Marianist Lay Network of North America
Building a Community of Communities
MLNNA

Some Lenten Consideration from within the Marianist World   

    
 "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."

That reflection, by Michela Buccini, of the Adele Social Justice Project, is the exact sentiment many people strive for during Lent. We as Marianists are blessed with many opportunities to live in mission, not just during Lent, but year-round.

 

If you or your community are seeking Lenten resources, or a place to start to be mission-oriented, below are some favorite links that are being shared by various Marianists and Marianist ministries.

 

Catholic Rural Life Conference

Praying Lent (Creighton University)

US Catholic Bishops

Network Catholic Social Justice Lobby

40 Days with the Least of These (in Spanish, translates into English Google Chrome)

Busted Halo Fast Pray Give Calendar

Energy Fast from the Marianist Environmental Education Center

 

The Death Penalty Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative invites those in the Cincinnati/Dayton area to participation in Ohio Death Penalty: Repeal, Reform & Repentence,Thursdays in Lent @ Noon at  Christ Cathedral, Downtown Cincinnati.  Lunch will be provided for $5.50. Each week will feature a guest speaker.

 

Planning an event for in your faith community for Lent? Be sure to check out the Death Penalty: Study, Prayer and Action Guide from our partners at the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. Click Here 

 

If you would like to know more about the Marianist Call to Advance Justice, contact Jim Vogt.
Almsgiving  

 

There are many great causes out there worthy of our almsgiving. Rather than listing things that might be available online or through parishes and schools we encourage you to get to know more about Marianist ministries and support them!

 

The Partnering with the Poor Sponsorship Programs are ministries of the Society of Mary in Africa and India. These programs provide for daily necessities, but more importantly provide training and opportunities for personal empowerment and sustainability. More information about these programs and opportunities to support them are available at

 

The Marianist Environmental Education Center, located at Mt. St. John in Dayton offers the "energy fast" found above. Additionally, MEEC tends to the land at Mt. St. John and offers year-round programming related to sustainability, native plants, and care for the integrity of creation. Join in their efforts by supporting them at http://meec.udayton.edu/JoinUs.asp 

 

The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative consists of issue teams comprised of volunteer members of the laity, FMI and SM. Teams advocate and volunteer on a variety of issues and offer opportunities for individuals and communities to do the same. Resources are available to communities on a number of topics. http://www.msjc.net/default.aspx 

 

Last year, Mission of Mary Farm (Dayton) grew 6,000 lbs. of food and served its neighborhood through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a roadside stand, free community meal events and food pantry donation. This coming season, they are excited to be farming twice as much land in the neighborhood, double their food production, and have an impact on the lives of even more of its neighbors. They will also be providing summer employment to four teens from the neighborhood and start a summer day camp program for kids.
 Please consider supporting the Mission of Mary Farm with a Lenten donation. Donations can be made out to Mission of Mary Cooperative, and mailed to 619 Silver Lane, Dayton OH 45410.   

 

Adding some Silence(s) to Lent

 

When we think of fasting, we often think of giving things up. These often include foods, excesses, and ways we use our time. Many people also try to add things to Lent or do something different in an effort to make themselves a better person. 

 

Consider these ideas of "fasting" by silencing some bad habits so that God can always be first and foremost in our thoughts, words, and deeds:

 

"As you know, for Father Chaminade the silences were really positive virtues.  For him, "silence" did not mean just keeping quiet; it did not mean not using our imaginations; it did not mean to stop thinking. He refers to silence of speech, silence of action, silence of thought, silence of emotions, and silence

of the mind and he defines each one as a positive thing. What he is talking about is disciplining our faculties so they do serve us and in fact help us to do what we are trying to do. He is not talking about some way of deadening them."

 

- Joseph Stefanelli, SM,Our Marianist Heritage, 79.   
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