited to help out in Marist Youth's biggest project of that year: Miles for Smiles, a race that raised money for children with cleft lips.
I don't know what the moderators and current Marist Youth leaders saw in me, but I was invited to attend the Marist Youth Leadership Conference in Esopus that summer, and that was when my view of what it means to be Marist was more clearly defined. Saint Joseph Academy is somewhat isolated with regards to all the other Marist schools in the country and neighboring countries, so meeting Marist students from all the different places was a great experience, and I still keep in contact with many of the people I met there.
Why are you still involved with the Marist community?
The main reason I am still involved with the Marist community is because of my experiences during my first year as a Marist Youth leader. That was when I learned the true meaning of service, and I loved every part of it, especially how an idea for a project becomes a reality with hard work and sacrifice.
I will be forever grateful for everything that Saint Joseph Academy and the Marist Brothers have taught me growing up, and I not only feel the need but the want to give back to the Marist community for its commitment to continuing St. Marcellin Champagnat's tradition of doing good quietly.
How do you live out your Marist identity today?
I try to live out my Marist identity as best as I can by accepting all the opportunities God grants me to reach out and help others. Most of my involvement stems from Marist Youth because we are constantly creating and volunteering in service projects, but I also try to be involved in my local church as an altar server and in my community as a volunteer in the programs and organizations that have supported me as I grew up.
For more information about events in Texas or to suggest an activity, please contact Juan Antonio at Juan@MaristYoungAdult.com. |
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 The Marist Young Adult Program invites interested young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 to further explore their Christian faith. Through spiritual, social and service activities, both online and in person, young adults can experience an alive and vibrant faith rooted in the Marist tradition. Facebook Group: Marist Young Adult |
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