Our new web site is now ready for use.

This current site will not be closing down for a few weeks yet so please have a look at the new site and let us know what you think.

Wednesday 30th June 11am - 1pm

There will be an opportunity for Marist Laity to meet & converse with Fr John Hannan sm over lunch

at Pa Maria (Emmaus), 78 Hobson St., Wellington, NZ

R.S.V.P. by 21 June if you wish to attend.

Thank you to those (few) groups who sent us responses about their hopes for the year and general feeling about their group.

Comments have all been positive and focussed on the way Marian Mothers build community, provide support, even being a ‘life-line’ at times.

The strong spiritual focus is also appreciated, as part of our ongoing spiritual development.

Groups have also had the opportunity to give feedback directly to Fr Pat during his recent visits.

Marist Family/Marist Laity have a theme for the year from 12th September 2009 to 12th September 2010. As Marian Mothers is part of this family, we would like MM to join in.

The theme, Mary, Mother of Peace, is one we think appropriate for MM. In conjunction with our counterparts in Australia, we have compiled a leaflet/bookmark, including a copy of optional daily, weekly or monthly intentions. On the reverse side there are also three longer prayers which we hope can be used on a rotational basis for meetings or for individuals and within their families. If you would like e-copies of this, then use our email address to request one. (This is not to supplant “The year of the Priest.”) There may be other ways in which our theme can be developed. If you have any other ideas, then let us know. In the meantime, let’s get ready to honour Mary with this title: Mary, Mother of Peace, pray for us.

To see more of Elizabeth Wang's pictures click here

A reminder for you that candles are available to use at your meetings – if you wish.

Made by the Josephite Sisters in Whanganui and come in 2 sizes.

The price includes postage within NZ.

8”/20 cm @ $12 each or 10”/25 cm @ $20 each

Order from: Josophia Craft

P.O. Box 7199

WHANGANUI 4541 New Zealand

Or phone: (+64)6 348 4223

We are happy to promote both ‘Mothers’ Prayers’ and 'Fathers' Prayers' - groups that are complementary to our Marian Mothers network. Veronica Williams and her sister-in-law Sandra began the first Mothers' Prayers group in England several years ago and later her husband Maurice started Fathers' Prayers. Groups meet weekly specifically to pray for their children.

To find out more about these groups, you can access their web site: click here for Mothers Prayers,or click here for Fathers Prayers

or contact the New Zealand co-ordinator for both groups: Eileen Romanos: romanos@slingshot.co.nz

87B Volga Street, Island Bay, Wellington Ph. 04 383 6476

We would be interested to know if your group participates in ‘Mothers Prayers’, either as part of your monthly Marian Mothers meeting, or as a separate meeting.

The Principles:

1) Motherhood is a gift of God, accepted in faith, lived in hope and fulfilled in love.

“… generations shall call me blessed.” Luke 1:48

2) From the first moment of conception, God breathes life into a child, making the mother and father partners with Him in creation.

“It was You who created my being; knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the wonder of my being.” Psalm 139

3) At baptism, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a child becomes a member of the church family, a child of God and heir to God’s kingdom. Parents, together with god-parents and the church community, are given the grace and responsibility for nurturing this new life in God.

“We were baptized in Christ Jesus … (so that) we too might live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4

4) A Christian mother knows she is loved by God. God gives her many personal gifts; Jesus offers His friendship and love; and the Holy Spirit strengthens her.

“What the Spirit brings is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self– control.” Galatians 5:22

5) When a mother co-operates with God and His loving plan for herself and her family, she is nurtured by the Holy Spirit. She becomes holy; is a blessing and a grace for her family and others.

“The Spirit of God has made His home in you.” Romans 8:9

6) The family is the basic unit of society and the Christian home is the ‘domestic church’.

“The Christian family can and should be called the ‘domestic church’.” Pope John Paul II

7) A Christian mother nurtures a love for Christ in her children and encourages them to live a Christ-like life.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature and in favour with God and people.” Luke 2:52

8) A Christian mother reaches out to support and encourage all mothers & is open to receive the same from others.

“ I thank my God whenever I think of you … My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more …” Philippians 1:3-11

9) Mary is Mother of the Church, given to us from the cross by Jesus. Mary has a special bond with, and responsibility for, women who share her vocation.

“Woman, this is your son; this is your mother.” John 19:26

WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE

1) Every child is loved by God. An unexpected or special child may be given to us, or we may need the courage to cope with infertility or multiple miscarriage..

2) Creation is an act of love on the part of the parents and God. As Christians, we oppose abortion, cloning and experimentation on a foetus.

3) By accepting the waters of baptism for our child, we accept the role of Christian mother for ourselves. Grace and blessing are given to mothers as part of the ceremony of Baptism.

4) We nurture ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit and others to nurture us. Thus strengthened we are able to give attention to self-sacrifice and loving others. It takes time to grow into the new role of motherhood and to learn how to use our gifts so they bear fruit in our lives and actions. Whilst graces and gifts are always on offer, we need to accept them by asking for them. We have free will – at times we may reject God’s way of doing things.

5) To become holy is our goal. Co-operation with God is the only way to get there. Even when we fail, Jesus offers forgiveness, understanding and renewed hope – this keeps the bad times in perspective. We pray to Mary to help us co-operate as she did. The more we are nurtured ourselves, the more we can do for others. God’s plan is not the same as that put forward by ‘the world’. We need to be prepared to stand up for our beliefs and pray for guidance in resolving family disagreements. Jesus himself prayed that we might have unity.

6) Knowing our home is the ‘domestic church’ gives more meaning to our routine chores. There is no task more important than shaping our children.

7) To raise our children in the image of God we need to love them unconditionally, as Christ loves us, to forgive them readily, and never give up on them. This is best done by example, bringing our own beliefs ‘out into the open’; talking about God, praying and honouring God through the day; teaching out children about the Holy Spirit, about the Bible, about prayer.

8) We are part of a support network that is of benefit to all. Aware of our own problems and needs, we are ready to ask for and accept help from others when we need it. We don’t have to do it all on out own

9) Mary is our role model as virgin, disciple and mother. We can draw on her strength. She is a Mother and a Sister for us.

This Charter for Marian Mothers Groups was put together in consultation with all our groups. Besides input to the principles, many of their comments are included in the 'what this means in practice' section.