Towards new action plans in Europe

The second assembly of the councils of mission of the provinces of Europe was held in Guardamar, Spain, from Jan. 14 to 16.

The mission council of the European Marist Conference proposed a work plan that allowed all members of the mission councils to get acquainted with the strategic initiatives, priorities and lines of action of the five European provinces. Subsequently, working in groups gave us the opportunity to find common ground, confluences and synergies that will give rise to new action plans at European level in the areas of solidarity, the institutional image, Marist youth ministry, identity and leadership, priority areas in the work carried out at the first meeting of the councils of mission in 2017.

Each participant individually expressed their opinion on the proposals made, before the councils of mission of each province later prioritized the proposals of this second assembly of the councils of mission and in plenary session, discussed in a friendly, fraternal and respectful climate diversity and identity of each.

Brother Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal, director of the secretariat of mission in Rome, accompanied us by presenting his insights on the XXII General Chapter and a brief overview of the new models of animation, governance and management.

The dynamics of this assembly showed that “the new beginning” in the words of the superior general mentioned by the provincial of the Mediterránea province, who accompanied us throughout the assembly during his closing speech of the assembly:

“We must be able to give answers to the various realities of Europe, break the boundaries, build bridges, find what unites us because together we are stronger, seek synergies, be able to move forward, grow together, be bold and aware, think and be Marist in Europe.”

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Angela Sestrini, executive secretary
Council of Marist Mission