Central African Republic
SOLIDARITY IN MISSION
On January 30th thirteen religious congregations including the Marist Brothers working in the Central African Republic met to examine the outbreak of violence that has overtaken the country. The nation has been suffering through attempted coups, as well as counterattacks and the massacre of civilians. There is no solution and no end in sight for the war right now. The congregations looked into some of its causes and came up with several initiatives to support their missionaries, who come from 26 countries. Leaders of the congregations wrote a letter to their members working throughout the country.

Two new Provincials
JOHN W. KLEIN AND XAVIER BARCELÓ
Brother John Klein has been elected Provincial for the new USA Province, which will bring together the Esopus and Poughkeepsie Provinces on June 26, 2003. Born in Flushing NY in 1947, John has a Doctorate in American History from Fordham University. From 1992-98, he was Provincial of Esopus and served a term as President of the National Conference of Major Superiors of Men.
Brother Xavier Barceló has been named Provincial of the new Hermitage Province, which in July 2003 will bring together the present French Provinces of Beaucamps Saint-Genis Laval and Midi-Centre-Ouest N.D. Hermitage and the Province of Catalunya. He was born in Badalona, Barcelona in 1958. Xavier has a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and has spent most of his time in formation as a novice master. He was a Provincial Councilor for nine years, and has been Provincial of Catalunya since January 2002.

Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
4th MARIST SOLIDARITY WEEK
February 1-9 one hundred volunteers participated in the 4th Marist Solidarity Week, ministering to the needs of some five hundred children in poor communities. The volunteers were well trained beforehand to carry out their work.

Provínce of Brazil Centro-Sul
TEN NEW NOVICES
On February 2nd ten novices (Alvanei Aparecido Santana Finamor, Vanderlei Uberti, Cassiano Serena, Rodrigo Eduardo de Marco, Dayan Luiz Rottava, Darlan Santorum, Gefferson Piovesan, Rodrigo José Müller, Carlos César dos Santos) began their first year in the Novitiate of Maria Mae da Igreja in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
They were welcomed by Brother Tercilio Sevegnani, Provincial, during a Mass attended by 40 brothers.

In the Province of Levante, Spain
EDUCATION CONFERENCE
On February 15th, 380 brothers and lay people gathered in Alicante for the 16th Teacher?s Day. Teachers new to the event received a copy of ?In the Footsteps of Marcellin?. There were 3 discussion forums: criteria for evangelizing, mandate for quality education, and concern about diversity.

NEWS IN BRIEF
– In Tudella, Sri Lanka, in an effort to promote vocations and respond to the concerns of young people, the brothers have begun and are deeply involved in a pre-novitiate program with 13 students.
– Brother George Fontana has been named Acting Director of the renewal course for English-speaking brothers in Manziana, Italy while Brother Desmond Howard continues to recover from surgery at the General House.
– Rwandan Brother Dominique Kagabo, 48, passed away on Saturday February 15th. After several years at the General House, he recently joined the Province of Italy. His funeral service was held at the General House on February 18th.
– The mother of Monica OBrien, Superior General of the Marist Sisters, died in Dublin on January 31st.
– On November 15, 2003 in Miami FL, graduates of Marist schools in Cuba will celebrate the first Centenary of our Marist mission on the island. Our work began in the city of Cienfuegos in September 1903.
– The Postulator?s Office in Rome has received news of a grace attributed to Brother François: in South Africa, Mrs. Michelle Sylvester is grateful for a longed-for pregnancy.
– Reprints of the book A Modest Hero: Brother François, in the Institute?s four official languages, are now available. Copies are 1,50 ? each and may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Postulator.
– ?Continente. Magazín für eine missionarische Kirche? is a magazine sponsored by the Marist Brothers in Germany, with the support of 23 other religious congregations.
– According to figures in the 2003 edition of the Vatican Yearbook presented to Pope John Paul II on February 8th, in 2001 Catholics throughout the world numbered 1.061 billion, compared with 757 million in 1978.
– The Pope?s 2003 Lenten Message is entitled ?There is greater happiness in giving than receiving.?

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