Branches of the Marist Family
The General Councils of each branch of the Marist Family (Marist Brothers, Marist Sisters, Marist Fathers and Brothers, Marist Missionary Sisters) held their annual meeting at the Marist Brothers Renewal Center in Manziana, Italy, over the weekend of April 10-11. This gathering provided an important opportunity for the nineteen participants to get to know each other better and to plan for future paths of collaboration. Through a process of introduction, prayer, sharing, and fraternity the councils reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to work together to foster the Marian face of the Church.
On Sunday morning, April 11, the Superior Generals of each congregation presented an overview of the Directional Statements/Mandates of their respective General Chapters and each Council?s hopes for the future. During the Open Forum that followed, it became evident that each group had much in common and that through their experiences and ?learnings? they could become a source mutual support and insight. Looking toward future meetings the General Councils hope to focus on topics that include Mary in our lives and Church, vocations, and the Marist Family mid-life Renewal Program. Together, they hope to be energizers of hope for the future, as Mary was for the early disciples.