Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family – Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte »
Imagine the joy of a family gathering! To be able to be with your parents and friends, but also to meet numerous relatives and distant friends, from many towns, some hardly known, but whom you have heard spoken about… which makes the impatience grow greater. And now! Such a meeting between generations has taken place!
The Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family of the Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte » organised a grand festive gathering on the l’occasion of the 25 years of the ChMMF, from 13 to 15 November last, in the country house Divino Paraíso, near Brasília, DF. The gathering brought together representatives of 33 of the 36 Fraternities, coming from 15 different States.
Among the 200 persons present were some Brothers who, together with the lay people of the Movement, have shared the dreams and experiences, lived the moments of spirituality and, without a doubt, celebrated the 25 years of the ChMMF. The Meeting, on the theme of « With Mary, in MOVEMENT to a new land », was enriched by the presence and challenges laid down of Br. Pau Fornells, who animated a day of work, reflection and prayer on the vocation of the lay Marist.
After the opening of the Meeting, Br. Emili Turú, Superior General, and Br. Antônio Ramahlo, Councillor General, addressed the participants by videoconference. The Provincial, Br. Wellington Medeiros, opened the meeting, accompanied by Brothers taking part in the celebration. As in any family gathering, union and joy were manifest at all times.
In the course of the meeting, there was a sharing of the activities carried out by some Fraternities. It was also the opportunity to present the Marial Year organized by UMBRASIL (2011), and the Laity Animation Team in the Province. Fathers Miguel and André took part and presided over the celebration of the two Masses.
The CHMMF jubilee was celebrated fittingly with a cake, congratulations, and plenty of music, in a climate of relaxed fraternisation. On the last day, the Fraternities reflected on the future of the Movement with regard to their local situations, exchanging about concrete actions for the next few years.
The lay people took part in the Meeting, but they were also the ones responsible for it. It was the Provincial Team for Co-ordination of the Movement which organised the gathering, while the Fraternities were engaged in selling commemoratives bibles for the 25 years of the CHMMF, with a special inset containing information on the Institute, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and the Movement. Thanks to the funds obtained, it was possible to pay the costs of lodging, voyages and materials used.
As with any gathering, there came also the time for farewell. The Fraternities went away accompanied by an image of our Good Mother, conscious of the importance of lay leadership and of their role in the Church, ready to live out their specific vocation, in partnership with the Brothers.