The Fulcrum
December 05, 2018 Edition
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Greetings!
In November I had to opportunity to present on "Community" at the Office of Sponsorship's Head to Heart workshop for teachers & staff in our schools and retreat centers. I was stumped for a solid two months, wondering where to start. I am by no means an expert on the topic of Marianist community, then I realized, "Wait a minute ... building community is kind of my job!" Then the mad genius went to work.
As I processed the session after the workshop, I thought about how this job - this ministry - would be impossible without community PERIOD. From the amazing regional coordinating teams & staff, to the institution moderators and administrators, not to mention those who stay home, enabling everyone to participate in the summer program, hundreds of people contribute to the success of Marianist LIFE. I am deeply grateful.
Community stands together during happy times, and most importantly stands with and for each other during very difficult times. Disasters - both natural and man-made, have affected so many of our school & parish communities in 2018. We do not just say we are community, but we back up our words through actions: held fundraisers for each other, pitched in physically to clean up after storms, and said many prayers for each other. We are doing something VERY right.
Continued prayers for all of your communities. May this holiday season be blessed. Happy Advent & Merry Christmas!
#Thrive
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LIFE ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Kimberly Taguinod Carver
Sacred Hearts Academy - Honolulu, HI
LIFE Pacific 2000
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Go Light Your World, Reflections of LIFE
It was in the summertime, 18 years ago when LIFE happened, and I am eternally grateful it happened to me. As an eighteen year-old, the excitement of finally being an adult and looking forward to my senior year in high school, should have been the highlight of my life. I, however, had a dark spot lingering over me. Life always finds a way of throwing in some heartbreaking challenges just when I least expected it. I put on a smile for everyone, and invested my time in the community, sports, work, and my studies, hoping they would provide distractions from the pain I was concealing. I thought there was never going to be any hope of light. However, in my junior year of high school, I probably made the best decision I could have made at the time. I applied to become a LIFEr, and was selected.
I don’t remember the entire process, but at first, I think I thought of the LIFE summer program as a ticket to get away from home. After all, what high school student would pass up on a school trip to California? I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew everyone else who had been to LIFE had a great experience, and there would be some added responsibilities to my senior year's to-do list at school. Little did I know at the time, this trip would be one of the biggest factors that would help heal this hurting heart.
One activity definitely stood out, where we shared what was eating away at us. Up until that moment, only a handful of close friends knew about the issues I was dealing with at home. It was scary, finding the courage to say it all out loud to my team. I remember I cried my eyes out. It was such a relief to know that I wasn’t the only one going through a rough patch. It was comforting to know that I had the best mentors and LIFE team supporting me - not judging me. Later that same night, we had a reflection at the pool. The night sky was so clear and the stars were so bright, it made me cry uncontrollably again. For the first time in my life, I realized how blind I was. There I was, consumed in a woe, but there were a myriad of beautiful things, people, and experiences God put in my life at just the right time. Heck, I even cried because I thought the trees were so gorgeous the next morning. Ah, epiphany at its finest.
“Go Light Your World” was the theme of LIFE 2000. The realization that if I cannot forgive or love myself, I would not be able to light my own world, nor would I be able to help bring light into the lives of others. I came back home a better person. I enjoyed all the time I spent with my fellow LIFErs, doing all the activities that came with being on the LIFE team, more than I thought I would.
Here I am now, 35 years old. I have been a labor and delivery nurse for the last 12 years, married for almost 15 years, and the gems I took back with me from LIFE still stick with me today in my life and career. The summer of 2000 seems like it was so long ago, but I am and will forever be grateful for that experience and the lifelong friends I have made that has made my existence a meaningful one. Mahalo nui loa, maraming salamat, thank you, LIFE 2000, for lighting my world.
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Kim is just one of thousands of students enlivened by the Spirit at Marianist LIFE over the last 48 years. LIFE Alumni return as Marianist Young Adult Assistants, Staff, Coordinating Team members and school/parish Moderators year after year. They go on to serve their communities in many ways. LIFErs for life!
To support Marianist LIFE, please click on the image below.
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St. Anthony School - Wailuku, HI
The LIFE Team, under the direction of Mr. Ernie Mendoza and Kumu Lily Koa, participated in the St. Anthony Parish Trunk or Treat on Sullivan Field on October 28.
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Saint Louis School - Honolulu, HI
On November 1, the Saint Louis School LIFE Team hosted a Praise & Worship night at Mystical Rose Oratory on the Chaminade University campus. Moderator Lulu Lulu writes, "The presence of the Lord was evident as the Sacred Hearts Academy LIFE Team, the SLS Samoan Language students, parents, & LIFE alumni joined us in this spiritual experience.
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Plans are coming together for LIFE's 50th Anniversary summer program. All three regional programs will participate in one national summer program for 2020 at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX.
Summer Program
Moderators: July 10-19, 2020
Student LIFErs: July 13-19, 2020
The LIFE Alumni Weekend
July 17-19, 2020
Open to LIFE alumni college-aged and working young adults.
LIFE 2021 will return to the three regional programs in California, Ohio, & Texas.
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MARIANIST LIFE 2019 SUMMER PROGRAM DATES
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Pacific
CYO Retreat Center - Occidental, CA
Moderators: June 13-21
Student LIFErs: June 16-21
Regional Coordinator: Joey Klobas
South
Tecaboca - Mountain Home, TX
Moderators: July 7-16
Student LIFErs: July 10-16
Regional Coordinator: Christopher Cantu
Central
Bergamo Center - Dayton, OH
Moderators: July 12-20
Student LIFErs: July 15-20
Regional Coordinator: Kim Matzen
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GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS at the University of Dayton
–a Catholic and Marianist Institution. Seeking faith-filled applicants called to minister to college students while pursuing a Masters in Theology or Pastoral Ministry. Five Campus Ministry positions available for 2019-20 within Residence Life Ministry, Christian Leadership and Vocation, and Center for Social Concern. GAs serve undergraduate students to cultivate faith, foster spiritual growth, and form Christian leaders through small groups, retreats, worship, spiritual programming, service and justice. Tuition, stipend, and housing are provided. Application and information at
https://www.udayton.edu/ministry/ga_program/index.php
or from Kelly Adamson, 937-229-2574.
Applications are due February 1, 2019.
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MODERATOR MID-LIFE REGISTRATION IS OPEN
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MODERATOR MID-LIFE WEEKEND
February 21-24, 2019
Mercy Center - Burlingame, CA
Who Wants to be a Lay Marianist?
LIFE Moderators are invited to a weekend of retreat and discernment, facilitated by Bro. Jack Ventura, SM. Participants will experience a half day of retreat and then delve into what a Lay Marianist is in relation to their roles as Marianist educators and LIFE moderators. This weekend program is the opportunity for moderators to enter into a formal process to become a Lay Marianist.
Moderators who have already made commitments are welcome to participate, as conversations will be facilitated within the context of the LIFE, education, and collaboration with the Marianist Brothers and Sisters.
Click on the link below for registration information. Registration is open until January 15, 2019.
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