Dreams, concerns and life paths in Amazonia
The Marist District of Amazonia held its Assembly in Porto Velho, from 8 to 10 August 2013. The theme was : « We Marist Brothers wish to affirm our ‘dreams’, concerns and life paths in Amazonia ».
Br Nilvo Favretto came from Tabatinga, Brothers Danilo Correia and João Gutemberg from Roraíma. Lábrea sent its superior and jubilarian, Br Normando Baima de Miranda, and the director of the « Santo Agostino » school, Miralda Gomes de Oliveira. From Cruzeiro do Sul came Br Zeferino Zandonadi – 60 years of religious life -, and teacher Sernízia de Araújo Correia. Br Carlos Scottà arrived from Rio Gregório and Tarauacá. Brothers Sadi Cella, Delvino Decezzero, João Paulo, Luiz Gerhardt, Jorge Lapa, Sebastião Ferrarini and the director of the « Maria de Nazaré » school, Ida Cristina Oliveira da Silva Lucena, were already on the spot, and from « CESMAR » came Cristiane Auxiliadora Lima Nascimento. Brothers Inacio Nestor Etges, Provincial, Deivis Fischer, Odilmar Fachi and Jader Henz came from Rio Grande do Sul, and Br Claudiano Tiecher from Brasília. Br Robert Teoh, future Provincial of the Province of « East Asia », who was visiting the District, was also one of our number.
During the meeting, the results of the enquiry« Modalities of Marist consecrated life in Brasil » were presented. There was also a sharing of the experiences, challenges and projects in the three schools of the District : « Maria de Nazaré », Porto Velho, « São José », Cruzeiro do Sul, and « Santo Agostinho », Lábrea, and at « CESMAR », Porto Velho. The communities had worked beforehand on some documents, including the considerations of the General Councillors following their visit to the District (2013). All had sent a list of ‘dreams’, concerns and life paths based on the reading of these documents. The ten points most frequently mentioned were, in order of citation : mission, communities, vocations, inter-institutional relations, formation, financial autonomy, environment, profile of the brother, type of District and inculturation. A good time of exchange ensued.
The participants in the Forum returned to their places of origin, committed to the God of Life and encouraged by Champagnat and our good Mother, in order to repeat their ‘dreams’, concerns and life paths in Amazonia.
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Br Sebastião Antonio Ferrarini