b'Brother Charles Johnson, SMPHOTO: KYLENE CLEAVERThese men werent afraid to die. They haddedicated their lives to Mary and their faith but I dont want them forgotten. Brother Charles Johnson, SM, on the deaths of six Marianists from COVIDappointments, he says. Once we are allowed to goout and about more freely, my hope is that well findour way back to some normalcy.Silver linings: Lessons from the trenchesWhile the pandemic wreaked havoc in most everyoneslives, there were some silver linings. Many peoplerelished a less hectic schedule and more time to simplybreath, relax or enjoy quality time with their children.During my time in quarantine, I experimented with she says. However, her silver lining was the solace andnew forms of prayer and embraced the silence, says companionship she discovered through her EmbersBrother Justin. Id like to continue deepening my Marianist Lay Community. Last year, Embers launchedprayer life in this way. a monthly Zoom group called Gathering in theSome, like Erin, couldnt meditate easily. I couldnt Spirit and invited other lay people throughout theturn off the stress or sit still with my internal chatter, Province to join them. I liked making connectionswith new people, says Erin. The monthly gatherings gave me an opportunity to reflectand share with others what I was experiencingand to realize that others were struggling, too. I encourage people to seek an online community,if they are able.People of peace: What really matters Virtual meetings are a new way to practice theministry of presence, says Marianist ProvincialFather Oscar Vasquez. Its a wonderful use of technology. While people are experimenting with newways of building community through onlineservices, even more important is the power of prayer, says Father Oscar. During thesestressful times, we invite people to join us inprayer, as we join them in prayer.Our country and world is broken, continuesFather Oscar. All that happened this past yearcould bring us down. More than ever, we needto remember that we are Gospel-centered people people of hope, people of faith, people ofprayerand we are called to let the peace ofJesus transform us. His peace is what the worldErin Bole, Marianist Lay leader and high school English teacher desperately needs right now.\x00marianist.com/donate 13'