Journing together as a Global Family
On August 11, the Formation Program for candidates to the international communities of the Institute began at the General House. After a week, on August 17, the participants went to Manziana. After several weeks of preparation, the closing week will take place at the Hermitage and, after that, on September 27 they will be destinate to some of the International Communities of the Institute.
The seven participants this year come from seven countries with seven mother tongues: Qalista S. Dohny from Malaysia; Almira Ibañez from the Philippines; Br Cesar Barba from Mexico; Br Fabricio Basso from Brazil; Br Esteban Ortegas from Spain; Br Luke Fong from Fiji and Giorgio Banaudi, from Italy. With two Lavalla200> team members, the brothers Angel Medina and Jeff Crowe, we are living in two rented houses nearby to Manziana. These places were chosen so as to be able to share some workshops with the Horizons group now present at the Brothers’ centre.
The preparation program is experiential. We live in small fraternities, consciously working on our interpersonal, intercultural relationships, being a Christian community, and sharing in all the house activities. We have a lot of laughs, especially with language.
Workshops also stretch our understanding of the inspiring call and challenges of mixed, international communities as one expression of our “global Marist family”. Even though we had to change our dates this year, we have been able to have our key presenters: Br Lluis Serra on our personalities (through the Enneagram); Fr Anthony Gittins CSSP on the fundamentals of Intercultural Living and Mission; Louise Evans on Non-violent communication (through the 5 chairs); Br Graham Neist on Discernment and Spirituality; Fr JC Rey Parades on Mission for Today; Agnes Reyes, co-director of Marist Laity, and Br João do Prado address the vocation to be Marist; the team along with Fr Tim Norton SVD work on intercultural competency and community living.
In the coming weeks, candidates will indicate their willingness to commit 2 or 3 years to wherever the Superior General may ask them to go. They will have the chance to discuss their personal situation with either Br Luis Carlos, Vicar General, or Br Oscar Martin, the Councillor responsible for this Institute initiative. At the end of a week at the Hermitage of focus on Marcellin’s experience, there will be a simple ceremony of commitment and commissioning on Thursday September.