Our Family

When Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were wishing to speak with him, he asked the questions, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" His answer is both startling and comforting: Pointing to his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenlyFather is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Mt 46: 50)
Family spirit has always been one of the key components of Marist spirituality, and we see that it is a tradition firmly rooted in the Gospel. To be family with Jesus is to do the will of our Father. To be part of the Marist family, is also to do the will of the Father, to see Mary as our Good Mother, Jesus as our brother, and ALL with whom we come into contact as our brothers and sisters, particularly "the least favored." To be part of the Marist family is to be willing to lay down our lives for these brothers and sisters, in big and small ways...to re-locate in foreign lands as missionaries, or to spend extra time with a student needing help; to send a get-well card to a friend, or to visit the elderly, or serve food in a local soup kitchen. It is to welcome those who come to our door or into our lives, in what may be a random meeting, but which could be a turning point in their lives and ours. It is a readiness to treat everyone as family, to treat everyone as we would our brother, Jesus.
Bro. Rene