 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
JULY 2013
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Dear (Contact First Name),
Why Connect?
Most Lay Marianists belong to a local community. This is the ideal situation because Community is part of our Marianist charism. Of course there are circumstances that make it impossible for some to be part of a local community (most often this is because of geographic distance from other Marianist laity). These resourceful people usually find creative ways to connect with their Marianist sisters and brothers - often virtually.
Still, like politics, all community is local - at least that's where it starts. This raises the question, Why connect with Marianist laity across the country or around the world? What benefit is there to connecting with others, many of whom I've never met? This is especially true in the USA which spans many miles and 6 time zones.
The answer, I think, is that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and the people we personally know. Just as the Catholic Church is bigger than one parish, seeing the big picture helps unite Catholics across the planet in prayer, values, and service. So too, being aware that there are Marianist Laity doing good works and growing in faith all over the world helps us realize that my small contribution is part of building up the people of God worldwide.
For example, when Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake, many lay Marianists responded with donations. When there are conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we care and pray. We would do this for any human suffering, but the fact that we share a Marianist spirituality connects us more directly to their suffering. Our needs may differ from one town to another and from one country to another, but we learn from and inspire each other.
We can also learn what it means to be connected and to depend on each other from the natural world - near or far away. This 1 minute video can remind us why it's important to stay connected.
Fondly,
Representative for N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
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FEATURED COUNTRY - The PHILIPPINES
Last April 2013, Fr. Pablo Rambaud, SM told the two Marianist Lay Communities in the Philippines that the SM would be leaving the Philippines this November. The SM needed to consolidate their presence in other countries. Recently the SM has also left Haiti which has four MLCs. The SM withdrew from Australia 26 years ago and one MLC holds on to the spirit. This raises an important challenge for the Marianist Lay Communities. Ideally, they would have enough formation and experience to be able to continue as active, vibrant lay communities. But anyone who has helped to start an MLC or held leadership, knows that communities can be fragile groups, especially in their beginning years.
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Johneleen Larder
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Johneleen Lardera, National Responsible for the Philippines, sends this message of guarded hope. "We are all sad about it. We will miss the SM so much, especially their support in helping us with our monthly meetings and quarterly days of recollection including a place to hold these gatherings. The SM leaving doesn't mean it's an end but a part of our MLC's journey. It is a challenge to us. I am glad that most of us will still remain and continue what we have started together, but it will be harder. We pray and hope."
 | | On June 30, 2013 the Davao MLC had a great lunch together. Fr. Pablo cooked a Spanish dish. We then celebrated Mass together. |
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AROUND THE REGION
JAPANESE LAY MARIANIST STARTS "HISHOU AID" IN NEPAL
Itaru Nagahama, a lay Marianist from Japan, is on mission in Kathmandu, Nepal. Itaru and some Nepali friends established an NGO, Hishou AID, to help the poorest people in Nepal improve the quality of their life and realize financial  independence.
Itaru writes that "Hishou" is a Japanese word that means bird's flight. We have a dream that one day they will take off, and fly freely in the sky. One of our projects is at a Mushar village in Bharoul. We set 2 pumps around the well and covered it with a concrete cap in order to improve the quality of water. In order to introduce our activities, we have begun a Facebook Page.
While Itaru is in Nepal, His wife stays in Japan and continues working for a recycling shop to support the poor people in Asian countries.
ネパールの貧しい人々の生活向上と経済的自立を支援。
は鳥が空を飛ぶさまを表す日本語の「飛翔」です。私たちには夢があります。いつの日か彼らが地上を飛び立ち、大空を自由に飛びかける日が来ることを。
バロールのムシャル集落にて 井戸の水質向上のため、2つの手押しポンプを井戸の周りに設け、コンクリート製の蓋で井戸を覆いました。
 LET US PRAY
- For our spiritual leaders, Pope Francis, clergy, and lay leaders who accept the time and emotional burden of serving the whole church. May they be conscientious, humble, and people of prayer.
- For the poor, that we may find ways to meet their basic human needs.
- For the rich, that their work may be honest and not exploit the labor of others. May they understand that sharing their wealth is not simply charity but a demand of justice.
- For all those in between the rich and the poor (which is most of us). May we be generous with what we do have, work for justice, and empower those in need to build the skills to support themselves.
- For all who are sick and ailing, including Bro. Jack Ventura's mother who is in hospice in New York and Susan Vogt's daughter who is in the hospital in Nairobi.
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AROUND THE WORLD
JULY FEAST: JULY 26 - Joachim & Anne
 | | Sts. Joachim & Anne |
By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary's father and mother come to us through legend and tradition. So, what we can learn from people we know nothing about?
We can focus on why they are honored by the Church. Whatever their names or the facts of their lives, we know parents nurture and teach their children, and so it must have been as Joachim & Anne brought Mary up to be a worthy Mother of God. Their teaching influenced her to respond to God's request with faith, "Let it be done to me as you will." Their example of parenting must have influenced Mary as she brought up her own son, Jesus. It was their faith that laid the foundation of courage and strength that allowed her to stand by the cross as her son was crucified and still believe. Such parents can be examples and models for all parents.
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Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch (USA volunteer) leads prayer
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Situated in the rural mountain town of Otuzco, Peru, the Marianists live in a mixed community (Marianist Brothers and Laity) at Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Pastoral Center. The simple community life of praying together and sharing meals and life happens in the Center for Formation which serves around 20 mountain pueblos. Some of the pueblos do not have electricity or running water, but they always welcome missionaries with open arms. Read more in ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL
 VIA LATINA - Online
The following articles are found in the July #224 issue of Via Latina 22, the newsletter for the General Administration of the Society of Mary.
- Professions in Ivory Coast/Congo and Togo
- ICMF Visits Lebanon
- Fr. J.M. Arnaiz meets with Pope Francis (a must read)
ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL 日本語 (#223)
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