American Marist ? Lent 2014
Dear Marists,
With the coming of spring, we welcome new growth and developments in our community, and continue to celebrate Esopus as a true center for Marists across the United States.
I find it helpful when I am looking ahead to anything new to look back at what has been and to reflect on the multitude of graces, which God has given. This past December, alumni and development professionals from our Marist high schools throughout the country gathered at Esopus forSharing Our Mission, a workshop that enabled these individuals to share ideas, experiences, and suggestions, further strengthening the community and their efforts in making Jesus Christ known and loved.
Esopus also welcomed a new administrative structure at the Marist Brothers Center. As you will read in this edition of American Marist, this structure will enable the staff and volunteers of the Center to more effectively prepare for and provide student Encounters and retreats, as well as adult formation programs, in the autumn, winter, and spring, and get the property ready for this summer’s Mid-Hudson Valley Camp.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, encourages each of us “to put on”compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, and gratitude. Just last month, three Postulants entered the Novitiate in Esopus during a celebration of the Eucharist and the Rite of Initiation into Religious Life. Each of them serves as a fine example of successfully “taking off” those things which prevent us from becoming more compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, loving, and forgiving, and “putting on” these “new clothes” as they were welcomed into the Marist Brothers' community.
Thank you for joining me as we look ahead to spring, and welcome the blessings of the Lenten season.
Sincerely,
Brother Ben Consigli, F.M.S. – U.S. Provincial