Marist Province Central-South Brazil

The 2nd provincial retreat was held at Floiranópolis, SC, at the « Recanto Champagnat », from the 14 to the 20 December 2008, with 49 brothers taking part. The central theme was our spirituality (Water from the Rock). The meditations and reflections were directed by a team of brothers of the Province. At the end of the retreat 20 brothers renewed their temporary vows. Three other brothers in temporary vows will renew their vows at the end of January in Davao (Phlippines), seeing that they form part of the ad Gentes project.

Once the retreat was finished, the Provincial Assembly was held in the same place on the 21 and 22 December 2008. 91 brothers and 32 Marist lay collaborators took part. It was the first time that a provincial Assembly was held with lay people taking an active part in the sessions, both in the plenary and in working in groups. There were lay people represented on the Provincial Sectors on Religious Life and on the Laity, on the Pastoral, Social Assistance, Economy, Communication, and Image of the Institution, as well as representatives of the MChFM, of the affiliates, and of the Publishing House FTD.

In the course of the Assembly were presented the reports of the « Mantenedoras » (those juridically responsible for the establishments). The participants made suggestions to the Provincial Council for the next three years, giving priority to the contributions in the Sectors of Religious Life and the Laity. During the Mass of closure, homage was paid to the 15 brothers who, in 2008, celebrated their jubilees of consecrated life : one with 70 years of religious life, five with 65 years, four with 60 years, one with 55 years, and four with 50 years, respectively.