Doing the Work of Mary
Marists are men and women who strive to live the Gospel the way Mary lived it. We are scattered to the four corners of the world but united in one heart and one mind under the patronage of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We gather into religious congregations and lay movements: The Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Marist Sisters, the Marist Brothers, the Priests and Brothers of the Society of Mary, and many lay groups of Marist inspiration.

Today, we continue in the venture to renew the spirit and mission of the Church as a place of collaboration and true spiritual enrichment.

We invite you to discover that true strength is found in gentleness. Marist spirituality invites us to embrace this liberating truth, which comes to us from the heart of God, by following Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Like Mary, we too can hear the gentle rhythms of the grace of God in our lives by making our own her manner of thinking, judging, feeling, and acting.

Mary's way is a direct path to the divine heart of mercy.

From Our Founder
	‘Let us put on Jesus Christ, to that end working with all our heart so that Jesus Christ will work with us. We must put the man in us aside, and so ask ourselves when we are in the pulpit, who am I to announce the bread of the word to these souls? Why have I entered this pulpit? It is to beget them for Jesus Christ.’ (FS 56:4) MEET OUR FOUNDER, JEAN-CLAUDE COLIN>

Seasonal Reflection

A Marian Church

The following are excerpts from Marist François Març's reflection:

I would like to plead for a Marian Church …. a Church which "lives the Gospel after the manner of Mary."

The Marian Church follows Mary …. going off with her to encounter life …. for possibilities, for the life which beats in things.

The Marian Church rejoices and sings …. she is in wonder at the beauty there is on the earth and in the human heart, as she sees what God is doing there.

The Marian Church knows … that God has the heart of a mother. She has seen God on the doorstep …. the Marian Church despairs of no one …. When she finds someone on the side of the road wounded by life, she is moved by compassion, and with infinite tenderness tends their wounds. She is the safe harbor, who is always open, the refuge of sinners, "mater misericordiae," Mother of Mercy.

The Marian Church does not know the answers before the questions are posed …. She accepts that she must search.

The Marian Church …. goes out to chat with the other villagers. She weeps with them, she rejoices with them …. Above all she listens.

The Marian Church stands at the foot of the Cross…. She is vulnerable in her deeds as in her words. With a humble courage she stands alongside the most insignificant.

The Marian Church lets in the wind of Pentecost, the wind which impels one to go out, which unties tongues. In the public square … she proclaims her message: the promise has been kept …. And this is the great secret which she can only murmur: to win the victory God has laid down his arms….

And there, on the Cross, we have seen the "mercy," the open heart of God.

There at the foot of the Cross a people was born, a Marian people….

Brothers and sisters, let us belong to this people. Let us make a place for Mary in our home. Let us enter with her into the "humble and heart-rending happiness" of loving and being loved. And, in the words of Therese of Lisieux, the Church will be in this world "a heart resplendent with love".

ENJOY THE COMPLETE SEASONAL REFLECTION>

Feminine face of the Church (Excerpt from "A Certain Way")>

Marist Thoughts

Marist Father Craig Larkin, S.M. tells us that in our time there are many places where the Church is emerging or re-emerging and that there are many people searching for God or rediscovering their faith. Likewise, there are many who find themselves on the edge of the official Church and yearn for a community where they can hear the Good News spoken to them.  Mary is concerned to gather these people and to be among them through those who bear her name (A Certain Way: An Exploration of Marist Spirituality). 

Mary's spirit of welcoming and understanding is very much alive in our parish.  Let's continue to bring that spirit to others outside our church family who yearn to be understood and welcomed and are searching for a community of love and mercy.

READ MORE MARIST THOUGHTS>