The region of Arco Norte continues to build bridges during COVID-19

The Provincials of Arco Norte got together using a video conference on 29 May last. Brothers Gérard Bachand, Patrick McNamara, José Sánchez, César Augusto Rojas, Miguel Ángel Santos and Hipólito Pérez took part.

Also taking part were the General Councillors João Carlos do Prado and Ken McDonald as liaisons for the Region and Brother Tomás Briongos, Provincial of Compostela, on behalf of the Marist mission in Honduras.

The objectives of the meeting were the following:

· To meet as leaders of the Arco Norte to share our journey and to seek together ways of life in this time of Covid-19.

· To follow up the regional and continental teams, processes and initiatives, emanating from their strategic planning.

· To accompany the processes of change in the Marist life and mission of Canada and Honduras.

· To study in depth several organisms of Arco Norte and to make the necessary appointments of the Regional Coordinator and Master of Novices of the inter-provincial novitiate.

The meeting was attended by Brother Gregorio Linacero, coordinator of the Regional Committee, who followed the initiatives and plans of the various teams and reported on the meeting of the Permanent Council of CAP (American Conference of Provincials) with the networks of Marist Spirituality and Heart in Solidarity in America.

Brother Albert Rivera, coordinator of the Marist Laity and Initial Formation Teams, also participated and reported on the processes being developed in these areas.

Other aspects addressed at the meeting were:

• Sharing experiences and learning in each province from the crisis of the COVID-19.
• The final report of the formation itinerary for perpetual vows carried out in Guatemala, February 4 – May 19, was received. Deep gratitude is expressed to the team formed by Brothers Luis Felipe González (México Central), Anacleto Peruzzo (Brasil Centro-Sul), Rodrigo Cuesta (América Central) and Gilles Lacasse (Canada).This will be further developed at the next meeting.
• We analyzed the document of “regional organizations” and the appointment of the new coordinator of the Regional Committee of Arco Norte was decided.
• It reports on the processes which the Marist life and mission are going through in the Province of Canada and in Honduras.

The next meeting will be held on June 29th.

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Br. Hipólito Pérez – Provincial of Central America