Deepening the intercultural experience in fraternity

Living in community was the central theme of the fourth week of formation for the candidates of the Lavalla200> Project, from May 28 – June 3.

Sister María Salomé Madariaga (Chile) and Father Tim Norton (Australia) proposed to everyone a formation on living the richness and challenges of an intercultural experience. The objective of working on this topic was given by the importance that the intercultural community dimension has in the programme.

The formation began by presenting the intercultural immersion itinerary, which passes through six stages: denial – defense – minimisation – acceptance – adaptation – integration. They also explored different ways of dealing with conflicts, depending on the profiles of each person, as well as knowing the skills necessary for an assertive community experience.

According to her theoretical presentation, Sister Salomé conducted diverse dynamics with the participants, sometimes organising them by fraternities and other times by vocations and generations. The participants perceived that the community experience is one of the main pillars of the Lavalla200> Project.

At the end of the week, the members of Asia and Oceania presented everyone a little bit of their own culture and the Marist presence in their continents. As a highlight, there was a great dinner, in which the participants were able to taste Asian dishes using their own hands.