?Passionate for the mission?

The Ibérica province held its fifth chapter from Dec. 26 – 30 in the town of Lardero in northern Spain with 37 Brothers and 10 laity.

“It would be good that the 47 people who are here would return home with the conviction of realizing in your life what you have lived here,” said general councillor Brother Ernesto Sánchez, who was among the participants.

Brother Moisés Alonso Pérez took over as the new provincial replacing Brother Ambrosio Alonso Díez, who had served since 2009.

On the second day of the chapter, participants analysed the situation of the Province, starting with the report of the Provincial Council, who showed a summary of its work of the last three years.

On the third day, the commissions of consecrated life and Marist laity presented two reports which focused on projects and future challenges.

Regarding the brothers, accompanying community and personal processes was highlighted, considering the age of the brothers, as well as processes related to retirement and to the mission of evangelizing.

In addition, the chapter called for further efforts to support and strongly encourage the vocation of the Brother.

The Ibérica province has 15,600 students, 974 teachers and evangelisers, and 344 volunteer animators.

The commission of Marist laity also walks along these lines, betting strongly on key vocational training processes and encounter with God.

On Dec. 29, participants set the priorities for the following term, which are:

• To promote and support the Marist vocation and lay consecrated in all its stages and expressions caring personal and community processes.
• To intensify communion between brothers and laity and the search for new community realities that vitalize and make the Marist charism visible.
• To strengthen the charismatic dimension and innovative educational processes in the works.
• To prioritize care and service to the Montagne of today when evangelising.

The chapter ended on Dec. 30 during which the following Brothers were chosen as provincial councillors: Alfonso Fernández, Samuel Holguín, Alejandro Mena, Iñaki Ruiz, Abel Muñoz and Ernesto Tendero.