Kia Ora Lay Marists, Marian Mothers & friends,

Covid delta is tough whatever your circumstances or level setting. But it’s the month of the Rosary so we can keep our focus on hope, prayer and trust in God.

Fr Chris, and my family all needed Covid tests. Everyone was negative but it brought it close to home. The level adjustments help but the importance of human freedoms is palpable. 

Masses and parish life is online as best as it can be so we hope you are doing OK and receiving both spiritual and practical support as you need it.  After the rededication of New Zealand to Mary Assumed into Heaven in August we are reminded to keep calling on her intercession. Our plan to get around the regions has been scuppered again so your ideas for online creative initiatives would be great? What might help you or your group?

 Be good to essential workers and stay safe. Prayer & Blessings from Fr Chris, Bev and Margaret

For an easy-to-read PDF version of the Marist Laity news, click HERE

For an easy-to-read PDF version of the Marian Mothers news, click HERE

 

  

October 7th – Our Lady of the Rosary

 

Mary, Mother of Good Hope.

A reminder to dedicate pregnant mothers and babies to Mary Mother of Good Hope.(maristlaitynz.org)

The Marist Family, dedicate mother, family and baby to the care of Mary. They receive ongoing prayer for a safe delivery, a life of grace and the gift of belonging in the family of God. Also a prayer to join with.

All are welcome – please share the invite widely.

 

  

Fr Chris did a beautiful Candlelight Concert of Spiritual music on Facebook Live on Saturday 11th September.

It is available on the Facebook group to view at any time.

Living the Word Sunday Mass reading reflections are at www.livingtheword.org.nz

and are a help when we cannot attend Mass in person.

 

 

 

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary ZOOM

  It was wonderful to have over 30 from NZ, Australia and the Pacific from the 5 branches of the Marist family celebrate on the 12th Sept. on ZOOM. There was the odd glitch but we had small group chat and will keep honing these skills for you. Zooming is not the same as real encounter but  helps.

  Some also attended the Aussie Marist Laity (International) Zoom on 11th Sept. Marists go where the need is and the Gospel can be shared so it seems to be the way we need to connect in these strange times.

  A more regular NZ/Pacific/Marist family zoom meeting has been mooted so please contact Bev if you are interested. We will email details when they are available.

 

 

Listen Online to Spirituality Classics

Facebook allows live video so in Level 4 Bev read aloud 10-10:30 a.m. from: The Reed of God, by Caryll Houselander. To hear the book in half hour segments go to Marist Association of Mary facebook group and look for “The Reed of God”. It’s an insightful reflection on Mary within her own time and how this can be a help for us today. It allows you to share about Mary.

 We really need your feedback on this including whether such initiatives are worthwhile after lockdowns?

 

 

 

 

Pope’s October Prayer Intention  -Missionary Disciples

We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization,

available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.

 

The year of St Joseph runs till December. How are you bringing St Joseph into your life?

 

 

 

You, your ideas and both personal and community actions are needed.

Please share proposals or actions with us at the office so you can encourage others. I will add more material as it becomes available.

NZ’s Climate Commission Work.

The NZ Arch Diocese of Wellington is encouraging NZ Catholic’s to get involved. Check it out here- New Zealand’s Climate Commission work ‘absolutely vital’.