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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.
MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE
CONTRIBUTION NOW!
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LeeAnn Meyer
Illinois
Vacant
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New at the Marianist Mission
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Now available in Spanish, prayer and healing cards and resources to help your spiritual development of those you know that are part of the Hispanic community.
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Gratitude Can Make Us Healthier
As the Thanksgiving season nears, it seems appropriate to talk a bit about the important role gratitude plays in our lives. Neuroscience is showing that gratitude can actually make us healthier.
Several recent studies have concluded that the expression of gratitude can have profound and positive effects not only on our health, but also our moods and our relationships. The more we think about things we are grateful for, the more our brain looks for things to be grateful for in our environment.
Feeling grateful activates areas of the brain associated with the neurontransmitter dopamine. Getting an increase in dopamine makes us feel good and want to be more positive with others in order to keep that good feeling going. So we are happier, feel less depressed, and are kinder when we consistently practice the habit of feeling grateful.
So I'm thinking about all the ways our Marianist experience is a reason for gratitude. - I am thankful for my Marianist communities. Chaminade was so wise to make "community" central to our charism! Our communities are places where we support each other in becoming better reflections of Jesus through the model of our Mother Mary.
- I am thankful for the practice in Marianist life of using deep listening and dialogue as a pathway to building relationships. Even Pope Francis recently spoke about this when he asked us to pray for dialogue (and good listening!) during November.
- And I am so-o thankful for the "discipleship of equals" within the Marianist Family. When each voice is respected and considered around the table, the Holy Spirit showers us with wisdom and understanding.
Yes, we Marianists have much for which to be thankful as we lean into our charism. I feel blessed to be part of this Marianist Family, for together we build communities filled with open hearts and caring hands!
And speaking of gratitude, I have one last short story to share:
One day a community leader was talking to people about all the needs they had in their community. There were people to feed, children to teach, and families needing places to live. But, she said, "There is good news and bad news about all this. The good news is that there is plenty of money to do all that needs to be done. The bad news is that it is still in people's pockets!"
So, think about your Marianist experiences that fill YOU with gratitude. Then join me in sharing some of your "treasure" in our annual contribution drive. It will not only improve your health and happiness, it will help grow the wonderful Marianist presence in the world!
Warm Regards, Marceta Reilly
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MLNNA Update
"Lay Marianist Handbook" - A Marianist Way of Life
One of the highest priorities in MLNNA's 2014 strategic plan is to offer guidance on how we identify as Marianist. A committee from around the country is working on what is currently dubbed the "Lay Marianist Handbook." The handbook will address such questions as "who is a Lay Marianist?" and "how does someone become one?" The handbook will offer practical examples of ways individuals and communities can live the pillars of the Marianist charism.
In our Marianist journey we are invited to deepen our understanding of the Marianist charism and living it.  We all have stories of how we met the Marianists! Somewhere, somehow, we come into contact with the Marianist Family. This is often through participation in a Marianist ministry or at the invitation of a Marianist (lay or religious). In a variety of ways we learn more about the Marianist charism and the Marianist family. Both formal and informal, they include online courses and publications by the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS), the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative (MLFI), community discussions, lay assemblies, the Marianist Affiliate program, and formation/workshops offered to students and employees of Marianist institutions.
As lay Marianists, there is a point in time where being Marianist becomes a way of life. As lay Marianists, we join Mary in her mission of bringing Christ to the world. We commit to living our faith for the transformation of the world. This commitment is expressed through acts of consecration, community commitment ceremonies, personal commitments to Marianist ministries and through vows made in the presence of the Marianist Family.
The "handbook" will offer further insight into our Marianist journey. If you have thoughts or insights on what it means, and what it takes, to become a lay Marianist, please let us know by writing to spirituality@mlnna.org.
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Volunteer Opportunities with MLNNA!
We are looking for help on a variety of projects. Some are short-term, one-time projects. Please consider donating a few hours of your time to help provide new features for you - our members. Here's just a sample:
Marketing Communications - We are looking for help to freshen up our website by February and integrate our social media presence. If you, your community, or a team of friends would like to work on this project, please email us.
MLNNA will be sending out our annual membership contribution letter this month, and we need your help! If you are interested in making personal connections, meeting other Lay Marianists, and serving MLNNA, please contact Mallory Green to sign up for our phone-a-thon event.
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2017 Assembly 
The Leadership Team is looking for a broad group of people to help plan the 2017 Assembly. We would like a mix of experienced and "less-experienced" members to work together to build an Assembly that will attract as many Lay Marianists as possible.
We're looking for one more co-Chair, and leaders and assistants for the offices of Spirituality, Education, and Temporalities. We also need committee members who are willing to assist them! Our first goal is to get a core team together to help select a site and start recruiting the larger team.
If you're not available until sometime in the future - let us know, we can use your help when you are available.
If you are interested in being a part of the 2017 Assembly Committee, please contact Mike Wasno.
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#MarianistsInAction 
Thanks again for the amazing response to the Inaugural #MarianistsInAction day of service and sharing.
Mallory Green created a video to commemorate the event. Watch it here.
And you can read the Family On Line article here.
If you are sponsoring an event and would like us to include in our newsletter, email us. (We publish on the 2nd Friday of the month.) |
Community Highlights
The Marianist Family Council of North America met last week in San Antonio. More information about the meeting will be in an upcoming Family On Line. (Br. Joe Kamis, Fr. Marty Solma, Matt Dunn, Mike Wasno, Sr. Laura Leming)
MLNNA hosted a gathering of local San Antonio Lay Marianists at the Marianists Sisters' house to discuss MLNNA goals and learn about characteristics and culture of MLC's in San Antonio. Thank you to Irene Quesnot, Kenny Miles, Matt Meyer, Dalia Vaquez, Fr. John Manahan, and the Marianist Sister Community for joining us.
REMINDER: The Dayton Marianist Family Council is rebuilding their contact list to better share Marianist happenings in the Dayton, Ohio area. All are welcome to subscribe, regardless of your experience with the Marianist Family. Even if you have received emails in the past, please visit their website to complete the form.
If you have news to share about your MLC, please send it to News@mlnna.org.
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Marianist Feast Days for Nov/Dec
11/15 - Nuestra Senora de la Divina Providencia -
Patroness of Puerto Rico
11/21 - Presentation of Mary
12/8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
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We Remember the Following In Our Prayers
Those Who Need Our Prayers...
Fr. George Onida, SM
| Bro. Tom Payne, SM
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For those who have gone on before us...
John Lawrence
Jean Schmit
Rev. Carl Bauer
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James Wisecaver, SM
Danny Heller
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In gratitude for all the good work done as part of the #MarianistsInAction initiative. |
MSJC's - Marianist Call to Advance Justice
Time is Running Out - Schedule your MCAJ Workshop before Dec 2015!
Is your Marianist lay community or group interested in a stimulating, challenging formation opportunity that will plunge you more deeply into our call as Lay Marianists? If so, then consider scheduling a Marianist Call to Advance Justice workshop - an initiative of the Marianist Family aimed at helping each community to respond more fully to our call to justice. The workshop takes three hours. For more information, contact Jim Vogt.
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Virtual Learning Community for Faith FormationOur Marianist Charism reminds us that we are continuously being formed by Mary to be Christ to the world. The VLC's Marianist Studies program provides opportunities for us to deepen our understanding of our Marianist Life and Catholic Faith.
You may want to register as an individual to meet and learn along with others in the Marianist Family. Or, if your community would like to take a course together, contact Patti Gehred at NACMS to learn about reserving a group course.
For details about available courses and more, go here.
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New at NACMS
PULSE Applications Available The application for Partners in Urban Leadership, Service, and Education are available. PULSE is a post-graduate, servant leadership and social justice initiative sponsored by the Marianists.
PULSE volunteers make a one- or two-year commitment to live with fellow volunteers in a lower-income neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio where they will work full-time at a local nonprofit agency, gaining valuable leadership and career skills.
Applications are due January 15, 2016. Requests for an application or more information can be found here.
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Your Contribution Makes A Difference
We receive contributions from all branches of the Marianist Family and people who are touched by the Marianist Charism.
Our success depends on having the resources available to provide current and new programs that benefit our members.
If you'd like to make a one-time or recurring on-line contribution, click here. You may also send a check to the address below (in the footer).
If you can offer your time and talent to help, please click here. Thank you for your generosity and support. Together we can grow and expand the Marianist Charism.
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