XXI General Chapter

Last March 9th, the General Council named an animation team for the XXI General Chapter, made up of Brothers: Afonso Levis (Brazil), Tony Leon (Australia), Albert Nzabonaliba (Rwanda) and Balbino Juárez (El Salvador).

The purpose of this team of four brothers is to help the capitulants with the tasks related to liturgy, decorations, living together, recreation and secretarial services during the plenary sessions, so that everything goes smoothly with the proceedings of the Chapter.

This team had its first meeting this past 29th and 30th of May. Brothers Afonso and Albert were in Rome from where they linked up with Brothers Tony and Balbino, by means of video conferencing, under the coordination of Brother Teodoro Grageda.

During this meeting they exchanged several ideas related to the different areas of animation, in particular the preparation of the liturgy of the first week of the Chapter and specific ceremonies for some special events. The teams works with a good spirit full of creativity and flexibility; they visited the chapter hall, which is in the process of being remodeled, and they?ve also seen the main chapel which has new lighting and a renovated sound system. In addition to the physical places, they?ve also considered the style of the Chapter which is envisioned, where there is a lot of interchange, not only among the capitulants but also with those who are interested in following the proceedings of the Chapter from different provinces.

This animation team forms part of a group of commissions specially created to help the Chapter to be experienced here in Rome as well as in the entire Marist world. The next meeting of the team will be August 17th, the date on which they will work directly in the place where the activities of the Chapter will occur.