Mission as Marist Lay: to educate and love the youth
The Team of Marist Lay Formation facilitators of the Marist School of Notre Dame of Cotabato, in Philippines, Marist Province of East Asia, met on January 25 to evaluate, update, and plan for their Marist Lay Formation Program in preparation for the new academic year.
The Marist School, through the commitment of its Team of Marist Lay Formation facilitators, namely, Dr. Angela Undar, Mrs. Cheryl Biare, and Mr. Jano Dalumpines, spearheaded the implementation of the Marist Lay Formation. All of them are assisted by the encouraging support of brothers present in the community.
During its initial formation stage which began in 2017, one participant commented on the significance of the program: “I realized that there’s a calling within us and we answered that calling St. Marcellin Champagnat entrusted us to fulfill, that is, doing the mission as Marist Lay, to educate and love the youth. We are called to practice God’s presence in our chosen endeavor.”
Considering the feedback expressed, particularly on the suggestion to carry on with a monthly formation session, the Team of Facilitators, organized once-a-month series of session inputs and processes appropriate for the different levels of personnel: The Administrators’ group had their sessions with Dr. Undar, the mid-level personnel with Mrs. Biare and the probationary personnel with Mr. Dalumpines. The Team, prior to carrying-out their responsibility, attended sessions on capacity building for facilitators of lay formation convened by the East Asia Province Laity Desk. As the program progressed, follow-through and sharing of resource materials, feedback-giving and joint planning on ways forward were undertaken to ensure deepening and sustainability in the animation of Laity.
For the new academic year, the Team aligns its formative on-going session themes with the calls of the 22nd General Chapter. They hope to put in place in the new School Year 2019-2020, spaces of encounter that will provide opportunities for all personnel to be continually formed with the values that shape the distinct identity of the Marists of Champagnat.