2016-09-21
SPAIN
?Shall we dream???
The second European encounter of animation teams of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family, also known as MChFM, took place at the Marist house of El Escorial, Spain, from Aug. 24 – 27.
We met for four days, under the theme “shall we dream?”, representing the five provinces of Europe and some guests, from different structures of lay animation of the Europe region and of the Secretariat for Laity. Twenty-six people in total shared their experiences of their fraternities and communities.
The goals that the European council of the MChFM proposed were: to take care of the provincial teams of animation, to make the process of revitalization of the Champagnat Movement known, to share the paths and the experiences of the provinces and to reflect on the collaboration/integration with the structure of animation of laity in Europe.
The presentations of different realities, personal work and sharing in groups helped us create an environment where communication and the family spirit grew during those days. Our reflections and prayer centred on a video message of superior general Brother Emili Turú and the idea of “A new beginning.”
After this encounter we are very aware of the steps that we still need to take, but we have also found that we share so much and the richness of the path that we have already more and more in communion and relationship between the different provinces.
The assessment made by the participants was very positive, especially, because of the awareness that it is an international movement and that we, the laity, that form it are responsible for its development and vitality.
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Andrés Gil, coordinator of the European team