350 lay Marists reflect with the Brothers
A session on Marist formation took place on Jan. 23 at Lycée Léonin in Nea Smyrni on the topic “Christian mission of the Marist establishment” for the educational and technical staff of the two secondary schools in Nea Smyrni Léonins and Patissia, as well as the Social Center ‘heart without borders.’ Members of the group ‘Marist youth in action’ also took part.
In an environment of collaboration and co-responsibility in the joint mission of Christian education of children and youth, around 350 Brothers and lay Marists met to study “Framework of the Ministry of Marist works in Greece” and to renew our commitment to the legacy of the first Marists: the promise of a better world and trust in God’s calling; a call to map out our own path, to give continuity to the story begun.
Brother Matthieu Lévantinos, president of the Marist Council of Mission in Greece, initiated the session highlighting that “the Christian centre is called to create a community animated by the evangelical spirit of freedom and love and to help children and youth mature and appreciate their Christian vocation.”
Brother Gabriel Villa-Real, provincial councillor and link of the provincial council with Marist works in Greece, spoke during his intervention “of the New Models of Animation, Government and Management based in the history of our foundation and our tradition.”
The presentation of the main theme of the session was based in the authentic sense of the “pastoral mission” in a Christian institution and in the Greek environment of the XXI century.
The members of the Commission of Marist formation presented the “Framework of the Ministry of Marist works in Greece,” fruit of the work of those responsible for the pastoral care of the two institutions that have worked for two years to develop a comprehensive document of our pastoral planning.
It is an important stone in the building of Marist works in Greece and, in fact, it is the cornerstone, because the ministry is in the heart of the Marist Mission; it is the essence, the purpose and the reason for our existence.