Building the Global Family - The Fourth Regional Assembly of Arco Norte Begins: Mark O’Farrell joins the Delegates

maristbrothers
6 hours ago
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Mark O’Farrell, from Australia’s Marist Mission Life and Formation team and one of the Assistant Directors of the Secretariat of Laity, is currently in Guatemala participating in the Fourth Regional Assembly of the Arco Norte Marist Region.

The Assembly, which brings together Brothers and Lay Marists from across the region, is one of the most significant gatherings in the regional calendar. Held every three years, it serves as an important moment for reflection, dialogue and strategic planning for the coming strategic planning cycle of Marist mission and life for 2026-2029.

The Arco Norte region consists of 14 countries and includes the Marist provinces of Canada, Central Mexico, Western Mexico, the United States, Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Nicaragua) and Norandina (Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador).

Seventy participants, including Provincials, regional leaders and lay representatives, have gathered in Guatemala along with the Superior-General Br Peter Carroll, Vicar General

Br Hipolito Perez and link Councillor Br Mark Omede for the assembly, which takes place from 15–21 March 2026. As Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Laity, Mark is accompanying the region and engaging with Lay Marists who share responsibility for nurturing Marist life and mission.

“Being part of these conversations with Brothers and Lay Marists from across the region reminds us how the Marist spirit continues to grow in different cultures and contexts, and helps us connect more strongly as a global charismatic family” says Mark.

Guided by the spirit of the XXIII General Chapter and its call to be “Builders of a Global Family,” the assembly provides a privileged space for listening, dialogue and communal discernment. Participants will reflect on how the region can continue strengthening collaboration while respecting the unique realities and strengths of each province.

After spending time in meetings with the Arco Norte Laity team in Guatemala, Mark also spent several days in El Salvador, where he met with lay Marists, brothers and members of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family. During these meetings he shared reflections from Breath of the Ruah, the base document for Marist Laity and the outcome of the XXIII General Chapter to explore vocation, formation and accompaniment pathways and a new canonical and civil model of an International Association for the Champagnat Family.

To better understand the realities of the Salvadoran people he visited significant historical and spiritual sites that included the Divine Providence Chapel (place of martyrdom) Romero’s living quarters, the Monsignor Romero Centre and Martyrs Museum at the University of Central America, Cathedral of San Salvador which houses the tomb of Saint Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran Archbishop who was martyred in 1980 while celebrating Mass. A very moving and emotional experience, he said about the experience.

As the Arco Norte Assembly unfolds this week, participants hope to strengthen their shared commitment to being a true Family in Mission, walking together with trust, creativity, and a renewed dedication to young people and the Gospel to make Jesus Christ known and loved. "We go forward together in mission as ‘Builders of the New Hermitage’. Mark will take these learnings forward as a member of the Champagnat Family Commission as he helps to coordinate the first Star of the Sea Champagnat Family Assembly in Nadi, Fiji in May 2026," says Mark.

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