LaValla200> Life together
We are already in the third week of our presence in S. Martino Monte. Time passes quickly. To the degree that we move into this project and deepen our knowledge of each other, we begin to further experience the joys and challenges that can represent community life, composed of brothers and lay people together. One thing becomes increasingly clear to us. There can be no "New Beginning" for Marist life without a fraternal life of quality without "exaggerated brotherhood" to use a phrase recently cited in the document on the identity and mission of the religious brother.
In this regard, Sean Sammon helped us a lot in recent days to revisit several aspects and dimensions of our community life. It was very rich source of deep division between us. I only noted some ideas and impressions reported during a sharing in fraternity:
Communication
It is important to maintain clear and fluid communication. For this, we need to have the courage to clearly address the various issues that concern us, have the courage to speak, the courage of truth, and, of course, all done in the interests of growth and love of the other.
Perfection vs imperfection
"Nothing is perfect," said the fox to the Little Prince. It is good to allow for error in this experiment of a new beginning: I'm not perfect, the other is not perfect. This involves being able to apologize humbly, with humor sometimes, to forgive, and to begin again undeterred.
Intercultural
It's a challenge: understanding the other, his/her language, culture, way of thinking, the meaning he/she gives to words, his/her eating habits. We discover little by little how we are conditioned by our own culture, its own way of communicating, of living intimacy, to develop friendship. Knowledge perspective is a sign of wisdom. My culture is not necessarily the most perfect. The practice of the "little virtues" specific to our Marist tradition can help a lot in creating harmony.
Intergenerational
A wealth of our community comes from the fact that it is generational. Knowing the needs and challenges of each stage of life fosters greater understanding and mutual acceptance.
Other topics
Many other topics were discussed during the week ranging from stress management, loneliness through practical tips to lead a community meeting etc. Everything was animated with great wisdom and humanity from Sean, making us enjoy with great humility and humanity his many experiences in the various responsibilities that have marked his life as a Marist.
The mission experienced by some witnesses
On Friday we welcomed a sharing of experiences by some of our confreres and lay people who participated in the mission ad gentes and other experiences, addressing both volunteering and enculturation.
Laura Miño, spoke about Ghana, F.Paul Fornells Sucumbios (Ecuador), FF. Marti Enrich and Virgilio Bnalya about Bangladesh.
It was a very rich encounter that could have even gone longer. I note a few important elements: the need for a good dose of patience, ability to handle loneliness, attention to the minorities in the community, working with people, the importance of collective and individual testimony, passing "through crucis", kenosis but also an extraordinary enrichment.
Oceania Marist
The week ended with a trip to Oceania where the brothers of this region presented, with great enthusiasm, the vitality existing in the region, including the Province of Australia and the districts of Melanesia and the Pacific. In particular, they highlighted the birth of the new Association St. Marcelin Champagnat and Mount Druitt project which is part of LaValla 200.