Maria BadenCoordinator of Marist Laity Australia I belong to a wonderful, loving family. My Mum and Dad migrated from Europe after WW11 to make their home in Australia. My education by the Marist Sisters in the '60s at Cerdon College, Merrylands, began a continuous and growing love of Mary and the Marist spirit. After University, I went back to Cerdon as a high-school teacher of English, History and Religious Education for many years and I was given the opportunity to facilitate a Senior Students' lay Marist group. I still do occasional relief teaching. Married to Gerhard with adult children, grandchildren, aging parents and elderly aunts and uncles, I find myself in the position of carer, driver and listener, with patience and love high on my agenda these days. When I left Cerdon to teach elsewhere my sense of being Marist strengthened. With the guidance and friendship of Sr Marie Berise Nash sm, I gradually became aware that Mary was calling lay people to embrace the Marist spirit and to own it themselves. I became involved with the wider Marist family of brothers, priests, sisters and missionary sisters and a dedicated group of us began working towards what would eventually evolve into Marist Laity Australia. For me, being Marist means having a certain relationship with God and people, in the manner of Mary, that gives my life a definite focus - a heart, a centre - from which I draw strength and inspiration. With this spiritual focus I try to make choices daily that reflect this particular way of being. Two key Marist experiences helped me discern my path. In October 2000, I attended the first Lay Marist Conference in New Orleans, USA. I realised for the first time that I belong to something beyond Sydney, Australia. I got a sense of the possibility of 'the whole world being Marist'. Then in April 2003, a group of lay Marists, led by Fr Ray Chapman sm, went on a pilgrimage to key Marist sites in France. Visiting historic places where the Marist inspiration was conceived, birthed and nurtured, I felt the presence of those first, founding Marists who responded to Mary's call. I knew that what we were trying to do in Australia was right. On the feast of Fourviere in July 2003, Marist Laity Australia was officially inaugurated with the warm wishes and congratulations of the religious branches. As a Marist, my big hope is for our Church to become a more Marian Church. For many people, the world today is a dangerous place full of fear, suspicion and mistrust. The Church has a work to do here to bring Faith, Hope and Love to humanity: a Church with a Marian face, a Mother's concern, a Feminine intuition. Marists can hope to be a part of this process. My hope, as co-ordinator of Marist Laity Australia, is for our association to grow and to share the gift of the Marist Charism with others. |
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