Day 6 of the chapter 14.12

Session 1: Drawing Together What Has Happened

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During the morning the Chapter delegates moved into a contemplative moment with scripture and dialogue. The space was opened for recollection of the previous days of the Chapter and continued discernment of what God is inviting us into. Recollection is a strong Christian tradition, and we take from it, what is speaking to us, so that we can attend to it and find the response that is being called for by the Holy Spirit.

 

The delegates then considered how the messages of the Chapter will be shared with the wider Marist world.

 

Session 2: What do we take back to our Communities and the Province?
 

Again, considerable time was spent in personal and group reflections. The focus was, the Marist Brotherhood we want to be in this part of the world.  We could remain exactly as we are, but the collective feeling is, that is not what the Spirit is asking.
 

What do we desire for this Province?  The responses included:

• Simplicity, brotherhood, communion.

• There is a sense of calm and optimism.

• Journeying together with hope.

• An evolving ‘now’.

• Inclusiveness.

• Intercultural communion.

• Complementary and harmonious colours.

• A balanced confidence.

• Anticipation and hope together.

• There is no need to fear, God is with us.

• Trust in the future.

• Moving ahead together.

 

How is this taken back to all our Marists?
 

Nathan Ahearne has prepared a six minute video covering the Chapter. This along with a written Statement prepared by Brothers Paul Gilchrist and Michael Green will be sent to Communities late in January to be used by Communities and other groupings as they gather and prepare for the new year.

 

In the closing comments by our General Councillors, we were reminded that we have the capacity to move beyond, and the Stars that will help us navigate that are:

• Assume and continue to assume the goodwill of our Brothers and Sisters.

• Communication is crucial. The Communities of Dialogue and the way the Brothers continue to be available, and being present to each other will be even more important.

• Prayer. We can only move forward with Jesus and His Word. God is always greater that we can imagine. God is with us, co-create with Him.
   

The Chapter concluded with Mass and a meal of celebration and thanks. 

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Day 5 of the chapter 13.12

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Session 1: Shared Marist Life (Brothers and Lay Together)

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The focus of this Session was on Shared Marist Life. To assist with this there was a panel made up of Champagnat Marists who have been at meetings and gatherings working in this area. They were Nathan Ahearne and Elizabeth Falconer from the Marist and Life Formation Team in Sydney, Br Siaosi Ioane (Samoa) and Br Barry Burns (Aotearoa NZ).
 

The challenge: What are the needs of our Communities, our Ministries and our living and praying together, across the Province and in each of the Countries?

 

Members of the panel had been part of the following gatherings:

• An audit of Marist Life in the areas that are now part of the SOTS Province

• International Lay Formators’ Course

• Fratelli Tutti Programs

• ‘I See You’ interviews

• Oceania Gatherings for Lay Marist Vocation

• Interregional Gatherings in Asia and Oceania.

• International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation

                                               

Much is happening in this space in the Marist world. In some countries the model for belonging is clear, along with the stages and pathways that need to be followed. What best suits us in the Star of the Sea Province?

 

The Panel spoke to the following findings:

• Formation as a priority 

• Stewardship – of our Spirituality

• Belonging

• Language and Understanding
   

From these emerged their recommendations that dealt with the following areas:

• Inclusion

• Interculturality

• Solidarity and Subsidiarity

• Resourcing

• Structural Models to be implemented – in Australia there is the Marist Association and in Kiribati there is the Stewardship Team to name just two and each is different in structure

• Leadership

• A Commission for Formation to carry this forward

• An Assembly in due course

 

It was suggested to the Delegates that there needed to be a Coordinated Team Approach to the development and delivery of quality formation opportunities and resources for all Marists of Champagnat across the Province, to support the growth and vitality of Marist Life and Mission into the future.
 

We need respectful listening to what is emerging in order to find the best way to nurture Marist life and Mission in the new Province. At present, we have a variety of approaches for connection and belonging and we hope to find those models which best suit the needs of our Marist people at the local level.

 

Possible Commission 

The suggested Commission would establish a Task Force to go to the various areas of the Province and work out appropriate models for each area. Then they need to work out how to bring those groups together to know and connect with each other.

 

This brought the Session to a close. Discussions among the Delegates are still to take place and recommendations will emerge for the Provincial and Council to consider.

 

 

Session 2: Leadership     

 

The Second Session returned to the issue of Leadership in the Star of the Sea Province and built on discussions from earlier in the Chapter. It was led by the Provincial.

 

At the start of the Session Peter announced that Br Darren Burge had accepted his invitation to be Vice Provincial. In announcing this Peter said “I know from the voting that Darren has the confidence and trust of the Delegates, and indeed more broadly across the Province. I thank him for agreeing to take on this responsibility and look forward to working with him”. Warm applause greeted the announcement.

 

Peter firstly spoke about the Provincial Council, explaining that some of the Councillors would be responsible for geographic “Areas” of the Province, and all would have “Portfolios” (Commissions) to manage. The allocation of these can’t happen until the first Council Meeting on the 15th December. Two roles will assist the Council. Firstly, the Province Secretary, for which Paul Kane has already been nominated, and secondly, the Province Bursar. Peter then proceeded to outline a proposal regarding the Areas and leadership at this level.

 

Delegates discussed the issues at their table groups, and provided feedback. They then looked at these issues through another ‘lense’ and moved into geographic/cultural groups. Groups returned to the Hall to present their findings. In all, there was general agreement with the proposals. A number of questions and suggestions will be considered further by the Provincial and Council in the near future.

 

Session 3: Documents to be Approved
 

Three documents were tabled for Approval by the Chapter:

1. Province Norms for the Second Provincial Chapter 2025.  Carried unanimously.

2. Rules of Procedure for the Second Provincial Chapter 2025.  Carries unanimously.

3. Code of Conduct. In Principle Agreement.  

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Day 4 of the chapter 12.12

 

After a beautiful opening prayer, time was spent with discussions on the Province Finance and these flowed into Work Groups with a focus on areas that included health and wellbeing, communications, integral ecology, formation, mission and education, ministries, safeguarding, shared Marist life and vocations. The focus was on being imaginative about the ways that Marists might be engaged in the key areas of human growth and development in the future. It was interesting to note how the questions being asked were different depending on the context of each country.

 

Tomorrow will begin the discernment about commitments and priorities for the next 18 months.

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Day 3 of the chapter 11.12

 

The third day of the Star of the Sea Provincial Chapter began with a focus on Christ as the guiding light. For the delegates, placing Christ front and centre was deliberate as they moved into the election of the Provincial Council. The vote was carried out throughout the morning in a respectful and discerning manner, as the Brothers, listened to the Spirit and put the names of those who they believe can take the Star of the Sea Province forward.

 

We are excited and pleased to announce the Provincial Council for the Star of the Sea Province: 
 

• Darren Burge

• John Hazelman

• Peter Horide

• Gregory McDonald

• Graham Neist

• Sefo Une
   

These Brothers will serve with Peter Carroll, as they look beyond and navigate new waters together for the Star of the Sea Province.
 

With the election concluded, the delegates enjoyed a restful afternoon, before officially commissioning the new council in the evening. The next few days will see the Chapter shift focus to key areas that will evolve in the new Province.

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Day 2 of the chapter 10.12

 

On the second day of the Chapter, we began with prayer where the delegates contemplated the importance of their name and in the spirit of community, there was reflection and sharing with one another. 

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The focus of the day was to outline the structure and organisation of the Provincial Council, including the election process for the Provincial Council. There was excellent discussion and questions, clarifying the process and understanding leadership within the Star of the Sea Province. The delegates spent time reflecting on Community Leadership, In-country Leadership and the Provincial and Council leadership.

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It was another powerful day, full of respectful discussion, genuine listening and an authentic desire to come together as a global Marist family.

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Day 1 of the chapter 9.12

The inaugural Chapter for the Star of the Sea Province began with a beautiful reflection where all delegates had the opportunity to bring forward symbols that represent their Marist life and culture. Br Darren Burge, Chair of the Steering Committee, commenced as he encouraged wisdom and patience from all Marists and the need for genuine and active listening from the delegates. To prompt the Chapter, Br Darren posed two questions, What does God want of us? And How and where will Mary guide us?  

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To begin the Provincial Chapter, Br Ernesto, Superior General, gave thanks for the leadership of Br John Hazelman, District of Pacific and Br Peter Carroll, Province of Australia and acknowledged Br Peter as the new Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province.  
 

Br Ernesto gave context for the purpose of Star of the Sea Province and shared his thoughts as we navigate new waters together:
 

"Mary could accept the new reality of her life because her heart was free and full of the warmth of God, and like her, we too need to move to the newness." 

It was in this context Br Ernesto shared the vision and ideas for the institute encouraging our province to embrace the variety and diversity in our province. It was proposed that we need a new way to see ourselves and all situations, to look within and see beyond. We were reminded by Ernesto that it is God’s work we are doing, we are only instruments to serve and that we can be the example of walking together as a global and charismatic community who are sent to give witness to Christ.  
 

Following morning tea, Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of Star of the Sea Province, had the opportunity to address the delegates. He highlighted that being one Province makes sense because we are one global Marist family and it is the urging of the Holy Spirit that brought us here with a spirit of hope. An overview of the Chapter process was given, recognising the working groups that helped in preparing a synthesis paper that will assist the incoming council. Br Peter challenged the delegates to consider what Marist Brotherhood we wish to live in our part of the world? He put forward that our communities need to have at its centre the Word and our communities need to be eucharistic in the way we gather together. Br Peter finished his address by reminding us that we are aging but Mission is still calling us, and what does this mean? And what does this look like? 
 

The afternoon sessions were for the delegates to have personal reflection and group discussions on the documentation and points raised during the morning. 

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Inauguration Mass 8 December

The Star of the Sea Inauguration was held in person and online with Mass on Thursday, 8 December at St Joseph’s College Chapel, Hunters Hill NSW, Australia.

­Mass booklet pdf: Click here to download

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