Each Person is Precious

On 21 October, I was invited by Pat and Tom Phelan to join in their monthly lay Marist meeting held at the Gilroy Retirement Village, Merrylands. What a vibrant, interesting group! Everyone joined in the conversation, prompted by readings from the scriptures, Church documents and Marist literature. The group has faithfully worked their way through a nine month formation program under the capable leadership of Pat Phelan.

The members are keen to know more about the Marist story and are reading books about the various Marist founders. Next year, Pat will invite guest speakers to broaden and deepen the Marist Spirit within the group. I would like to quote from one of the Marist readings that I thought was particularly relevant.



"The Marist Laity is not so much an organisation you join as an identity you take on. It is a school for the spirit by which you gradually become 'the Work of Mary'. To those who want to draw new people into the Marist family, we would say: seek to involve those who are already most active; they may well appreciate that subtle dimension which the Marist way can add to their lives. Look also to people who are confined by infirmity or old age; they may well be enriched by the Marist spirit and they would greatly enrich the Marist family by their prayers. Each person is precious in the eyes of the Mother of Jesus."

(Laurence Duffy sm & Charles Giraud sm, Like a Bridge, pp169-170)

I thank the members of this group for their great Marist spirit and their prayers for our growing Marist family.

Maria Baden