We are told our world is becoming increasingly secular which, broadly speaking, means less in tune with religious ideas, practices and principles. It is a world of moral relativism with no absolute values. It is a world of the self-centred and image conscious individual and a person’s worth is calculated according to material values.

Most people are in fact trying to find something worthwhile in their lives. Prevailing culture prevents their looking for anything beyond the world of acquisition.

In the Marist world people are valued for themselves not for what they own. Mary and her son, Jesus, set the ideal and practice of loving service to anyone in need. The dignity of each person was affirmed. In the Marist family all are accepted.

The speakers emphasised the importance of prayer and of a personal relationship with Jesus and Mary. Various speakers addressed the lack of religious values in 21^st century Europe and the responsibility for the laity especially to respond to this. The Marist way, ‘hidden and unknown’, is appropriate in dealing with the challenges. It can provide the basis of any kind of action from being ‘attentive present’ to being involved in e.g. environmental issues.

The above may be summarised as a need for an understanding of our relationship with God, with others and with our world.

As individuals we need to develop and enrich our spiritual lives. We need to be aware of the needs of our family, of our parish, of our neighbourhood and of the wider world.

We need to educate ourselves in awareness of the needs of others, of the issues affecting our world and its institutions. We need a way of evaluating these needs and trying to see what we can do, what is within our capacity. One practical way is the See, Judge, Act model which has been used and adapted by many organisations. And we need to begin and end in Nazareth. Mary knew her world and how she could best be of service to it.