1. The Spirit of the Society of Mary is the Spirit of Mary Some theological reflections behind Vision 2020 Sponsorship & Partnership

2. Mary of the Annunciation • an icon of partnership: Spirit and Mary • “Fiat” – willingness • Enfleshing the Word of God • She conceived in her heart before she conceive in her body: faith • What we learn: • Attenentiveness to God: “full of grace” • Questions: “how can this be?” • Willingness: “yes” • Living the consequences: “the angel left her”

3. I am the Servant of the Lord

4. How can this be?

5. And the Word was made flesh

6. Qualities of Marianist Partnership • Each brings a gift • Mutuality • Trust in each other • Openness and willingness • Living out the relationship

7. Mary of the Visitation • Mary goes in haste • Shares Good News by her presence • Joy • Mary as the first Evangelist • 3 months: what did they talk about? • Magnificat: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

8. What we learn: • Realizing the gift • Personal relationships • Simple • Service • It is all God’s doing

9. The Mother of my Lord comes to me

10. The moment your greeting…

11. My soul proclaims God’s greatness

12. Qualities of Marianist Partnership: • Sharing a gift • Presence • Service • Gratitude

13. Mary at the Wedding Feast of Cana • Mary is central to the story • Observant & sensitive • Realized something was missing • Knew Jesus & what was on offer • Do whatever He tells you! • Superabundance: a foretaste • A catalyst for faith

14. What we learn: • Mary was central to Jesus’ mission • Life in abundance is on offer • Grace is not always obvious • It’s about faith and believing in Jesus • The best is yet to come!

15. The mother of Jesus was there

16. Six stone water jars…

17. Do whatever He tells you

18. Qualities of Marianist Partnership: • Reading the signs of the times; being observant • The importance of Mary in our Mission • Doing whatever…

19. Mary & the Beloved Disciplesat Calvary • The “Hour” • Mary and the Beloved Disciple • Taking Mary into our lives • A new “Family of Mary” • Superabundant gift of the Spirit • What we learn: • It’s about family • It’s about the fullness of life in Christ • It’s about taking Mary into our lives • It’s about being a “beloved”

20. Mary & the Beloved Disciple

21. Behold your mother behold your son

22. And he took her into his life

23. Qualities of Marianist partnership • A family of faith • Growing as a beloved disciple • Taking Mary into our lives • Living an abundant life in Christ

24. Mary at Pentecost • A birth scene • Mary, the Spirit, and the Body of Christ • Filled with the Spirit’s gifts • Fire, zeal, power • Mission

25. What we learn: • Mary at the center of the apostolic community • An apostolic family • Mission to proclaim the Good News • Impelled by the Spirit, grounded in the community • Mary, Mother of the Church

26. …and Mary, the Mother of Jesus

27. All were filled with the Holy Spirit

28. And they began to speak

29. Qualities of Marianist Partnership • Apostolic family • Empowered by the Spirit; gifted • We have a mission • Mary is at the center of the apostolic community

30. THE MARIANIST ICON

31. Pondering Questions • Which image of Mary do you find most interesting, helpful, challenging or compelling in terms of our partnership? • How might Mary, the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church, be featured more prominently in Marianist-sponsored schools? In our philosophy of Marianist education?