2004 MARIST LAITY CONFERENCE 'Making the Whole World Marist' held at Marriott Hotel, Quincy, Boston, USA 15-18 April 2004 Report by Barbara Ashwell, Marist Laity Australia
Australian Lay Marists were well represented at the Boston Conference - Kay Ansley from Melbourne, with Beryl Prescott and myself from Sydney represented Marist Laity Australia, plus Anne Dooley and Tom Smyth from Melbourne representing the Lay Ministry of the Marist Brothers. Two delegates from New Zealand Glynis Collins from Whangarei and Ramona Mann from Auckland swelled the numbers from 'down under'. We certainly made an impact on the other 200 delegates who came from all over the States including Hawaii.
Thursday 15 April
Beryl Prescott and I flew in from San Francisco the night before and unfortunately the clock in our hotel room had not been moved an hour forward with the change to daylight saving the weekend before. Consequently we arrived in the dining room to find that it was 9.00am and not 8.00am and that people were already boarding the bus to take us on a tour of Boston. We hastily gulped down some coffee, and joined them.
We headed for Our Lady of Victories Church (Notre Dame des Victoires) in Isabella Street and were warmly welcomed by Father Philip Laplante, sm and Lay Marists handing us rosary beads and singing 'This is the Day.. '. Father Roland Lajoie, the Provincial, concelebrated Mass with Fathers Philip Laplante and Charles Giraud. During the Mass we sang the lovely hymn to St Peter Chanel written by NZ Marist Father Chris Skinner.
Following Mass we toured the Church and learned of its history. The current Church was built above the original Church which was built in 1886. Two interesting statues were the prostrate statue of St Peter Chanel, Marist 'Martyr of Oceania, and a replica of St Peter's statue in Rome given by Pope Leo XIII to Father Bouland sm in 1881. In the early days so many people came to Mass that often both Churches were full to overflowing at every Mass. We continued our guided bus tour to Faneuil Marketplace and followed the Freedom Trail visiting historic spots, including Harvard University.
We arrived back at the Marriott in time to register for the Conference and to prepare for the Wine & Cheese Reception and Welcome at 7.00pm. It was good icebreaker to enable us to meet so many Marists. I was particularly pleased to meet up with SMSM friends whom I had worked with in the Pacific. They along with other Marist Religious, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, had contributed much to the Conference and each group had a stall selling books, stationery, and other Marist items. A number ofus bought the T-shirt with the motto 'Make the whole world Marist' and wore it the next day and throughout the weekend.
Friday 16 April - 9.00am
Father Craig Larkin, sm set the tone by outlining the goal of the Conference-0/H To Grow as Members of Mary's Family:In our life of prayer In our quest for holiness In our challenge to the World with the Gospels In our bonding as Marists In our knowledge of Mary's spirituality In our rebuilding of the Church with others In our desire to discover the laity's role in today's ChurchCraig put up a diagram of a growth wheel centred on Jesus through Mary by prayer, study, service and community. He gave this lovely illustration:'Mary is like a hurricane lamp glass protecting the light of Jesus - we see through her to Jesus' Marists begin with Mary and end with Christ.
Bob McTierman the MC then introduced the Keynote Speaker Andrea Pichelmeir who came from Passau, Germany to share her insights with us.
Andrea Pichelmeir, Keynote Speaker
Andrea is a theologian and spiritual adviser to diocesan pastoral programs in Bavaria. She tutors students of theology aiming to become deacons or teachers of religion and she writes homilies for the Bavarian radio and theological essays of an international Catholic weekly in the German Language. Her connection with Marists began 20 years ago when as a student she translated from French into German 'A Founder Speaks' and for her doctorate in theology reflected upon the interdependence between spirituality and biography by studying the biography of Jean-Claude Colin. She is the one lay person who more than anyone understands Marist Spirituality and the insights of Father Colin.
(The following is what /found important for myself in understanding the topic that Andrea was given - the theme of our Conference - Making the Whole World Marist -)
Andrea said that whoever speaks of being 'Marist' has to explain what is meant. In Germany the name Marist did not make people think of Mary, and as students they often added an x to make 'marist' into 'marxist ' also the phrase 'the whole world' could sound imperialistic. Andrea said 'When we communicate faith we should be careful not to become obstacles to ourselves by using expressions which could be misunderstood' She emphasised the necessity to look at the text, context, circumstances, and age in which words were written and spoken as meanings of words shift with time. Andrea then proceeded to explain what Father Colin had meant by that statement in his own post-revolutionary world.
Andrea believes that Father Colin, a mystic, derived most of his vision of Mary from the Spanish mystic Mary of Agreda. In her book 'The Mystical City' Mary of Agreda describes how the Virgin Mary comes back to earth in order to support the Church, to nourish and console her- the words of Father Colin echo these. He believed that Mary would actively interfere in the destiny of the world then the whole world: tout /'universe (all in one), would be Marist. Colin did not say: tout le monde (everyone). That Christ is all in one: alpha and omega, the2beginning and the end. Colin perceived the world in terms of its final destiny and the words given to Courveille at Le Puy resonated within him - to live in a world of Mary.
In 1844 Colin told his confreres 'This is the age of Mary' The time of deepest misery is the time of God's unconditional support - God is a merciful God. 'Mary is the Mother of Mercy' Therefore her society has to have different branches - there is room for everyone. Not ou topos (utopia) no place, but I do have a place and where I find my place there I also find my destiny, my vocation. In looking at Jesus, Colin has the Jesuits in mind, who have a strict selection process for candidates. He contrasts this with the Society of Mary - there shall be no strict selection process. Rather all who are in need of mercy shall be welcome - every person living in the world. But what was a Marist in those times? What is a Marist today? (to proclaim the kindness of God)
Father Colin used the language of vision -we do not read the Bible, poems or fairytales in order to find an explanation of the world -we read the Bible to learn to trust God, fairytales and poems to see that good is stronger than evil and to overcome our fears. This is the way Father Colin's words about Mary should be read- Trust for the world in its depth is good, it is like a womb in which you can grow, you will become new within it - listening, comforting, working, playing. This is tout l 'univers mariste - the universe is the foundation supporting us. God's creation in which we have a place, a destiny. To perceive the world as a redeemed one and to live accordingly I had to become a Marist.
Father Thomas Dubay, sm - Contemplation: A Radical Marian Reality
Father Dubay, began his inspiring presentation on contemplation by telling us about the visits he made regularly to a prison to teach contemplation to long term prisoners, how they responded so readily and reached sanctity in spite of their terrible surroundings and pain. He said that the only person that he ever saw wrapped in a contemplative glow was an inmate.He quoted Dostevosky's writings about atheism and Christianity and said that ifwe meditate on existence without God we think of everything. Man cannot live without God. We are all idolators - we worship something, there are no atheists. Our basic aspirations are a concerning concern. Only God can satisfy the human heart. God can be found in the deep intimacy of contemplation.
As Marists we can grow daily in contemplation meditating on Scripture: Psalm 27 verse 4: 'One thing I ask of the Lord to gaze on the face of the Lord' Psalm 25 verse 15: 'My eyes are always on the LordPsalm 34 verse 5 & 8: 'Taste and drink deeply..' (deep intimacy in prayer) Mark 1 verse 35: 'Before dawn I sought a lonely place and prayed' Matt 6 verse 6-8: 'When you pray, go to your room ....do not use words ...' Mary's prayer life-Luke 2: 19: 'Mary pondered these things in her heart' Vat 2, document on the Church V.80 refers to deep prayer life We Marists can lead people to contemplation. We must be prayerful ourselves, give example, and teach it. Each one of us has a mission as a Marist. We are on this planet for intimacy with God. We are part of the Marist enterprise. 'May you come to know his love ...and be completely filled with the Spirit of God' -Eph. 3: 19
One's prayer life begins in the family and develop throughout our lives. The best proof of love for a husband to his family is to become a saintThe best proof of love for a wife/mother to her family is to become a saint. We Marists are called to live in deep intimacy with God
Father Craig summed up the morning events - seeing the world through Father Colin's vision as good, redeemed, protected and how we do that by entering into deep intimacy with God - to find God where we are - God enables us to be holy wherever we are. Ps. 118 'Open to me the gates of holiness' He encouraged us with these 0/H:
Grow as Marists through Community Meet new Marists make new friendsEnjoy fellowship with other members of Mary's family Celebrate our charism (a tree with many branches) Share wisdom with other Marists
Friday 2.00pm Workshops
Starting a Lay Group by Angela Laesch and Mary Ann AtkinsThese presenters spoke about the Formation Program for Marist Laity 'Doing the Work of Mary: An Invitation to the Marist Way' prepared by Marist Laity, and the Priests and Brothers of the Society of Mary in Atlanta.
The manual is divided into three sections. The first section presents the specific call to be Marist - choice - come and see - try this way of living. The second section deals with the necessity of formation and testing. The laity has an equal responsibility with ordained and vowed religious to help others know and love God Just as ordained and vowed religious are constantly studying, working, and evaluating their ministry the laity has the equal responsibility to keep training evaluating their ministry. The Third section concentrates on Mission - the mission of Jesus which he has handed on to each one of us by virtue of our Baptism. Mission is lived every moment of our lives because the mission of Marists is Mercy. Mercy is our common and abiding ministry as well as our most important product: a disposition of the heart to share with all the people.
Marist bring God to this world (evangelisation) and we care for those in need (ministry) through an ever-present inclination of our hearts that we call mercy. We might also say that mercy is our method.
(Beryl Prescott participated in the above workshop and was able to get a copy of the training manual to bring back to Marist Laity Australia and/or the group beginning at St Patrick's, Church Hill).
Marists in Action - by Brother Leo Shea, fms (past provincial.)'Our mission is to make Mary's presence visible' (Pope John Paul 2)
Brother Leo said that in novitiate he was told to read 'The Soul of the Apostolate' every year. He learned that prayer was the foundation for everything. He said that action is the shadow side of the Brothers as they have become workaholics. They would rather teach, coach, clean than be mystics. We need time for life, energy and a passion for God.We are not social workers/activists -we love the work but it is not enough.Ministry must be:
Work done for others not for oneself
Sent by the Church not just our idea - we are Marists
fulfilling the Mission of the Church: what is the purpose of the Church? The Ministry of the Church is to evangelise and bring about conversion.
presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ in a human situation.
Marists are called to this ministry - 'Go and baptise ...'..Matth.28
Our invitation is from Jesus
Vatican 2 Mandate:
Go back to the Gospels - Look at Jesus, Mary, the early Church
Go back to the Foundation -to the sources
Take the Gospel, Foundation and bring it to today's world.What are the needs of today? What is the great need of the Church today for Marist Laity?
Brother told us of his work with the very poor in Brownsville, Cameron Park, in his retirement years. He encouraged retired Marist Laity to reach out to the very needy in the community as we still have so much to give. Romans 10: 'How can they hear unless someone tells them ...' Who is going to tell the Good News - the Laity with the help of Priests and Religious. It used to be the other way around - Laity helped Priests & Religious.
Marist Laity Work
Marist Laity are the future of the Marist Society. Religious have done their work. The Laity do this by simply living the Marist Charism - mercy and forgiveness - a community of compassion.
Colin's vision 'a new Church emerging' - job of the clergy is to assist the laity, needfor continuation and follow-up to measure up. (Father Ed Keel's quote of young Lay woman Theologian from Poland) The Mission of the clergy is to witness to the world the Mission of Christ.
Brother told us about a community in Senegal that he had been teaching scripture to for a year and one day he asked them if they knew any Christians and they said no, except for Sister. No one else measured up. Through the simple stories of the Gospels the people got the message - just like home: fetching water, preparing food, walking to villages etc.
Brother played the Magnificat and then shared his thoughts on Mary's song.In the 1970's the Magnificat was banned in Chile as the Mothers' of the missing used it as their prayer. As a group we need to reach out to the poor and the suffering-to teach them to know and love Jesus Christ especially those who are forgotten, marginalised. The Magnificat is about the nobodies - It is Mary's Prayer to YES which lead to the visit to Elizabeth (the other)-reaching out to the poor. Mary was oppressed could have been stoned for her pregnancy. Joseph took care of her and she was protected - hence the Magnificat - her hymn of gratitude for being saved from a terrible death. It is a call to social action - give poor kids a chance - the gift you have received - give it as a gift for others.
Your most important work may not begin until after you retire. Look at the Society of Jesus and do what they are doing but do it in a different way. The Society of Jesus has a volunteer elderly program. Marists have youth volunteers. Why not have volunteers of retired for the poor? My life magnifies the Lord. It would give people an opportunity, who have the time and means, to give to needy in the Marist tradition - with and for the poor. Life and skills as seniors to transform the world through justice regardless of race and social status in response to God's call to holiness. 'Do whatever he tells you.' - John 2: 5
(I was very impressed with Brother Leo's workshop and his impassioned plea for the Laity to continue to work with the poorest of the poor).
3.15pm Marist World View - Panel-
Presenters: Glynis Collins from Wbangarei, NZ; Ramona Mann from Auckland, NZ Ann Brown from Sun Lake, USA; Father Pedro Herrasti, Lindavista, Mexico Barbara Ashwell, Sydney, Australia
Each presenter gave a short explanation of the work of Marist Laity in their own particular world. The presentations varied from 5 to 15 minutes and showed the diversity of Marist Lay involvement. I used OVERHEAD transparencies to bring to the group a brief history of Marist Laity Australia. During the process I was able to introduce our Australian delegates Kay Ansley, Beryl Prescott and Anne Dooley who were applauded by all.
4.35pm A very beautiful Mass celebrated by Rev. Dennis Steik, Provincial of Atlanta, with music provided by Sister Georgeanne (Provincial) and her SMSM Sisters. It was the most truly Marist of all the Liturgical celebrations. Father Dennis gave an inspiring homily on his reflections of 'The Passion' movie and in particular how Mary's humanness and suffering were portrayed.
Saturday 17 April -
9.00am - Father Craig Larkin led morning prayer and prepared us for the day by explaining the beautiful Ikon of Mary in the Church. He said that there is a split in the Church every 500 years and like a family who has a split we walk away from each other and do not speak. Ikons which come from a different tradition from our own are prayer in art - they tell us something. The Ikons around this room tell us something..Father Craig asked us to focus on the Ikon of Mary in the Church after the Ascension -He explained the Ikon to us: Jesus is in a secondary position, Mary is prominent, the twelve apostles depicted are not historically/scripturally correct but are a faith expression of the Church that Jesus established. The book = 'Go and preach to all nations... ' the hand is out in blessing. It is depicted at the last judgement - the Church at the beginning and at the end of time will be like this.
The Apostles - some active, some still, Mary at the centre (axis) looking out. Each Apostle expresses the role they play in the Church - I) Peter - hierarchy, 2) John - Mystic, 3) Paul - active, 4) Marian Church.
The Church on Mission, in communion - 'I am with you till the end of time ' gathered around Mary with the different gifts of the community. Mary respects the role of Peter, the apostles, gifts - her presence colours the Church. (Pope John Paul - Petrine Church and a Marian profile) The Marian element comes before the Petrine but Peter and Mary are in harmony.
9.35am History of the Marist Family - by Father Pat Primeaux sm currently teaches business ethics at St John's University in New York city, only 4th person to receive award for excellence in teaching, has published numerous articles and 3 books on the ethical implications of business and on editorial board of business ethics journal.
Father Pat presented a brilliant PowerPoint production, complete with music, to illustrate his own understanding of the Marist Vision in today's world. With powerful images of St Peter's in Rome, and people in various situations he presented the image of the Patriarchal Church where love equalled obedience. He then went on to present the Marian Church where love equalled mercy which he illustrated with another image of St Peter's taken from a different angle. In between these two images is that of the Simeon Church.
Father Pat told us how he consulted with the experts Gus Lessard sm, Charles Giraud sm and Ed Keel sm about the Marist History and found they disagreed so much that he decided to present his own angle. Inspired by Gus Lessard 'yes but that is not what we are really about as Marists?' He asked himself these questions: What are we really about as Marists? Best answered by asking: What are we not? What is the basic driving force that drives us?'What the world needs now is love sweet love' sung by Jacky de Shannon (1967) How often have we heard this? There is a sense of urgency, a vitality, gives life, for everyone - reading our founders and the one thing that comes through is to live the underlying values of the Marist charism with a sense of urgency. The four branches were to bring this urgency, this vitality, this inclusiveness to the world.
How do we relate to ourselves? How do we relate to others? How do we relate to nature? How do we relate to God?
Basically we have been given three opportunities to organise our lives - three perspectives: hierarchical, contemplative and participative. Three images of Marist life. The role of Mary in the Church
The Church of Peter is essentially external, impersonal, legal 'You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church' A visible commission, juridical and monarchical in character. Look at the picture of the people in thelsquare dwarfed by St Peter's - kingship, master. St Peter is sitting like a King on his throne and often robed - hierarchical - division, distinction and ranking - those at the top are better than those at the bottom. Often get people in the Parish who come and tell you what they do - they are the holy people of the Parish. What has gone wrong here? This is not a Marist Spirit. This is the hierarchical image of St Peters- some better than others: priests, religious with laity at the bottom. Ambition and competition to reach to the top.
Attitude/perspective - individualistic, self-interest, disconnection. Values - selfishness, ambition Motive - competition for success Father Colin said that this is not the Church of Mary and not the new Church we want to bring into existence.
The glue that holds the whole thing together is obedience.
Love = obedience. Mary obeyed. Mary is the model of obedience. The more we obey the better we are, the holier we are. Mary is brought into the picture to anchor it. The most loving person obeyed the most.
The Church of Simeon - Grasped the Child and said 'Now Lord you may dismiss your servant... ' The coming of the Messiah - a different way of life and looking at Church - contemplative life. Simeon is not connected to the world in which he lives. He is detached from the world, others.
Focussed on transcendence and infinity. Attitude/perspective: Universal, other-centred, interconnectedness Values -wonder, detachment, moving out Father Pat asked if we had read 'Lying Awake' by Mark Salzman about a contemplative Nun who has ecstatic experiences of God as the result of a brain tumour. Should the tumour be removed or not as it will end the experiences?
The Church in the image of Mary, eminently personal and subjective, maternal, centred on persons, pedagogical, cooperating with 'maternal love' in the birth and education of the faithful (Methodist theologian) a Church of love and care. Marian servanthood - maternal love. The Song: 'Put a little love in your life' Jacky de Shannon illustrated the points he wished to make.
Andrew Greeley asked: Why are we as Americans still Catholics?' Because of the image of Mary with a loving child in her arms. Marists give the love of Mary in action - Marists show love in action, live it. We are Mary's church and Mary's people. We are all in a circular Church. We are all in it together. It is at the heart of our lives today. It is what we do day in and day out. We live this, we bring people in, by our lives our work wherever we are. We show it in action We live it as Marist Laity and as Marist Religious.
We want a world that is URGENT, VITAL, INCLUSIVE with Mary's love at the very centre. It is our world, our Church in the image of Mary.Attitude/perspective: We cooperate because we want to be happy and we want others to be happy. Values: compassionate love for others. Love= MercyMary's Church is ordinary, everyday, concrete, compassionate love in terms of mercy. This is what we live and share as Marists.
Father Pat asked ifwe had read 'The Secret Life of Bees' by Sue Monk Kidd?'Our Lady of the Lost and Found'? The centre of these books is Mary, a Mary who is comfortable and very much merciful and calls others to be merciful in their lives. What the world needs now is love sweet love - love as mercy.Colin's legacy is an ideal that reaches all with the merciful love of the Mother of God.
10.50am Young Adults and the Marist Spirit by Father Mike Flynn sm
Father Albert Dean sm, introduced Father Mike as a very active, devoted young man who was ordained 3 years ago. He was very popular with young people and a marathon runner. Father Albert also told us that he was travelling to Detroit to receive 58 young people in the Third Order, sophomores at the Detroit University of Notre Dame on 19 May as a result of the witness of a young Marist candidate. •
Father Mike gave a very learned lecture on Marist Spirituality, peppered with many quotes from Marist literature and theology. He may inspire the young, but we oldies found it too theoretical, too long, too repetitive and extremely monotonous so he was not easy to listen too. I found that I did not take any notes and as yet I have not transcribed the tape of his presentation.
On the contrary, Chris Wright, who was to share this time with him was only given 10 minutes before Father Mike continued. Chris, a layman who had been a seminarian, had a lot of worthwhile practical things to offer out of his experience of teaching 16-22 yrs olds in an inner city High School. He told us that young people would join a group that valued friendship and community; that they felt the distinction of being part of it; that gave them recognition, socialisation/interaction, education, service, and discussion groups. They did not like cliquishness, conflict or irrelevancy. They want:
1) Adult Marist leadership - gives legitimisation of their freedom - 9 (cannot rebel if there is nothing to rebel against). 2) Distinct Youth Group - clear organisational structures 3) Clear guidelines for Leadership/Members of group 4) Service projects - process of determining the needs 5) Social component - regular gatherings 6) Education- broader community, Lay Apostolate/Marist component 7) Deeper sharing, discussion and Support 8) Suitable Prayer/Worship 9) Discreteness, distinct from adults, yet adults give legitimacy 10) Youth Leadership with organisation
Goal: To teach them to live with the heart and spirit of Mary in their daily lives, so that it become a part of who they are (that belonging to a Group does not just look good on their resume)
Marists are Missionary in character and Contemplatives in action.Marist Laity are not so much an organisation that you join but an identity that you take on - warm, simple, inviting attitude.
What can you do to bring young people into the Marist way?
2.00pm - Workshop-Panel of Former Marist Volunteers Mary Ellen Donahue (2002-03) Lawrence MA Noreen Hefferon ( 1996-97) Lawrence MA Rebecca Stronach Kowalski (1998-99) Mt Vernon NY
These three former Lay volunteers who lived in community with the Marist Brothers and other Lay volunteers for a year shared their experience with us. They each expressed their trepidation about moving into such an experience and yet they were drawn by the witness of the Brothers to give it a go. They shared their experiences of Marist Spirituality and how they grew in maturity throughout that year. They continue to live their Marist spirituality in their daily lives and hope to attract other young adults to participate and grow through such a project. Rebecca, who happens to be the niece of Bishop George Pearce, and who is now married, spoke about the enthusiasm of the Brothers for fulfilling the mission of their founder Marcellin Champagnat. She said that they spoke so much about this wonderful Marist that she thought 'wow, I've got to meet this guy!' then she discovered who he was.All the three said that they were so grateful for the experience and the impact that being Marist has made to their lives forever.
(These lively young women were beautiful examples of the Marist spirit in action and it was evident ,that they could not help but share their enthusiasm with all whom they meet. They were the Marist Spirit in action).3.15pm On-going Formation of Lay Marists by Sister Mary Jane Kenny, smsm (Assistant General of SMSM)
Mary Jane spoke of the uniqueness of each of the five Marist branches and yet all have the same charism - to be Marist is to take on Mary's spirit. We are all called by Mary's 'gracious choice' she has a role for each one of us. Mary is our founder - vowed and laity together-we get energised from each other.
In 1998 at Beiley an on-going formation group of 6 priests, 6 brothers, 6 sisters and 6 smsm's, looked at similarity and differences, realised that the Laity were not there and that all branches of the Marist family have to be present for the full Marist spirit to be expressed. Marist Laity need to be there. Father Colin was a visionary ahead of his time as he saw this was needed to make the whole world Marist.
Formation and ongoing Formation are vital for all Marists. This can be achieved through:
Prayer - daily: personal and liturgical. The first Marists believed that 'Once a person tastes God everything else falls into place. ' - contemplative prayer - listening heart, openness to the work of God, allowing God to influence our lives in the spirit of Mary - take time to experience God. The goal of the Marist is to bring the message of Jesus to others in the spirit of Mary into the lives of all whom we meet each day.
Retreat - need for quietness, centres of Marist spirituality with Religious and Laity together, to deepen our spiritual lives.
Companioning - guide to walk with us, spiritual direction when we need help to walk through the desert experience of life. Training of Laity in Spiritual Direction.
Resources - both for individual and group development. Books available, websites, setting up of area libraries for spiritual nourishment and research. Handouts - something that we can put into people's hands to nourish and educate them. Spiritual reading is nourishment for the soul. Development of formation programs for all Marists-Marist Brothers program for ongoing formation of Brothers and Laity. Collaborative formation programs need to be formed as although there are differences in Marist traditions there is a commonality that can be shared.
Pilgrimages - unique experience that some of you have experienced. Visiting places is an outer pilgrimage but the encounter with God in these places is the inner pilgrimage. Each place has a particular experience to share eg Beiley, the Hermitage, La Neyliere, St Foy, Le Puy, the Pacific.The early Marists have left us a rich heritage - Father Colin/Spirit lives in us today. 'He is not buried here he lives in each one of you' Today's world is different but the spirit is the same.
Conferences - this is an international conference but maybe regional conferences need to be arranged to provide opportunity for sharing the spirit
Mission Outreach - Marists are Apostolic- Mission is everywhere. We want to share the Marist spirit we can't contain our love of Mary. We don't have to go to far away countries sometimes the brokenness is in our own families and our own area. Maybe the loneliest person is the one next to you, in the workplace? in the political arena? Parishes are to be a new church and inclusive church.
Supervision is vital for Ministry - supervise ministry support grouPsalm to receive feedback and see how everyone is coping, volunteer groups, visiting the sick, etc, need support with that - evaluate together what is happening and how they need help.
Examples from difference areas in the World: Marist Sisters in Australia have a large elderly group in a retirement house in Merrylands who have an outreach of care and concern to those around them - in the dining room etc. we don't have to go far to bring Mary's spirit to those who are part of our ordinary lives.
In New Zealand there is a priest, John Craddick sm who assisted by a Marist Lay women works to prepare reflection, workshoPsalm and retreats for the Marian Mothers - over 70 grouPsalm of young mothers with children - who work regularly each month.In the Philippines groups of Marist Youth meet once a week for discussion.
Last year Mary Jane visited Wallis where Francois Perroton, first Lay woman to go the Pacific, started the movement that became the SMSM. Everyone on the island is Catholic and Marist. The whole island is Marist - their whole world is Marist.
Marist Laity is not an organisation that you join. It is an identity that you take on.In 'Like a Bridge' we read of the symbol of sleeping giant - the Marist Laity is that sleeping giant which is beginning to wake up. When it is fully awake - Marist Laity will take many forms and the whole world will become Marist.
4.35pm - Rev. Roland Lajoie sm Provincial celebrated Mass 6.00pm - Happy Hour 7.00pm - Banquet 8.00pm -Laity Members of the Year Awards presented by the Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and smsm's, to the individual Lay person(s) they chose to be honoured. 8.30pm - Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir - beautiful solo and choral singing They finished with all of us on our feet singing and clapping with them.
Sunday 18 April The Conference concluded with a beautiful Mass concelebrated by Bishop George Pearce sm and a dozen Marist Fathers from the various States of USA. Father Craig Larkin gave thehomily. At the breakfast which followed, Father Craig 'Gathered up the Fragments' and gave us the mandate to go out and Make the Whole World Marist What an experience! What a privilege to be part of it! Thank you Mary for your 'Gracious Choice' Thank you Marist Fathers Australia for your generosity in sponsoring our journey May we continue to be worthy of our call to be Marist Laity May we carry out our mandate to Make the Whole World Marist
(Audio Available)
