Bureau of Mission

The meeting of the European Mission Team took place at Xaudaró, Madrid, on 19 and 20 May. Those taking part were Brothers Maximo Blanco (Compostela), Moisés Alonso Pérez (Ibérica), Aureliano García Manzana (Mediterránea), Robert Thunus (West Central Europe), Gabriel Villa-real Tapies (L’Hermitage), and Joao Carlos do Prado (Bureau of Mission).

After the welcome and motivation, the following points were treated: echos from the  CMT meeting held in March; presentation of the Mission Bureau of the Institute and Action Plan; development of the work plan of the European Mission Team; approval of the   « Marist » corporative image; reflection on the name of the representative of the European Mission Team on the International Mission Commission; agenda of meetings for the period 2011-2012.

The meeting was held in a climate of great brotherhood , which allowed it to focus on current common interests and on a future vision for the Marist mission in Europe. Among the principal challenges for this mission are: promoting the formation of Marist leaders (brothers and laity) to assure the continuity and the vitality of the Marist charism in Europe; facilitating  communication and the exchange of experiences among the different mission situations; reinforcing the evangelizing mission of the educational works; developing the common lines of youth ministry at the European level following the document « Marist Youth Ministry – Evangelizers among youth » ; creating a culture of defence and promotion of the rights of children and young people in all fields of Marist mission in the Provinces of Europe, and moving ahead in reflection on the vision of the future of the mission in Europe.