Bursars’ meeting 2023 – Day 1
Marist Bursars from around the Marist world arrived at the L’Hermitage on Sunday 8 October to attend the meeting of International Bursars titled From La Valla to L’Hermitage – Sustainability, Leadership and Innovation. The group of 63 brothers and lay from provincial finance and administrative roles across 78 countries have come to share their different realities with each other for the future benefit of the Marist Institute.
Day 1 – October 9
The Vicar General, Br Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, welcomed all those present on behalf of the Superior General and his Council. The focus of Luis Carlos’ presentation was on the reasons for the General Administration calling the Administration Units’ Bursars to L’Hermitage. Remembering the Marists roots is considered an important aspect as people face the challenges of the present and the future. Most importantly, the concept of “servant leadership” was stressed “… to promote an open and trained servant leadership to address the emerging realities of our institute and the world.” These concepts were further promoted by the General Bursar, Br Jorge Gaio as leader of the Financial Team.
Br Michael Green took time out of his Third Age Programme commitments, in Manziana, to introduce the participants to an understanding of the background and operation of Marcellin in the economic and financial spheres. Br Michael’s presentation titled Spirituality and economy a thoroughly researched and interesting paper presented the two major concepts to Marcellin’s modus operandi, risk and prudence. A consideration of Marcellin’s upbringing and an appreciation of his actions as he sought to set the institute on a solid footing advanced the participants’ understanding of these two key ideas.