LOGOS Archives - Society of Mary

LOGOS celebrates 20 years

LOGOS, a Marist Youth Development project, celebrated 20 years on Saturday 12th October.

The milestone brought together different generations of people who ave had a part in creating, forming and continuing the story of The LOGOS Project.

The occasion was highlighted by stories from three guest speakers representing the evolving nature of LOGOS, Fr Pat Breeze sm, Chris Lautua and Jen Martinez all shared their time and journey with Logos.

No celebration is complete without music.

Patrick Breeze, Kevin Murphy and Joe Savesi, founding members

Entertainment for the evening was proudly ‘homegrown’; a live band led by Leilani; a reunited music group from the old event ministry team and a liturgical dance.

A memory wall, time capsule and most importantly, conversation provided an opportunity for reminiscing and recalling the contribution of many people over the 20-year journey.

As a way to acknowledge the foundational members and all who had since walked in the space, current members shared a moving rendition of the hīmene, ‘Ka Waiata’ and a powerful and equally moving haka.

From Marist mission in Auckland to Marist mission in Ranong, Thailand

LOGOS, the Marist Youth Development agency in Auckland, November 20, farewelled Tayla Fa’aofo as she departs soon to work at the Marist Mission in Ranong, Thailand.

The farewell was at a shared meal with Tayla and her family.

Not long completing her Bachelor of Education to become a primary school teacher, Tayla he will work at the Marist Asia Foundation for three months.

She will join another member of the Logos community, Laura McLellan, who is on an eight-month assignment in Ranong.

Both Tayla and Laura are former students of Marist College.

Tayla was the college’s Head Girl in 2014.

Since leaving high school, Tayla has volunteered her service and gifts as a Connector in the Logos community, being a part of school retreats, community events, and other programmes.

LOGOS raises $5k for Marist Ranong mission

Saturday, LOGOS held a quiz evening at the Logos Centre to raise money for the Ranong Mission.

About 250 people attended.

As well as being a lot of fun the event raised about $5,000.

Frank Bird, home in New Zealand from the mission in Ranong, southern Thailand, gave a moving presentation of the work that Marists and their supporters do.

In January 2019 Tayla Faaofo will join another LOGOS member, volunteering teaching at the Marist Asia Mission in Ranong.

The fundraiser raised awareness about the Marist Asia Foundation as well as funds to support Tayla’s volunteer costs.

LOGOS leader, Jen Martinez wrote: “We were overwhelmed by the support from Marist groups, families and the wider community”.

Frank Bird returns shortly to the Marist Asia Foundation work in Ranong.

Dare to Dream presentation nerves

LOGOS’ leader Jen Martinez admits to being slightly nervous prior to departing for Dare to Dream; a meeting of lay Marists in France.

She, and fellow presenters Sam Mano and Matt Grevatt are due to deliver a presentation to young people at the Marist gathering Dare to Dream in Lyon.

Familiar with delivering presentations in a New Zealand context, it is the first time they will present in an international setting.

“We’re told that our English will be translated by an App!” she said by phone the evening before departing.

Jen is uncertain how many of the 400 attendees understand English but expects there will be a number who wont.

“I hope the App understands Kiwi”, Jen said optimistically.

Language translation aside, Jen, Sam and Matt are confident in their presentation and tested it on a group the day before departing.

“We’re told that our English will be translated by an App!…I hope the App understands Kiwi.”

“I was really pleased with the quality of the in-depth conversation that followed” she said.

LOGOS, the Society of Mary’s Youth Development team, is leading a workshop on chapters three and four of Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia “The Joy of Love”.

The LOGOS presentation seeks to explore the “vocation of the family”, and “love in marriage”. Their starting point is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Dare to Dream takes place on 17 – 23 July, however Jen Martinez and Sam Mano left today to be part of a team helping prepare the venue for 400 attendees.

Dare to Dream marks the 200th anniversary of the young Marists who signed a pledge at Fourvière to found the Society of Mary.

The gathering, a joint initiative of the four religious branches of the Marist Family, takes place in the Marist School of Sainte Marie Lyon – La Solitude.

Fr Alejandro Muñoz SM of the ‘Dare to Dream’ organising committee said the meeting is to encourage young people to dare to dream, like the group of young Marists did 200 years ago when they signed a pledge at Fourvière to found the Society of Mary.

Fr Muñoz says the Dare to Dream programme aims to

promote the coordination and integration of young Marists
celebrate of the bicentenary of the Pledge of Fourvière
prepare for the bicentenary of the founding of the Institute of the Marist Brothers on 2 January 2017.

Follow Dare to Dream on Twitter and Facebook.

Youth work springs from ‘Hokianga where prayer became exhausted’

After only a few months of youth work at LOGOS, Magdalena Webb realises she doesn’t have to be exactly like others.

Studying and also working part time at LOGOS, the Society of Mary youth development programme, she hopes to make a positive difference.

“I’m learning to embrace my differences and use them in a way to positively influence young people,” she says in a profile feature on the LOGOS website.

Magdalena comes from land near the Whirinaki River in the “Hokianga Whakapau Karakia” (Hokianga Where the Prayer Became Exhausted).

Through family connections she is associated with the Catholic Worker Movement (CWM).

Not a CWM member herself; the Movement however plays a significant role in who she is and how she works as a junior youth worker.

Magdalena describes the philosophy of the Catholic Worker Movement living a simple lifestyle in community, serving the disadvantaged, and resisting war and social injustice.”

Two years ago she decided to give her life to the service of young people and like the Whirinaki River she hopes to be a source of life and growth to others.

Jen Martinez new LOGOS leader

Forty staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of the Logos Project in Auckland recently attended a Mass at which Jennifer Martinez was commission as the leader of the Logos Project.

Jen Martinez has worked at The Logos project for more than ten years.

“The experiences and opportunities I received in my younger years have had a profound impact on me, and are why I am so passionate about faith and personal formation,” says Jen Martinez.

“Many years ago I lived in a Catholic young adult community run by the Christian Brothers and I was very involved in different ministries within the Edmund Rice Network.”

“I also trained and worked as a chef after I left school at Marist College.”

“I love the fact that each day I have the opportunity to support young people to grow in their faith and in who they are called to be,” she said.

At the same Mass, Fr Denis O’Hagan SM also became Chairman of the LOGOS board.

Founded in 1999 by the Society of Mary, The Logos Project works with young people in the Auckland region.

It runs a range of programmes designed to develop young people, helping them to know who they are what they stand for.

More images available at Logos.org

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