The new Provincial takes possession
At Luján, Argentine, Brothers and laity have had the opportunity of sharing a very agreeable and significant time in the progress of the Marist life of Cruz del Sur and of the District of Paraguay.
The Assembly of lay people and Brothers working in the different areas of Marist mission and administration in Uruguay and Argentine, had its first meeting at the end of October. The persons present represented the commissions which plan for and accompany the numerous laity and brothers working in education and in support of solidarity among children and youth.
At the end of the meeting, the participants drew up a document containing proposals for the Provincial Chapter.
The second meeting? the Brothers? Assembly ? was held with the presence of Brother Emili Turú, Superior General, who gave us the benefit of his contributions. We touched on many subjects: community life, prayer, shared mission, vocations ministry, health, common formation of Brothers and laity, responses to the directives of the General Chapter inviting us to set out in haste to meet children and youth, especially the most vulnerable.
On Sunday 8 November we feted fourteen Brother jubilarians on the occasion of their 25, 50, 60, 70 and 75 years of religious life. The outgoing Brother Provincial ? Demetrio Espinosa -, the incoming Provincial ? Horacio Bustos ? and Brother Superior General honoured them by presenting them with souvenir plaques. Some Brothers presented the portrait of each of the jubilarians, and then the latter had the opportunity to express their joy and gratitude. Numerous relatives and friends joined the celebrations, as well as many confrères and lay people from the different communities and works.
The celebration continued into the Mass, during which Brother Horacio Bustos assumed his new office and expressed his personal project about the task he intends to fulfill during this first three years. Brothers Demetrio and Emili had their turn to speak at the end of the ceremony. Then it was time to share the glass of friendship in the multi-purpose room.
The afternoon of the same day, the Third Provincial Chapter began, presided over by Brother Horacio, with those taking part numbering 28. Brother Superior General was present on Sunday and Monday. Besides its usual tasks, the Chapter gave great importance to the contributions received from the Brothers? assembly and the meeting of the different provincial commissions of government and management. Thanks to these contributions and following a discernment, the capitulants identified four calls for the three years beginning: 1) Revitalisation of community life in seeking a greater closeness to children and young people and in moving out to mission, in the heart of extended communities. 2) Province and District projects, to be set in motion in the works from the perspective of vocation. 3) Greater attention to the general health of the Brothers and communities, thanks to the accompaniment of the Team for Brothers and Communities. 4) Co-ordination in view of assuring a greater engagement in solidarity projects in defence of the rights of vulnerable children and young people. To take steps to reinforce the presence of university students and lay people in this task.
Finally, the capitulants elected the new Provincial Council which will second Brother Horacio in the task of animating the Province. It is composed of the following Brothers: Alberto Aparicio, Juan Ignacio Fuentes, Horacio Magaldi, Rubén Seipel, Agustín Martínez and José Kuhm.
Of the significant contributions made by the preceding meetings, many have been entrusted to the members of the new provincial team. Brothers and laity together will accompany them by our prayers and availability.