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Dear Friends NEW SUPERIOR GENERAL
On Thursday 10th September at the General Chapter, during the 3rd ballot, Fr John Hannan sm currently provincial of Europe, was elected as the 13th Superior General of the Society of Mary.
PROFILE Born in Limerick, Ireland on 31 March 1943 Professed on 24 September 1963 in La Neylière, France. Ordained a Marist priest in Dublin on 21 December 1968. Further studies in the Institute of Theology, Lyon, 1970-'72. Higher studies in Trinity College, Dublin 1974-'78 and 1983-'85. Principal ministries: Formation: 1972-'85 Retreat Work: 1978-'79 Education: Dean of Discipline 1969-'70. School Principal 1985-'90. Provincial of Ireland: 1991-97 and from 2003-2008. Provincial of Europe: 2008- Languages: English and French.
GENERAL COUNCIL
A few days later the following were elected as the General Council:
Fr Laurence Duffy, Europe, Assistant General Fr Lote Raiwalui, Oceania Fr Alejandro Munoz, Mexico Fr Kevin Duffy, Europe
We ask God’s blessing on the work of the Society of Mary
Report from delegates to the Marist Fathers Chapter meeting in Rome 2009
Pat O’Connor and Agnes McGrogan from the Council for the Marist Way attended the Chapter with Lay Marists from the European Province. They received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the Fathers attending the Chapter, who expressed enthusiasm for a future, working together.
They arrived on Thursday 10th and joined in the celebration of the election of Father John Hannon SM, elected earlier in the day as Superior General. He was elected as the Superior of the newly formed European Province in 2008, and we had just been getting to know him. Watch this space for his successor in Europe!
Friday afternoon and evening were devoted to Lay Marists, with presentations by Michel Maquet (France) and Laura De Alessi (Italy), giving their vision and hopes of the future, gleaned from their own experiences and information from the European Lay Marist Group.
The Lay members were then allocated to groups of about 8 capitulants to answer questions and give information about Marist Lay Groups in their own areas. An open forum followed that - question and answer session chaired by Superior General elect. A report of that session will be given separately.
An outline of the talks can be summed up as follows: -
Michel Maquet – Co-ordinator of the European Marist Lay Co-ordination (EMLC) – he spoke of
The conclusion was that we be faithful to Mary and to Jean Claude Colin and the Marist charism, playing an essential role in evangelisation in today’s world and making the whole world Marist.
Laura De Alessi – a member of the Turin Group of Marist Lay people who was present with her husband and two young daughters. Points from her talk included
– Hearing, even unspoken words of the outsiders – Sight, what is really there, not what we wish to see – Touch and smell, feeling the calluses of hard work, pain – Taste, be salt to each other, neither insipid or too salty
After all this we can do more by imitating the founding Fathers, sharing their spirit, developing a common identity, being united in prayer, sharing in Feasts, consolidating what we have achieved and developing a clear way of being and living, rather than having a rulebook that can be a source o division. We want to make a clear social commitment to be attentive, to be present and to be there. Mary, Mother of Peace
We have been invited by Marist laity in New Zealand to join in a “Year of Prayer for Peace”. This began on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, 12th September, and many members have joined in. Prayer cards have been prepared are now available.
1. Mary
Mother, you brought your Son, Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
Mary,
Mother of Peace, help us so to focus on Jesus
May we follow your example as
we seek to bring Christ
2. Mary, Mother of Peace, you
are the Help of Christians.
Following in your footsteps,
we will not go astray;
With you as guide we will not
grow weary;
I pray for peace … In my heart In my family For those troubled by mental illness For the innocent in war zones For the combatants in war zones Between nations
Within our country
Between religions In the Middle East In African nations In the Holy Land In European nations In the countries of the Americas In Pacific countries In Asian countries
MARIST PILGRIMAGES
Next May seems a long time away but it is surprising how quickly time passes. The Marist Lourdes Pilgrimage will depart by coach on Saturday 29th May and return Saturday 5th June. The cost will be around £10 more than last year, which were – Hotel Padoue £510.00 and Hotel Esplanade £380.00. This includes coach travel, full board and travel insurance. Booking forms now available.
DAYS OF RECOLLECTION A full report of these events will be given in the next Newsletter. This issue is early so that the ‘news’ is reasonably recent.
Marist Liturgical Calendar and Mass Intentions 2009
M. Coleman SM Marist Way Region of England Animator |
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