|
|
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
|
|
What's your calling?
Have you ever thought about a vocation? For some, vocation equals job or career. For others, vocation is an inclination, a calling, to undertake a religious career as a priest, brother, or sister. Regardless of our state in life - priesthood, vowed religious, married, or single - we share a vocation. This vocation, though expressed in different ways through different careers and life choices is at the core of the New Evaneglization espoused by Pope Benedict XVI. It is also an underlying theme of Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium. Words like evangelization scare us. We think of proselytizing and that makes us uncomfortable. What we overlook, and take for granted, is that we evangelize simply by how we live our lives. Our vocation is to be the presence of Christ in the world, in our every thought and deed. This vocation is not just a responsibility of priests, brothers and sisters. It is a responsibility we all share as baptized members of the Body of Christ. It is also our mission as members of the Marianist Family. In the church, in our homes, among our relationships, in our workplaces, among the poor, and to those we encounter on a daily basis we are called to be a light in darkness, a hope for all, the face of God. Below are highlights and a summary of the International Assembly of Marianist Lay Communities, held in Lima, Peru in January. Also included in this newsletter is information about our own Assembly, this summer in San Antonio, TX. Be inspired. Get excited. We're not on this mission alone and we have much to share, learn and celebrate with one another! We hope to see you in July! Let us pray for one another and support one another. Let us also remember and support those called live their vocation within vowed religious life. For inspirational reading, I encourage you to follow the links above and to also review documents from over the years posted on the website of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities! Yours in Christ, Matt Dunn Editor
|
See you in San Antonio at the 9th Continental Assembly of Marianist Lay Communities and lay Persons in North America!
Marianists love a good gathering! Marianists seek and thrive on formation opportunities! Marianists love to come together for prayer and fellowship!
Join us as we Breathe Life Into the Marianist Charism Together - as laity working together, and as laity collaborating with the other branches of the Marianist Family! Join us as we discuss the signs of the times and their relevance to our lay life in the Marianist Family, church and world. 
Many of us are part of the Marianist Family because someone invited us. While the invitation might have come from a lay person, more often than not it was from a brother, priest or sister. So here we are as lay folks, your peers, INVITING YOU, and encouraging you to INVITE OTHERS to to the 9th Continental Assembly July 24-27 at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. Online registrations have started at www.marianist.com/assembly. We will soon start an FAQ section but we are always open to questions and suggestions at laymarianist@gmail.com. Just like the brothers and sisters experience in Provincial Chapters, and not unlike what delegates experienced at the international assembly in Lima, Peru, our Continental Assemblies are a time to come together, share our stories, pray, learn about and from other Marianist lay communities, and embark on a future together, better for knowing we're part of a larger family. PLEASE SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PEERS AND COLLEAGUES IN MARIANIST INSTITUTIONS. ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO ATTEND!
|
|
A Story (or a few) to Tell!
Enjoy the following quotes from some of the North American delegates to the Assembly of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities:
 | | Peru Delegates from US, Canada, Haiti and Korea |
"...we immediately felt connected as Family through our common love of our Marianist Charism. A pervasive joyful spirit was evident throughout the Assembly and bound us together even further."
- Linda Zappacosta
"Our founders' charism is alive and well everywhere in the world and it is good news for today."
- Josee Roberge
"... the international assembly of MLCs in Peru is bound to go down as one of the most exciting events of my life in 2014. There were so many great things that happened, it's hard to pick just one to talk about. However, if I had to pick a single highlight from the assembly, it would be the unique opportunity to learn about the tremendous variety of MLCs throughout the world." - Rob Brodrick
"I was interested to hear how similar or different we are in community life and the struggles we may be facing. One thing I did find reassuring is that the Marianist Laity is strong and we continue seeking ways to keep our presence relevant where we work and live. We had the chance to share in small groups comprised of people from different countries. We shared our challenges and our hopes. These conversations gave me a glimpse of Marianist community life elsewhere, which was a blessing." - Toni Mesina
"The Peru Assembly immersed me in the worldwide reach of the Marianist Family. I began to understand that being in Marianist Community is part of something greater and more meaningful than simply personal growth in a small faith community. It is about living the gospel, bringing our hands and feet to the words of the gospel... Certainly, our US Assembly in San Antonio in July will be a significant opportunity to inspire and broaden our view of the role of laity in the Marianist Family..." - Marceta Reilly
"The joy of the Assembly was contagious. For as many countries and languages that were represented, which could have proven to be barriers, we left not only as new-found friends, but as one family, aware of and part of the larger world." - Matt Dunn
The above quotes are from longer reflections. Click to READ MORE!
|
More from Peru
Similar to a General Chapter for the Society of Mary or Daughters of Mary, the General Assembly of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities brings together lay Marianists from all over the world. Countries send delegates per a specific ratio that corresponds to the number of lay Marianists in each country. The United States sent six delegates and were joined by one person from Canada and one person from Haiti. 40 delegates, in all, plus invited guests, observers and assessors (advisors) joined in prayer, faith sharing, and discussion about the present state of Marianist lay communities in our own countries.
Upon learning the strengths and challenges for each country, delegates discerned priorities to be addressed by the leadership team of the IO-MLC over the next five years. These include:
Encouraging MLCs worldwide to a deeper expression of the ideals stated in the 2009 Assembly document, "Marianist Lay Communities in the Church and World." Take specific actions:
- To know, appreciate, and put the Nairobi document into practice.
- National and local Family Councils should encourage and support common missionary actions.
- To deepen and intensify our Marianist identity life and spirituality.
- To strengthen and promote youth ministry according to each country�s needs.
Form regional teams to build cooperation among countries within a region and to lessen the burden on the Regional Responsible. Note: Our Regional Responsible, Susan Vogt from the US, was elected to a second term.
Work intensively on the integration of the different branches into one single Marianist Family through the following:
- shared formation opportunities,
- strengthening of regional and national Marianist Family Councils, and
- equitable sharing in the financial needs of the Marianist Family.
Create of a common model for formation of Marianist laity and new communitie and provide an explicit model to identify who are communities and members of the MLC.
Find ways to support the connection and participation in Marianist life for those who feel Marianist, but who don�t belong to an MLC.
These challenges resonate with the leadership team of Marianist Lay Network of North America. As we learned that issues for Marianist Lay Communities in North America are not unique, we are encouraged that our concerns, hopes and vision for the future align with those of the Marianist Family around the world.
|
Marianist Lay Formation Initiative
Looking for a way to finally begin that Marianist faith community you've always dreamed of? Need some new skills and formation to strengthen the community you are in? Consider joining the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative in 2014! Our opening retreat will be in Dayton, Ohio on Mar 21-23. Check out more info at www.marianist.com/mlfi or call Pati Krasensky at 215-634-4116.
|
Marianist Virtual Learning Courses
Lent can be a time to ponder, reflect, and challenge ourselves along our faith journey. During Lent NACMS is offering two of its online courses:
Marianist Studies Founders and Marianist Studies Prayer.
Each 5-week course runs from March 2 to April 5. Registration is available now to February 26
Marianist Studies: Founders explores the lives of Blessed William Chaminade, Venerable Ad�le de Batz de Trenqu�lleon, and Venerable Marie Th�r�se de Lamourous. Together participants will discuss how we can continue to participate in their legacy of community building and faith sharing to create a better world and Church.
Marianist Studies: Prayer enhances our current prayer life by exploring different prayer styles shared in the Marianist Family. How about adding more time for listening for God's voice this Lent?
Please go to https://vlc.udayton.edu/register/ to register for these courses.
The cost for each course is $40.00. (Choose North American Center for Marianist Studies in the diocese/partner section of the registration form for this price).
Please contact Patti Gehred at NACMS if you have any questions
|
In Support of Religious Vocations
Gabby Bibeau, living at the Annunciation House of the Marianist Sisters in Dayton, OH is hoping to join US Province of the Marianist Sisters this summer and is part of a cohort of other young people working with the Laboure Society to pay off their college debt so they can be free to follow their call - she tells her vocation story in this video. You can follow the link to the Laboure Society to learn more about Gabby's story and the Laboure Society's efforts to support folks like Gabby. Contributions can also be made directly on that site.
 | | Laboure Society - Gabriel Bibeau |
In addition to the option to financially support Gabby and the Laboure Society, a new committee has been established to create "The Marianist Sisters Vocation Fund". Candidates' student debt relief is a common concern among religious orders across our nation, especially for women. The committee's goal is to raise funds to reduce student debt for women interested in becoming a Marianist Sister.
Our Marianist Sisters have established a restricted account for donations to the fund. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation which will assist candidates now and for the future, please make a check payable to "Marianist Sisters" and write "Marianist Sister Vocation Fund" on the bottom left memo line. Please send it to the Marianist Sisters, 235 W. Ligustrum Dr., San Antonio, Texas, 78228. Thank you.
|
|
Submit your stories and pictures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
