Life-giving Structures
The Provincial Chapter of Western Mexico took place in Guadalajara, Mexico, on December 26 to 30, 2012, and was preceded by the Provincial Assembly. As part of the General Council, Brothers Eugene Kabanguka, Link Councilor, and Víctor Preciado, also member of the Province, participated both in the assembly and the chapter. Brother Emili held a videoconference at the beginning of the Assembly encouraging discernment and the quest for new ideas. Then Brother Eugene stressed the spirit of generosity characterizing the Province, and highlighted its contribution to the Institute’s projects by sending brothers to Haiti, Africa, and the ad gentes mission in Asia. In his message, he also referred to the importance of service, inner life, the dynamics of fraternal dialogue, and discernment.
Brother Eduardo Navarro was installed as provincial on the first day, beginning therefore his second three-year term as provincial leader.
That same day, Brother Eduardo and those in charge of different work areas within the Province presented their reports regarding the activities carried out in the last three years. The Brothers from Haiti also had the opportunity to inform about the latest developments of Marist life in that country.
The second day was dedicated to the Action Plan 2013-2015, underlining two aspects in the study of this document: the need to strengthen the experience of the Marist charism, and to revitalize and renew Marist community life. The main conclusion was the need to address Marist mission as a prophetic way of living.
Several concrete issues were discussed, such as the creation of a board overseeing the works of the province, the restructuration of the Provincial Centre for Marist Animation, the Marist Institute for Research and Development, and the possibility of creating a provincial council whose members could engage fulltime in their mission as councilors.
The new provincial council was elected on the last day. Brothers Agustín Acevedo, Alfredo Alba, Raúl Lara, and José Contreras were appointed as councilors.
A future round of chapter sessions to revise the Norms of the Province, the Chapter Rules, and the Provincial Planning was approved at the end.
It is important to mention the Missioning Ceremony of Rodrigo and Estela during the Chapter, a missionary couple who will participate in the ad gentes project.