b'UNDER MARYSTUTELAGE A new Virtual Lay Marianist Formation program educates participants about Marianist faith and practice to strengthen the charism among the laity across North America.By John SchroederF rom her home in the Texas Hill Country, DeborahPHOTO: ROBIN JERSTADVasquez never has felt far removed from thespiritual protection and influence of the BlessedMother. But the Society of Mary? Thats a differentmatter. Until a couple of years ago, the resident of Kyle,Texas, says I knew zero about the Marianist Charism.But having completed an eight-session course in 2021 the inaugural presentation of Virtual Lay MarianistFormation (VLMF), an online formation program Deborah is delighted to know there are others outthere orienting their lives on Marys path.One of those is Marianne McCulloch of Miamisburg,Ohio. Semi-retired from her profession as a registerednurse, Marianne found it refreshing just to knowthere are wonderful people out there looking for newways of being Church, she says after her involvementwith VLMF. And even though Deborah and Mariannedont share the same physical location, they shared amutually sacred space. Deborah and Marianne were among 21 participantsfrom seven states who took part in VLMFthe fruitof an effort that began about three years ago as anattempt to standardize the content of the lay formationprogram throughout the United States and Canada,says Marianist Brother Stephen Glodek, who helpeddevelop the curriculum. Originally intended as an in-person program, thecourse shifted to a virtual format partly due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. That turned into a blessing,notes Brother Stephen, because it ensured VLMFcould be made available to interested people whowould not have the resources or couldnt travel toan in-person program. Abbey Saurine, head of education for the MarianistDeborah Vasquez, a VLMF participant from Kyle,Texas Lay Community of North America (MLC-NA), 4 Call 1.800.348.4732'