One heart, one mission
The 8th September 2006 will remain an important date in the history of the Province of Brasil Centro-Sul as it was on this day that the Provincial Assembly for the Marist mission was held in order to prepare for the International Assembly. It was the result of six months work in which 1,199 brothers and laypeople voluntarily participated in 105 reflection groups. The Assembly was a time of meeting, of sharing and of celebration which brought together about 800 participants coming from the schools, social units, hospitals, communication means, the publishing house and the university.
The amphitheatre of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná was too small to host all the energy and enthusiasm of the Marist hearts present. If the objectives were to celebrate all the work done by the various groups of AIMM and to present a beautiful mosaic with the diversity of people, services and ways of living the charism, it can be claimed that these objectives were completely realised. By each gesture and each look, all manifested their desire to find themselves under the large Marist ?tent?.
Three moments of this day merit special attention. Firstly, there were the cultural and artistic presentations which touched all the participants and demonstrated how art is an expressive way to live the charism. Secondly, there was the reflection on the Marist identities of a brother and a layperson, on equal terms, by thinking of the mission and the Marist identity in Brazil and in the Province. Thirdly, there was the presentation of the synthesis of the report realised in the units. This résumé spoke of successes, challenges and reactions; it enriched the discussions and fortified the will of all in contributing to the mission.
The day finished with a beautiful eucharistic celebration, presided by the Archbishop of the Sanctuary of Aparecida do Norte and a former student and novice master, Father Raymundo Damasceno. In his homily he spoke of the importance of the Marist Brothers in Brazilian education and the importance of this process of revitalisation by AIMM for the Institute and the Church.
One heart and one mission. It was the Spirit alive in each local group and in this Provincial Assembly. We have a lot of work ahead of us, a lot of challenges to face, but now we know that we are walking together. The process will be followed in the Province as we prepare ourselves for the Assembly at Mendes in 2007.