NACMS NEWSLETTER
April 2021
NACMS is offering the final Marianist Write Now! weekend in this three part series. Keep scrolling for details. To read previous thoughtful and moving MWN! reflections click here. We have also added a new podcast episode focusing on Chaminade's Letter of 1839 to the Retreat Masters. Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter season.
Reflection Topic: What is the role of the Marianist Family in the future of the Church and of society?
Have you had an opportunity to read the reflections we have published from our first two MWN! weekends? If not, we encourage you to do so by clicking here. The reflections we have received from our November and March weekends far exceeded our expectations. We understood that asking people to submit a final product after our Friday evening and Saturday time together was not allowing a lot of time for editing. One of the main comments we have received from participants is that they rarely have uninterupted time to write. Although most of the weekend is individual writing time, we begin by offering writing exercises to prime the pump. There is also scheduled time to bounce ideas off of other participants to see if what you are writing makes sense and receive some encouraging feedback. We welcome all members of the Marianist Family, lay and religious, to join us for our June weekend as we reflect on the topic: "What is the role of the Marianist Family in the future of the Church and of society?"
For more information click here.
To register click here. (Registration deadline: June 4).
Carol Ramey, Former NACMS Director
September 22, 1946-April 11, 2021
“I do pray with Mary. I put myself in a wooded glen, and there's a bench there. Mary and I are just sitting on the bench together, talking. I talk to her about the different aspects of her life and all that she went through. It's just a powerful, very powerful experience that I revisit often in prayer." (NACMS Podcast, "Commitent to Community, Ep. 16)
The Marianist Family has lost another giant. All of us at NACMS are deeply saddened to share that Carol Ramey passed away on April 11. Carol was the director of NACMS for many years, retiring in 2016. NACMS and Marianist scholarship would not be what it is today without her faithful and tireless leadership. The entire Marianist Family was blessed by her grace and humor. We miss her already.
In this episode, Patti Gehred and Sr. Gabby Bibeau discuss the most famous and most important letter in Marianist history: Father Chaminade's Letter to the Retreat Masters of 1839. In this letter, Chaminade lays out exactly what it means to be Marianist, especially the importance of Mary and her power to defeat evil, as well as our call to be missionaries. You don't want to miss this one! To listen click here.
An Easter Prayer
Good and gracious God,
Our most glorious Creator,
As we greet the signs in nature around us:
Of Spring once again regaling us in bloom,
In the songs of returning birds and fields soon to be planted,
We give you praise for an even greater sign of new life: the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we especially celebrate at this time.
The sadness and despair of his death has given way to the bright promise of immortality.
For the Resurrection is our guarantee that justice will triumph over treason, Light will overcome darkness, and love will conquer death.
As we celebrate, we also dare to ask for your grace that we may live the promise given to us,
By imitating the life of Jesus in reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the least among us,
As we strive to be neighbor to all those we meet,
We ask your special blessings each and every day on our President.
Working with him may we strive to make this great country of ours a beacon of hope and justice in a world hungry for peace and so in need of your love.
We praise you in this Easter season. Change our lives, change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever.

Amen.

- Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, offered at the fourth annual White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on April 8, 2013
North American Center for Marianist Studies
Dayton, OH 45430-1083

NACMS Office Hours by appointment only until further notice.
To make an appointment please call 937.429.2521.

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