Sharing Our Call 2:  Examining Our Call

through the Lens of Marist Spirituality

Mike Kennedy, Br. Tom Coyne, and Alex Ibarra spend some quiet time processing their experience during  SOC 2.

Twelve members of the Marist family gathered in Esopus from March 2nd-4th for Sharing Our Call 2.  During the program participants were challenged to explore their Marist call through the lens of Marist spirituality.  Participants learned about  the spirituality of Champagnat and Mary and examined their own spirituality in light of the Marist Marks and the five characteristics of Marist education.  Presenters included Lindsay Irwin and Brs. Ben Consigli, Don Bisson, Dominick Pujia and Steve Milan.  Prayer and processing were facilitated by Matt Fallon and Brs. Dan O'Riordan and Owen Ormsby.  One highlight of the gathering was a Mardi Gras celebration featuring New Orleans style food, fun and lots of beads.

Participants included Alexis Ibarra  and Fr. Julian Gonzalez  from Christopher Columbus High School; Felipa Gamez and Celia Torres from St. Joseph Academy; Joe LoGiudice from Mount St. Michael Academy;  Mark Sweeney and Eric Stolze from Archbishop Molloy High School; Miriam Eisenmenger from Marist High School – Bayonne; Mike Kennedy  from Roselle Catholic High School; and Brs. Jim Adams, Tom Coyne and Joe Teston.

The next session of Sharing Our Call 2 is scheduled for March 8th-10th, 2015 and is open to all who have attended the initial Sharing Our Call Program.

Marist Evangelization Advisory Board Continues Charting a Course

The Marist Evangelization Advisory Board demonstrates their support for the MYA "got marist?" campaign following a presentation by Luis Ramos, MYA Advisory Committee Chair.

The Marist Evangelization Advisory Board meets twice a year to guide the future of Marist Evangelization in the United States.  At their March meeting in Bayonne, NJ the group discussed the implication of an article entitled "Higher Learning" by John Wilcox.  In addition the group received updates and exchanged ideas about Marist Youth Ministry, the Marist Young Adult Program and adult formation efforts.  The board also reviewed progress on the goals set for the 2013-2014 academic year and surfaced ideas for new initiatives and increased visibility during the 2014-2015 school year.

The Marist Evangelization Advisory Board consists of Matt Fallon, Lindsay Irwin, Richard Karsten, Valerie Savino, Juan Vila and Brs. Owen Ormsby and Dan O'Riordan.  Chris Sullivan from Central Catholic High School will be joining the group in the 2014-2015 school year.  The next meeting of the advisory board will be on September 6th.

Marist Young Adults Demonstrate that They've 

"got marist"

Marist Young Adults in Brownsville demonstrate that they've "got Marist" during a three-on-three basketball tournament to raise funds for the Moody Clinic.

Marist Young Adults throughout the United States continued to be quite busy during the spring semester.  From service opportunities in Esopus and beyond, to spiritual events such as online and in-person retreats, to social events in each region of the US Marist world, college-aged young adults were challenged to grow as Marist Christians.  Other endeavors included online chats, a reflective scavenger hunt, a Good Friday Day of Reflection, a three-on-three fundraiser, thought provoking blogs and welcome events for new members.  The successful "got marist?" campaign continued to raise funds for the Marist works in Jamaica as well as awareness for the Marist Young Adult Program.

Danny Chomat and Mary Kate Luzzo strike a pose at the MYA Advisory Committee meeting in June.

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For specific details on the many activities that have taken place this spring, check out the monthly newsletters on the Marist Young Adult website.

The Marist Young Adult Program continues to connect Marist Young Adults through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and the Marist YAP app.

Marist Youth Continue to Encounter Christ

Participants at the Province-sponsored March Encounter build community.

Approximately 120 young people from Central Catholic High School, Roselle Catholic High School, Marist High School – Bayonne, St. Joseph Regional High School, St. Mary's High School, Archbishop Molloy High School, Bishop Donahue High School and Mount St. Michael Academy gathered in Esopus for the February and March Encounters. The participants built community, learned more about their Marist family and deepened their relationship with Christ through witness talks, small group discussions, group games, and communal and shared prayer.  

The Encounterites continue to build community and enhance their faith through local prayer gatherings and Facebook groups.

Marist Youth Gathering 2014:  "To Jesus thru Mary"

Participants' "stories" adorn blocks spelling "Marist" on the stage at MYG 2014.

Over 230 Marist members of the Marist family in the United States, Mexico and Canada converged on Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York for the 2014 Marist Youth Gathering.  During the event the young people explored their Marist identity, the Marist charism and Marist mission.  The activities included presentations and workshops, interactive games and initiatives, reflection and discussion groups, prayer and worship experiences, and social and community building endeavors. The theme of the gathering was "To Jesus Thru Mary." 

A MYG "selfie".

Br. Tony Leon, co-director of the secretariat for Brothers Today, was the gathering's main presenter.  Br. Tony facilitated three presentations.  His first presentation focused on the ways in which the participants' stories and the stories of Fr. Champagnat form the Marist story today,  The second presentation focused on a modern day Marial spirituality for young people, while the third presentation challenged the participants to continue to create the Marist story. 

MYG participants spell "Marist" as they send a message to the Marist community in Syria.

Te Deum Ministries offered a multi-media, multi-dimensional program called "Array of Hope."  Workshops on ways of being Marist and living the Marist mission, exploring different prayer styles and building community were also conducted.  A skills-based, formation-focused workshop on interacting with youth was held for the youth ministers.  There was also time for a lot of fun during the Champagnat games, the barbecue and the dance.

Did You Know that…

Br. Kevin Handibode distributes Sharing Our Call pins to the Christopher Columbus faculty.

…the Evangelization Office facilitated a faculty retreat at Christopher Columbus High School in April?  …the Christopher Columbus faculty who attended Sharing Our Call received pins during a rededication ceremony at the end of the retreat?  …school liaisons to the Marist Evangelization Office organized a "Lift-off to Nairobi" to mark the end of the local preparation phase for the Second Marist International Mission Assembly? … all campus ministers and religion teachers receive suggested e-resources through a weekly email from the Marist Evangelization Office?  …the Marist Evangelization Office shares resource and reflection materials through its Facebook page, Marist Evangelization?  …The Marist Young Adult Program was featured in the spring edition of "Today's Marist Brother"?  ..an article about the Marist Youth gathering was posted on the Marist Brothers' international website?  …an article about Sharing Our Mission for Advancement Personnel was featured in the spring issue of American Marist?  …a new online retreat called "The Joy of Just Living", a way of living Pope Francis' teaching, Joy of the Gospel, will be offered in the fall?