 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
JUNE- 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Communities get tired.
In a vibrant Marianist community, you will find most, if not all, of the following:
-
Members who have been introduced to the Marianist charism and are trying to live it out
-
Rotating leadership
-
Diversity: different ages, gender, life circumstances... (although sometimes groups of similar background can be uniquely supportive)
-
Experiences of deepening prayer
-
Mission: commitment to respond to the needs of the world, i.e. going beyond a cozy support group
-
Frequent, regular, invigorating gatherings
-
Add your own favorite quality ______________.
It may just be coincidence or my own aging, but lately I've been hearing about a number of MLCs that are getting tired. It could be that the initial fervor has worn off or that key people have moved away. It could be that people have found other ways to nurture their spiritual life. Regardless, it's hard to maintain a vibrant community life when too many people are tired.
I don't have any magic solutions, but I am currently facilitating an online NACMS Leadership course and here are some ideas that have surfaced through this course: - Share leadership. Having too many leaders can be cumbersome, but having a leader who knows how to draw out the gifts of others and collaborate helps.
- Try something new. Taking on a new service or justice project can bring new life.
- Keep inviting new people.
- Take turns honestly sharing your personal faith journeys
- Learn something new.Take a NACMS course, or read a challenging book together.
- ______ What's worked for you? Reply to this Gifts & Tasks and I'll share your ideas in the next issue.
Fondly,
Representative for N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
PS: Next month we'll take a look at newly forming MLCs.
|
|
|
FEATURED COUNTRY
Canada: Qu�bec Region
 | | Josee Roberge |
Jos�e Roberge, National Responsible for Queb�c, shares about a recent activity that was organized by the local Marianist Family Council.
 This year, the Cathedral parish, Notre-Dame de Qu�bec, is 350 years old, which makes it the oldest of all parishes in North America (north of the Spanish colonies). This jubilee allows us to celebrate the marvels of God in our history, to confide our past to God's mercy, and to trust God with our present and our future.
For this special occasion, the Vatican authorized the parish to build a Holy Door. There are only seven such doors in the world and this is the first one to be built in North America.
 WHAT IS A HOLY DOOR?
"It is a visual symbol of internal renewal, which begins with the willing desire to make peace with God, reconcile with your neighbors, restore in yourself everything that has been damaged in the past, and reshape your heart through conversion.
The Holy Door serves to remind today's pilgrims of all those who came before us to bring the Catholic faith from France to "New France." May it serve as a visible sign of faith for future generations."
Cardinal-designate Archbishop G�rald Cyprien Lacroix
So our activity consisted of visiting Notre-Dame de Qu�bec Cathedral and to cross the Holy Door. Approximately 50 people from the MLC's, SM's, Alliance Mariale, various Marianist groups, and friends attended the activity.
 
To read more about the Holy Door click: FRAN�AIS ENGLISH ESPA�OL
|
|
AROUND THE REGION
Register now for the Lay Marianist Continental Assembly, July 24-27 in San Antonio, TX.
Highlights:
- Keynote talk by noted author Greg Pierce on the role of the laity in the Church: The Over-the-Top, Crazy-Impossible Mission Jesus Sends Us On
- Review and approval of the new MLNNA Strategic Plan
- Resources to support and sustain MLCs
- Workshops on Justice initiatives, deepening your prayer, and building community
- Opportunity to meet new friends and renew relationships
- For Lay Marianists who are feeling tired and MLCs that are losing energy that both can be renewed with the spirit of Pentecost.
- While all of us have our own personal struggles and pains that we are living with, let us remember those for whom food, safety, and basic human needs are everyday challenges.
|
AROUND THE WORLD
  | | Togo |
Members of the Alliance Mariale are active in justice works in Togo, Africa. Examples of their work include bringing communion to the sick and organizing meals for the poor during the Feast of Divine Mercy.
 VIA LATINA - ONLINE
The following articles are in the June, #233 issue, of Via Latina 22, the newsletter for the General Administration of the Society of Mary.
-Chaminade Seminary: Institution of lectors and acolytes
including from our Region:
Sean Downing and Bob Jones of the USA;
Mariandu Belevendiren Anthonysami and Josephraj Rymond of India
-SM education Statistics for 2014
ENGLISH FRAN�AIS ESPA�OL 日本語 (May #232)
|
|
|
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.
Kindly forward this issue to contact persons within your country to help with its distribution. Click here to subscribe to Gifts & Tasks.
|
|
|
