Strengthening Marist Volunteering
Brother Valdicer Fachi, director of the WCC, visited the three Administrative Units of Brazil and UMBRASIL during the last week of August. The object of these meetings was to encourage the creation and to strengthen interprovincial volunteering, and also to provide time for formation and visibility in volunteering.
Brasil Centro-Norte
Brother Valdicer Fachi, director of the Department of Collaboration for International Mission (CMI), carried out a three-day work visit to the Province, where he held dialogues with the areas, with the Socio-Educational Units, participated in institutional events and exchanged experiences on volunteering and solidarity.
On August 26, in a meeting with the Provincial, Brother Ataide José de Lima, and the Director of the Sector of Consecrated Life and Laity, Brother Márcio Henrique da Costa, the idea of constructing an international volunteer project was discussed, so that the activities could grow and achieve better results.
On 27 August, the CMI director met with the Sector for Consecrated Life and Laity, and the Evangelisation and Solidarity Coordination of the Socio-Educational Management. Brother Valdicer Fachi spoke about the work of the CMI. Reflection took place on the possibility of including international volunteering along the lines of action of the province, underlining above all the potential of Marist Student Volunteering. The Province has implemented this programme to strengthen the ethical awareness of the Marist educational community among the students. This volunteer programme consists of three phases: local, regional and international.
On August 28, Brother Fachi took part in video-conferences with some formative courses and a meeting with the Commission of the Laity and the Socio-Educational Units that are already developing Student Volunteering.
Brasil Centro-Sul
The Director of CMI attended a meeting with the IT Team of the Religious Organisation, under the coordination of Mr Juliano Burket Teixeira, to rethink and propose improvements to the management system of the NEXUS Interprovincial Volunteering. Some of the new features of the system will be presented at the Meeting of Provincial Volunteer Coordinators (CPVs) in November.
He also met with the Directors of Identity, Mission and Vocation to learn about and to discuss the proposal for restructuring the path to follow for the construction of the Culture of Solidarity. Local and interprovincial volunteers are already doing this. Taking into account the contributions made, the directors will present – at the appropriate time- the proposal to the Provincial Council for its revision and approval.
Brasil Sul Amazônia
Besides talking with Brother Inácio Nestor Etges, Provincial, Brother Fachi had the opportunity to participate in the XII Congress of Social Educators at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul – PUCRS, which dealt with the topic Different Voices. He also spoke with the members of the Pastoral Coordination of the Province and the Provincial Coordinator of Volunteers, whom he praised for their availability and interprovincial volunteering as a way of contributing to the creation of the Global Charismatic Family. In the Marist Youth House, he had the opportunity to be present at the meeting which brought together more than 200 animators and advisers of Marist Youth Ministry.
UMBRASIL
Br. Valdicer took part in the day of formation for the Brothers and collaborators of the Marist Union of Brazil – UMBRASIL, and addressed the theme "Building a Global Charismatic Family". Collaboration in interprovincial and inter-congregational projects and initiatives is a way of building bridges and overcoming geographical and institutional barriers.