1. Where in the World are those Marianists now?
Marianists talk about being in permanent mission—a phrase that Father Chaminade used to talk about how he saw the new church rising from the ashes of the Revolution through ordinary people being sent everyday out into ordinary settings with the duty of task of increasing knowledge of Jesus and faith in God among friends and family by inviting them to participation in Sodalities, where they might find conversion and/or fresh ways to express religious commitments. Very comprehensive!
Okay—we are sent forth to go, but by whom, to where, and for what?
By whom? During Pentecost, the readings answer the first question for Christians, “As the Father sent me, now I send you.”
What and where? Earlier, soon after Christ’s resurrection, Matthew records Jesus saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Within Marianist spirit, we also speak of Mary’s mission as helping us to bring Christ to our world—in every time; in every place. We do this through our task to form ourselves and others in faith through communities of persons seeking the Good News. Mary models for us what it takes and what it means to follow Jesus.
What is the Marianist Mission? Mary tells us through Scripture, “Do whatever He tells you.” That changes from time-to-time—we try to discern the biggest need that seems to beckon us, and we are to adapt our life rhythms or attitudes in order to address the needs. We do it wherever we are or wherever we’re called forth.
There is but one mission and for Marianists it is Mary’s mission. From that commitment to the mission, ministries develop to but words into action.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008
Slide graphics by Patti Gehred - NACMS

2. Marianist Family Retreat Center Cape May Point, NJ
Many of us met the Marianist through the family retreat program at Cape May,
But did you know…..

3. Family Retreat Program, Texas
Family retreat centers have been gaining momentum across the country. We now have retreat programs at Governor’s Island in Ohio, Tecaboca in San Antonio, and the Marianist Retreat center in St. Louis.
In fact, this year – tow Cape May alumni traveled to Mountain Home Texas, to help train and present the retreat program
The other Marianist Mission we are very familiar with is….

4. Our Hosts right here at St. John’s in Rockaway.
But did you know….

5. Visit to United Nations with Bro Steve
Bro Steve O’Neil heads up the Marianist NGO (non-governmental Organization) at the United Nations?
In fact, Bro. Steve O’Neil – along with Bro Bob Donovan in Cincinnati, have been awarded the National Brotherhood Award for Exemplary Ministry by the Religious Brothers Conference. The award recognizes brothers whose ministries contribute significantly to the meaning of brotherhood in the Church.
Visit to United Nations with Bro Steve
October 2008
Steve O’Neil, SM
United Nations

6. The Marianists are all over the East Coast – from Maine to Florida, but let’s see what we’re doing around the globe. After all this is “World” Day of Prayer.
Let’s go a bit to the west and visit Cincinnati first.

7. Bro. Bob Donovan Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, OH
Bob Donovan—medical services for homeless in Cincinnati, Ohio
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

8. Sister Leanne Jablonski Environmental Justice
Leanne Jablonski, the Director of the Marianist Enviromental Education Center in Dayton, Ohio
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

9. Bro. Gene Frank--Blogger
The new generation of bloggers whose ministry is to keep people informed of new developments be those books to read, projects to investigate, ideas to ponder, etc. Many of the bloggers are “retired.”
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

10. Bro. Skip Matthews; Letters for the Homeless
Skip Matthews—letter writing for the homeless in California
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

11. Bro. Felipe Melcher, Myobama, Peru
Leaving our borders, and moving a little to the south….Bro Felipe Melcher lives in Peru and provides training in manufacturing and trade skills (done at great risk as the Shining Path saw any work to elevate the poor as an obstacle to their violent Revolution).
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

12. Bro. Bob Rappe, Mexico, DeCamp
In Mexico—you may have heard of the De Camp Program—cooperative farming—like the Heifer Project, but also a cheese business, etc. People learn husbandry and agricultural methods and look for creative ways to purchase their own farms.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

13. REDS Program, India And world wide…..
In India-REDS—gathering in the street children and developing schools in areas of extreme poverty. Later, adults were also being educated in marketable skills.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

14. Bro. Alex Toppo: Working with children living in the slums of Ranchi
Some of the local men have joined the Marianist family and are also doing ministry work in India.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

15. Our Lady of Nazareth, Nairobi, Kenya
Education continues to be a strong ministry in Kenya, and is especially important at this time of unrest.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

16. Nairobi, Kenya IMANI Project
Africa—started with trade schools for former prostitutes—many of whom had “flour” children (women would be “paid” for services with flour)---some of the trades learned were basket weaving, hairdressing, greeting cards, and sewing. Men coming from villages to work in large cities learn carpentry and masonry.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

17. Bro. Bill Christensen, IIRD, Bangladesh
Bill Christensen—IIRD in Bangladesh—worker owned garment factories
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

18. Sr. Laura Leming India
Sr. Laura Leming says. “In the fall of 2006, I had the wonderful privilege of being the Marianist Sister who was in Ranchi, India to welcome our first community of Marianist Sisters in India. It was truly a thrilling moment for me! I had just finished up a semester of teaching at the Marianist College in Bangalore in South India and traveled north to visit the Marianist Novitiate in Ranchi so I could be there to welcome the sisters. Seeing them come through the doors of the Ranchi airport was watching the history of the Marianist family unfold. I could hear Adele saying “Let us be willing to go to the ends of the earth…!” Here were four sisters from three countries who were willing to leave homes and ministries to develop the FMI foundation in India. I was moved to tears.”

19. Bro. Bill Farrell Guatemala
Bill Farrell—community organizing for human rights in Guatemala
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

20. IN THE FIELD WITH FR. MIKE NARTKER Fr
IN THE FIELD WITH FR. MIKE NARTKER Fr. Mike, a man "outstanding in his field.”
Fr. Mike Nartker (District of Eastern Africa) works the farm part of the aspirancy house in Lusaka, Zambia.

21. The formation program in the Philippines is growing!
Sitting Bro. Hugh Bihl; standing, Fr. Pablo Rambaud,
Fr. Pablo Rambaud, formation director for the Philippines, has created Alive in the Philippines, a newsletter about Marianist life in Davao City, Philippines

22. International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities
International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities. Every continent is represented in this committee, and there is honest effort and hard work to keep lay communities connected around the world. The international leadership team includes:
Isabella R.  Moyer (Canada) President.   Susan Vogt (USA) Regional Responsible for North America, Asia, Ireland and Australia,
Isabel Duarte (Chile) Regional Responsible for Latin America
Felix Arqueros (Spain) Regional Responsible for Europe.   Ernest Kasongo (Congo) Regional Responsible for Africa and
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR Brother Domingo Fuentes, SM
So what else are the lay members doing?

23. Marianist Lay Formation Initiative
The Marianist Lay Formation Initiative is a group that invites people who are interested in becoming leaders in Marianist lay communities by strengthening existing groups, or going out and starting new groups.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

24. Green Team
Green team at Mt. St. John: formed through the visioning process of properties entities. Organized by just asking for building representatives. Ended up having a group of highly motivated people with a variety of skills and connections that have resulted in significant achievements around environmental awareness and eco-friendly activities.
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

25. “Pilgrimage of Solidarity”
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY. Eight students and three staff members from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio,, participated in a two-week “Pilgrimage of Solidarity” to Peru in May. The students were hosted by the Marianist Family of Peru in Callao/Lima where they learned about urban poverty and how internal migration within developing countries impacts resources.

26. The Adele Social Justice Project,
The Adele Social Justice Project, an outreach effort to young adults by the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, offered an immersion/reflection weekend June at an inner city parish in Cleveland. Amy Elliott, lay Marianist coordinated the weekend 
NACMS, Dayton: OH May 2008

27. Shrine of Our Lady of Apraecida,
World Day of Prayer 2008
Last year Marianist from around the world gathered in Brazil to celebrate World Day of Prayer
Shrine of Our Lady of Apraecida,
São Paulo, Brazil

29. World Day of Prayer 2009
This year we gather in the Center of the city of Kinshana, in the Democratic Republic of China, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace of Fatima opened on July 13th 2001.
Cardinal Bamungwabi, wanted it to be a special place of mediation, of meditation, of listening to the Word of God, of the celebration of the sacraments – in particular the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It would be a center of intense prayer for peace in the world in general and for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular.
Pilgrimages organized regularly throughout the year, and are most frequent in May and October.
Shrine of Our Lady of Peace of Fatima
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

30. “That they may all be one” and “One heart and one spirit” in
Kinshasa
We will pray today, in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and all the Marianists gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace of Fatima.
“That they may all be one” and
“One heart and one spirit” in
Lingala, the language spoken in Kinshasa