December 12, 2004

Dear Members of the Marianist Family,

The Marianist Family Council of North America once again invites you to join together as Marianist Family in praying the attached prayer on January 1, feast of Mary, Mother of God.

Traditionally, during the month of January, we have celebrated our Marianist heritage handed down to us by our three founders, Fr. Chaminade, Mother Adèle and Thèrése de Lamourous, and we will again be celebrating in many places across the United States. Praying together will unite us as Family, and will remind us of what we are to be about: helping Mary to bring Christ to others. Our world is calling us to listen to its many cries and is demanding our united response in a common mission. This call to prayer on January 1st is one way we can journey together as Family.

Wishing you a blessed New Year!

Marge Cavanaugh     Bro. Stephen Glodek, SM      Sr. Marcy Loehrlein, FMI
Jean Canning     Rev. James Fitz, SM     Sr. Evangeline Escobar, FMI

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR, IN HONOR OF OUR FOUNDERS

Loving and compassionate God,
as we approach the new year, we the Marianist Family, like all people,
tend to make resolutions that will probably be broken before the month is out.
This year, we wish to rearrange our inner world a bit.
We realize that we are in a continual process of conversion
and that our greatest challenge is our call to growth.
Our founders, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade,
Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Thèrése de Lamourous,
handed down that challenge from our beginnings as a Marianist Family.

We believe, Lord, that we are all bearers of Jesus
and that we wish to continue our common mission of
helping Mary to bring Christ to the world.
This is another challenge, particularly in this world
where peace and justice often seem to be simply words that we hear,
but appear to be far off in practice.
We ask Mary, our Mother, to form us into the image of her Son, Jesus,
for it is only through our transformation into His likeness that we can accomplish any efforts in making your Reign present in today's world.

Lord, we ask for wisdom, courage, guidance and patience as,
together,
we enter 2004.
Be the Star that leads us; be our wellspring of hope,
for it is only with your grace that we will make a difference in this world of ours. We have bridges to cross so bless us, God of the journey,
as we continue our own journey in faith and hope.
May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places
through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
Amen.

(Prayer written by Sr. Eileen Cehyra, FMI)