VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH GATHERING, LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA

Vincentian Marian Youth-West hosted a National Formation Weekend on March 18-19, 2016 at Seton Provincialate in Los Altos Hills, CA. VMY leaders came from California, Arizona, Alaska and Missouri to spend time becoming better acquainted with the history of the VMY/Children of Mary, particularly in the United States, and with the various activities taking place in the VMY apostolate today.  Eight of the leaders represented high school-aged parish and teen groups from Anchorage, Los Angeles, and Southeast Missouri.  Ten others were leaders of VMY groups in Catholic elementary schools in Northern and Southern California and Phoenix, AZ.  The VMY USA Executive Board attended as well.  Yasmine Cajuste, former international president of Vincentian Marian Youth, also participated in the gathering as a special guest.

On Friday, March 18, Sister Margaret Ann Gainey, DC and Sister Ellen Van Zandt, DC gave a presentation to participants on the history of the Children of Mary in the United States and how it relates to VMY. Saturday, March 19 was a day for sharing ideas, reviewing guidelines, participating in apostolic reflection and discussing the Final Document of the VMY General Assembly held in July 2015.

Contributed by: Sister Christina Maggi, DC