LOOKING TO THE FUTURE REALISTICALLY AND WITH HOPE

Meeting of young brothers.
In the Province of Norandina (Venezuela-Colombia-Ecuador), 17 brothers met from the 2nd to the 9th July at Rochela-Manizales. These brothers were either in temporary profession or recently perpetually professed. This meeting was facilitated by Brothers César Rojas and Ramón Benseny as well as Sister Astrid María Patin. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of prayer, reflection and sharing and looked at the following areas: affectivity and sexuality in Religious Life, apostolic mission and the Personal Life Plan. All the participants shared openly about their apostolic and community experiences. We must not forget to mention also that there were many disputes contested during football jousts, but all in good fun and good sportsmanship.

Assembly of the brothers from Colombia.
From the 18th to the 20th July, an assembly of brothers from Colombia was held at the Casa de Encuentros Champagnat in Cali. About 60 brothers attended this assembly, convened by Brother Laurentino Albalá, Provincial, and his Council who were meeting in a plenary session. The meeting was marked by a spirit of attentive listening and open confidence in each other. Topics that were discussed included how to live in fidelity to the Lord and to our Marist charism, the future of our works and of our communities, our style of community life, as well as other points that arose from the contributions and the reflections of the brothers.