A sharing of programmes during the winter sessions

Now that the Christmas celebrations are over, the ?winter session? of the General Council has begun. During its meetings in January the Councillors got in touch with the different services and departments of the General Administration, in order to assess what has been accomplished during the past year and approve the policies, agendas and budgets for the year ahead.

Among the novelties worth of attention, we should underline the presence of Brother Thomas Johnson, fsc, Vicar General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. With him the Councillors shared a reflection on the identity of the brother within the Church and the world today. On the 21st January, the Councillors exchanged points of view with the General Council of the Marianists on several issues, such as computerised archives, the Mission Ad gentes programme, collaboration with Franciscans International of Geneva for the defence of children?s rights, and ongoing formation for brothers. It is useful to recall that many Marianists have taken part in the formation courses of Escorial and Manziana, which form a community with the brothers.

The Marianist General Council mentioned their General Chapter, held a year ago, the successful experience of restructuring, and the identity of the Marianist brothers and laypeople.

These meetings and contacts are part of a broader framework of excellent relationships established between members of different religious congregations.