GIFTS & TASKS: 2013 March - How to grow in Empathy, MLNNA Assembly

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 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURED COUNTRY
USA

AROUND THE REGION
Teens Acting for Peace
Let Us Pray

AROUND THE WORLD
Follow Faustina
April Feasts
Friday Magnificat
Marianist Vocations
Via Latina

ARCHIVES/SIGN UP

QUICK LINKS

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Marianist Lay Network of N America

(MLNNA)

Marianist Lay Formation Initiative

(MLFI)

Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC)

N. Am. Ctr for Marianist Studies (NACMS)

Intl. Center for Marianist Formation

Family Online

Marianistes du Canada

SM Province USA

Greetings!

Everybody's talking about Pope Francis.Your International Team (IO-MLC) sent a combined message of support with each of us writing in our own language. Click here to read what we urged the Pope to pay attention to as our leader.

Now it's back to Lent as we walk together through Holy Week, knowing that Easter will come. To truly get into the mind of Jesus' followers, however, we must remember that they did not yet have the advantage of experiencing the resurrection. Somethings are only appreciated in hindsight. Presumably the apostles didn't know that the Last Supper would be their last meal together - until later. How frightful it must have been to watch the passion, not knowing that the resurrection would follow.

Perhaps between now and Easter each of us can try to enter into the sufferings and joys of others in a very intentional way. It's called empathy. As we increase our empathy for other humans that pass through our daily lives, we might better understand the experience of Jesus and his disciples during this extraordinary week.

Empathy

May this short video meditation help heighten your empathy.

You don't have to be in a hospital. Just look around you.

Fondly,

Susan Vogt

Rep. for N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland

FEATURED AREA - NORTH AMERICA

CHARTING THE FUTURE OF LAY MARIANISTS

IN NORTH AMERICA

On July 18-21, 2013 the Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA) will hold it's first Delegate Assembly at the Malvern Retreat Center, just outside of Philadelphia. This will be a historic gathering as delegates from close to 100 lay communities in North America will gather to chart the future. We will be discerning the expanding role of lay Marianists and how best to relate to the rest of the Marianist Family.

Many people have told us they're not sure what MLNNA is or does. As the entity that represents and convenes Marianist laity across the continent, we're hoping this Assembly will answer those questions. In fact, we are interested in learning how to best respond and serve your needs, passions, and interests so that as lay Marianists we can have a meaningful impact in the world.

Has your Marianist Lay Community (MLC) chosen your two delegates for the Delegate yet? Even if you are not ready to officially register for the Assembly, please send your MLC's delegate names to Matt Dunn, Head of Temporalities, as soon as possible for planning purposes.

We are excited to welcome you to the Delegate Assembly and are counting on your participation. Please remember that no-hassle financial assistance is available; if cost is a barrier, please know that we are willing to help. MLNNA wants and needs your presence. Further registration details are on line at www.marianist.com/assembly.

AROUND THE REGION

TEENS ACTING FOR PEACE (TAP) - USA

12 years ago, the Anawim MLC in Cincinnati started a violence prevention effort called Teens Acting for Peace. Teens at the two Marianist high schools (Moeller and Purcell-Marian) are trained to mentor the students at St. Francis deSales grade school (also a Marianist school) in the ways of peacemaking. Through the Teens Acting for Peace program, 30 high schoolers present lessons each month to the grade school students. The teens grow in their own commitment and skills and the younger children look up to the high school students as models.

TAP Teens lead a Lent/Easter peace class

TAP Teen talks with 8th grade girls

LET US PRAY

In thanksgiving for the hope that Pope Francis offers for renewal of the Catholic Church. May his love for the poor and personal humility inspire us all to live in solidarity with those who suffer.
There are so many places in our world that are suffering - some from poverty, others from war, some from environmental degradation, still others from selfishness. Pick a country to pray for today. Tomorrow pick another.

AROUND THE WORLD

2013-2 Faustino Lent

FOLLOW FAUSTINO - from now to Easter

Faustino Perez-Manglano: a fan of soccer, movies, and Coca-Cola... and of God. A student in the Marianist high school in Valencia, Spain, he lived an exceptionally normal life, and was exceptionally close to God.

When illness struck him, at the age of 14, he drew even closer to God and to other people. Faustino died 50 years ago at 16 years of age.

Each day you can live this Lent with him by clicking on a new meditation from Towards Easter with Faustino.

FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL

APRIL FEASTS - April 8: 252nd Birthday of Fr. Chaminade

Chaminade in oval

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade was born in P�rigueux, France, on April 8, 1761. He was the fourteenth of ﬁfteen children of Blaise Chaminade and Catherine B�thon. Click here for other April feasts.

FRIDAY MAGNIFICAT - MARCH

Every two or three months, we, the Collaborators of Caritas of La Dolorosa Parish, organize Medical Brigades specializing in the needs of poor people. In order to offer this free service to the poor, we solicit funds and necessary medicines, then we visit the poor areas of the city, or go to other cities when we WCMF_logo are invited.