Brother Jean Albert Thomas Randrianantenaina new Provincial
During the month of October 2007 Br. Superior General wrote to us, announcing the end of Brother RAMANDIMBIARISOA Sylvain Romuald?s term and the nomination of Brother Jean Albert Thomas RANDRIANANTENAINA as new Provincial.
The FMS Madagascar Province held its Chapter from December 27 to 30. Brother Seán Superior General was present along with General Councilor Brother Théoneste Kalisa. Brother Seán said that he wanted «?to support the desire we have for renewing our religious commitments; he wanted also to give fresh impetus to our life as Marist-witnesses in Madagascar to the love of Christ.? The Superior General?s hope: that the Provincial Chapter will be a time of great openness, of deep brotherhood and of rich blessing for our Province. That was his reason for joining Brother Kalisa and for participating fully in the three Chapter days. The presence of the two Brothers, and especially their active commitment to making the Chapter a success were truly a support to all of us Brothers of the Madagascar Province.
The Chapter provided the occasion at which the new Provincial, Brother Jean Albert Thomas Randrianantenaina, (Br. Thomas, as we normally say) took the baton from Brother Sylvain Ramandimbiarisoa, Provincial from 2001 to 2007.
The Chapter also elected the new Provincial Councilors:
– Brother Alexandre Rakotomalala,
– Brother Alexandre Ramarosandratana,
– Brother Pierre Joseph Rasolomanana,
– Brother Fidèle Ramarosaona.
On the last day around twelve lay people participated in the Provincial Chapter.
Three principal themes surfaced at the Chapter. They will become the focus of our Province efforts during Brother Thomas?s three year term. The themes are:
– Witness of life
– Province restructuring
– Financial self-sufficiency
A fourth theme was also examined : collaboration with the lay people.
The Brothers of the Madagascar Province are in charge of seven secondary schools across the country: Diego Suarez, Antananarivo, Antsirabe (2), Fianarantsoa, Ihosy and Betroka. The schools count nearly 10,000 students, all day hops. In addition to the secondary schools, the Brothers also have responsibility at the national level for Catholic schools (Fr. Jean Léonide Rabemahasoa). A Marist Brother is also the head of Catholic schools in the diocese of k?Ihosy (Fr. Alexandre Ramarosandratana) Some Brothers of the Madagascar Province are working outside the country: in Save (Rwanda), in Masonga (Tanzanie), at MIC in Nairobi (Kenya), and at the Generalate. One Brother has become part of Mission ad Gentes.
While we express deep thanks to Brother Sylvain for bearing the Provincial responsibility over six years (and at the same time being president of FMS Superiors of Africa and a member of the African Religious Superiors? Council), we also express our best wishes, accompanied by our prayers, to Brother Jean Albert Thomas. Prior to taking up his new role, Brother Jean Albert Thomas was Director of Saint Joseph d?Antsirabe secondary school (1900 students). Brother Sylvain will now take over the same position.
The email address of the new Provincial is [email protected].
The Provincial Secretary is Brother Jean Bruce Rasamimanana whose email address is [email protected].
The Brothers of Madagascar send their fraternal greetings and their best wishes for the new year recently begun. All of us, with Marcellin, men at the service of youth.
Bro. Giovanni Maria Bigotto