FROM THE MYA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  

 

As we take time to rest and relax at the end of the year, the media entices us to reflect on the year gone by – the top news stories, the most popular songs and movies, and the antics of so-called celebrities.  As we reflect on the past and think ahead to the new year, one word comes up over and over again: RESOLUTIONS.

 

Whether we are in the practice of making new year's resolutions or think they are cliché, we should look to a specific part of the word. When we make a resolution, we actually resolve to do something. Oftentimes resolutions take the shape of self-improvement. These are good plans, and I encourage you to make them! On the other hand, I would also encourage each of us to take some time to resolve any areas of difficulty with others.

 

Disagreements, hurt feelings, and other interpersonal issues can come to a resolution, which means they can be solved. Is there a difficulty with a person or a difficult situation in your life that you need to resolve? It takes a lot to summon the courage to speak honestly to people and forgive, or even to ask for forgiveness. The hopeful result, however, can certainly make that encounter well worth it.

 

What does scripture have to say? In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus we read: ""In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (Ephesians 4:26).  The title of that section is "Instructions for Christian Living". The Christ that we read of in the Gospels is the Christ of relationships. In those relationships we see the following: learning, healing, growth, purpose, and love.

 

As 2014 comes to an end, let us reflect upon our relationships and resolve to end any difficulties, as we resolve to do better and to be better in 2015. "Do not let the sun go down" on 2014 without thinking about how to resolve anything that may be unresolved.

 

Best wishes for a Happy New Year.  God bless you all, and keep living Marist!

 

   

 

 

 

Luis Ramos

Chair, Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

  

  

Marvin Josef's winning entry in the sticker contest..

  

The "I Can't Keep Calm" sticker contest came to an end during the first week of December. The winning entry by Marvin Josef highlighted his passion for photography and the use of this gift to record Marist events…The annual online Advent retreat was again a success with members of the Marist world tuning in to consider each Sunday Gospel reading and reflections by Miriam Eisenmenger, Ricky Perez-Solis, Nina Lokar and Bridgette Boluc…During Advent

MYAs enjoying dinner at the Advent Taize Prayer

the MYA Program shared a daily Advent calendar via its social media platforms…Marist Young Adults in the New York and New Jersey area joined other members of the Marist family for dinner and an Advent-themed Taize prayer at Archbishop Molloy High School…Luis Ramos coordinated a "Google Hangout" for the Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee (MYAAC) to share their reflections on the fourth week of

Patricio Vallejo boxing gifts in Texas

the online Advent retreat.  Google Hangout will replace the website chat function for future MYA chats…MYAs in Massachusetts spent a day before Christmas volunteering their services at The Wish Project, an organization that supplies basic necessities to people in crisis in the Merrimack Valley…In South Texas, MYAs gathered at the home of Luis Varela to celebrate the end of the semester and to collect toys for the children of Cristo Rey Parish in Brownsville.  The group filled six large boxes with gifts while having fun and holding a raffle.  Congratulations to raffle winners Beto Villarreal and Daniel Gonzalez…Throughout the month of December, the MYA Program has been selling "I Can't Keep Calm" posters to raise funds for Educate for Change…The online efforts  and virtual community of the MYA Program were featured in the Christmas edition of American Marist…The MYAAC continues to work with Erbach Com-

Jessie Garneau at The Wish Project

munications on a renewed look for the MYA website.  The redesign will go live in January…In December, Marist Monday Challenges encouraged MYAs to foster peace,  be present, bring sight to the "blind", make spiritual resolutions, and act with humility, poverty and faith…New blog posts in December helped to boost the year end website statistics…Catherine Weening will become the co-chair of the MYAAC beginning with the winter meeting in January.  Best wishes to Catherine!