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GIFTS & TASKS
"DONS et DEVOIRS"
Helping each other live the Gospel at home & around the world
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International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC)
Region of North America, Asia, Australia, and Ireland
August -- 2020
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QUICK LINKS
NEWS
LETTERS
(MSJC)
WEBSITES
(IO:CLM/MLC)
(WCMF)
(NACMS)
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Greetings!
This month MLC-NA is introducing a new initiative to invite all of our Marianist Laity to engage in ongoing structured conversations over the upcoming year.
The BIg Question is: How can our Lay Branch become more visible and active as "Carriers of our Charism" within the Marianist Family and the larger Church?
Our Leadership Council has just completed their previous five-year strategic plan. It resulted in growing in our responsibilities within the Family:
- Developing a cohesive formation curriculum for our Laity,
- Committing to supporting employment for a part-time Staff Administrator for MLC-NA,
- Investing in an upgraded database platform (NEON), and
- Creating a regional communication network for our MLCs through Area Reps.
Now it was time for a new strategic plan and we wanted to do it the "Marianist Way!"
We saw the Marianist Brothers complete a year-long discernment to envision their direction for the next five years. Adapting their process, we have created a Year of Shared Discernment.
This plan will invite all Marianist Laity to consider questions in five modules centered around how we as laity KNOW, LIVE, and COMMIT to our Marianist voacation. You will consider the questions individually and then share with each other as well as across communities and regions.
The Leadership Council will listen and gather data from these conversations and then develop direction for our next five-year Strategic Plan. It is our hope that many of our Marianist Laity will take part in these conversations throughout North America!
Finally, we end with information about the World Day of Prayer for 2020. Lots going on in our Marianist World!
Blessings and peace as we move forward,
Marceta
Marceta Fleming Reilly
Regional Responsible for No. America, Asia, Ireland, and Austalia
clm.mlc.northamerica@marianistas.org
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The Year of Shared Discernment
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An exciting initiative will begin this fall on Mary's birthday, September 8th. MLC-NA is inviting Marianist Laity and Communities to take part in a Year of Shared Discernment.
The purpose is for Marianist Laity to deepen understanding of the Marianist charism and to intentionally connect with other laity throughout North America. We want to strengthen how we collaborate with each other and the other branches to keep the Marianist spirit alive and vital within the Church and the World.
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Marianists, both as individuals and communities, are called into continual discernment. This process enables us to interpret the signs of the times, so that we may best determine how to live our charism and missionary calling in the world.
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This Year of Shared Discernment is special because it provides intentional time for discernment not only for individuals within communities, but also collectively as a region, or world-wide community.
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MLC-NA is developing five modules with guiding questions and action to use as common discussion material. As you proceed through each module, there will be opportunities to share your insights and growth with the others in the larger Marianist Family through surveys, Zoom or in-person meetings, and interactions through pairing with other Marianist laypersons or communities.
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By listening to each other and sharing insights and reflections, MLC-NA will be able to identify collective goals and offer more opportunities for Marianist Laity to support one another within the Marianist Family. It will help us all live lives of action inspired by the Marianist charism.
We hope many of our Marianist Laity and Communities will get involved in the Year of Shared Discernment initiative this year!
Look for the materials to arrive in your inbox in late August with a suggested start date of September 8.
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For more information contact:
Matt Dunn, Chair MLC-NA
matt.dunn@mlc-na.or
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Margy Lisjak, Chair-Elect MLC-NA
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Sarah Gray, Staff Administrator of MLC-NA
sarah.gray@mlc-na.org
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Marianist World Day of Prayer
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Shrine of Our Lady of El Salto,
Latacunga, Ecuador
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On October 11, 2020, Marianists around the world will celebrate a World Day of Prayer.
The location chosen this year is the diocesan Marian Shrine, Our Lady of El Salto, in Latacunga, Ecuador.
Click here for the handout to learn about the history of the Shrine and a suggested prayer service to go with it. I am sending the materials a month early so that MLCs can plan how they want to use them.
We recommend that all MLCs take this opportunity to join together in mid-October to learn about and celebrate the Marian Shrines highlighted each year in different parts of our Marianist world. And join in using the Family prayer service sometime during the month of October.
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Marceta Reilly,
Regional Responsible
North America, Asia, Australia, Ireland
clm.mlc.northamerica@marianistas.org
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Prayer to Our Lady of El Salto
Mary, Virgin and Mother,
who hast made God present in the midst of us,
look upon us with kindness,
help us in our needs,
deliver us from selfishness.
Transform us into the image of your son Jesus,
to build here on earth
God's kingdom in justice,
in fraternity,
and in peace.
Amen.
May the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
be glorified in all places
through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
Amen
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Upcoming Marianist Feast Days
- September 5 Mary, Queen of Apostles
- September 8 Nativity of Mary
- September 12 Most Holy Name of Mary
- September 15 Our Lady of Sorrows
- September 16 Celebration of Marie Therese de Lamourous
- September 18
- Blessed Carlos Erana
- Blessed Fidel Fuidio
- Blessed Jesus Hiya
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