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MLNNA operates through the generosity of lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities that make up its membership.
Our programs, activities, newsletters, and our support of MSJC, MLFI, and the IO-MLC couldn't happen without your support.
To make a contribution, click the button below.
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LeeAnn Meyer
Illinois
Jessica Gonz�lez
Ohio
TBD
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Dear MLNNA Community,
Spring has finally sprung and it brings me both, hope and joy, to be the member of the leadership team to greet you in this month's newsletter.
As members of the Marianist family I am reminded of one of the sources for inspiration that helps us understand what it means to be Marianist, humility.
For me humility is an asset for leadership and we, my friends, are all leaders when it comes to spreading the good news that is "being Marianist." What an honor.
However, people rarely put "humility" and "leadership" in the same sentence. -
Aren't leaders supposed to know all the answers?
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Aren't they supposed to be the experts?
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How in the world can humility be an asset for leaders?
Well recently I read an article by Theodore Bremer entitled, "Humility: The Lost Art in Leadership." (Click here). It changed my thinking...
As Bremer sees it, humility is about getting input from others, learning from mistakes, letting go of controlling everything, frequently reflecting about how to improve oneself, and trusting others to do good work.
This seems to describe leaders who are far beyond "ego." They are deeply grounded and more interested in developing collective wisdom than about dispensing knowledge. Working with them creates "flow" not "push." And in working with them the level of wisdom and knowledge rises for everyone. They create a deeper sense of "knowing" within the group.
In some ways it seems counter intuitive: The more leaders give up control of "being the expert," the more others ascribe expertise and wisdom to them.
I was mentored for many years by a great leader like that. He was quiet and unassuming among us, but exerted great influence by modeling "servant leadership." He was the kind of leader we all aspired to be. And he created a culture of respect and trust that permeated every aspect of his work.
He is now retired, but I think of him often when people talk about "great leadership."
What "great leader" do you know who used humility as an asset? What impact did that have on you?
May you continue to be blessed with leaders who motivate and inspire you to be a leader yourself in faith and in community.
Marceta
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MLNNA Update
Happy Mother's Day to all moms including spiritual moms. Motherhood is embodied in so many ways - caring for the sick, comforting the lonely, mentoring a person in trouble, praying with someone who is in fear, and being an inspirational example for young women - just to name a few. You all touch many lives and we are grateful for your contributions.
We continue to reach out as often as we can to talk with our communities, the family councils, our our Marianist partners. Thank you all for your feedback. We will continue to "make the rounds" through the year.
The Google Map is undergoing updates - check the link in the box below. We are still working on the updates we have received. If you're a new community - send us you Community Name, Point of Contact, and a location and we'll add you to the map.
The MLNNA Leadership Team will be going on retreat on May 29th - this will be our first face-to-face meeting since the election 6 months ago. Please keep us in our prayers as we continue to work on our priorities and address the key issues presented by you our members.
If you are looking for information or have a question, please send it to Info@mlnna.org.
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Invitation to Volunteer at MLNNA
If you would like to offer your talents and gifts to support the MLNNA, please contact us. We have short-term and long-term projects. If we don't have something to suit you now, we'll keep on our list and let you know as projects come up. Right now we are looking for the following:
Web Meetings: We are looking for 3-4 people to help with planning and developing the content of the events. We also need help with web-meeting technology. If you are interested, contact Terri Maze here.
MSJC Delegate: We are looking for a person who can spend 5-10 hours per month to be a liaison between the MLNNA Leadership team and the MSJC. If you are interested, contact Mallory Green here.
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On April 26, 2015, over 30 Lay Marianist and Marianist Brothers
 gathered for a formation retreat at Mystical Rose Oratory in Honolulu, HI. The retreat, planned by the Marianist Family Council of Oahu, was designed to connect five MLCs and local SMs, to reflect on who we are as Marianists in Hawaii and to challenge ourselves to live out our vocation more vibrantly. The retreat ended with a special prayer service including the proclamation of commitment/identity statements of each MLC.
MLFI
The MLFI is a one-year program sponsored in part by donations to MLNNA. The MLFI is designed to assist people in their knowledge of the Marianist Charism in order to articulate and spread our Charism wherever they find themselves! This year 13 people are participating from 5 States. They had their initial weekend April 10-12 and will complete the program in February 2016. If you are interested in next year's program - contact Pati Krasensky at pkrasensky@sm-usa.org.
Affiliate to Make Commitment
Lori Criscione has been accepted as a Marianist Affiliate and will make her commitment on May 14. Lori is a member of the
Springfield, IL Affiliate Community. Congratulations Lori!
If you have news to share about your MLC, please send it to News@mlnna.org.
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We Remember the Following In Our Prayers
In praise, thanksgiving and for healing and comfort to all our brothers and sisters...
For healing...
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Maureen Cahill.
Brendan Doyle
F. John Whelan
Lillian Neumann
Sister Paulette Patritti, OP
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Carol Heineck
F.Gerald Chinchar, S.M.
Br. Joe Barrish, S.M.
Teresita Wardlow
Diane Solano
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For those who have gone on before us... |
Raymond Roussin, Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver, BC, Canada
Frances (Totaro) Pontolillo
Helen Gross
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Betty Ann Nolan
Lance Ericson
Br. Kenneth Jung, S.M
Anthony "Skippy" Pontolillo, Jr
Lisa Marino
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In thanksgiving... Cana Community is a new MLC made up of students and recent graduates of the University of Dayton. May God bless them as they grow in community. We welcome them into our MLNNA network. Marianist Lay Community of Cleveland professed their commitment at a mass in St. Aloysius Parsish. Submit your prayer request here: Prayer Intention |
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Ministry Opportunities
The Society of Mary has openings within several ministries. Click HERE for more details.
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New at NACMS
Mary Holy Possibility
A journal to encounter Mary, our gift from God.
NACMS is happy to announce our newest publication Mary, Holy Possibility. In this journal you will explore the kaleidoscope of events in Mary's life as believer, prophet, God-Bearer, disciple, and companion through Scripture and various Marianist voices. You will ponder as Mary does and journey with her as she guides you to a closer relationship with her son, Jesus Christ. Cost: $7.50
The book can be ordered on-line from NACMS here.
Marianist Matters
There is also a new e-program called Marianist Matters (MM). The first edition reviews Chaminade's Letter to the Retreat Masters of 1839. This e-program includes Lawrence J. Cada, SM's introduction and English translation of what many consider Blessed Chaminade's most important writing along with reflection questions for you and your community.You can find this $5.00 downloadable here.
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Resources for the Easter Season
www.loyolapress.com (Loyal Press)
(Crossroads)
www.catholic.org/clife/lent/ (Catholic Online)
www.crossroadskidsclub.net/easter-season-resources/
(Crossroads Kids Club)
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Your Support Matters
With your support, we will be able to increase the programs we provide for our MLNNA members, as well as continue our support of the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative, the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities. Additionally, your support covers general expenses such as this newsletter, our national database, our annual appeal, and our support staff in Philadelphia.
Follow the link if you'd like to make a one-time or recurring online contribution. You may also send a check to the address below (in the footer).
We are most grateful for your thoughts, suggestions, prayers, and financial support. Together we can breathe life into how we live and express the Marianist Charism.
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