Provincial Chapter of Brasil Centro-Sul
During the provincial chapter of Brasil Centro-Sul, the new provincial superior, Brother Antônio Benedito de Oliveira, took up office, the new provincial council was elected and the priorities for the upcoming term were established.
Over 100 Brothers, laity and collaborators took part at the chapter, which was held at the Centro Marista Marcelino Champagnat (CMMC) in Curitiba from Dec. 6 – 11.
Brothers João Carlos do Prado and Óscar Martín, general councillors, and superior general Brother Ernesto Sánchez participated on behalf of the general administration and thanked the former provincial superior, Brother Joaquim Sperandio, for his work during the last six years.
Brothers of the Province recalled that during his term, Br Joaquim would regularly ask them to “remain joyful in hope, patient in difficulties, persevering in prayer and creative in mission.”
Br Joaquim expressed gratitude for the spiritual growth that he experienced working alongside both laity and Brothers, underscoring that he “was able to personally meet many people who worked tirelessly for the Mission and that made me learn a lot.”
Br Ernesto affirmed that he “was impressed by the number of Brothers and lay participants; this means that we are dreaming our future and our new La Valla together.”
During the Chapter, participants defined the priorities for the new provincial council to focus on during the coming term (2018 – 2020):
- Marists of Champagnat: recognized by the experience of our communion, spirituality and mission in co-responsibility, and by our specific vocations, offering spaces and experiences that encourage the experience of Marist identity and lead to a global charismatic family.
- Evangelization and defence of the rights of children, adolescents and young people: prioritization of evangelising education in formal and informal spaces, permeated by listening and dialogue, which seeks to build bridges to promote human dignity, committing ourselves to the promotion, protection and defence of childhood, adolescence and youth and empowering the interlocutors as agents of transformation.
- Culture and vocation animation: recognized for their commitment to the dimension of vocational culture on the mission fronts, revitalizing and redefining it from the current contexts and challenges, with the participation, testimony and experience of the Marist spirituality, fraternity and mission of brothers and lay people.
- Management at the service of the mission: recognized for carrying out management processes inspired by the Marian and Christological way, with professional and ethical competence, at the service of the mission.
A Mass was held on Dec. 8 for the jubilees of consecrated life of Brothers José Cegalla (75 years), Estevão Müller (70 years), Orlando Zattar (70 years), Paulo Antônio Forster Ramos (70 years), Clemente Ivo Juliatto (60 years), Dario Bortolini (60 years), Rafael Mentes dos Santos (60 years), Tercílio Sevegnani (50 years), Antônio Martins Teles (25 years), João Carlos do Prado (25 years) and Rogério Mateucci (25 years). During the Eucharistic celebration, young Brothers renewed their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
The new provincial council includes: Brothers Cezar Cavanus, Tiago Fedel, Délcio Afonso Balestrin, Rogério Renato Mateucci, Tercílio Sevegnani and Vanderlei Siqueira.