RESTRUCTURING PROCESS GENERATES NEW LIFE
Brother Sean Sammon participates in USG?s Day on restructuring

The Union of Superiors General (USG) organized a ?Day on restructuring? with conferences and discussions on Saturday, November 23rd in Rome. Speaking to some 120 participants at the gathering, Br. Sean Sammon, Superior General of the Marist Brothers of the Schools, noted that ?without a vision of the whole, a restructuring process cannot be achieved. Only those people who climb the mountain,? he added, ?can clearly see the horizon.?
With conferences in the morning and working groups in the afternoon, it clearly emerged that restructuring is a process which has now been underway for ten years, affecting a great number of Congregations and Institutes. Being a ?process,? it must necessarily develop by means of ?steps and objectives.?
Father José María Arnaiz, Secretary General of the USG, observed that the relationship between restructuring and revitalizing appeared evident from the day?s deliberations, because without the former, some Institutes will not have the latter.

Common experiences shared
Father Virginio Bressanelli, CSJ Superior General, stressed that ?administrative, juridical, or governmental restructuring of a congregational organization is not everything nor is it a goal in and of itself. We need to try to obtain the revitalization of the Order?Restructuring, mobilizing essential values, becomes a stage in life rather than a sign of premature death.?
Father David Fleming, Superior General of the Marianists, emphasized that in laying out plans to restructure it is necessary to ?perceive the link between revitalization and restructuring, especially viewing subsidiarity and dialog in a correct light. He ended his presentation by saying that ?when there?s an effort to develop new life, new structures evolve and this process brings new life.
In his keynote address, Father Wilhelm Steckling, OMI, Superior General of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, stated that one of the results of restructuring was the overcoming of a mentality of provincialism.? ?The OMI?s,? he said, ?have carried out 20 restructuring processes over the last ten years… and more than 40% of our Oblates live or will live in new large provinces? We speak more of internationalism, which is a benefit for the unity of the Congregation itself.?

First professions in Lomeri, Fiji
SIX YOUNG MEN FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA GO WITH MARCELLIN?S WAY TO FOLLOW THE LORD
The District of Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands and the Province of Sydney joyfully celebrated the ceremony of First Profession for six young men on November 23rd at the Marist novitiate in Lomeri, Fiji. More than 200 people attended this liturgical event. 88 year-old Brother Clarent Glynn from Suva welcomed them into our Marist Congregation.

Dedication ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe
ST MARCELLIN CHILDREN?S VILLAGE
The new St. Marcellin Children?s Village opened its doors on November 23rd in Harare, Zimbabwe. The center is dedicated to providing a home for orphaned children and teenagers who have suffered from abuse and/or are afflicted with AIDS. In addition to local dignitaries, Brother Jude, the Provincial of the brothers of Southern Africa, and the Honorable Mr. Marchi, the Italian ambassador, were in attendance. To learn more about this project, please refer to the September 2002 edition of FMS Marist Echo, Number 41.

In Kiribati
POSTULANTS WORK WITH RED CROSS
Marist Postulants in Kiribati spend time working with the Red Cross at a center for the handicapped. The photos are from a recent picnic that the postulants helped to organize.

Day of fraternal celebration
BROTHER SEAN?S BIRTHDAY
Brother Sean Sammon turned 55 on November 26th. The General Council, Administration, and International College communities gathered with him that evening for a time of prayer, an aperitif, and supper. A joyful time was had by all.

NEWS BRIEFS
– The Province West Central Europe has announced that from now on the Wharton Street residence in London will not be available to receive brothers in transit.
– On November 30th, the Community of San Egidio organized the I World Day of ?Cities for life vs. capital punishment.? It featured the special illumination of a significant landmark in each of the cities taking part.
– MISNA www.misna.org, the news agency specializing in the coverage of mission work, celebrated the 5th anniversary of its founding with a gathering for representatives from some 70 religious congregations including the branches of our Marist family.

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