Andrew Dumas
I consider myself a younger lay Marist. My name is Andrew Dumas. I am 30 years of age. I have been married to my beautiful wife Bo since last year. I am a secondary teacher. Teaching religious education and technology.
In 1997 I was invited by a Marist Brother to come and live in a mixed community of young adults and Marist Brothers. This was well beyond my comfort zone of living. Not IT, not a university degree or a flash career, but working for a year running a retreat house, living in "community", welcoming people and running a farm. In 2000 and 2001 I lived in two other communities at Winston Hills and Melbourne. I was working out whether I would like to be a Marist brother. After this time, I worked out I wanted to be a man with my own family. Marist Brother community is a family, just a different expression. To be married does not mean I love other people less, but it does mean I love others firstly through my love for my partner. It was a major decision I made in my life.
Over the past 6 years I have been working with young adults in my parish of Pennant Hills. Being part of prayer groups, bible studies, liturgies, music, retreats, social outreach and social fun activities. You meet amazing people. When I was at school I was very shy; an introvert. Who would of thought my time with the Marists would make me have the passion to meet people and help foster their faith as well as my own.
In 2004 I left my career in IT. I was a software engineering developing and maintaining palm, server and barcode solutions. To up and leave was a risk. I completed a diploma in education. It is not always bright and rosey, but I see myself now playing a key role in young peoples' lives. I am lucky because I have been able to combine my love of spirituality, religion and technology to the lives of these important people.
Marriage has already taught me the importance of thinking, praying and caring for someone special. I consider my wife as a Marist, even though she does not fully recognize this term. I see my life as a single burning coal from a fire. When my flame is brought closer to other coals burning, I become brighter. Now I can go out beyond the warmth of the larger fire to ignite the world. Of course sometimes, I need to come back to the warmth also.
I ask other younger Marists, "do not stay out in the cold. Come and find the fire of other Marists".
What does it mean to be a lay Marist?
By Andrew Dumas
 Marist Laity Australia officially launched by Fr Bill Ryder, sm Australian Provincial |
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