MARIST EDUCATION TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED FORMATION, MISSION AND SOLIDARITY

The Education Commission of the Marist Philippine Province recently held its 5th Educators? Congress at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center in General Santos City from May 27 to May 29, 2004. The objectives of this gathering were to deepen the understanding of Marist education as part of the Church?s mission, welcome the Marist Lay Formation Program, and adopt the Marist University System.
The Educators? Congress was attended by delegates coming from five different schools of the Province and from one bishop?s school managed by the Brothers. The 105 delegates in attendance were composed of Brothers and lay people who are school principals, department chairs, coordinators, faculty representatives, and representatives of the non-teaching personnel.
The Congress? theme was ?Marist Education Towards an Integrated Formation, Mission and Solidarity.? The topics were ?Champagnat?s Vision of Evangelization? presented by Bro. Manuel de Leon, FMS, Provincial; the ?Marist Lay Formation Program? presented by Bro. Rene Reyes, FMS, Chair of Task Force Committee of this program; the ?Culture of Peace and Dialogue? by Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ; and the ?Marist University System? by Bro. Caesar Fernandez, FMS, Chair of the Education Commission. Each presentation was followed by small-group discussions and a report given at the plenary session.
The concept of a Marist University System had been endorsed by the previous two Congresses. This last Congress instructed the Education Committee to continue its study and research, and bring awareness of the concept to all members of the school community. The assembly just concluded hopes that during the next Congress the concept will become clearer to everyone and that its implementation will soon begin.
The Educators? Congress is held every two years and schools take turns in hosting the event.