Inter-American Network of Marist Spirituality Coordination Team Meeting
From August 30 to September 1, the Coordination Team of the Inter-American Network of Marist Spirituality (RED IEM) met in Montevideo – Uruguay, Cruz del Sur Province, to evaluate the progress made and to plan the projects and actions for the next three years.
Among the activities, the team met virtually with Brothers Angel Medina and Lindley Sionosa, directors of the Secretariat Brothers Today. They were grateful for all the support and participation in the projects developed in the last three years, especially the “Formation and Experience” project, developed monthly in a virtual way with topics related to Marist Spirituality, neuroscience, the spirituality of youth, and new spiritual paradigms.
The dialogue was directed towards the future to support and promote communion between the IEM NETWORK projects and the Institute in terms of spirituality.
After the evaluation of the journey, a three-year plan was drawn up to deepen the themes that emerged from the XXII General Chapter of the Institute, especially the Spirituality of the Heart theme. The aim is to favor moments of listening to the needs of the Provinces, reinforce the channels of communication, and offer instruments for the experience and cultivation of spirituality in the Marist units.
The welcome and presence of the community of Brothers from Casa San José, who accompanied all the moments of community sharing, was outstanding. We appreciate the gestures of the Family, the attention and care given to the team, and the welcoming environment provided by the Brothers of the house. It was a true testimony of love and fraternity. During this time, the Provincial Council of the Province of Cruz del Sur was also present and met coincidentally in these days.
The coordination team of the RED IEM has two representatives from the Arco Norte Region: Br. Juan Antonio Sandoval and Ofelia Ramírez; and two representatives of the South America Region: Br. Pablo Rifarachi and Gustavo Balbinot. The executive secretaries of the two Regions actively accompanied the meeting: Rodrigo Espinosa and Leonardo Soares.
With the desire to serve and animate Marist spirituality, the IEM NETWORK places itself at the disposal of the Provinces and the Institute to be a channel of vitality for the Marist mission in the Global Family, in an attitude of communion, listening, and support.