ARCO NORTE INTUITS THE CALL TO “LIVING THE ESSENTIAL”, DURING THIS COMPLEX AND DISCONCERTING TIME

ARCO NORTE INTUITS THE CALL TO “LIVING THE ESSENTIAL”, DURING THIS COMPLEX AND DISCONCERTING TIME

+ J.M.J.CH. September 7, 2020

On 22 August the Arco Norte Regional Council met in video conference, in the presence of Provincials Gérard Bachand (Canada), Patrick McNamara (United States), José Sánchez (México Central), César Augusto Rojas and Orlando Escobar (Norandina), Miguel Ángel Santos (México Occidental) and Hipólito Pérez (América Central). Brothers João Carlos do Prado, General Councilor and liaison for the Region and Gregorio Linacero and Rodrigo Espinosa, as Coordinators of the Regional Committee, also took part.

Brother Óscar Martín, General Councilor, and responsible for the animation of the La Valla 200 Project, intervened during the session to share the progress of this project of the Institute and in particular the vision of the Montagne community of Holguín (Cuba), which belongs to the region.

Brother Tomás Briongos, Provincial of Compostela, who always accompanies us because of our links with the Marist life and mission in Honduras, could not participate on this occasion for personal reasons.

This intuition of the author Francesc Torralba, motivated our reflection, sharing and research: “Uncertainty is a fundamental feature of our time. We do not know what is the meaning of what we call the new normality. There is fear, dread and trembling. It is easy to fall into despair and nihilism. What is difficult is to imagine new scenarios.

The crisis has accelerated the digital transition and this has pros and cons, but it has also accelerated the ecological transition. This could inaugurate a new way of producing, consuming and relating to each other.” (Francesc Torralba, Living the Essential)

Throughout the session we developed the following objectives:

  •  To share significant aspects experienced in our provinces of Arco Norte as a result of the experience of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 disease.
  •  To follow up the initiatives in the Region and the Continent, particularly the Communications process.
  •  To accompany the journey of Marist life and mission in the Montagne community (Holguín, Cuba) and the Province of Canada.
  •  To define the itinerary of the Regional Forum: “A new present, a better future”, 26 and 27 October 2020.
  •  To approve the document: Organisations and functions of the Arco Norte Region, the members of the Arco Norte Regional Committee (CRAN) 2021-2023 and the “Rules of Procedure of the Permanent Council CAP”.

Warm regards,

Hipólito Pérez, FMS

Arco Norte Coordinator

ARCO NORTE BROTHERS INVITED TO “BE WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO BE” IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS AND PANDEMIC

ARCO NORTE BROTHERS INVITED TO “BE WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO BE” IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS AND PANDEMIC

On June 29th the Provincials of the Arco Norte Region met by videoconference: Brothers Gérard Bachand, Patrick McNamara, José Sánchez, César Augusto Rojas, Miguel Ángel Santos, and Hipólito Pérez, along with João Carlos do Prado and Ken McDonald as liaisons for the Region from the General Council, and Br. Tomás Briongos, Provincial of Compostela, for the Marist mission in Honduras.

Gregorio Linacero, Regional Committee Coordinator and Rodrigo Espinosa, Regional Committee Coordinator, followed up with each of the teams and regional initiatives.

Brothers Nice Garrán and Jorge Sánchez, coordinators of the regional Education and Evangelization Teams, shared the progress of both teams and their concerns.

The group felt inspired and challenged by the following reflection: “I think the best contribution we can make to the birth of this new era is to be consistent like the first Christians. To be what we are called to be. I believe that Religious Life still carries great relevance today, especially in this time of crisis. Although it may appear that we have nothing to contribute, the essence of what we are called to be is exactly what the women and men of today need.” (Br. Emili Turú, fms. What does the COVID-19 pandemic say about Consecrated Life?)

Throughout the conference session the following objectives were developed:

  • Share the most significant areas of progress from our Provinces during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Follow up on regional and continental processes and initiatives, especially the Education and Evangelization teams.
  • Accompany the processes that are taking place in Marist life and mission in Canada and Honduras, also in the Montagne community of Holguín.
  • Revisit the evaluation of the Brothers’ approach to Perpetual Profession.
  • Confirm and formalize the appointments of the Regional Coordinator and the Team of Formators in the La Valla Interprovincial Novitiate (Medellín) for 2021.

Fraternally,

Hipólito Pérez, FMS