Consolidating our activities and our regional participation
The Committee for the Mission which met in the General House, from January 28th until February 1st, with the object of familiarising itself with the dynamics of the work in different parts of the Institute relating to the Area of the Mission, completed its work on February 1st 2019, after two years (from 2017 until 2019).
The event comprised members of the Committee, members of the General Council, regional representatives and other invited guests.
During the five days in which the meeting lasted, those taking part exchanged ideas on the regional projects and the plans of the different operative structures related to the Area of the Mission. They also commented on the strategic plan and the activities of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelisation, and they shared ideas on legal and administrative topics of the Institute and of the regions.
On the final day of the meeting, the members of the Committee drew up a list of the recommendations suggested to the Superior General and his Council who will appoint the next Committee for the Mission after analyzing the proposals received.
Some of the topics recommended by the members of the Committee are related to " school network, Marist Youth Ministry(PJM), child protection, shared services, joining forces and Marist presence ", explained Brother Mark Omede, deputy director of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelisation.
As part of the school network the suggestion has been made to put in place a shared digital platform to communicate through the global network, over a two year period. Based on the achievements of the topics outlined, it is hoped to "outline a plan for our future Marist mission in each Administrative Unit and region, for a period of two to five years", Brother Mark affirmed, when talking about our expectations in the educational field.
"The combination of Lay people and Brothers on the committee had a great impact on the planning of the Mission and Evangelisation, since it provided us with diverse points of view. The topics dealing with networks, PJM and Solidarity caught my attention as our region is attempting to strengthen our activities and regional participation in these areas. The companionship that we have built in the committee is brilliant. When we are called to a meeting, we always look forward to seeing each other ", was the opinion of Brother Dominador Aquino Santiago, future provincial of East Asia, referring to the meeting.
Among those taking part were the members of the Committee: Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez (Vicar General), Brother Ben Consigli (Councillor General), Brother Libardo Garzón (Econome General), Mr. Frank Malloy (Australia), Brother Ador Santiago (East Asia), Mike Greeff (South Africa), Brother Marciano Guzmán (Mediterránea), Brother Gregorio Linacero (Central America) and Paulo Sirino (Brasil Centro-Sul). Added to the members of the committee, also invited to the meeting were: Brother Kevin Wanden (Oceania), Brother Ifeanyi Mbaegbu (Africa), Mrs. Angela Sestrini (Europe), Brother Alberto Aparicio (South America), Brother Andreu Sánchez (Spanish Marist Conference), Brother Rick Carey (director of the Secretariat for Solidarity and Director of FMSI), Brother Valdicer Fachi (director of the Department of Collaboration for the International Mission), Mr. Luca Olivari (advisor to the General Council), Brother Mark Omede and Brother Carlos A. Rojas (directors of the Secretariat for Education and Evangelisation).
