OCEANIA SHARED FORMATION EXPERIENCE, NOV 22-27

Mittagong came alive with the presence of Marist Brothers and lay Marists from all across the Oceanic Region for 6 days of ‘lived experience’. Shared Formation dares Brothers and Lay to be community to each other whilst reflecting on and deepening their understanding of faith and vocation, relationships, recreating Marist life and Marist mission. Each day is framed by prayer and eucharist, and working parties for the respective topics work well into the evenings to prepare their presentations and processes. Read the statement that was encouraged out of the participants by the synthesising team. Below is a photograph of the participants.

OCEANIA LAY PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE.

Read the full document that came out of the conference.

CAROLYN YOUNG TALKS ABOUT HER PILGRIMAGE EXPERIENCE

Pilgrimage Reflections…

One of the questions on the Pilgrimage Evaluation sheet asked us to nominate and reflect on the highlights of the trip. As I attempted to complete the evaluation while flying from San Salvador to Los Angeles, I found that question to be almost too hard: there had been too many highlights and my mind was `too full’. The only thing I was really sure of at the time was that one of the most rewarding aspects of the pilgrimage was the wondering and questioning that it inspired. As I sit in my office at Assumption College Kilmore, almost a month after returning, certain aspects of the trip stand out more clearly than others.

After leaving Paris we moved to Champagnat country. There we visited a variety of historical sites that hold special places in the Marist tradition. For me, one of the most affecting was atop Mt. Pilat, looking down at Bourg-Argental. I clearly remember thinking that I would not traverse the mountain on foot on a fine, spring day, let alone through the snow as Marcellin had! To see the scale of the landscape that Champagnat had walked in order to visit a sick brother was awe inspiring. As a group we stood beside the remains of the farmhouse which had been home to the farmer who found Marcellin and another brother when they were lost in the snow. Together we prayed the Memorare, as Champagnat did that night. This experience was a powerful reminder of the legacy of care, compassion, strength and determination that we, as Marists, are bound to continue in our vocations.

We were privileged to meet numerous Marist brothers throughout our travels. We were repeatedly warmly welcomed and witness to their passion for their vocations. Br Louis, who showed us through Champagnat country, is particularly memorable for his personal affection for Marcellin. Br. Edgardo in Guatemala demonstrated a sense of humour, depth of feeling and commitment that enabled us to see Guatemala with hope, rather than fear or despair. Br. Jim Jolley of the Melbourne Province opened our eyes to the work of the Marists at the United Nations (Jim works in Geneva in the area of the international rights of children). In Rome, Br. Emili Turu and Br. Joseph McKee graciously welcomed us to the General House. These busy men made time to meet with us to discuss our experiences and the recent General Chapter, before hosting us for dinner. Traditional Marist hospitality was enjoyed by us all! These are but a few of the Marist brothers who took the time to share with us some of their thoughts and responsibilities. Each demonstrated a sense of humour, a clear sense of purpose, and a welcoming of us as part of the international Marist family. More than once, in various locations, we were told that their house is our house!

In Central America we were blest to visit numerous schools run by the Marists. Doing so enabled us to glimpse the lives of the students who are lucky enough to attend Marist schools in this region. Visiting cities and going to their schools enabled us to gain a very different sense of a place than that which you normally get when you land, guidebook in hand, and head off to see the sites. We went to schools that serve wealthy students, we visited schools that serve the poor; both were filled with young people who were delighted to be there! The fees paid by the families whose children attend the wealthier schools support the schools that provide education for young people from poorer areas. This is known by the fee paying families, and accepted as the cost of attending a Marist school. The Marists are clearly respected throughout this region, not only for the quality of the education that they provide but for the work that they do to support those most in need. The school that adjoins the Retreat Centre where we stayed in San Salvador is called San Alfonso in the mornings – this is when the school functions as a fee-paying school. Classes begin at 7.00am and students leave at 12.30pm. At 1.00pm, the school becomes C.E.C. Maristas and provides education for students whose families cannot afford to pay fees. This school is staffed by volunteers who finish teaching classes at 6.00pm. We visited one school in Guatemala where each year the brothers visit the homes of every applicant – the admissions procedure is based entirely on which of the applicants most needs the experience of attending a school where they will be safe, cared for and loved. Visits such as these led to me to reflect on how well we minister to the poor in our daily lives.

A clear highlight of the pilgrimage was meeting and getting to know Marists from throughout the Melbourne Province! It’s not just that we had fun together, nor the fact that we got along so well that stays with me – it’s the passion that was demonstrated by every person in the group for what they do, and how they strive to ensure that the  Marist charism is alive and well in their workplaces. In both formal group meetings and relaxed conversations, the embracing of the vision of Champagnat was evident and inspiring. With staff such as these throughout the Province, the brothers can be assured that lay Marists are fired by Marist charism and determined to do their best for Marist ministry.

My head is still full. I’ve memories of new relationships, music trivia, a choir in Lyon, cheese and wine, an Irish priest in Guatemala, airports, celebrations, fears of dying on various forms of transport (exaggerated? The other pilgrims can be the judges!), Pink in a church, poverty and hope. Importantly, I’m still grappling with what the experience has taught me about being Marist today, here, in our ever so privileged country, with our very, very lucky young people. The question of how we all as Marists, brothers and lay, strive to fulfill Champagnat’s dreams in our realities is one that, hopefully, we all remember to reflect on in the rush that is our every day.

If you’d like to read more about the adventures of the pilgrimage, please visit our blog at http://www.johnmcmahon.id.au/

Carolyn Young

Director of Mission

Assumption College Kilmore

WHAT IS LAY MARIST?

‘Lay Marist’ is a term given to men and women who feel called to the Marist spirituality and mission. Having a lay marist vocation is to resonate with the charism of Marcellin Champagnat and be drawn to contribute to and live out the Marist mission as a lay person in the church. At the heart of the Marist mission is to bring Jesus alive in the life and world of children and young people, drawing on the tendernes of Mary and the boldness of Marcellin Champagnat. Marist mission is particularly concerned with building solidarity with young people who find themselves disadvantaged in the world.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Gail Coates, Director of Mission at Marcellin College, Bulleen recently wrote a piece that described what it means to her to be a Lay Marist. To read this most inspiring article, follow the link:

http://www.champagnat.org/en/240208001.asp?id=105

LAY PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE, Brisbane July ‘10

The Oceanic Partnership Commission is holding a Lay Partnership Conference at Riverglenn, Brisbane. The conference will be held from Sunday, 4th July - Wednesday, 7th July. Ten representatives from the Southern Province will attend the Conference to join in with the discussions, deliberations and decisions regarding the Lay Marist world.

JOINT FORMATION EXPERIENCE, Sydney May ‘10

The Marist Sydney Province, Marist Ministries Office are holding a Joint Formation Program in May 2010. Br Peter Walsh (Vocations and Formation Team), Joe McCarthy (Lay Marist Ministry) and Lee McKenzie (Director of Staff Development, Lavalla Catholic College) will take part in the program, which has an anticipated outcome that “participants would be skilled to develop and animate Marist life in their local area and throughtout the Province for Brothers and Laity who feel called to a Marist vocation today”. It is a 3-4 day live in experience to be held at The Hermitage, Mittagong.

NEW RESOURCE: “Gathered Around the Same Table”

Only published late in 2009, this book collects the ideas, dreams and vision relating to the vocation of Lay Marists worldwide. Click on the link below, and you can either download the book, or access a powerpoint that provides a summary:

http://www.champagnat.org/en/220512000.asp