How timely that Thanksgiving is just two weeks away. And we have so much for which to be grateful. In just the last month the Visitation Marianist State Community - along with several young adults from across the country- hosted an intergenerational retreat attended by a diverse representation of the Marianist Family. Sr. Laura Leming, FMI served as facilitator and keynote speaker, drawing attention to the 4 (5) G's to recognize in living the Marianist charim: gifts, gratitude, grace, generosity, and generations. Additionally, MLNNA announced the 2014 Assembly and planning has begun in earnest. And as some of you may know, because you've provided input, MLNNA has embarked on a period of discovery which will provide the foundation for a strategic plan to guide Marianist lay communities and Marianist laity for the next several years.

We are grateful for:

• The planners of the intergenerational retreat and for Sr. Laura Leming for sharing her wisdom.
• The MLNNA strategic planning committee - Tony Fitzgerald, Matt Dunn, Matt Meyers, Jama Badinghaus,  Linda Zappacosta, Lisa Hudson, and Carol Weiss - and the dozens of volunteers who have conducted interviews all over the US and Canada.
• For all of you who have shared your thoughts in that process.
• The Assembly administrative team and the dozens of volunteers on various committees. Assembly leadership includes: Paul Combest and Eileen Kleffner (co-chairs) and committee chairs Marceta Reilly (Education), Mikeala VanMoorleghem (Temporalities), and Ken Pfohl (Religious Life)
• Jean Nickelman, Charlette Buscher, and Marilyn Schwieterman - lay Marianists in Dayton who staffed a table about Marianist laity at UD's Mary symposium this past summer 
• Vowed religious who walk with lay persons and communities as companions and spiritual guides
• All who pray for Marianist intentions
• All who support Marianist initiatives - including MLNNA - through time, talent and treasure 

In the coming month we not only celebrate Thanksgiving, we will celebrate the Presentation of Mary and the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Let us not only be grateful in this time, but let us consider our own gifts and how, like Mary, we can generously use them to serve the church and world.

Peace,

Matt Dunn

Editor   

Attending were Father Marty Solma SM, Kay Stone, Sister Laura Leming FMI, Rudy Reyes, Jr. and Brother Joe Kamis, SM (chair).

During the meeting each branch of the Marianist Family gave an update of their activities during the past year, conference calls were conducted with the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative and Marianist Lay Formation Initiative (the two organizations jointly funded by the Marianist Family Council of North America) and a report was shared from the Northeast Family Council. 

Rudy Reyes, Jr. shared on behalf of MLNNA that "we have had a tremendous year full of insight and growth.  The last year has been focused on an intentional and broad engagement of Marianist laity in our part of the world in an effort to re-energize the organization from the ground up."   Rudy shared the progress in planning next summer's Assembly including the organization of the planning using the three offices; along with the development of a Strategic Planning Committee  in partnership with Tony Fitzgerald, to do long term strategic planning and utilizing the results of the appreciative inquiry style one-on-one listening sessions that are currently being conducted.   Our engagement with the global church through the participation of six delegates to the International Assembly in Lima Peru in January 2014 was also shared.

The day long meeting was closed with prayer. 

Did you know there are international documents that correspond to aspects of the Marianist charism? Whether you are wondering about community, hospitality, mission, Mary, or faith, the documents available by the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC) provide a common foundation regardless of your formation, location, or duration of time within the Marianist Family. Visit the IO-MLC website to see more. In particular, this year's international assembly in Peru will focus on the document Faith of the Heart in the Heartof the World. As delegates from all over the world prepare to gather by reading and studying the document, we encourage you to read it as well. Perhaps your community can read it and discuss it as a way of sharing your faith. 

• Presence - I like how we make people important. It's very good to spend the time to slow down and listen.

• Discipleship of equals - it keeps me at the table.

• The call to prayer, community, and action

• Inclusivity - it reminds me to be humble, to live my life with an open heart to all people

• A welcoming spirit and the way I feel my opinion is valued, particularly as a woman  

The Marianist Charism is a gift that keeps on giving. Let us be grateful. And let us share it!