Bringing Christ into the World

My shortest response to the question, "What is a Lay Marianist?" is to say, "Well, like Mary, we bring Christ into the world." 



Pictured here are a number of Lay Marianists (and a few who aren't) from the Embers, Summons and Wellspring Communities. These Marianists are now scattered over the globe delivering on this basic promise. When we combine these communities with other recently formed communities and with not so recently formed communities we find that our promise is delivered.


In 2008 you could find Lay Marianists from North America in Africa, South Dakota, Los Angeles, New Mexico, West Virginia, Haiti, New York, New Orleans, Nicaragua, Texas, Maryland, Mexico, Ohio, Chicago, Portland, Baltimore, Italy, your home and so much more. In each of these places our companions were not just visiting, but delivering on the promise of bringing Christ to others by doing acts of service and kindness just as you do wherever you are.

 
The following LINK will take you on a joyful trip to the world we serve. (This is not a Marianist production.)

I hope you dance!

peace and love,

aj.

Prayers and Ideas Sought
 

The Leadership Team, Area Repreresentatives and Project Leaders of MLNNA will be meeting September 5 - 7 on the Campus of the University of Dayton.

Please pray that the Spirit's Grace will be present with us. If you have any agenda items you would like considered please forward them to aj@marinistfamily.org. If you wish to attend the meeting, you are more than welcome. More details can be obtained from AJ Wagner.

Small Christian Community Learning Center

We don't need to reinvent the wheel.  Pati Krasensky has pointed us in the direction of another resource for small christian communities (SCC). 
Please check www.sccconnect.org for other ideas for your SCC.

[This Small Christian Community Connection was formally called Buena Vista.]

RESOURCES for Community or Indivdual Reflections

NACMS have been receiving the newsletter EDUCATION FOR JUSTICE for several months, now.  I have found the offerings quite helpful.  To receive it does require a subscription. 

I was struck by how useful this resource might be to communities-the topical pieces could be used as interest dictates; the lectionary reflections might assist those communities struggling to find prayer resources or topics for reflection.  I talked with Katherine, the editor, and she told me a module on Mary and justice is just about ready and will come out in the early fall.  www.EducationforJustice.org

Peace,
Carol Ramey

Immigration Resource Materials Available from MSJC

The MSJC Anti-Racism Issue Team is preparing a small packet of resource materials on the issue of immigration that could be useful to Marianist Lay Communities.  The packet will include suggested DVD's and discussion guides, prayer service, possible action steps, etc.  The packet will be available later this month.  If you or your community is interested in being more informed about this issue of learning what actions to take, contact the MSJC office (jimvogt2@yahoo.com or 859-291-6197) to get a copy.

Jim Vogt, Director
Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
523 East Southern Ave
Covington KY  41015
859-291-6197;  fax - 859-291-4742
jimvogt2@yahoo.com;  www.msjc.net

Environmental Tips from MEEC
Marianist Environmental Education Center
 
1) USE BOTH SIDES OF PAPER
American businesses throw away 21 million tons of paper every year, equal to 175 pounds per office worker. For a quick and easy way to halve this, set your printer's default option to print double-sided (duplex printing). And when you're finished with your documents, don't forget to take them to the recycling bin.

2) RETHINK BOTTLED WATER
Nearly 90% of plastic water bottles are not recycled, instead taking thousands of years to decompose. Buy a reusable container and fill it with tap water, a great choice for the environment, your wallet, and possibly your health. The EPA's standards for tap water are more stringent than the FDA's standards for bottled water.

3) SECOND-HAND DOESN'T MEAN SECOND-BEST
Consider buying items from a second-hand store. Toys, bicycles, roller blades, and other age and size-specific items are quickly outgrown. Second hand stores often sell these items in excellent condition since they are used for such a short period of time, and will generally buy them back when you no longer need them.