Ann Brown, a USA lay Marist, present at the NZ conference for Lay Marists over Anzac weekend 2005 invited John Craddock sm to be the main presenter for a similar gathering at Santa Cruz, California. This was held Memorial weekend, 25 - 28 May (equivalent of Anzac Day) in a retreat centre, a little like that of Stella Maris, Seatoun, though right on the sea front. An added bonus was that Pentecost occurred that weekend. The gathering was attended by 24 lay and 8 professed Marists (priests, sm & smsm sisters) and was a success.

More had intended to come, but the ordination of the first Tongan priest in the US on Pentecost Sunday in Arizona called many to that event.

In the photo Marist Laity gather after Sunday Mass in the parish hall of Marist church Notre Dame des Victoires, Bush St, San Francisco, for an afternoon of shared food, faith, fun and fellowship. Pentecost Sunday 27 May 2007. Ann Brown 4th from left, middle row.

The lay participants were predominantly female and aged from 8 years old to 80. The initial supposition that the two children (8 & 10 ) were there just because their mother could not leave them behind was soon forgotten. They are active members of their group & asked relevant & insightful questions of presenters. The groups represented ranged from spiritual nourishment for members who then go out individually to 'be Mary' in their community to one involved with supporting women in a Mexican village to achieve fair working conditions and another, led by an smsm community, that has a safe house for the rehabilitation of women & children rescued from being trafficked. A comment later in the weekend suggested that non-'active' groups could link with one involved with an active ministry for prayer and/or financial support.

Fr John Craddock facilitated the weekend and led three sessions – Mary at Pentecost, Bearing the Holy Name of Mary; and Growing in wisdom, stature & favour, as Jesus did. Fr Ed Keel, laity director, Atlanta, spoke on the theme of Marists responding with compassion and creativity to the needs around them, putting whatever gifts they have at the service of the community. Fr Charlie Girard referred to material from past & future books he has authored when speaking of the Marist vision for the Laity. n the early days of the Society, when Marist Missioners moved on from a parish, catechising became the role of laity who had caught the Marist vision. The usual form for lay groups was to “carry the Marist spirit to 'sinners' and encourage the converted”. Groups were guided by, but not run by, professed Marists.

Jane Langham shared the story of Marian Mothers in New Zealand, and also the image of the Society as 'salt, not sand, in water', first demonstrated by Allan Jones sm at a NZ lay gathering.

Ana Paea (Auckland Tongan groups secretary) spoke with both humour and insight of her own Marist journey and the current functioning of Katua O Malia in Auckland.

Perhaps the boldest comments came from Fr Dennis Steik, immediate past provincial, Atlanta. Speaking on Memorial Day itself, to an audience of loyal American citizens, he spoke of his recent renewal programme held in the Holy Land. Part of this included comments on the political situation there and the sad fact that it seems to be part of the human condition to continue to perpetrate what we have suffered ourselves. Fr Dennis also spoke of the 'meaning of Sabbath', from the time of Creation to currently giving God daily 'Sabbath time'.

A summary of the weekend comes best in the words of a man for whom this was his first Marist event. He coined the term 'lay Marism' to describe what we are all involved in, the uniting theme of the weekend being 'Spirit'. “Her [Mary's] spirit with all of yours creates a symphony, you have many voices singing one song.”

A big thank you to Ann Brown for organising and hosting us.

This article on the Laity weekend in Santa Cruz was written by Jane Langham for the Marist Provincial Newsletter and has been “borrowed” for you for this edition of Laylines.

Left: Ana Paea, secretary of the Kautaha o Malia speaks to the group about Marist Lay life in Auckland.

Right: After the meeting, Ann Brown, John Craddock sm and Jane Langham huddling to keep warm in the cold “southerly like” wind and sea fog above the Golden Gate Bridge

The NZ journey ended when six young Kiwi Ambassadors handed them over to the young people of Australia on July 1st, 2007.

The photo shows the Icon of Mary and Jesus that accompanied the World Youth Day Cross throughout the six Dioceses in June to help promote the event in Sydney in July 2008.

The picture, encased in perspex, is about five feet high and three feet wide. This photo, taken in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Wellington, has a splash of reflection from the flash. However, most of the Icon can be seen. Differentiating features noted were a ring on Mary’s right hand middle finger and a fan in her left hand. Jesus, looking at Mary, holds the scriptures in his left and blesses with his right hand. Mary looks at us with eyes that follow you.

We invite you to consult the 'Marist News' section of the Marist Internation web site for information about the programme of this important colloquium. Click here to go there now Fr. Alois Greiler SM is working hard to prepare this international meeting on the role of the Founder, Fr Jean-Claude Colin, in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in western Oceania. We hope to give you a fuller report of this meeting, attracting around 50 people from around the globe, in our next issue of Laylines. Please keep it in your prayers.

A Liberating Life

Published recently is an attractive 36 page book produced by the Vocation Directors in Australia and New Zealand. There are nine pen portraits of Marist Priests and Brothers. Thank you to each of the contributors and to Michael Fitzgerald who compiled and edited the text. May this outreach inspire as Sons of France did five decades ago. If you’re interested in a free copy, send your name and postal address to Vocations Director, 15 Dalzien Place, FEILDING 4702

New Zealand addresses only. Overseas, please send donation to cover postage ($US5 $NZ10)

Don’t be shy in sending news to us that you feel is an example of Mary’s work in your area. Photos also welcome. This is your link too.

Marists in the Pacific since 1837

Logos has a new home: Formerly the Dominican Convent at St Benedicts St, Newton, the youth centre was blessed by Fr Denis O’Hagan sm on Sunday 20 May, 2007. Logos ministers to thousands of youth in Catholic schools throughout the city, for day and weekend retreats, catechesis, and is now lay led.

New Group Forms in Wellington

Monday 18 June, 2007, is the agreed date of the formation of a new group in Newtown parish. The idea has come from several parishioners who approached Fr Mateo Kivalu, Tongan Chaplain for the area. He contacted Fr Craddock sm and a date was arranged for a meeting at the home of the Telefoni family. A dozen people braved a raw midwinter’s night, but inside was faith and family, food and fun. The group wishes to announce its name later. It wants to do the ‘work of Mary’ based in the Archdiocese of Wellington.

The group sees its role as being Mary’s presence in the Tongan community in Wellington area. Autonomous, nevertheless it wishes to be part of the New Zealand Marist Laity and receive the monthly material provided by the national office.

Welcome to the Society of Mary a tree of many branches. We are very happy to be Marists alongside you, Newtown. May you feel and experience the joy of being part of the Marist Family which is enriched by your felt call. We look forward to sharing Fourviere & Retreat Days and other Marist events.

Top: Base church community at the Marist Mission. on Sunday.

Below: Australian Marist, Fr John Hopkinson sm with a group of Lay Marists who work full time with poorer people in the hills of Bolivia.