New Marist region América Sur
The first meeting of implementation of the region América Sur took place in Chile from May 7 – 10 to define the guidelines for cooperation and implementation of the new regional structure and to strengthen the integration of this team, which is in charge of its launch.
This team includes Brothers Wagner Rodrigues da Cruz, Patricio Pino, Deivis Fischer, Jorge Gaio, José Kuhm and Alberto Aparicio, as well as the following laity: Manuela Suassuna, Inés May, Ernesto Reyes, Rony Ahlfeldt, Marcelo Cordeiro and Luca Olivari.
“We are taking very significant and vital steps to transform the region,” affirmed Brother Wagner Rodrigues da Curz, coordinator of the implementation team. “To potentiate the Institute into new regions is to potentiate a new beginning for a new life, where we will be closer together and stronger.”
The new region was created by uniting the Marist areas of Brazil and Cono Sur, which are made up of the Provinces of Brasil Centro-Sur, Brasil Centro-Norte, Brasil Amazonia-Sur, Cruz del Sur, Santa María de los Andes and the District of Paraguay.
Luca Olivari, of the general administration in Rome, underscored that “América Sur will have a fundamental role in changing the institute.”
“Let us not forget that it makes up 50% of the Institute, which means it transforms it into the engine in changing other regions,” he added.
In this first encounter, participants worked mainly on the strategic definitions such as the vision, principles, priorities, the operating model, as well as other guidelines that are necessary for the path of the new Marist region.
The open letter of the first assembly of the Extended Provincial Councils of the Marist provinces of Brasil Centro-Norte, Centro-Sur, Sur-Amazonia, Cruz del Sur and Santa María de los Andes, which took place in Florianopolis, described this new structure.
It notes that it “goes beyond cultural, social, political and geographical differences, where the provinces of the América Sur region take up the commitment of contributing to the life of the Marist Institute and its mission, in light of the XXI General Chapter, towards a new beginning.”