
Br. Ataide José de Lima
The General Council has appointed Brother Ataide José de Lima as provincial superior of Brazil Centro-Norte for a second term (2018-2021). Br Ataide will begin his second term on Dec. 12, during the V Provincial Chapter, which will take place in Mendes.
The announcement of the appointment was made at the end of the Mass for the liturgical feast of Saint Marcellin Champagnat on June 6. It was held alongside all the collaborators of the provincial house and other friends, including members of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family, such as theBoa MãeFraternity. Superior general Brother Ernesto Sánchez noted it was a great joy to be able to announce it on a very meaningful day for the entire Institute and for those who participate in the Marist mission.
During the celebration, Br Ataide reminded them that “our mission is to give continuity to what Champagnat taught us, to continue the tasks he entrusted to us and to live what God asks of us in our daily lives: to do good, to be an image of god’s goodness for the children and young people of today.” He concluded by giving thanks for the opportunity to continue with his work and invited all brothers and collaborators of the province to continue with theirs.
“Not only the brothers, but all, in one way or another, are invited to participate in this dream and join this mission, being the face and the hands of God’s mercy and tenderness,” he stated.
In his letter to the province, Br Ernesto thanked Br Ataide “for his openness and availability to serve the Institute as provincial, the team work he accomplished with his Council and with other provincial commissions, favouring the province’s life and mission amidst its current challenges.”
Br Ataide, a native of Mogi das Cruzes, has a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s in educational methodology. He is a Marist brother since 1984, and served in the youth ministry and as a director at the Marist School of Goiânia. For many years, he was also a formator in the different stages of the brothers’ initial formation. He joined the Provincial Council in 2009, a period in which he also served as secretary of the same. In 2012, he was appointed vice provincial and, on 24 June 2015 he was appointed as provincial superior for a first term of three years.