Drawing closer to the life and style of our Marist schools

More tan 50 teachers who are joining the Marist Family this year participated in days set aside for our customary in-service program for educators.  Representatives from La Serena – the largest delegation – to Curicó met at our Marist Spirituality Center in Santiago.

The objectives of this gathering were to extend a warm welcome, to have an opportunity to reflect on our lives and gain greater self-knowledge and to focus our eyes and our hearts on elements that St. Marcellin Champagnat has handed down to us.  

With a view to accomplishing these objectives and encouraged by the Team for Spirituality and the Laity, the new teachers took part in various activities. The first day concluded with a screening of the movie Kolya, about the relationship between a musician and an abandoned little boy. The film helped participants to better understand themes related to education.

The following day one of the main activities revolved around “Champagnat tents” where teachers reviewed distinct milestones in the life of our Founder such as his devotion to Mary, his encounter with the young Montagne, his warm fraternal presence among those seated around the table in LaValla and the time he hewed the rock.  

Participants also welcomed visitors during these days marked by fraternity and reflection. They were able to hear and appreciate testimonies given by a few lay Marists and one by Brother Álvaro Sepúlveda. The final day provided a closer look at various concepts unique to the style of life in our Marist schools.

To conclude this gathering everyone celebrated the Eucharist together. The main celebrant was assisted by Deacon Gonzalo Yávar. During the Offertory everyone brought to the altar a symbol representing what the program meant to their hearts and what they would take away from it on returning to their homes. This was a tremendously enriching experience for all involved and renewed their energy for working in our different Marist schools.