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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
December, 2021
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Greetings!
December, 2021
In mid November, I attended the annual World Council meeting in Rome, representing the region of North America, Asia, Ireland, and Australia. The World Council of the Marianist Family is made up of the international leadership team of each branch of the family: The SM, the FMI, the MLCs, and Alliance Mariale. So there are about 20 of us, including the translators, who gather to share the successes and challenges in each of our branches, and to plan common events and missionary goals that we can work on together--as a Family.
Sr. Franca, General Superior of the FMI, chaired the meeting this year. She arranged for our meeting to start with a daylong retreat in which we learned about the Pallottine Charismatic Family, a Public Association of the Faithful recognized by the Vatican. (We are a Private Association of the Faithful recognized by the Vatican.) So their organization is organized somewhat differently than ours. That intrigued us.
Also the rhythm of our World Council work is quite different than a typical North American meeting. We pray, then eat at 8 AM, then work a little, then break for snack, then work, then eat at 1 PM, then rest, then work, then break for snack, then work, then pray, then eat at 8, then end the day with a walk and drinks at a local cafe. Do you see the pattern?!
It sounds leisurely and hard on the waitstline (!), but we get a lot of work done. Though the days are very long (9 AM to 7 PM in meetings), it is not the driven, frenetic work of many North American meetings. And the rhythm seems to allow the Holy Spirit to flow through with plenty of inspiration--and good food!
In the first article this month Sr. Franca summarizes the work the World Council accomplished in our three days together. In the second article I share the new objectives the World Council has adopted for the next four years. We tried to create goals that would bring the branches together in collaborative ways. Working collaboratively as a Family is one of the gifts we can offer to the broader Church.
I end this newsletter sharing a short video showing the World Council participants working in Rome. And finally, we send a Christmas card to the Marianist Family worldwide.
Blessings and peace to each of you!
Marceta
Marceta Fleming Reilly
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World Council Letter in Review:
"How Are We Going to Live Together?"
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Sr. Franca, Superior of the FMI and chair of this year's Council, writes the letter reviewing the work of the World Council this year. She tells how the meeting opened with a "day of retreat and reflection led by Donatella Acerbi, a consecrated laywoman, President of the Association of the Pallottine Family, a charismatic family that enjoys canonical recognition.
"How are we going to live together?" was the question that guided our prayer and our sharing. Donatella motivated us through the call that Fratelli Tutti No. 35 makes to us: God willing, after all this, we will think no longer in terms of “them” and “those,” but only “us.”
"The question encouraged us to open ourselves to new horizons, to new ways of thinking and dreaming about our living and walking as Family. It also reminded us that, in this journey that we engage in as Family, God uses our fragility to manifest himself, as Saint Paul tells us: “We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it can be seen that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us” (2 Cor 4:7).
"The second and third days were dedicated to sharing the many responses we received from almost all National Councils. It was an important moment to listen and become aware of what is happening at the national and local levels on issues such as formation, youth and vocation ministry, mission, communication, etc.
And we also spent time reflecting on other issues such as "the Laudato si Action Platform, searching for a new editor for the Marianist Magnficiat newsletter, and the future of Marianist presence at our foundational places in Bordeaux and Agen."
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World Council Objectives 2022-2025:
Priorities to Guide our Work as a Family
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Introduction
“Let it be done to me, according to your word.”
Mary accepted the call of the Lord, responding to the world’s deepest needs, and placing her full self at the Lord’s disposal. Our times call us to a similar response, as a Marianist Family. The many challenges of our world, be they social, environmental, faith-related, or even considering the new realities brought about by the pandemic, present many opportunities, even new ones, in which we may respond.
The World Council has reflected upon these times, and our response to them. Mindful of a renewed call toward synodality we have formulated a series of OBJECTIVES that will guide our work as a family for the next four years.
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The World Council At Work |
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Mary's "yes" was the backdrop for our living together, our reflection and celebration during these three days. Like her and with her, we want to take on the challenges of our time, be they social, environmental, economic, or ecclesial, which challenge us and invite us to walk together and make synodality our way of being and acting.
Synodality refers us to the options and the very modus operandi of God that is closeness, compassion, tenderness[1] ;[1] to the same manner in Jesus who became flesh to walk with humanity: And the Word became flesh, he pitched his tent among us (Jn 1:14).
Our desire for each one of you and for the entire Family is to "Follow Jesus as Mary did,"[2] as our Founders did.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
For the World Council,
Sr. Franca Zonta, FMI
[1] Cf. Mensaje de Papa Francisco en la apertura del Sínodo, 9 de octubre de 2021.
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JOYEUX NOËL
MERRY CHRISTMAS
FELIZ NAVIDAD
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Calendar of the Marianist Family
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March 25, 2022 Patronal Feast of the MF, Animated by FMI
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October 9, 2022 Marianist World Day of Prayer, Italian Shrine
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July 10-31, 2022 FMI General Chapter, Rome
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July 23-20, 2022 MLC International Meeting, Madrid
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July 10-23, 2022 Gen'l Ldrshp Assembly of SM Superiors, Rome
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Nov. 11-13, 2022 World Council Meeting, Rome
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Gifts and Tasks is published on the 4th Friday of each month. We need local and national news, stories, reflections, and photos. Please send submissions and ideas for next month's issue to Marceta Reilly by the previous Sunday.
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