 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
MAY 2013
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| Greetings!
"Have a good day." It's a phrase you hear when leaving friends and from almost every clerk when leaving a store. So what does a "good day" really mean? Is it just a trite phrase you say and receive without thinking?
So much in our lives are habits like this. We say nice things but we rarely look at our world, our space, and other people with true consciousness. We take our family, our friends, our health, our freedom for granted, at least I do - until something goes wrong.
It might be a family crisis, an illness, loss of job, or disaster. Suddenly we are catapulted into concern and prayer. We think of God.
Today, I wish you a good day by offering you this short meditation on gratitude and consciousness. Watch and listen to it with a Marianist faith of the heart.
 | | Gratitude HD - Moving Art??? |
Fondly,
Susan Vogt
Representative for N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
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FEATURED COUNTRY - JAPAN
 | | Hiroshi Kawaguchi Natl. Responsible |
2013年3月29日
日本ＭＬＣからの簡単なご報告
この1年間に行われた大切な行事と事項について、以下にご報告いたします。
１．韓国と日本との合同の会合（ＮＥＡＣＦＭ）が10月12日から14日にかけて東京で開催されました。韓国からは13名の代表（ＳM４名、ＦＭＩ４名、ＭＬＣ5名）の方々が参加されました。私たちはいくつかのグループに分かれ、様々な議題について討論をいたしました。会議は日韓双方の友好的な相互理解の下に成功裏に終わりました。
２．日本マリアニスト家族は、年に１度、一堂に会します。今年、この集いは1月13日に開催され、その際、木寅義信神父様（ＳＭ）が「マリア会渡来125周年記念」に関する興味深い講演をしてくださいました。私たちは強い宣教の目的を持った司祭や修道士たちの極めて困難な歴史の話に深い感銘を受けました。
３．私は2013年3月31日をもって、日本ＭＬＣの会長を辞任いたします。また、国際関連の連絡担当者は未定です。
4. お知らせ：2013年の「世界マリアニスト祈りの日」の巡礼地は日本の「長崎の被爆の
マリア」となります。
主とマリア様のお恵みがいつも皆様と共にありますように。
川口 洋
日本信徒マリアニスト共同体会長
 | | Meeting of the Joint Marianist Family in Japan |
March 29, 2013
Report from MLC Japan
Following is a brief summary of the major events and matters of MLC Japan during the past year.
- A joint meeting of the Marianist Family of Korea and Japan (NEACFM) was held in Tokyo from October 12th to the 14th 2012. Thirteen Korean delegates (4 from SM, 4 from FMI, and 5 from MLC) attended. We were divided into groups and discussions took place on various subjects. The session ended successfully in friendly and mutual understanding of both parties.
- The Marianist families of Japan meet once every year. This year, the meeting was held on January 13th in which Fr. Yosinobu Kitora, SM gave an interesting lecture on the 125th Anniversary of the Society of Mary in Japan. We were deeply impressed by the historical accounts of great hardships of the priests and monks who were driven on by strong missionary intentions.
- I will resign as National Responsible for MLC Japan on March 31, 2013. Seiko Sakano is the acting National Responsible until an official election can be held.
- Announcement: The pilgrimage site for the 2013 World Marianist Day of Prayer will be at "Madonna of Nagasaki" in Japan.
May the Grace of Our Lord and Mary be with you always.
Hiroshi Kawaguchi
National Responsible for MLC Japan
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AROUND THE REGION
 ADELE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT Looking for new members
The Adele Social Justice Project (ASJP) is currently inviting young adults in their 20s and 30s to consider discerning its core team as part of their Marianist ministry. ASJP is a great way for young adults to be active contributors to the faith and justice lives of young adults throughout the country. The discernment form deadline is June 15. Please see the attached letter and discernment form if you or someone you know may be interested in learning more. Thank you!
 LET US PRAY
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For the Marianist Region of Canada and the family of Richard Joyal, SM who died April 25, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Tragically Richard was shot by robbers immediately after withdrawing money from the bank as part of the final steps in the closing of the Marianist Foundation of Haiti.
- For all those who lose their lives, are injured, or lose property in natural disasters like the tornado that recently ravaged Moore, Oklahoma.
- For those Marianist Lay Communities discerning new leadership. (At any given time that's probably about half of us.)
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AROUND THE WORLD
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Isabella Moyer
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NEW CIRCULAR FOR LAY MARIANISTS
Our president, Isabella Moyer has written an excellent reflection document titled Faith of the Heart in the Heart of the World. Although this will serve as background for the International meeting in Lima, Peru (January 26-February 2, 2014), it is a valuable resource for all lay Marianists to ponder and discuss at your regular meetings.
ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL
National Responsibles, please distribute Circular #4 among the Lay Marianists in your country.
JUNE 8 - Birthday of Ad�le de Batz de Trenqu�lleon
Novena to Mother Ad�le
June 8 marks the birthday of Mother Ad�le, foundress of the Daughters of Mary (FMI). Enjoy reading the inspiring letter she wrote on the occasion of her 26th birthday in 1815. The FMI call upon all Marianists to pray the Novena to Mother Ad�le with them.
For a current look at the FMI, read the latest circular, A Running Heart, from Franca Zonta FMI, Superior General of the Marianist Sisters.
FRIDAY MAGNIFICAT - MAY 
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Participants from recent Black Family retreat
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The Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ offers a wide range of retreat experiences for anyone seeking personal and spiritual growth. While the Center offers retreats for folks of all walks of life, there is a particular focus on meeting the needs of a diverse population. Retreats are sponsored annually for Spanish-Speaking families, Black Catholic families, and families in transitional housing.
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