Annual staff formation programme “Champagnat-in-the-Pacific”

The 2020 Champagnat-in-the-Pacific, a live-in formation programme for those who work in Champagnat Marist schools or ministries of New Zealand, took place last week at Long Bay from 9-12 August.

There were 17 participants from 11 of our schools or ministries.  The course was facilitated by Mr Dan Dungey (Lay Partnership Coordinator) and Br Doug Dawick.

The three-day retreat programme explored the spirituality and pedagogy of Marist education in the tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat.

The presence of a large group of Auckland based Brothers was warmly felt by all participants. To have Brother Terence in attendance from Fiji was very fitting considering he was instrumental in getting this programme off the ground over a decade ago.

Unfortunately, the final day was called short due to the overnight announcement that Auckland would be moving into Alert Level 3 by midday the following day because COVID-19.

There has been a lot of positive feedback shared. The journey is only just beginning as collectively the participants look at new ways to keep the founder’s dream alive in the 21st century.