Year IX - Number 466 | 1 March 2017
Marist News 466
Marist Brothers - General House - Rome
Spain: SED to release a CD to fundraise for educational projects in Ghana The Marist NGO SED (Solidaridad, Educación y Desarrollo) is releasing a CD-book in March for its twenty-fifth anniversary to help children in Ghana receive better education. The CD, titled ‘Los Tambores Hablan’ (The Drums Speak), will include songs from famous Spanish artists such as Inma Serrano, Víctor Manuel, Ana Belén, Andrés Suárez, Juan Valderrama, José Sacristán, Antonio Carmona, David San José and Javier Vargas. Its other singers, who include Rozalén, Fran Fernández, Pasión Vega, Tontxu and Julián Maeso, travelled to Ghana in January for further insight into the project. The CD is part of the project ‘África tiene la palabra’ (Africa has a say), which aims to make Africa’s positive qualities and values more visibles. The schools that SED Works with in Ghana include Boukrom (1,200 students) and Sabin Akrofom (900 students) in Kumasi and the school of Ashalaja, on the outskirts of Accra, with 10 classrooms and 333 students. The NGO’s 2009 CD called ‘Cantos de Ghana’ (Songs from Ghana) with singers José Luis Perales, Tam Tam Go, Las Ketchup, Olé Olé and Asignatura Pendiente enabled the building of one of the schools.
To help promote this launch, please use the hashtags #LosTamboresHablan and #Áfricatienelapalabra, and visit SED http://www.sed-ongd.org/.
General Administration During this week of the General Council's plenary session, the study of the topics related to the next general chapter and the administration continued. A session was also held with the Secretariat of the Laity and two joint sessions with the provincial council of West-Central Europe. On Friday, March 3, the entire council will attend a meeting with the general council of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in their own general house. From February 28 to March 1, Brother Carlos Alberto Rojas, Director of the Secretariat of Mis-
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sion is in Puerto Rico meeting with the project team of the new models of the Arco Norte region. There, he will meet with the region's provincials on March 2. Brother Evaristus Kasambwe of FMSI will hold meetings until March 7 with the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. On March 2, the ongoing "Senderos" formation course begins in Manziana and El Escorial. The course will finish on May 26.
Marist News 466
More than 500 gather in Barcelona: Dreaming of the future school Over 500 people gathered from Feb. 11 – 12 at the Marist School La Inmaculada in Barcelona to reflect on the future education. The encounter is part of the educational innovation project “Marist network of innovation” (Xarxa Innovació Maristas), which aims to create a community and synthesize the 1,219 proposals that had been collected in the previous phase of the process. Different agents involved in educating children in youth took part including families, teachers, students, Marist Brothers, monitors and service personnel. They worked on the proposals that make up the Marist education model in Catalonia. The project Xarxa Innovació Maristas is a participatory process of co-creation of the entire educational community, focused on continuous innovation and networking of all Marist schools in Catalonia.
Calendar of the General Council and Directors of Secretariats March – April 2017 Feb. 28 – March 1: Visit to Puerto Rico for the Meeting of the Implementation Team of New Models in Arco Norte: Br Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal, director of the Secretariat of Mission. Feb. 28 – March 7: Visit to Geneva for Human Rights Council and other meetings: Br Evaristus Kasambwe, FMSI. March 2: Meeting of Provincials of Arco Norte, Puerto Rico: Br Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal, director of the Secretariat of Mission. March 2 – May 26: ‘Senderos’ programme in Manziana, Italy for English speakers and in El Escorial, Spain, for Spanish/ Portuguese speakers. The two groups will be in L’Hermitage, France, from May 2 – 12. March 7 – 12: retreat with laity in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity March 8 – 12: African Mission Commission Meeting in Madagascar: Secretariat of Mission assistant director, Brother Mark Omede, and director Brother Carlos Alberto Rojas. March 11: Province of Central Europe Bicentennial Celebration in Maynooth, Ireland: Director of Brothers Today Secretariat, Brother Tony Leon. March 12 – 19: Fratelli Project meeting in Lebanon: Br Chris Wills, member of the Fratelli Project Council. March 13 – 18: workshop in Santiago de Chile: Br Javier Espi-
nosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity March 14 – 15: leaders of the administrative units of Asia and Oceania meet in Singapore: Br Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal, director of the Secretariat of Mission. March 18: Preparation of the International Gathering of Marist Youth in 2019 with other Marist Family in Rome: Brothers Mark Omede and Carlos Alberto Rojas of the Secretariat of Mission. March 19 – 28: workshop in Peru: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity March 15 – 23: Visit to Geneva for Human Rights Council and other meetings: Br Manel Mendoza of FMSI. March 18: Planning of the International Marist Youth Gathering with the other branches of the Marist Family at the General House: Brothers Mark Omede and Carlos Alberto Rojas. March 20 – 24: Assembly of Provincial Councils of América Sur in Montevideo, Uruguay: Brothers Mark Omede and Carlos Alberto Rojas, directors of the Secretariat of Mission. March 23 – 25: Meeting of the Marist Family in Nemi, Rome: the Superior General and Council. March 20 – 23: Visit to Geneva for Human Rights Council and Other meetings: Marzia Ventimiglia, FMSI director. March 20 – April 7: Visit to the Canada Province: Assistant 1 March 2017
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Marist News 466
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New Zealand Students from nine Marist schools of the country met in Christchurch to further reflect on the topic of what the Marist schools' vocation is. The Forum was held from Feb. 23 - 26.
Brasil Sul-Amazônia The Maristas en Red (Marists in Network) project proposes at least 200 actions to celebrate our 200 years. They were thought collectively and made by people who want to promote life and transform the world. Marists, brothers and lay people alike, are carrying out initiatives of social impact in the fields of education, citizenship, human rights, arts and culture, sports, spirituality, sustainability and innovation.
Ghana A session of formation for animators of the country's Marist Youth Ministry took place on February 25. It covered topics such as the Institute's bicentenary, the youth encounter which will be held in July, the restructuring of the Marist Youth Ministry (MYM) and the identity of Marist youth.
Marist Calendar March 1: Pope Pius IX gave an audience to Brothers François and Louis-Marie (1858); Brother Alfano died in Ventimiglia, Italy (1943); Marist work began in Angola (1954); transfer of the precious remains of Venerable Brother Alfano to the chapel of San Leone Magno (1991, Rome) March 3: first Marist Brothers departed for Sri Lanka (1911)
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director of Brothers Today Secretariat, Brother Hipólito Pérez. March 25 – 30: Meeting in Haiti to plan a project with FMSI and the México Occidental Province for the better administration of funds gathered after the hurricane: Marzia Ventimiglia, Brothers Mario Meuti and Álvaro Sepúlveda of FMSI. March 28 – 31: Meeting of finances Provincial and District Bursars: Brother Libardo Garzón, Econome General, the Secretariat of Mission, FMSI director Marzia Ventimiglia, and the General Council during the first days. March 29 – April 2: workshop in Argentina: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity March 30: Conclusion of plenary session of the General Council. March 31 – April 2: Youth Encounter (Encuentro Joven 200+) in Salamanca to celebrate the Bicentenary: Brother Ernesto Sánchez, General Councillor, and Brother Tony Leon, director of the Brothers Today Secretariat. April 2 – 6: Meeting of the Marist District of Asia Council, Bangkok: Brother Joseph McKee, Vicar General. April 3 – 4: visit to Curitiba, Brasil Centro-Sul Province: General Councillor Brother Víctor Preciado. April 3 – 9: workshop in Paraguay: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity April 3 – 10: Visit to the East Harlem Community in New York: Brothers Jeff Crowe and Ángel Medina, in charge of the formation of the LaValla200> participants. April 5 – 13: visit to Marist activities in Brasilia with the provincial government of Brasil Centro-Norte: Br Víctor Preciado. April 10: Private audience with the Pope, Br Emili Turú. April 10 – 17: workshop in Ecuador: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity April 12 – 17: Pastoral Youth Ministry Easter celebration in Les Avellanes, Spain: Br Tony Leon. April 13 – 16: Pascua Joven (Youth Easter) in Ibagué, Colombia, for the 40th anniversary of the Remar movement: General councillor Brother Josep Maria Soteras. April 16 – 22: Programme for the preparation to perpetual profession in Cochabamba, Bolivia: Br Emili Turú, superior general April 18 – 21: Asian Mission Commission in Sri Lanka (it could change to May 1 - 6): Br Carlos Alberto Rojas, director of the Secretariat of Mission. April 18 – 22: Preparatory Commission General Chapter in Rionegro, Colombia: Vicar General Brother Joseph Mc Kee, Br Josep Maria Soteras and Secretary General Brother Carlos Huidobro. April 18 – 25: workshop in Colombia: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity Abril 24 – 27: Programme for the preparation to perpetual profession in Cochabamba, Bolivia: Assistant director of Brothers Today Secretariat, Brother Hipólito Pérez. April 25 – 27: European Marist Conference meets in Alcala de Henares, Spain: General Councillors Antonio Ramalho and Ernesto Sánchez. April 26 – 28: Bedford Fund Board meeting in New York. April 26 – 28: First meeting of representatives of Marist NGOs at the General House: Brothers Álvaro Sepúlveda, Evaristus Kasambwe, Mario Meuti and Manel Mendoza of FMSI and its director, Marzia Ventimiglia. April 26 – May 5: workshop in Brasilia: Br Javier Espinosa, director of the Secretariat of the Laity April 27 – 30: Meeting of the Council of the Catholic International Education Office (OIEC) in Beriut, Lebanon: Brother Carlos Alberto Rojas, Director of the Secretariat of Mission. April 28: Morning Mass and lunch at the general house of the Marist Fathers for the feast of Saint Peter Chanel: Superior general Brother Emili Turú and some members of the General Administration. April 30 – July 3: second formation programme for participants of Lavalla200> (International Communities for a New Beginning) in San Martino a Monte, Italy: Brothers Jeff Crowe and Ángel Medina.
Marist News 466
Marist World
Mexico: Instituto Queretano Marista San Javier
General House: International Committee of the Marist Mission and FMSI Board
New Zealand: Students from nine Marist schools in Christchurch
Ghana: Formation of Marist Youth Ministry in the Buokrom community in Kumasi
Hong Kong: Community of St. Francis Xavier School
Lebanon: Ash Monday (of the Orthodox Church) with Blue Marists in Beirut
UMBRASIL: 13th Ordinary general assembly The thirteenth general assembly of the União Marista do Brasil (UMBRASIL) took place in Brasilia on Feb. 8 and 9. The new president of the Council is Brother Inácio Etges, provincial supe-
rior of the Brasil Sul-Amazônia Province. During the meeting, Brother Deivis Fischer (Brasil Sul-Amazônia) served as president, Brother Vanderlei Sique-
ira (Brasil Centro-Sul) as secretary and Brother Renato Augusto Silva (Brasil Centro-Norte) as treasurer. Twenty-five brothers of the three provinces of Marist Brazil took part.
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Marist News 466
Scotland: Care for mothers and children suffering from HIV Ten years ago, in January, 2007, two members of staff from Lawside Academy in Dundee, Scotland, travelled to India to establish contact with the Marist Brothers in Mangamanuthu and Trichy. The aim was to find ways of offering assistance to the Brothers in their work with the Dalits in the village of Mangamanuthu and the Rainbow Project, set up to care for mothers and children suffering from HIV. Since that initial visit, a relationship was established and help was offered in a great many areas, thanks to the wonderful cooperation of the staff, pupils, parents and friends of the two Catholic secondary schools in Dundee (St John’s RC High School and St Paul’s RC Academy) and other Scottish primary schools, to support the students in the Brothers’ schools in India, to build houses for local people, and to set up care for mothers and children suffering from HIV / AIDS. On 6th February, 2017, a mass was held in Saint Peter and Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Dundee to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this important project. It was also an opportunity for those involved in the project, the Diocese of Dunkeld, and the Catholic schools in Dundee to thank Brother Douglas Welsh for his work in the Diocese and the schools during the past thirty years. Bishop Stephen Robson presided at the mass and presented the Dunkeld Diocesan medal to Brother Douglas, in the presence of the Lord Provost of Dundee, and the local City Councillor. Fiona McLagan, the head teacher of Saint John’s High School, and Theresa Little, the head teacher of St Paul’s Academy, were present, along with the living former head teachers of both schools. There were also many members
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From left to right: Bishop Stephen Robson; Br Douglas Welsh; Robert Duncan, Lord Provost de Dundee; Br Brendan Geary, Provincial of West-Central Europe.
of staff from the two secondary schools and the primary schools involved in the Global Citizenship project, friends, members of Brother Douglas’ family, and Gerry Devlin and Angela Ferrier from Kinharvie Institute in Glasgow, and Aisling Demaison, the Director of Marist Education for the Province of West-Central Europe. Brother Brendan Geary, Provincial of WestCentral Europe, who taught in Dundee from 1982 – 1985, was also present. It was a wonderful, heartwarming, and very Marist occasion. Many people remained afterwards for a reception where they were able to meet, share memories, and look forward to ways of continuing the Marist spirit in the schools, and to ensure that the project can continue to benefit the people in India and the staff and young people in Dundee. Br. Brendan Geary www.indiavillageproject.co.uk
" It was a wonderful,
heartwarming, and very Marist occasion. Many people remained afterwards for a reception where they were able to meet, share memories, and look forward to ways of continuing the Marist spirit in the schools, and to ensure that the project can continue to benefit the people in India.
"
Marist News 466
Kiribati: In the Pacific, Bicentenary celebrations continue Kiribati Marists celebrated the Institute’s bicentenary with a Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral on Feb. 18 and an inauguration of a grotto dedicated to Our Lady. Bishop Paul Mea, who had originally invited the Brothers to Kiribati in 1983, presided the Mass. After the Eucharistic celebration, Brothers and laity gath-
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ered to inaugurate a Marian grotto at Saint Louis High School. One of the participants affirmed “the design and building of the grotto has been a project of love and commitment initiated by the St Louis Champagnat Marist group” and that “it is symbolic of our commitment to witnessing to the Marian face of our Church in Kiribati.”
Lima
From Saturday, Feb. 4, over 400 educators of Marist schools of Peru (Santa Maria de los Andes Province) gathered at the Champagnat de Surco school in Lima. They met to celebrate the Encounter of Marist Educators 2017 within the context of the Institute’s Bicentenary and for the following goals:
• To motivate collaborative work and networking The Santa María de los Andes Province carries out its mission in Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
• To reflect on the Marist educational mission in the context of the Aparecida document and the Marist Model of Evangelisation, the Director and his management in the service of the mission • To know the guidelines of the Peruvian National Curriculum • To live spaces of human development • To experience fraternity and celebrate the encounter
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