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Marianist Lay Network of North America
Building a Community of Communities
MLNNA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
serving lay Marianists and members of
Marianist lay Communities across North America
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Disciples in Mission Dear Friends in Christ, One of the characteristics of being a Marianist lay person is that we are called to mission. From our document on the Characteristics of Marianist Lay Communities and Lay Marianists, we read: Lay Marianists, as individuals and as communities, express their commitment in dedicating their time, skill, energy, and resources to a variety of activities that promote justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. They work together with other parts of the Marianist Family, lay and religious, in these shared, persistent priorities. They strive to hand on their faith through forming communities and community animators. As laity, they express their commitments in their family lives, in their workplace, and in the social, cultural, political, and economic life of their society.
That's a subtle call to live our baptismal call in our everyday lives. We're also called to more. Whether it's young adults working on a farm in the inner city, communities hosting fundraisers, or communities or individuals doing service projects, there are a variety of ways we can be in mission. With prophetic voice, Bro. Ray Fitz, SM and Fr. Dave Fleming, SM have both written about our call to mission, not just as laity, but in concert with the Marianist Family making a difference in the world. Click on their names to read their essays.
Following are quotes from various lay Marianists about how they see mission:
I remember in college being attracted to the Marianist experience because it involved doing "big" things - being called to change the world. Chaminade sought the title "Missionary Apostolic" beyond all others because, I believe, he had an expansive vision of what the Marianist Family was to be and do. Mission must be central to who we are as Marianists. The question I am called to answer is: how is the world (my world, my neighborhood, the national and international order, the earth) different/better because of my commitment in the Marianist Family? It's quite a challenge. -Jim Vogt
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Anawim Marianist Lay Community, and Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
"The Grand Walkers discerned for several years what kind of mission we wanted to take on as a community. Our thoughts were two-fold: 1) find something that supported a need in Dayton and 2) invite the local Marianist Family to participate. After hearing that there were some Chaminade-Julienne students that couldn't afford lunch and that teachers were paying out of their own pockets to provide a food pantry, we decided to host an annual "pancake to pantry" breakfast. All proceeds go to fill the pantry and we invite local Marianist Family members to gather together and eat a few pancakes and get to know each other better. Last year, the generous donations filled the pantry for the entire school year. It was a definite win-win." Paul Gehred, Grand Walkers Marianist Lay Community
"It's no wonder our Marianist family continues to excite, challenge, and engage its individual members, for we are always in permanent mission. Whether it's a Marianist Brother providing free medical care to the homeless, a Marianist Sister traveling to South America to advocate for the oppressed, or a Lay Marianist volunteering their time to educate communities via our Marianist Call to Advance Justice program, I remain impressed and inspired by our Marianist mission and commitment to the poor, marginalized, and the greater good. With Jesus and Mary as our primary formators in faith, our ongoing Marianist mission is to build and sustain a community of communities to change the world." Brian Reavey, Affiliate, and Assistant for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, SM Province of the US
"I feel it is important for Lay Marianists to be involved with mission and service because it is a part of who we are. When we said "yes" to becoming a Lay Marianist we said "yes" to- Mary, prayer, mission, community and inclusivity. I believe all of those things tie together
into mission and service. To be a part of the whole- and to strive for all that we do to go toward serving others and the common good. Michela Buccini
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Embers Marianist Lay Community, and Adele Social Justice Project
Share your good news! Tell us what you are doing individually and as a community!
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You have a voice!
Help us discover how we breathe life into our Marianist Charism.
Any good organization plans ahead, sets expectations and a vision for where they want to be. The Marianist Lay Network of North America, as a non-profit organization serving Marianist Lay Communities and lay Marianists, is no exception.
A Strategic Plan task force has been assembled and set an aggressive plan to engage over 140 MLNNA members in a Appreciative Inquiry discovery process asking a representative sampling of members from all areas to share what is important and life giving about their Marianist Journey. Information collected will help develop common themes for the next five years of direction for MLNNA. Information and stories secured will also complement the Assembly 2014 session presentations and discussions content. We ask that you keep this undertaking in your prayers and if invited to participate, following the example of Mary, reply with a resounding "Yes!" We will keep all updated on our progress.
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Welcome to our newest Marianist Lay Community!  Welcome to our newest Marianist Lay Community - MLC StMU. It meets every other Sunday morning at the University's Marianist Residence (St. Mary's, San Antonio), and has seven (7) members as of the moment. Current members are couple, Jane and Kenny Miles; couple, Don and Katie Theriault; brother and sister, Luke and Lynzee Villafranca, Fr. Richard Loehrlein, SM. We welcome them to the Marianist Family!
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Thank you to Urania Carvalho! In 2012 Urania Carvalho was elected to serve as National Responsible for the 4 Marianist Lay Communities in Winnipeg,  Canada. Urania is a member of the Portuguese speaking Circulo Boa Nova community in Winnipeg. Urania also has family in Brazil and has been splitting her time between her Winnipeg community and her parents in Brazil. With her husband's recent retirement, she has regretfully informed MLNNA and the International Organization that she no longer will be able to represent Winnipeg since she will be spending even more time in Brazil. Urania completed the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative and has been a valuable partner connecting Winnipeg with MLNNA. We appreciate Urania's willingness to serve while trying to balance travel and family responsibilities. A new representative for the Winnipeg, Canada MLCs has not yet been selected.
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Who Doesn't Love a Good Gathering!!! The Northeast Marianist Family Council hosted a Marianist Family Picnic on August 17th at Penn Treaty Park which is adjacent to the Marianist Center in Philadelphia. About twenty-five folks attended from various connections with the Marianist Family, such as, the Marianist Retreat House at Cape May Point, NJ, the University of Dayton, and the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative. The attendees also gathered at the Marianist Center to play "Lingo Bingo" which helps familiarize participants with Marianist titles and terms. Donations of school supplies were collected to assist a local organization. Besides the valuable opportunity to meet other members of the Marianist Family and renew friendships, fun was had by all.
Also in August, a group of young adults, formed as lay Marianists at the University of Dayton gathered for their self initiated/self-run retreat weekend. Attendees represented several communities who made their commitments between 2008 and 2013. This year, MLNNA leadership team member, Matt Dunn, met with the group to share more about MLNNA, the IO-MLC, and how we're all connected to a larger family. Other conversations included sharing about community life and what they can learn from each other to take back to their own communities.
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What's Happening!?! Things to know...
- On September 21, NACMS is hosting an assembly in honor of its 30th Anniversary. Lay Marianist, Dr. Laura Luehrmann, PhD, will be presenting a talk titled, "Reading the Tea Leaves - China's Re-Emergence." Click HERE for details.
- NACMS will also be re-locating in the coming weeks. They ask for patience with their ability to fulfill orders and other requests. They will let us know when they're up and running in their new (temporary) location.
- Pancakes to Pantry (Dayton) is September 29. Click HERE for details.
- Mission of Mary Farm (Dayton) is entered in a contest to win $15,000. Click HERE to vote for their urban farm ministry!
- Marianist World Day of Prayer will be happening all around the world in proximity to October 14th. Here's a flier for a celebration in Dayton. If you haven't already planned one in your own area, please consider it!
- The Marianist Movement Team of Greater Cincinnati invites others to participate in the Generation Wake Up Leadership Weekend, October 11-13, training on issues of social justice. Click HERE for information and registration materials.
- The Farm to Fork Fundraiser for Mission of Mary Farm (Dayton) is October 22nd from 6:00 until 9:00 PM at St. Mary's Hall, which is located at 310 Allen Street, 45410. Please RSVP by October 8th to FarmDinnerRSVP@gmail.com whether or not you are able to attend, and if so, how many people will be in your party. Attendees will hear about the farm and its efforts and successes. The event includes dinner and is free. Donations will be accepted at the event.
- A Marianist Intergenerational Retreat will take place the weekend of October 25-27. Participants will share and learn about one another's Marianist experiences across the generations. The keynote speaker is Sr. Laura Leming, FMI. Click HERE for more information and for the registration form.
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Upcoming Dates of Significance
September 18 Blesseds, Brothers Fidel, Jesus, and Carlos
October 2 Feast of the Guardian Angels (Founding of Society of Mary)
October 12 Our Lady of the Pillar (Chaminade is inspired by Mary)
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In the Family
- Congratulations to the Society of Mary on welcoming new Novices and Aspirants! We commit to walk with them to nurture their vocations. You can follow the Aspirants on their Facebook page!
- Congratulations to the Marianist LIFE program for a successful Summer. Special thanks to the moderators and other leaders for their time and for their commitment to the Marianist charism.
- Congratulations to the Province of the United States and its new Sponsorship Commission. This is a historic step for the Province of the United states in strengthening its relationship with sponsored ministries.
- Congratulation to all Education Ministries that are starting a new academic year. May they prosper in fulfilling the Characteristics of Marianist Education and Universities allowing the Charism of the Founder to grow and flourish.
- We recognize and support the Marianists, professed and lay, that work in Parish ministry moving the Mission of the Province and the Mission of the Catholic Church forward in the spirit and Charism of the founder.
- The Province of the United States is beginning the second year of the "Reflect, Renew, Respond" spiritual renewal program. Let us keep them in our prayers during this journey.
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