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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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Year of Mercy
Dear Friends,
As you are likely aware, Pope Francis has proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy beginning December 8 and lasting through Christ the King in November 2016.
Through this joyful Jubilee year, Pope Francis calls us to be "merciful like the Father" and to act accordingly. We usually think of mercy in terms of forgiveness and remission of punishment. However, reflecting on God's boundless, unconditional love and compassion, Pope Francis asks us to contemplate and act on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that have long been a part of our Catholic tradition.
What are ways that you give witness to works of mercy in your own life? Our #MarianistsInAction activities were a beautiful way to lead us to the Marianist World Day of Prayer. Perhaps such activities could be continued. Please consider your own response to this invitation as well as the response of your community.
As I reflect on how our communities must be present in the world, we could certainly exercise some charity. Charity shouldn't just be a one-time event. We must change our attitudes and actions toward the poor and marginalized. But sometimes our comfortable living holds us back. I'm reminded of Bro. Stephen Glodek's article, "The Need for New Skills" in the Spring 1998 issue of Marianist Soundings. In it, he challenges us: - To move from nurturing in community to loving confrontation in community.
- To move from preoccupation with forming community to preoccupation with forming missionary attitudes in community members.
- To move from welcoming to being welcomed.
- To move from hospitality to uncomfortable hospitality.
- To move from faith-sharing communities to newspaper and faith-sharing communities.
We may be involved in a variety of initiatives through our workplaces, parishes, and other ministries. Let us also be mindful of the witness we can give when our own faith community works to transform the world. May your Advent continue to be blessed and may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Peace,
Matt Dunn Head of Spirituality
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MLNNA Update
Our Annual Contribution Campaign is in the mail. MLNNA relies on your contributions to become more relevant to you, your communities, and the Marianist Family. We have ambitious goals for 2016 including the preparations for the 2017 Assembly.
Please read the letter for more details about our financial goals and our plans. You can make your annual contribution my clicking on the Donate Now button to the left of this article.
Thank you for your generous support.
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Video - Mary Did You Know? - Peter Hollens
An advent meditation...
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Works of Mercy
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Corporal Works of Mercy
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Spiritual Works of Mercy
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to feed the hungry
to give drink to the thirsty
to clothe the nakes
to house the homeless
to visit the sick
to ransom the captive
to bury the dead
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to instruct the ignorant
to counsel the doubtful
to admonish sinners
to bear wrongs patiently
to forgive offences willingly
to comfort the afflicted
to pray for the living & the dead
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Photo from year-of-mercy.org
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Characteristics of Community
On December 8, Blessed Chaminade convened what would become the first Marianist sodality, giving life to Marianist lay communities (MLCs) and to the Marianist Family. Since that time, MLCs have existed around the world bringing people together for prayer, formation, and mission. In its effort to characterize what it means to be in an MLC, the Marianist Lay Network has been assembling practical examples. Following are just a few.
Marianist Lay Communities
- Gather regularly (whether a couple times a month or a couple times a year)
- Pray together
- Share and discuss their faith together
- Are knowledgeable about our Founders
- Are committed to education in the faith and our charism (perhaps discussing Marianist writings)
- Are committed to social justice and to mission
- Participate regularly in activities of the larger Marianist Family (local Family Councils, World Day of Prayer, Founders Day, MLNNA assemblies, #MarianistsinAction, etc.)
- Support the larger Marianist Family, particularly through MLNNA or specific Marianist ministrie
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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.
We are recruiting for a new Head of Office of Education. If you are interested in leading this important office, or would like to nominate someone, please contact Mike Wasno.
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2017 Assembly
We are pleased to announce that Al Prendergast is the co-Chair of the 2017 Assembly. Al has a background in corporate management and leading diverse organizations. And Br. Stan Zubek, SM will be the Assembly Team's facilitator. More announcements and information will be provided early next year.
We are still looking for a broad group of people to help plan the 2017 Assembly and 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 Three Offices. 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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Marianist Feast Days for Dec/Jan
12/12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Patroness of the Americas
12/27 - St. John the Beloved - Patron of the Society of Mary
1/1 - Mary, Mother of God
1/10 - Adele Day, Foundress of the Marianist Sisters and the Marianist Family
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
On December 12 we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531 Mary appeared to Juan Diego near Mexico City. In 1999, Pope John Paul II decreed Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the Patroness of the Americas.
Let us pray:
God of power and mercy,
you blessed the Americas
with the presence of the Virgin Mary.
May her prayers
help all men and women
to accept each other
as brothers and sisters.
Through your justice present
in hearts and in our service to others, may your peace reign in the world.
May the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit
be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
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We Remember the Following In Our Prayers
Those Who Need Our Prayers For Healing...
Emil Ujcich (Affiliate in Milwaukee, WI)
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For those who have gone on before us...
Brother Leo Willett, SM
Brother Robert Johns, SM
| Earl "Bud" Barrette, Affiliate, Milwaukee, WI (father of Jim Barrette)
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In gratitude...
For the Nazareth Marianist Lay Community in Dayton, celebrating its 25th anniversary on December 12
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Calling All Marianists!
Have you always wanted to start a Marianist Lay Community but didn't know where to start?
Do you know anyone who may be interested in deepening their commitment to Marianist life through forming a Marianist Lay Community?
Are you currently in a community that could use a little boost? Need a way to re-energize your community?
We are currently in the planning stages for the next gathering of the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative (MLFI) the weekend of March 11-13, 2016.
Call Director Pati Krasensky at 215-634-4116 for more information or visit our website at www.marianist.com/mlfi.
Enter the Upper Room...
The roots of Marianist lay communities trace back to the "upper room," where the first Christian community gathered after Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:13). Fr. Chaminade's mission to rechristianize France began with small communities of faith patterned after these first disciples.
The Marianist Family Council invites you to enter the upper room experience through the Marianist Lay Formation Initiative. This one-year program supports laity who are passionate about the Marianist charism and desire to spread the Marianist spirit in their area.
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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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PULSE - A Great Opportunity! *
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.
* PULSE is a ministry of the Marianist Province of the United States. Last month we accidentally listed it under NACMS.
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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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