| Marist Mission |
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| Action Plan (2002-2009) |
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| 1. Support
teamwork and networks of mutual support in the different regions
of the Institute. |
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Some collaborative structures supportive of Marist mission
already exist in the Institute:
They are the fruit of province or regional
initiatives, and their helpfulness is a matter of record.
On the other hand, there are many regions in which organisational
models are in flux, due mainly to the ongoing restructuring
in which the respective AUs are involved.
From the Institute’s central services, we would wish
to offer the possiblity of:
Supporting the establishment of instances
of regional cooperation where these do not currently exist;
Establishing continental teams for
Marist mission.
Such continental teams:
Would be five in number: Africa, Asia,
America, Europe, Oceania.
Would be established during 2003-2004.
Be created in dialogue with the respective
Provincials’ Conferences (or their equivalent in
cases where these do not exist).
Would have as their principal objectives:
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Serving as an organ of consultation
for the Institute’s central services;
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Fostering common efforts between
the different countries of the Conti-nent;
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Facilitating communication and
sharing between the constituent Prov-inces;
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Plus: any further objectives
which the group would wish to propose for it-self
in view of the needs of the region in question.
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| 2. The holding of International
Colloquia / Open Forums / Meetings in response to the needs
of the different geographic regions |
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Starting from the continental teams, to put in place some
adequate international structure (Colloquium, Open Forum,
Meeting, Congress, etc) which would contribute to deepening
the principal themes of “In the Footsteps of Marcellin
Champagnat”, and also to fostering the exchange of
experience.
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| 3. Staging an International
Marist Mission Assembly (2007) |
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The 20th General Chapter has invited us to initiate some
sort of “international forum of Marist mission.”
We have repeatedly felt the need to establish some participatory
mechanism in the Institute which could foster a relation
of equality between Brothers and layfolk, and which would
be competent to make an authoritative statement on behalf
of all. The lay participants at the General Chapter, for
instance, will always have the status of “invitees”
with all that signifies for their representativity and decisional
capacity.
An International Marist Mission Assembly could offer a platform
at the highest level to all who participate in Marist mission—whether
in the form of reflection or of submitting proposals for
consideration by the 21st General Chapter.
The preparation of such an International Assembly could
be achieved through representatives of the various continental
neworks. In this way a reflection-participation process
could be launched on the theme of Marist Mission, which
would culminate in the International Assembly preceding
the 21st General Chapter.
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| 4. Contribute to the creation
of support structures for Marist mission. |
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Support reflection on the part of the AUs in regard to a
management and government model more appropriate to “Mission
Shared” with lay partners.
Seek ways of supporting and financing Marist mission, especially
for the needier conti-nents, and to do this alongside BIS
(one part of which might focus sharply on service to our
educative mission to children and young people).
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| 5. Animation of the Institute’s
Mission “ad gentes” |
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Support for the Brother Superior General in his task of
selecting the most urgent among the needs in the Institute,
in studying the opportuneness of temporary or permanent
partnerships, and in the proposal of candidates, as well
as in their preparation and on-going accompaniment.
In collaboration with BIS:
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To study the contemporary meaning
of “missionary animation” in our Institute
today, and how best to make it effective;
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To study possible formulae for preparing
persons destined to fulfill a missionary service, both
religious and lay;
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To make formation available to persons
already engaged in issionary service, as a way of strengthening
them in their everyday living and in commitment;
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To study possible means of coordinating
and supporting the service of “missionary volunteers”
across the spectrum of the diverse Marist institutions
existing in our different Provinces
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| 6. Presence and collaboration
in International Institutions |
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We understand our presence in international Institutions
dedicated to infancy / youth and education, as a concrete
expression of our intention to work together with others
in promoting better education for all, and in the strugle
to defend the rights of infants and children.
- International Organization of Catholic Teaching (OIEC)
- International Catholic Infancy Office (BICE)
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