MARISTS IN OCEANIA

The General Councilors have been visiting the brothers, communities, and Marist ministries in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. They began their travels on March 18th and will complete this phase of their work on May 7th. Brothers Théoneste Kalisa, Emili Turú, and Michael de Waas (a delegate of the Superior General) are visiting the Province of Sydney, Australia; Maurice Berquet and Pedro Herreros, the Melbourne and New Zealand Provinces; Luis García Sobrado and Peter Rodney, the Pacific Islands; and Antonio Ramalho and Ernesto Sánchez, secretary of the Religious Life and Vocation Ministry Commissions, the region?s formation centers.

These brothers will meet May 8 ? 11 to draw up reports about their visits. The process will conclude with a meeting of the expanded General Council May 12 ? 18 in Mittagong, Australia. This gathering will include the Superior General and his Council, the Provincial Councils of the Provinces of Sydney, Melbourne, and New Zealand, and the Superior and a Councilor from the District of Melanesia.

So far the General Council has visited Africa, Asia, Brazil, the Cono Sur region of Latin America, and Europe. Each visit consists of three phases: holding retreats, visiting the brothers and communities, and a final meeting of an expanded General Council. The aim is to support the living out of God?s dream for Marists in every part of the world, this time in Oceania.