Chapter of the Province of United States

Report PDF – Photos

The Marist Brothers of the Province of United States held their Chapter on April 4^th – 7^th in Long Branch, New Jersey. Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, and Br. Ken McDonald, General Councillor and link to the Arco Norte Region, were present.

Prior to the 2024 Provincial Chapter meeting, Br. Daniel O’Riordan was elected to fulfill a second three-year term as Provincial of the Marist Brothers in the United States. Br. Dan will continue as Provincial until 2027.

The participants consisted of 35 Brother delegates, 16 Lay Marists, 7 Marist Young adults, and 2 visiting Brothers. Br. Ken McDonald was elected to be the Chairperson of the Chapter and subsequently led the proceedings for each of the remaining Chapter sessions, utilizing a Synodal process.

Br. Dan O’Riordan gave his Provincial address on the first day, beginning with thanking the current Provincial Council for all of their time, energy, and effort during his first term. He highlighted the new Keepers of the Charism retreat, which has helped to fulfill “the need for all of our USA Ministries to be Centers of Evangelization.” Br. Dan also praised the ongoing efforts of the Lay Council and the Marists of Champagnat movement, the expansion of Province solidarity and ecology efforts, increased commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, amongst many others.

While addressing chapter delegates, Br. Dan explained that “future leadership…is of critical importance…This will require us to be decisive and forward thinking as we plan for future generations of Marists in order to ensure that our Marist Mission and Charism will be not only maintained but fostered.” He also asked delegates to seek opportunities to engage younger Brothers when / if possible for future leadership roles.

Looking forward, Br. Dan proclaimed “…I can honestly say I am filled with great hope. Yes, there will be some challenges ahead, but let us – like Marcellin – not be afraid to meet those challenges with great confidence” and asked the group to proceed with that confidence, audacity, and hope.”

Concluding his address, Br. Dan acknowledged the critical juncture we’re at in our USA Province history. “If the next generation of Marists in our country are going to have a future, we will need to continue to take risks, informed by wisdom.” He explained that by developing and adopting new strategies and models to guarantee future Marist life will continue to move us forward.

Lay Marists from various ministries around theUSA Province arrived in Long Branch on the second day. These Marist laypeople included: Alice Miesnik, Cesar Onate, Chris Sullivan, Ellen Salmi Van Cleef, Isa Douglas (MYA), Jacob Grimm, Joanina Daphnis (MYA), Karam Hallak, Erin Kelly, London Sellers (MYA), Madeline Picou, Paulette Karas, Mary Beth Martin, Pete Marti, Richard Karsten, and Stas Stamatio.

During the Chapter the delegates voted to elect Provincial Council members to support Br. Dan throughout his next term. The new council is formed by Brothers Brian Poulin, Dominick Pujia, Donald Bisson, Hank Hammer, Owen Ormsby and Sam Amos. Br. Owen was again elected as Vice Provincial. Br. Brian was elected as a second full-time Assistant to the Provincial.

Third day’s sessions began with an address given by Br. Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General. He began with ‘Looking Beyond’, and explained that the Provincial Chapter holds significant importance for our Province and serves as a time for us to listen to the Spirit and envision the future of Marist life and mission within our country.

He asked the group to envision the construction of a “new Hermitage” with both Brothers and Laity walking together. “It remains imperative that we continue to invest energy and dedication in nurturing Marist vocations, both among Brothers and Lay people. Let us prioritize the vocational theme without ceasing.”

In this, he asked us to establish a solid spiritual foundation – similar to a rock – because spirituality serves as the foundation upon which the entire Marist charism is built. Another foundation of the Marist charism is the care for life, encouraging us to live out our charismatic global family, providing beacons of hope in this turbulent world.

To conclude his address, Br. Ernesto outlined how we, as a Marist Institute, need to focus on five things in order to “move from the New LaValla to the New Hermitage” – spirituality, care for Marist life, leadership, reconfiguration, and co- creation with God.

After a final morning prayer, Br. Dan thanked Br. Ernesto and Br. Ken McDonald for joining the Provincial Chapter.

After Br. Ken officially concluded the 2024 USA Provincial Chapter Meeting, the group and guests gathered for a special Installation Mass celebrating Br. Dan and his new council, followed by a luncheon before leaving the retreat house.