News for members of the Marianist Province of the United States
July 6, 2017
From Fr. Martin Solma



Dear Brothers,

Prayers for Lay Assembly

The Marianist Lay Community of North America Assembly begins July 13 in Dayton.

Please keep this happy event in your prayers: For safe travels for participants, for renewal of faith, and for a recommitment to the mission of Venerable Adèle and Blessed Chaminade among our lay partners.

An update on Rachel Lozano
A number of Province members have inquired about Rachel Baumgartner Lozano.

I had the pleasure of speaking with her recently, and she was in very good spirits. She said the healing has progressed more quickly than her doctors had anticipated.

She asked me to thank you all and let you know how much she appreciated the prayers and support during her recent surgery. 

From Bro. Tom Giardino




Dear Brothers,

The changing global religious landscape

Staying in touch with societal trends is one of the honored responsibilities of the Office of Education. We know that there are mighty changes afoot in our world. What does this look like in terms of the global demographics of Christianity? 

A recent report by the Pew Research Center shows that more babies were born to Christian mothers than to members of any other religion in recent years, reflecting Christianity's continued status as the world's largest religious group.

But this is unlikely to be the case for much longer: Within 20 years, the number of babies born to Muslims is expected to modestly exceed births to Christians, according to new Pew Research Center demographic estimates.

Muslims are projected to be the world's fastest-growing major religious group in the decades ahead.

Read more about the changing global religious landscape in this report from the Pew Research Center.

From Bro. Ron Overman


Dear Brothers,

Care center directors
Bro. Jack Somerville assumed leadership of the Cupertino Marianist Community on July 1.
Bro. Tom Redmond finished his term and will take a short sabbatical before he starts work at North American Center for Marianist Studies in Dayton.
We thank Tom for his dedicated service to the community in Cupertino.
 
Fr. Tom Schroer has been interim director of the Mercy Siena Community for the past three months, standing in for Bro. Paul Hoffman during Paul's medical leave. Paul resumed responsibilities as director at the community on July 1.

We are grateful to Tom for his generosity in subbing for Paul.

From the Office of JPIC - Brian Reavey

Dear Brothers,

Friends in Solidarity to South Sudan

At the request of the bishops of Sudan, the Union of International Superior Generals in partnership with CMSM formed a collaborative ministry. The group includes men and women religious from 17 congregations and 14 countries who minister at four sites in South Sudan.

There are currently 28 brothers, priests and sisters who are training teachers, nurses, midwives, farmers and pastoral teams. In spite of the civil war, all of these ministries are fully functioning.

They need our support and that of the Catholic community to continue this work in the poorest and least literate country in our world. You can help by getting the word out about this innovative ministry. Please visit its website and Facebook page, and also share the news that good things are happening in the midst of famine and violence in South Sudan.

The commemoration of Independence Day in South Sudan is July 9. Please join us in prayer for the people of South Sudan.

On the calendar
 
July 13-16: Lay Assembly, Dayton
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