West Central Europe gets new Mission Council

The province of West Central Europe has inaugurated its new Mission Council this month, which includes three Brothers and three lay people, to strengthen the Marist mission in the Province.

The aim of the Council is to promote Marist values and new initiatives in schools of Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Great Britain, as well as to promote communication and mission works within Europe and with other congregations.

Its current members are Brother Patrick J. McGowan (chairman), Aisling Demaison (director of Marist Mission), Brother Micheal Schmalzl (representing Germany), Conny Stuart (representing the Netherlands), Brother Robert Thunus (representing Belgium) and Paul Cummings (representing Scotland).

“I am delighted to announce the launch of the Mission Council in West Central Europe,” stated Brother Brendan Geary, provincial superior, in a press release. “For many years, we have challenged ourselves to be bold, to take unprecedented decisions, and to involve lay people in our structures and processes of decision-making.”

“The creation of the Mission Council in our Province fulfils one of the priorities of our last Provincial Chapter and brings us a significant step closer to the dream of partnership and the promotion of Marist characteristic spirit, now and in the future,” he continued.

Br Brendan explained that the Council also “seeks to inspire the Marist community in the Province through facilitating the exchange of ideas, experiences and resources for mission in the way of Mary.”

The Provincial Council of West Central Europe will be delegating its authority to the Mission Council regarding leadership and animation of mission within the province.