FROM THE MYA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  

 

Change is all around us everyday. In my hometown of New York City, the speed limit signs have changed. The speed limit that was once 30 mph has now been changed to 25 mph, and the change is not welcomed by many. The chill in the air and the snow advisories are also signs that winter is on its way. Furthermore, my professors are asking students to evaluate courses and to prepare for final exams – signs that the semester is almost over!

 

All of these outward signs point toward something more. Some point to rules, others to instructions, and some point to temporal changes. What signs do the followers of Christ have in the Church and the Christian world at large? The Sacraments! As St. Augustine defined them, the sacraments are "outward signs of inward grace".

 

We can read the signs of the sacraments in our own lives as a signal that God wants to relate to us, and have us relate back to God. It is an offer of friendship, salvation, and love. That is the definition of grace, which is divine and offered to us.

 

How do we read the signs all around us? How do we respond to the world around us? As current events in society show us, there is a lot of work humankind must do in relating to one another with peace and love.

 

Pay attention to the signs in your life and the signs all around you!  Oftentimes the reactions you have to your daily life circumstances affect the outcomes.

 

How can you change the way you relate to the world and others?  Challenge yourself this Advent season to approach the world around you with peace and love. 

 

God bless you all, and keep living Marist!

 

   

  

 

 

Luis Ramos

Chair, Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

  

  

Enjoying some quiet reflection during the hiking retreat.

  

Marist Young Adults joined students from Marist College for a hiking retreat through the Bear Creek Preserve in Esopus, NY.  During the retreat the participants reflected on the mountain, the river and the valley as metaphors for their lives…Throughout the month of November, MYAs from around the country were able to post pictures of their deceased loved ones or stop by and pray for others through the "Remembrance Page" on Facebook…Free "I Can't Keep Calm" stickers were distributed throughout the month.  MYAs were encouraged to place their stickers on or near something for which they have passion and to share these images through social media.  The most creative post will receive a $100 Amazon gift card…"I Can't Keep Calm" posters were sent to each school and stickers were distributed to the participants at the adult evangelization program, Sharing Our Call…The new YAP

Contest Entry

app has been downloaded on all  five continents with a Marist presence…Marist Young Adults and their families and friends participated in a day of fasting prior to Thanksgiving in order to raise awareness about hunger…Mary Kate Luzzo introduced the Marist Young Adult Program to the Marist High School (Chicago) Class of 2014 at their yearbook distribution…Marist Monday Challenges continue.  In November, MYA's were challenged to be more compassionate and thankful, to respect creation, and to grow as saints…The Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee has been working with the staff at Erbach Communications

Marist Young Adult Advent Online Retreat 2014 – Week 1 (Click on the image above to view video.)

on a new look for the program's website…Kevin Macalos has joined the team of MYA bloggers.  Kevin will be sharing his reflections on his first year in college….The annual MYA Online Advent Retreat  began on November 30th.  The first reflection was offered by Miriam Eisenmenger, Director of School Counseling at Marist High School in Bayonne, NJ.