Maria’s Musings—A Letter from the President
“By a Gracious Choice”
To be Marist
is to have a sense
of being called and chosen
by Mary.
The term “gracious choice”
describes this particular gift.
This grace invites Us
to participate in her spirit
and her Work of bringing
the gospel of Jesus
to our world.
Dear Marist friends,
With this September issue of Marist Laity news, we farewell the Marist Family International Year of Prayer to “Mary Bearer of Hope to the World”. This wonderful initiative, which was the inspiration of the Tongan delegates at our Sydney conference in April 2008, was acted upon by the committee and launched on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, 2008. Many Marists world-wide have been praying this prayer with its beautiful icon. Like Mary, may we all continue to bring hope to those most in need.
This year, on 12 September, we welcome the new theme, prayer and image coming from Marist Laity in New Zealand. (see back page) Here in Sydney, we will be celebrating Mary’s feast at the Holy Name of Mary Church at Hunters Hill, at 10.30am followed by morning tea. All welcome! This year, our theme of Hope gave the core committee a strong focus on the future. We have been actively seeking to encourage new life in our Association, beginning with a survey sent to all on the data base. Marist Laity Australia has been going since July, 2003, and we needed input from YOU, the members, to discern how MLA is to move forward. We were greatly heartened by the responses we got!
 On 13 June, we held an information morning in the Parish Hall at Hunters Hill to discern the possibility for a Marist lay group in the area. Sr Vivienne Goldstein SM facilitated with a power point presentation of the Marist story. Only six parishioners came … Gracious Choice! What unfolded was an energy, a desire and a determination to create a time and place for people to pause, reflect and just BE, a place to nurture Mary’s way.
 The first meeting of a newly formed group was held in the parish on 15 August, thanks to Cathy Gallo, Josiane Espinoza and Jim O’Neill. A second group also emerged from this information morning. Sarah Covel, a young adult, inspired by Sr Vivienne’s presentation, contacted her several days later determined to learn more about the Marist spirit. Several meetings ensued with a group of young adults who are on fire! Gracious Choice!
Part of our focus on the future of Marist Laity Australia lies in the hope of attracting new people to the core committee. Based on the responses in the survey and our knowledge of those deeply committed to the Marist enterprise, we sent an invitation to come to an afternoon gathering at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, on the 25 July. It proved to be a deeply moving and personal sharing of our individual Marist stories, our motivations for wanting to be involved in this Society of Mary and our hopes for the future. Many thanks to the new people who came along: Cathy Holling, Anita Fry, Margie Woods, Maria Arana and Josie Felise; (pictured below) to the core committee who are the “engine room” of Marist Laity Australia; to the religious liaisons who give us such generous support; and to Sr Vivienne who facilitated this important meeting for future leadership.
“Gracious Choice” – Mary calls and chooses us. Over the past months in Hunters Hill, I have seen this Marist gift offered to people who have, in turn, graciously accepted it. We, too, choose to say Yes! There is a mysterious dynamic happening here, a deep relationship between the person of Mary and another, calling him/her to know and love her Son intimately, for the sake of the whole world.
| |
Home
News September 2009 |
