Regional Meeting of lay formators of Arco Norte

From 14^th to 17^th June 2022, the extended Lay Formation Team of the Arco Norte Region met at the Marist Formation Centre in Guatemala City to conclude the work that began in May 2020 in an online format. During this period, the regional team has been reflecting, discerning and planning the best way to animate lay Marists who are bringing the dream of Marcellin Champagnat and the first Brothers to life in the region.

The representatives of the provinces of the region came together in a climate of dialogue and reflection, but, above all, of great joy and hope for the future of the lay Marists of the region.

During the meeting, it was possible to share the new challenges and realities facing laypeople in the different administrative units of the region in this post-pandemic period; and also, the new styles of animation that have resulted from changes to some of the Brother Provincials and their councils.

The main objective of this meeting was to formulate a strategic plan for the pastoral care of Marist laypeople, focusing on four important areas: communion, formation, vocation and organisation. To this end, during the meeting, there was also an opportunity to hear about the planning of the region, the work of the secretariat and what is happening in regard to the initial and ongoing formation of the Brothers, spirituality and finances.

Our gratitude goes to Brother Hipólito Pérez Gómez and through him to the Province of Central America for their warm welcome which really made us feel at home. To the Brother Provincials and their pastoral teams for facilitating our travel and ensuring the participation of all the administrative units of the region; to the Bureau of the Laity for their accompaniment throughout; to Brother Rodrigo, executive secretary of CRAN for his close and co-ordinating presence; to Claudia Rojas for the organisation and sense of community we experienced; and finally to all those who participated because, although we are leaving with many follow-up tasks, we are also leaving full of dreams, joy and hope, knowing that we are building and leading the Marist Family of the region of Arco Norte.

The participants

These are the Province representatives who attended the meeting: Br. Félix Roldán and Jacques Boudrias from the District of Canada; Matt Fallon and Antonio Cantú from the United States; Beatriz Coronado Estudillo and Bibiana Enríquez Rodríguez from México Central; Abigail Fernanda Ruíz Cuevas and Alfredo de Jesús Rodríguez Márquez from México Occidental; Nohemy Pinto and Ana Isabel Saborio Jenkins from Central America; Margarita Espinoza Torres from Norandina; Raúl Amaya Rivera, Director of the Secretariat of the Laity of the Institute; Br. Rodrigo Espinosa Larracoechea, Executive Secretary of the Arco Norte Regional Committee; Claudia Rojas Carvajal, Laity Coordinator of the Arco Norte Region.