Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family and the Lay Marist Vocation

Members of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family in Kidapawan, in Philippines, gathered on February 13 to begin the process of reflection for the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation. Ivy Yecyec (Notre Dame of Kidapawan College) organized the event while Jano Dalumpines, laity leader from Notre Dame of Cotabato was the facilitator.
The participants focused on the proposal of the first meeting suggest by the Secretariat of laity, the sheets to animate the meetings. The first meeting was about the identity of the Lay Marist and had that slogan: “We Welcome the Marist Vocation, a Gift of God in our Life”.
Considering the Lay Marist vocation as a gift, attendees of the gathering shared in depth their experience of receiving gifts and, themselves being gifts for others. Drawing from each one’s personal experience, the Marist vocation as a gift found its deeper appreciation.
Key questions were also asked for reflection particularly on the signs of the Spirit that needs to be nurtured, changes that need to be encouraged, and new steps seen as important in the horizon of Marist vocation.
Journeying with the process of the group was Br. Demosthenes Calabria, the Kidapawan community link person for the concerns of the laity and Agnes Reyes, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Laity.