Our Charism Incarnate
PULSE welcomes guest
blogger Brian Reavey, Director of the Office for Justice, Peace & Integrity
of Creation for the Marianist Province of the U.S. We asked Brian why the
Marianists created the crucial and unique volunteer program we call PULSE:
"Why do the Marianists
have a volunteer program?" is one of the easiest questions I've ever had
the honor of answering. The words,"mission, Christ, Mary, community,
formation, education and encountering the poor, marginalized and oppressed"
immediately come to mind. Not only are these lived out in various ways through
Marianist PULSE, but part of our Province mission statement states: "Wherever
we are sent, we invite others to share in Mary’s mission of making Christ
present in every age and culture by forming persons and communities of
apostolic faith that advance justice and reconciliation. Committed to
education, we minister with youth and in solidarity with the poor." Thanks
to the initial dreaming and prompting of three Marianist Brothers (Ray Fitz,
Brandon Paluch and Tom Pieper) several years ago, PULSE remains a unique,
tangible, robust and relevant example of living out our Province mission and
founders' visions of bringing Christ into the world via a community of
communities to change the world, for the better. Marianist PULSE is our charism
incarnate.
The full impact PULSE has on the city of
Dayton is practically immeasurable. Not only are eight young adults from across
the country serving hundreds of Dayton citizens on a daily basis and expending
thousands of volunteer hours annually, but the vast collective impact of the
faith formation, community building, simple living and servant leadership has
on our volunteers, Brothers, Sisters, Lay Marianists, non-profit organizations,
PULSE Advisory Board, donors and other stakeholders must also not go unnoticed.
Even though the different pre-existing Marianist volunteer programs evolved
into various iterations over the years, our mission of serving others, living
in community, changing the world and meeting Christ through Mary and those we
serve remains the same.
In closing, perhaps another question we
might ask ourselves in light of our mission is: "Why would the Marianists
NOT have a volunteer program?"
In justice & peace,
Brian
Brian F. Reavey, Director
Office for Justice, Peace & Integrity
of Creation
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