Alive MARIANIST CULTURE, FAITH AND ... - The Marianists

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12 Call 1.800.348.4732 People of the Resurrection Members of the Marianist Family share their views on hope as a way of life. NEW RESEARCH ON THE subject of hope was released last year by Anthony Scioli, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Keene State College in New Hampshire. Most psychologists would describe hope as a feeling or emotional state. But on closer examination, says Scioli, hope is complex and multidimensional. At the root of all hope is a strong spiritual core that is associated with virtues such as patience, gratitude, charity and faith. “Faith is the building block of hope,” he says. Other researchers have found that hopeful people are more grateful and more likely to experience joy. They have learned to accentuate the positive and laugh at themselves. Hopeful people also tend to be more resilient, more trusting and more open than others. B Y J AN D. JUDY “I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11: 25 Unlike optimism, which is connected to self-confidence, hope is a reality-based view of life that springs from deep relationships with others, collaborative connections with people and the recognition of a spiritual reality beyond the self. One of the most important findings is that hope is a trait that can be cultivated through intention and practice. ALIVE magazine decided to explore the many dimensions of hope with members of the Marianist Family. What keeps them hopeful in spite of what is happening in the world? How is hope related to joy and other virtues? What daily practices help them nurture hope? The following are excerpts from conversations with eight individuals — vowed religious, lay Marianists and staff members — serving the Society of Mary.
Hope is inseparable from faith Brian Reavey, national coordinator of Marianist LIFE “ONE THING THE M ARIANISTS HAVE TAUGHT me is that community is everything,” says Brian Reavey. “If you surround yourself in community with hope-filled people, you will remain hopeful.” For Brian, one daily practice that keeps him hope-filled is laughter. “Working with young people, I spend a lot of time laughing, especially at myself,” he says. “I also have four great sources of hope — my two nieces and two nephews,” he says. “When I get down, I try to get a ‘niece and nephew fix.’ They are so fun, vibrant and creative. They really lift my spirits.” Brian thinks hope is somewhat countercultural. “We live in a world that teaches us to watch out for ourselves, but hope encourages us to serve God and others.” Hope is inseparable from faith, he adds: “Good Friday wasn’t good until Easter Sunday happened. It taught us that we must have faith and that God is in charge. Whatever life brings, we can find God — our hope — in it all.” Hope offers encouragement First-year Novice Luis Gamboa “IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME TO REMEMBER that I am not doing anything on my own or by myself, “ says Novice Luis Gamboa. “As long as I remember there is a structure around me — the Marianist community, my family and friends — I know there is always someone to extend a helping hand. Then I don’t fall into spiritual desolation.” Much of Luis’ hope is derived from his interactions with his Hispanic family and extended family in Mexico. “We talk about how we can support each other as family, even though we live far apart. We do this by writing encouraging notes, letting family members know how important each of them is in our lives. I also pray every day for them. These are some of my daily practices.” Hope must be cultivated Marianist Father Ken Templin, campus minister, Chaminade University of Honolulu A LTHOUGH THE DAILY NEWS OFTEN IS filled with discouraging stories, Father Ken Templin says it’s the stories about people working as advocates for the poor and needy that buoy his spirits. “We don’t hear as much about these,” he says. “But these good stories give me hope.” Other things that give him hope: “That there are people still interested in the Marianist charism … that we have new vocations — both lay and religious … that there are college students hungry for spirituality, attending Mass and a large number of them going on retreats,“ he says. Father Ken firmly believes hope must be cultivated. “Nemo dat quod non habet — you cannot give what you do not have,” he says. “You cannot give hope or inspire it if you let the darkness get to you … We are people of the resurrection, the Good News, and are called on a daily basis to be Jesus for others.” Father Ken’s prescription for cultivating hope is to find quiet time alone. Sometimes this means going to his garden, away from busyness and distractions, where he finds time “to be with the God who loves and encourages me. We must believe in our hearts that God is with us, and that God is in charge.” 13
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Page 3 and 4: Brother Stephen Glodek, S.M. Provin
Page 5 and 6: Top row: Erin Anderson, Leslie Cebu
Page 7 and 8: Sharing a meal: Chris Nieport, Davi
Page 9 and 10: Marianist Brother Charles Johnson,
Page 11 and 12: Father Oscar Vasquez (left) at his
Page 13: Marianist Brother Steve OʼNeil ask
Page 17 and 18: Hope gets us through life’s trage
Page 19 and 20: when simply getting starving kids o
Page 21 and 22: In Their Words The boys from the Ma
Page 23 and 24: Marianist Brother Xavier Raj help g
Page 25 and 26: Province Celebrates Professions in
Page 27 and 28: Come Alive In her book, The Soul of

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