Lately I've been reflecting on the communities to which I belong. Community has many definitions and most of them are applicable to all of us one way or another. Beyond our neighborhoods and local communities, national and international events - including the release of Pope Francis' Laudato Si -remind me that I'm part of something larger than myself. Some communities are voluntary and some I'm a part of by my very existence on earth. The voluntary ones involved a choice on my part, requiring intentionality and commitment. I have a sense of community among some of my closest friends. I view my parish as a community (not just place to go to church on Sunday). I belong to a local MLC. I belong to the Visitation Marianist State Community. I'm active in my civic community and try to be engaged in (or at least aware of) issues around the country and world.

Having been to international and national assemblies of Lay Marianists, and having had the privilege to attend the Brothers' assembly in June, I'm reminded that while we call ourselves the Marianist Family, at our core we are collectively a faith community. We share the Marianist charism but live that charism in a number of ways as lay and religious, whether in community in Marianist hot spots or in other corners of the world. As the Marianist Family, we use phrases like "we are a community of communities." In my mind's eye, however, we are one community, whose members - lay and religious -live various commitments. To me, as a lay person, MLNNA is more than a national membership organization of lay people. We are more than just a branch of the family tree. We are a faith community, diverse in our own composition and geography. Wherever we are located and whatever our connection, we are part of something larger.

Each community provides for me and nourishes me in multiple ways. But being part of a community comes with responsibilities (aka commitment). I have a responsibility for all of humankind, for all of God's creation. I vote. I write to legislators. I stay informed. I have a duty to my neighbors and local community. I exercise my conscience and direct my resources accordingly. I volunteer. I participate.   I contribute time, talent and treasure to my parish. I contribute time, talent and treasure to my Marianist communities. And I contribute time, talent, and treasure to my larger Marianist community - the Marianist Lay Network and other works within the Marianist Family.

This editorial isn't to boast. I extend to you an invitation to reflecton your own involvement in the various communities in your life. Do you feel connected to something larger? Are you committed to it? Are you doing what you can to support and sustain what nourishes you? Regardless of your local involvement, within our lay network we hope you know you're part of a faith community with others like you all over the country (and world)!

Your brother in Christ,

Matt Dunn