 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
AUGUST 2013
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Dear (Contact First Name),
The media usually say that August is a "slow news" month. And so it has been in the world of Gifts & Tasks.
Yet, as I read the newspaper and listen to the radio I wonder what world we are living in? Every day more people die in Egypt and I'm not even sure who the "good guys" are. Now Syria's troubles are back in the news. This doesn't even count the myriad of personal problems - illness, divorce, job loss...that each of us deal with. It's hard to know whether our prayers, the energy we pour into our Marianist Lay Communities, our well meaning social justice efforts, and everything we do to try to make this world a better place - really makes any difference.
In the light of all this negativity, I thought about what I might possibly put in this issue that would be uplifting to your spirit. My thoughts turned to Gratitude and Happiness. Not the Pollyanna, feel good, kind of superficial happiness, but deep abiding joy in knowing you are making a positive difference in someone else's life. It might be small, but it counts. And now, science shows what instinct and the great spiritual guides, have been telling us all along. Look for the good and act on it.
This short video can lead you to do "happiness" today.
 | | The Science of Happiness |
Fondly,
Representative for N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
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FEATURED COUNTRY - ALL OF THEM
In keeping with the theme of Happiness, I offer you 20 pictures of Hope. This is an adaptation of 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity that you may have seen. What struck me as I looked at these photos is that they covered many of the countries that are part of our Lay Marianist region (Australia, Japan, India, the USA including Ohio, Oregon and unamed States). People from Norway, England, Brazil, and Guatamala are also featured. So, Instead of featuring just one country, I offer you many images of Hope. Click here for all 20. Here are a couple samples.
This Subway is not just about profits.
Man from India carrying stray kittens to dry land.
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AROUND THE REGION
 LET US PRAY
- For the people of Egypt, Syria.
- For the people of Japan as they continue to live with the risk of radiation after Fukushima
- For the poor, that we may find ways to meet their basic human needs.
- For the rich, that they 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 Julie Ahern, National Rep. of Australia, and her continuing recovery from lymphoma.
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AROUND THE WORLD
  2013 WORLD DAY OF MARIANIST PRAYER:
Sunday, October 13
Nagasaki, Japan
Chapel of the Bombed Madonna in Nagasaki, Japan.
Read all about it below:
 AUGUST FEAST: August 23 - St. Rose of Lima
St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the New World, has one characteristic of all saints-the suffering of opposition-and another characteristic which is more for admiration than for imitation-excessive practice of mortification.
She was born to parents of Spanish descent in Lima, Peru, at a time when South America was in its first century of evangelization. She seems to have taken Catherine of Siena as a model, in spite of the objections and ridicule of parents and friends.
During the last few years of her life, Rose set up a room in the house where she cared for homeless children, the elderly and the sick. This was a beginning of social services in Peru. St. Rose had a love of God that withstood ridicule from without, violent temptation, and lengthy periods of sickness. She died at 31.
The next international meeting of Marianist Laity will be held in Lima, Peru from January 26 - February 2, 2014. May St. Rose inspire us to stand up for our beliefs despite ridicule and be energetic in serving the poor and oppressed.
FRIDAY MAGNIFICAT - AUGUST
Marianist Brother Rikinori Joseph Nakamura is a volunteer at Caritas Welfare Center in Japan. He lends his artistic talents to serve the elderly, some of whom are suffering from dementia, through helping them do origami (paper folding).
Read more in ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL
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Past issues of Gifts and Tasks are archived online at GIFTS AND TASKS ARCHIVE
Gifts and Tasks is published on the 4th Friday of each month. We need local and national news, stories, reflections, and photos. Please send submissions and ideas for next month's issue to SusanVogt1@gmail.com by the previous Sunday.
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