Extended General Council in Oceania
As part of their role for the animation and governance of the Institute the General Council meets with the Provincial and District Councils of Oceania Region in a plenary session in Mittagong, Australia, 12-15 October 2016.
The Extended General Council (EGC) is a means by which the General Council can learn about the actual situation of the Region, and to contribute to decisions affecting the Institute and the local Region.
The theme for this meeting was Being Brothers Today – A Story of Grace, based on the recent Vatican document, The identity and mission of the Religious Brother in the Church. Each day was based on a theme in the document: Brotherhood: the Gift we Give Away (Mission), Brotherhood: the gift we Share (Communion), Brotherhood: the gift we celebrate, and Brotherhood: the gift we receive (Mystery).
Fr Bob Barber SM, Provincial of the Marist Fathers, was the Chaplain.
Launch of the Bicentenary
The presence of Br Emili Turú and the General Council provided an opportunity to launch the La Valla Year marking the start of the bicentennial celebrations in the Ocean Region. Twelve young Marists from around Australia were invited to dialogue with the Councils about the future of Marist life at this time of a new beginning. Br Emili took up the theme of last year's Marist Youth Festival, Just Living, inviting them to reflect on how they are living consciously and justly in their lives and building experiences of contemplation and intentional living in their daily lives and relationships.
Update
The meeting was an opportunity to update the Councils on the current activities in the lead up to the 22nd General Council starting on 8 September 2017. This included the preparations for the XXII General Chapter, the process for the revision of the Constitutions, Lavalla 200> international communities, the development of formation proposals from the International Laity Commission, proposals arising from the initial formation Colloquium held in 2015 and the Project New Models.
At the end of the Eucharist on Saturday night (15 October), Fr Bob Barber SM blessed 5 wooden crosses with Champagnat Medallion inserts. These were passed down through the gathered Brothers to the Altar and then presented to Br Emili and the General Councillors to thank them as their term of Office moves into its last year. Brs David McDonald, Peter Carroll and Jean Marie Batick presented the crosses to Brs Emili Turú, Joe McKee, Michael De Waas, Antonio Ramalho and Josep Maria Soteras. Three other members of the General Council, Victor Preciado, Ernesto Sánchez and Eugène Kabanguka were unable to attend the EGC Meeting in Mittagong.
Participants:
- General Administration – Emili Turú SG, Joe McKee VG, Antonio Ramalho, Josep Maria Soteras, Michael De Waas and Libardo Garzón (Econome General).
- Melanesia – Jean-Marie Batick, Mark Kenatsi, Stanley Bakere, Rodney Pauru, Clement Pekubei.
- Australia – Peter Carroll, Ken McDonald, Jeff Barrington, Darren Burge, Paul Kane, Greg McDonald.
- Pacific – David McDonald, Terry Costello, Siaosi Ioane, Peter Horide, Chris Maney, Kevin Wanden.
- Secretariat – Tony d’Arbon, Matthew Clarke.