Notes Holiday Schedule

Please note the holiday schedule for Notes from the Provinical Council at the end of the newsletter.

As we all know, the numbers of those that have the virus continue to skyrocket each day. The number of deaths is also increasing. One of the other things that I continue to see in the news is the “fatigue” with the safeguards. As the number of people that have contracted the virus goes up in our country, this also means that the number of people that we encounter are carriers of the virus. Please continue to live and model the safeguards.

On Monday, November 23, I will be sending a letter of encouragement, support and reminder to live by the safeguards during this time of pandemic. Please click here to read the letter. 

In a spirit of solidarity, I present to you three statements below as a reminder to all of us as religious, in our own area of the world, to do our part to bring an end to the current situation of hatred, racism and violence.

As our world continues to deal with the issues of racism and hatred (to list a few), let us pray that each of us as Marianist religious may be instruments of reconciliation and peace. Please remember to check the different resources that were sent out at the time of the Directors' meeting on this important issue. Let us pray for healing for our country.

Formation Weekend went very well for our first virtual conference. One session, we had +40 participants; normally, we had about +35. I marvel at a meeting happening with participants from three countries, four states, sharing sessions in large groups and small groups. Thank God we had Bro. Mark Motz to navigate the technology.

Important topics included our vow of celibate chastity, identity, intimacy, integration, fears, self image and relationships.

Next Formation Weekend will be in March, 2021!

I recently saw a new T-shirt for sale that had the following saying on the front, “The first rule of 2021, is we don’t talk about 2020!” (For trivia buffs, this is a play on words from the 1999 movie “Fight Club”). As we conclude the last few weeks of this calendar year and begin a new liturgical year, we may feel much like the Israelites in the first reading —abandoned and forgotten by God. What many are calling “pandemic fatigue” leads us to long for better, more normal times. We may also wish to consider the Gospel message of watchful preparation for the unknown. Some might say we missed valuable signs leading up to the current crises: for the Covid19 disaster —poor safety and security at global labs working with infectious pathogens, and the systemic racism in American society underlying the deaths that gave rise to the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Similarly, the case could certainly be made for climate change being responsible for the record number of hurricanes and storms making landfall this year.

On the Education for Justice website, I came across a very appropriate prayer called “Prophetic Resilience.” It looks to the seasonal cycles of death and rebirth in nature to guide us through the darkness of Winter we are now entering, to a hope of new growth and vitality in Spring! As Christians, we also see this in the whole Paschal Cycle of birth-death-resurrection each liturgical year. May God bless us all this Advent with a resilient hope for the new year

As we approach Thanksgiving, I would like to share some words from a senior at Purcell Marian High School who has been part of the Marianist Urban Students Program (MUSP) for the past four years. Below is Jaimone Jones’ reflection.

MUSP has impacted me in my high school career by helping me in making sure I am on top of my academics and when I wasn't, it gave me the support I needed to get to the grade I needed. It gave me a safe place in the school where I knew I could be comfortable around the people in the program. This program also gave us a place where we could go to for advice and help. A place where we could talk about God and reflect. MUSP was very helpful for me, especially in my freshman year, because it helped me transition from being a leader in a grade school to a small freshman in high school. Going to Purcell Marian and being in MUSP has been one of the best experiences, and I am so grateful. For the rest of my time here and beyond, I’m hoping this program can remain available for the freshmen.

-Jaimone Jones, Senior Student Ambassador

November 19: José Degorio

November 25: Timothy Phillips

November 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

November 25: Thanksgiving Message from the Provincial Council

December 3: Notes from the Provincial Council

December 10: Notes from the Provincial Council

December 17: Notes from the Provincial Council

December 24: Christmas Message from the Provincial Council

December 31: New Year’s Message from the Provincial Council

January 7, 2021: Resume regular schedule of Notes from the Provincial Council