IX meeting of marist ancillary staff

Here we are before you, O Lord, the ancillary staff who work in the Marist apostolates of Chile
?Today, Saturday, November 10, we left our homes and our simple, everyday activities. We have traveled to Colegio Champagnat in Villa Alemana, to assemble as one family in this Marist place. We wish to celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts, in Marcellin?s heart that knows no bounds. We desire to give thanks for our presence in the Marist apostolates?.
Such encouraging thoughts preceded the Eucharist which was celebrated by the Rev. Santiago Silva, Auxiliary Bishop of Valparaiso and old boy of the college. Now I wish to begin a simple log of the day?s events, a day of sunshine, luminous, fraternal and joyous. Numbering more than 135, we have gathered as members of the ancillary staffs of Marist apostolates in order to share our lives, our journeys, the hopes and joy we feel as part of such a large religious family.
The day was marked by moments of: hearing the forceful invitations issuing from the Mendes assembly; examining the sentiments of our hearts enlightened by the heart of Marcellin; relaxing, dancing, and receiving, as a gift, expressions of abundant affection; finding inspiration in the knowledge that we are sons and daughters of Mary; encouraging each other in her spirit of wholehearted commitment to God, to the human family, to hope.

Certain situations which give us special joy
These meetings are the fruit of the joy which has manifested itself among us as a consequence of Marcellin?s canonization. It is a beautiful experience to return to such joy, one in sentiment and united in a mission that binds us to our Founder.
We might remark upon the presence of almost the entire group of persons who are involved as ancillary staff in services which are so important for the proper functioning of our schools.
Especially pleasant has been the presence amongst us of some of the support staff working at the recent founded Colegio Nuestra Señora de Andacollo. The school resulted from an option made on behalf of the most needy young people of our Province. We also welcomed to our meeting representatives of a new kind of school activity, the recently inaugurated Colegio Hermano Fernando located at Alto Hospicio, Iquique.
We conclude this report by asking the Lord the strength to respond positively to his invitations which call us: to make the Church and our homes and our schools places of love and peace?to assist in a simple manner the one who asks our help?to listen to those who are sad, especially to the children and young people with whom we are involved?to be faithful to the mission which Saint Marcellin has bequeathed to us: making Jesus known and loved?to pray for Marist vocations, lay and religious, people committed to the Kingdom.
We are grateful for the opportunity we?ve had to gather together, an opportunity which the sector superiors and our school leaders have graciously provided for us. We are aware that we must continue along our paths of life, supporting one another, helping, listening attentively, hoping, inspiring, mutually arousing our consciousness, but above all committing ourselves to our mission, convinced that the Spirit of Jesus is at our side, and that Mary, our Good Mother, and Marcellin are journeying with us as our inspiration.