Center for Marianist Spirituality & Communities E-News

MARY’S MONTH

In 1976 orders from the provincial administration sent me to Hollywood Florida. It was not an assignment for which I asked but which would prove to be very beneficial in many, many ways. An extra benefit was that I do like to be warm in the winter!

When I arrived in Hollywood, the Chaminade Community of Faith---a Charismatic prayer community---was flourishing. Each Tuesday night the school's cafeteria was bursting at the seams. Prior to the meeting a prayer team assembled in the chapel to pray with people who were seeking healing. Having always been interested in healing, I was invited to join the team and did. However, the regular prayer meeting was a bit too much for me at the time and did not attend. God got involved in all this and soon I was a regular attendee of the meeting. I remained a member of that community until I left Florida.

Now why all this about the Charismatics in Mary's month? I thought and hoped that you would ask. It is all about Mary. You see after Vatican 2 Mary seemed to disappear off the radar screen of Catholic public prayer life. Even the Society of Mary in its revised community prayer schedule no longer prayed the Rosary in common. The Rosary was left to private devotion. Now the Charismatics emphasize Jesus, the Spirit and God the father. The last place you would think that you would hear anything about Mary would be in a Charismatic meeting. And I would have agreed with you.

However, slowly but surely, in that Charismatic meeting on Tuesday nights in the cafeteria of Chaminade High school in Hollywood, Florida, Mary's name began to be mentioned in prayer and prophecy. The Trinity was still the focus. However, the Chaminade Community of Faith was listening to the Spirit and Mary was regaining her God-assigned place. When the Charismatics honored the mother of God, I knew she would soon be back at her rightful place in the entire church. And later a Marian Pope was chosen in the person of John Paul 2 who beatified Fr. Chaminade---an apostle of Mary.

The time is now ready for a different way of honoring Mary, our mother. It is time to participate in her role in evangelization. Mary, the first disciple has a mission to bring Christ to the world. Her role did not end in Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus. Jesus must be born in each of our lives and in every life. Our invitation is to participate in that mission---that is what being a Marianist family member is all about.

CMSC BOARD MEETS

CMSC's board met at 4301 Roland Avenue in Baltimore (former NY Province provincial residence) on April 8-9. Besides the usual business the group reviewed the goals and mission statement of CMSC. All the members will be working on the review and up-dating in view of the move to a USA SM province and other changes which have affected the work of CMSC as a Marianist lay center.

Pictured from left: Pati Kranseky, Phil Lohr, Ray McCracken, Vince Mirigliani,
Sr. Grace Walle, FMI, Mike Pressimone, Bro. Jack Ventura, Steve Rizzoli,
Candie Deming, and Debbie Durand. (Bro. Walter is taking the picture)

PHILADELPHIA YOUNG ADULT GROUP

Pictured are members of the Philadelphia area Marianist Young Adult Group.
Front: Chris Pluta, George Larmour, Maureen Thompson, Jacqui Cocozza;
Rear: Brian Reavey, Steve Perides, Nicole Rayer, and Dave Bentzley.
Several members of the group were unable to attend the March meeting.
The group meets the second Sunday of each month. To receive notices of the
meetings contact Chris Pluta at Chrispluta@hotmail.com

SPECIAL DAYS IN MAY

May 1: In the past we honored St. Joseph the worker. Let's not forget him nor his
relationship to Mary and Jesus.
May 2: The feast of Philip and James, apostles.
May 4: The Ascension of the Lord.
May 10: The feast of Bl. Damian of Molokai. He offered the Eucharist for the
Marianist Brothers who arrived in Hawaii to establish a mission.
May 12: In 1865 Pius IX approved the Society of Mary as a religious community. It
was not after smooth sailing! Fr. Chaminade's ideas were novel for that
time and still challenge.
May 13: Our Lady of Fatima. Mary's first appearance to the children took place on
this date in 1917.
May 14: St. Matthias, apostle
May 15: Pentecost---celebrating the birthday of the Church. Mary was with the
disciples in the upper room.
May 22: Feast of the Holy Trinity
May 25: The Marianist Sisters celebrate their foundation day (1816).
May 29: The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
May 30: Memorial Day. A day of remembrance of American servicemen and
women who died in war. (Some 200 Marianist brothers fought in World
War 1, drafted by European Countries, and fifty were killed.) Let us also
remember the innocent civilians who have died in wars-millions in World War II and thousands in Iraq.
May 31: The feast of the Visitation. Mary travels to be with her cousin Elizabeth.

CMSC ACTIVITIES
May 9: Bro. Walt attends the Cor Maria meeting.
May 11: Notices are mailed announcing the Metro NY Marianist Family Picnic at St.
John's (June 18th)
May 15: Bro. Walt at the CMSC office
May 16: Bro. Walt at CMSC and attends NY Marianist Associate's evening meeting
May 21: Marianist Ministry team meets at St. Patrick's parish in Yorktown Heights, NY
to prepare for June family retreat.
May 23: Bro. Walt at St. Catherine's parish in NY---spiritual direction

PLEASE PRAY FOR . . .

Ron Grossi who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Janet Krumm who is recovering from surgery
Judy and Ed Bonnano's daughter Maria and Grace Mary- one of the twins she is expecting and who is not expected to live very long after her birth-a miracle is needed.
Margie Foley who is facing surgery.
The repose of the souls of: Br. George Whiston, Jean Canning and Ida Kinpoitner who died recently.
Vocations to the Society of Mary and the Marianist Sisters.
Our troops in Iraq and peace in that country.
Peace and justice in Israel for both the Jews and the Palestinians.
Pope Benedict VIX

Bro. Walter Oberster, SM, Acting Director woberstersm@hotmail.com

Cathy O'Rourke, Administrative Assistant cmsccathy1@aol.com