For
Your Calendar
You
are encouraged to remember these events in prayer.
January
22, 2009 Anniversary
of the death of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
February
2, 2009
Anniversary
of the foundation of the Marianist Family (foundation
day of the Bordeaux Sodality) |
WHAT
WILL YOUR COMMUNITY BE DOING FOR CHAMINADE DAY?
January
22 is the feast of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.
Molly Heineman, a Marianist Volunteer in Malawi writes:
I am volunteering under the Marianist Volunteer Program
in Karonga, Malawi. I am working at a Marianist Technical
Institute here called MIRACLE and for the most part am
loving my work.
My five housemates (including Andy Taube and Matt Meyers)
are working at Chaminade Secondary School for Boys that
is on the same campus. I am on a committee to plan a joint
Chaminade Day celebration for the two schools and we'd
like to share with the students how
other Marianist communities around the world are celebrating
this day.
So if possible, could anyone tell me (in one or two sentences)
how some of the lay Marianist communities are marking the
day?
Please contact Molly at mhoganh@gmail.com if
you can help her.
|
FROM DAYTON NEWS
The 45th Annual Christmas on Campus event took place on
The University of Dayton Campus on Thursday, December 11,
2008.
Christmas at UD - you might notice Santa's
resemblance to our MLNNA President and Mrs. Claus who
happens to look much like Joan.
|
Environmental
Tips
Marianist
Environmental Education Center
GIVE IT AWAY
Before you throw something away, think about if someone
else might need it. Either donate to a charitable organization
or post it on a web site designed to connect people and
things, such as Freecycle.org.
|
QUOTE
I
have long since come to believe that people never mean
half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard
their talk and judge only their actions.
- Dorothy Day,
The Long Loneliness
Dorothy also wrote in The Long Loneliness (Harper Collins): "We
have all known the long loneliness, and we have learned
that the only solution is love and that loves comes with
community." |
INVITATION
Bro.
Jack Ventura invites all members of the Marianist Family
from the St. Louis area to Eucharist and dinner to celebrate
the 208th anniversary of the Foundation Day of Marianist
Sodalities at 4 p.m. on
Sat., Jan.
31, 2009, at
St.
Mary's High School.
Bring
a favorite wine or dessert to share.
For
information or to RSVP,
by Jan. 23
contact Donna Tucker
dtucker@sm-usa.org
or 314.533.1207
|
Marianist Heritage Celebrations at University of Dayton!!
Jan
22 - Thursday
Chaminade Celebration
Noon & 5:00 p.m. - Chaminade
Day Masses. Immaculate Conception Chapel.
6:30 p.m. -
Founders' Potluck Dinner. McGinnis Center. All
are welcome!
Jan 29 - Thursday
Marianist Award Lecture
3:00 p.m. -
2009 Recipient: Rev. David Hollenbach, S.J. Sponsored
by the Forum on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Today. Kennedy
Union Ballroom.
Feb 2 -
Monday
Marianist Lecture
7:30 p.m. -
Bro. Raymond Fitz, S.M. presents "The Marianist Movement
and the
Challenges of
Justice and Reconciliation." Sears Recital Hall. Reception
to follow.
At
Chaminade University Hawaii
Wed,
January 21, 2009
Founders'
Day Mass
11
am, Mystical Rose Oratory
Friday,
January 23
Marianist
Lingo Bingo
Noon,
Loo Center
Saturday,
January 24
Mass
celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Marianists arriving
in Hawaii
Mamiya
Theatre
information
on website.
|
Start
Your Day with a Daily Gospel Meditation from Father
Bert Buby SM
Link
to the blog for his Scripture Reflections.
http://scripmed.blogspot.com
|
|
President's
Message
 There
was much to mourn last month with the loss of Joe
Cavanaugh, long time member of the State Community,
and Sue Wesselkamper, President of Chaminade University.
This month their deaths allowed us to see the great
strength of our Marianist Family.
Last
Saturday in Dayton (for Joe) and in Honolulu (for
Sue) there were memorial services for these dedicated
Lay Marianists. Gathering to celebrate their lives
were not just members of Joe's and Sue's respective
lay communities, but almost every nearby member of
the Society of Mary, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate
and members of many other Lay Communities. At each
location they gathered - sisters, brothers, priests
and laity - as a family telling stories, crying and
celebrating two people who filled their lives with
Marianist Spirit.
You
may not have had the good fortune of knowing these
two great examples of Marianist life. But if you
had been at Sue's or Joe's memorial, you would have
seen, heard and felt the amazing grace that we all
share, and you would have known that you were with
family.
peace
and love,
aj |
See
Sister Nicole Trahan's blog reflecting on Joe
Cavanaugh's memorial service here. |
PRAYERS
Please
pray for the repose of the soul of
Sue
Wesselkamper, President
of Chaminade University of Honolulu and a true Lay
Marianist.
Sue
returned to God after an extended bout with cancer
on January 3rd.
Read
about Sue's tremendous service to Chaminade University here.
|
|
Young
Adults - We Need Your Ideas and Participation!
By
Lisa McCracken
As part of their yearly planning weekend the Adele
Social Justice Project core team met with Dayton
area young adults at the Marianist sisters house
to share experiences with social justice and discuss
the needs of young adults at this point in their
lives. Many attendees spoke of the need to find or
build faith and justice filled communities. The ASJP
core team committed itself to making that a priority
in the coming year and invites others inspired by
this goal to join them. If you are interested in...
Have
other suggestions? Let
us know what you need and come help make it happen! |
Celebrate
Adele days this January! 
Keep Celebrating through the new year! The Adele
Social Justice Project invite you to celebrate "Adele
Days", January 10th was the anniversary
of her death.
And
just keep
Adele's joyful welcoming spirit alive throughout
the day! |
Celebrate
Adele
When
the Branches Community gathered over the holidays
for their annual retreat they did a reflection on
Adele de Batz de Tranquelion. Adele is easy to study
inasmuch as she was a prolific letter writer and
has left many memorable quotes to ponder. Here is
a sampling of quotes considered by the Branches
- "Oh,
let us give him love for love, if we cannot
give him life for life. The world
should no longer have any value for us. Let
us love God above all, and all things in God
and with reference to God. May this adorable
Spouse of our souls satisfy all our desires
and all our affections."
- "O
my God, my heart is too small to love you,
but it will see to it that you are loved by
so many hearts that their love will compensate
for the weakness of mine."
- "I
suggest that we remain united in spirit with
our holy Mother and imitate her recollection
and that attention that was hers while conversing
with the divine Child she bore in her chaste
womb."
January
10 was the anniversary of Adele's death 180 years
ago in 1828. Celebrate by pondering these quotes
or join members of the Adele Social Justice Project
with their suggested ways of celebration noted above.
|
Prayer
for the New Year
Respond: "God,
surprise us again."
When
we miss the beauty and the joy of earth's goodness...
When
the goodness of others gets lost in the rush...
When
the hope in our heart fades away...
When
loneliness pursues us...
When
it seems the darkness will never give way to the
light...
When
the troubles of others seem more than we can carry...
Respond: "Walk
closely with us, God."
As
we strive to live our lives well...
As
we journey into the unknown territory of a new year...
As
we learn to accept our weaknesses and our strengths...
As
we give ourselves to the poor and the powerless...
As
we try to live in the heart of the scriptures...
As
we accept your constant love for us...
Adapted
from May I
Have this Dance?
by
Joyce Rupp (Ave Maria Press 1992)
|
Meet
Carol Weiss
  "I'm
Carol Weiss, I live in Flushing NY, in the house
I was born in and love being a New Yorker. I am an
accountant by day and a puppeteer by night. I have
3 daughters, a son who passed away and 6 grandchildren.
I was married to Milton, the most wonderful Jewish
man for 35 years until he passed away. Sometimes
I feel more Jewish than Christian. Marrying into
a Jewish family was one of the most enriching experiences
of my life & gave me a much greater appreciation
of Jesus and especially Mary.
I have gone to clown college, puppet school, am a
certified Spiritual Director and spent a month at
the Monestary in Pecos, NM at their school for Spiritual
Directors.
I first met the Mariainsts over 35 years ago when
I attended a family retreat at Cape May. I
am a lay Marianist Affiliate and continue to be involved
with the Family Retreat Programs at Cape May & NC
and currently serve as Treasurer on the Board of
Directors for the Marianist Family Ministry in Topsail,
NC. I don't have a lot of initials after my name,
but what I do have is my commitment to the Marianist
family and their mission and am open to wherever
that takes me.
I am privileged to serve MLNNA not only as Treasurer
but in any way that God calls me."
Editors comment: Carol has volunteered to take
on the responsibilities of Treasurer for the MLNNA
organization replacing Tony Garacia who will continue
with the group but now have time to focus in his
last year as the President of the International Marianist
Lay Organization and the preparation for the International
Lay Meeting August 2-8, 2009. THANK-YOU Carol.
|
WANT AD - East Coast Regional Representative
The
Marianist Lay Network of North America (MLNNA) needs
an East Coast Regional Representative to replace
Carol Weiss who has accepted the new role of Treasurer
for the organization.
The job description: this person would be the
liasion between MLNNA leadership team and the local
communities. We currently have communities
in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington
DC and Topsail NC.
Area
reps are appointed for 2 year terms and may then
choose assistants in his/her area. The position
requires about 6 to 8 hours work each month. Working
with representatives from other areas and the Community
Development director (Kay Stone) from the leadership
team, the East Coast area rep. is the conduit for
information flowing both to and from MLNNA to the
various Lay Communities and individual Lay Marianists
in the area.
If you are interested or just want to know more about
the position please contact Kay Stone, at kastn_1999@yahoo.com to
discuss. She is also open to accept nominations
as long as you are reasonably sure the person would
be interested.
We want to identify any interested people by Saturday
February 14th. Thank-you
for considering this opportunity to be involved and
serve our organization.
|
Small Christian Community Connection (formerly
Buena Vista)
connecting small Christian communities
(SCCs), small church
communities (SCCs), basic church communities,faith
sharing small groups, home churches, etc.
Resources (link
to) :
Creating
Small Christian Communities; Minimum Structure, Maximum
Life, by Barbara A. Darling and Jack
Ventura, S.M., draws from the wisdom of many small
community people. It brings practical wisdom to the
work of creating and maintaining community. An extensive
appendix includes a small group agreement plus a
list of materials and international resource organizations.
Getting
a Grip on Your Group; A Guide to Discerning Priorities
in Your Small Christian Community, by
Barbara A. Darling leads group participants through
a process that can lead to covenant. It incorporates
a readily adaptable covenant outline, help with shared
decision making and other helpful resources.
Both of these books are available
through Good
Ground Press
|
THANK
YOU! to
those who so generously contributed to our
annual fund drive.
John Becker Jr. & Christine Cornello 12
Anonymous Donors
Betty D. Breen Paula & Mike
Ziemski
Robert & Charlette Buescher Frances
Wolfe-Bertling
Marge Cavanaugh Kay
Stone
David Coleman C.L. & M.S.
Vehorn
Jim & Susan Vogt John
Eise
George & Margaret Lisjak Don & Pat
Frericks
Michael Gillespie Anne
M. Petratis
John & Mary Beaudoin Holden Gregory
Pfeifer
Pati Krasensky Richard & Cecelia
Rynazewski
Marianist Novitiate Community Christine
A. Sitko
Desales Crossing Marianist Community Jacqueline
Griswold
A. J. & Joan McGuinness Wagner Quebec
MLC |
|
| |
|
Support
MLNNA
We are working with Network for Good to collect financial
contributions electronically. Check out our Donation
Page.
Please
remember that your contributions support this MLNNA
E-news, the Saying
Yes reflection, the Magnificat
and Gifts and Tasks. Your contribution also supports
the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, the International
Organization of Marianist Lay Comunities and the Marianist
Lay Formation Initiative.
We
want to do more for you and for our mission to others, but
our budget is very limited. Our only source of contributions
is our members, so any gift is greatly appreciated. If you
have any questions or comments about our fundraising or our
spending or if you have any suggestions, please let me know
at aj@marianistfamily.org.
|
Energy
Stewardship: From Pew to Planet
Saturday,
January 31,
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Marianist Family Room, Marianist Center, Mount St.John
Dayton OH
Join
a dynamic faith-based community engaged in environmental
initiatives to learn about energy ethics, confront the realities
of our energy crisis, understand climate change impacts,
explore congregational energy audits, discover resources
for energy education and action. Registration fee: $40 for
first member of congregation; $30 for second member; $25
for third and fourth members. Fee includes lunch and
resources. Space is limited; register by January 16. Download
flyer here.
|
Marianist
Volunteers
Yewo
Chomene (Thank You Very Much)
 by
Sarah Wdowiak, Karonga volunteer
When
I decided to move to Karonga, Malawi, Africa during the summer
of 2007, I had no idea what I was getting into. Who knew
that I would find a home and an experience that would leave
such a lasting impression on my heart?
For the past fifteen months, I have worked at Chaminade Secondary
School in rural Malawi. I have had a variety of jobs here
at Chaminade: from development officer to school accountant
to teacher. I have also been a driver, a counselor to those
who need someone to listen as well as a student to a completely
new language, culture and country. While I have had a number
of "jobs," I don't see any of these activities
as actual work. Or, it's a kind of work that I absolutely
love doing. I feel so totally and completely at home here
in Malawi. So much so, in fact, that three months into my
experience at Chaminade, I realized that one year would not
be enough - two would be much more sufficient.
Thus,
I decided to extend my time in Malawi and become a member
of the first Marianist Volunteer Program community in Karonga.
It was a difficult decision that meant spending another year
away from home, but knowing that I could have another year
in "The Warm Heart of Africa" was something I definitely
wanted. I was so sure of my decision to stay and join MVP
because of the incredible experience I have had thus far.
My "jobs" and responsibilities have allowed me
to really experience this place in a way I never knew possible.
As a development officer I learned a lot about Income Generating
Activities (IGAs), which at Chaminade included learning a
lot about the different kinds of chickens, goats and pigs--something
a girl from Pittsburgh, PA knew nothing about before moving
out into the bush. As an accountant, I have been able to
find scholarships that assist our students who are unable
to afford the $70 it costs to attend school for an entire
11 week term.
As a teacher, I am learning that my students here work harder
and are more dedicated than any student I have ever met.
These students know and understand that this is their shot
at a real education, a way out of the village and they are
not about to throw it away. As a driver, I have seen a boy
suffering from cerebral malaria carried into the back of
our school vehicle screaming as we quickly drive him to the
nearest hospital because the pain is too much.
I have driven to collect water at a waterhole due to the
fact that our running water has been off for more than four
weeks. "Water is life," (a common phrase in Malawi)
and we need water to cook, clean and just stay hydrated during
the months where the temperature is, on average, 110 degrees.
As a counselor, I have sat outside classrooms and listened
to a student tell me that when his second parent finally
died, he felt truly lost, and if not for his aunt or uncle
he would not be here today. As a student, I am learning a
new vernacular word or cultural tradition every day! It's
truly the most exciting time I have ever experienced in my
life!
This
is the first part of an article by Sarah Wdowiak, written
for the MVP November Newsletter. You can read the rest of
Sarah's article here.
To
learn more about the Marianist Volunteer Program or to download
an application, visit www.marianist.com/mvp.
Applications
to volunteer internationally with MVP beginning in 2009 are due
January 19, 2009!
Submit yours now!
|
You
can help MLNNA generate $$ everytime you search
the web. Click the link. Set
Marianist Lay Network of North America as your charity. And
everytime you search (powered by Yahoo - competitor for Google)
our organization will receive 1 cent.
GoodShop which
provides our MLNNA organization a portion of the sale price
if you enter a store's website (such as Amazon, EBAY, Staples,
Old Navy, Target, WalMart, the Gap and others) through the
GoodShop portal. If you make airline reservations through
Expedia these also qualify.
Spread the word about GoodSearch, it doesn't cost you anymore
to help us earn a little money. GoodShop.com
|
JOIN
THE MLNNA LEADERSHIP TEAM 
In
June we will hold an election for the positions of Director
of Development of Communities and Executive Secretary. The
positions are described as follows:
Executive
Secretary:
*
Officer of the Corporation
*
Maintain important documents.
*
Record and maintain minutes of meetings.
*
Maintain the roster of membership.
Development
of Communities:
*
Serve on the Marianist Family Council of North America as
an official MLNNA representative
*
May represent MLNNA in place of the president
*
Oversee and coordinate Area Development Representatives
If
you are interested in either of these positions please contact aj@marianistfamily.org.
|
 Mary:
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Our
vowed brothers and sisters conduct retreats every Summer
to experience the love of God through the "flow
of grace." This year they have generously
offered to include interested Lay Marianists. The retreat
theme is "Mary: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow."
It will be offered at 5 different locations on five different
weeks with different presenters at each location. It will
be geared to the vowed members of our Family and will cost
$500. Each retreat will begin Sunday evening and conclude
the following Saturday at noon.
If you are interested contact Donna Tucker at dtucker@sm-usa.org
or 314.533.1207.
Here is the schedule with locations:
* Tecaboca at Ingram, Texas May 31 to
June 6.
* Bergamo Center at Dayton, Ohio June
21 to June 27.
* Saint Anthony retreat Center at Honolulu,
Hawaii July 12 to July 18.
* Marianist Retreat Center at Eureka,
Missouri July 19 to July 25.
* Oblate Renewal Center at San Antonio,
Texas July 26 to August 1.
|
 Community
Social Justice Resource
"How
Do Marianists Do Social Justice?" is an easy to
read five page article from MSJC that can help Marianist
Family members go more deeply into our Marianist call
to justice and peace.
Lay
Marianist Kevin Fitzpatrick has created a discussion/reflection
process (click
here)
that communities can use for a one evening gathering on the
article.
Copies
of the article can be ordered from the North America Center
for Marianist Studies (NACMS) - 937-429-2521 or nacms@notes.udayton.edu
- or visit their website at www.nacms.org.
MSJC
has also developed a one-day retreat program based on the
article. If your community or Marianist group would be interested
in exploring such a retreat day, contact Jim Vogt, for more
information.
jimvogt2@yahoo.com.
859-291-6197 www.msjc.net |
Openings
for Advent Family Retreat
2009 Young Adult Retreat - Feb 27th - March 1
This weekend is for young adults (age 22 -35) who wish to
examine their personal faith in relation to God, self, co-workers
and others. There will be a time for Eucharist, prayer experiences,
faith sharing and social interaction. Fr. John Thompson,
SM will lead this retreat!
2009
Retreat for Young Married Couples - March 13-15
This
retreat is intended for couples who are under 40ish +/- years
old. Explore issues that challenge young couples
in today's ever-demanding world and look at your faith lives
and how you can keep God in your marriage. Time will include
small group sharing, Eucharist, special liturgies and time
for fun.
Call
the wonderful folks at Mary's House if you are interested
in any of the opportunities 609-884-3829.
|
JOYFUL
NEWS
Do
you want to share a big event in your life? New job,
new baby, or recovery from an illness. You can submit
any information for the E-news Click
here
PRAYER REQUEST
Submit
a request for community prayers to the E-news here. |
Editor's
Note
Submit an article for the next newsletter by February
8. Share your community or personnal
experiences with your fellow Lay Marianists.
Send article and pictures to Jacqui Griswold, MLNNA
editor
Keep copy short and describe who, what, why, when and how
If
possible, select 1 or 2 of digital images in JPEG format
(100 - 900K) and attach to the e-mail
At the turn of the year, we look back and forward. It
would be easy to focus on the troubles and spend the transition
hoping that they go away and don't come again.
But being trouble-less is not necessarily my best mode. I
think I am more God-aware, more God-attuned when I have to
watch my step. Calling God into my weakness seems
to be one of the things I do best.
I call God to be my Light rather than fumble with my own
solutions.
Let's cross trustingly and faith-filled into the New Year
to find God over and over as 2009 takes shape within and
around us.
Thanks
for reading to the end.
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Here's a waste of time for yourenjoyment :> |
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