Elma Rafil appointed member of the Extended Secretariat of Laity
The Superior General, Br. Ernesto Sánchez, and the General Council have appointed Elma Rafil (East Asia) as a member of the of the Extended Secretariat of Laity for a period of three years. She will begin this assignment on 1st January 2023.
The Extended Secretariat is a team that supports the directors of the Secretariat of Laity. At present, the “Extended Secretariat of Laity” is formed by Ana SaborĂo (Central America), Alida Bodomanitra (Madagascar), Nathan Ahearne (Australia), Br. Elias Iwu (Nigeria) and Marcos JosĂ© Broc (Brasil Sul-AmazĂ´nia).
Elma Rafil
“My name is Elma Rafil and I am from the Philippine Sector of the Province of East Asia. I was born and grew up in the Philippines. My Marist journey began at home, being raised and catechized by my mother, who lived a very Marist life. I went to a Marist school in college where I learned about Marcellin Champagnat. In the 1990’s, I heard about Marist lay and I got involved with the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family (CMMF) where members regularly gather in the atmosphere of a family to share life and faith, foster Marist vocation, and enrich the experience of God. I eventually became one of the lay animators.
I have been employed at Notre Dame of Marbel University, a Marist institution, for 31 years now. My involvement with this Marist institution gives me opportunities to deepen my spirituality and to “nourish, live, and share” the Marist life and spirituality.
Currently, I am the Coordinator of Marist Laity in Asia, a member of the Lay Commission of the East Asia Province, the Chairperson of the Lay Committee of the Philippine Sector, and a member of the Marist Ecology Ministry in East Asia.
For me, each day is an opportunity to examine my faith journey. It is a time to grow in my relationship with God and take part in His mission. My faith journey is a journey of gratitude and an ongoing dependence on Him. It is a constant journey of thanksgiving and recognition of His abundant love and His presence everywhere, in all creatures, and in all circumstances.”