GENERAL LEADERSHIP ASSEMBLY
Via Latina 22, Rome
July 19 - August 1

NEWS FROM THE ASSEMBLY

Participant List

Photos from the Assembly

DAILY SUMMARY and NEWS

1 August 2009 

• Meeting in General Assembly
  Evaluation of the General Leadship Assembly
• Closing Celebration of the Eucharist in Spanish (Manuel Cortés presided)
• Pranzo
• Cena on the Terrazzo

31 July 2009 

• Chaminade International Seminary
  Presentation and Discussion in General Assembly
• Pranzo
• The General Chapter of 2012
  Presentation and Discussion in General Assembly
• Celebration of the Eucharist in English (Garry Long presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo

30 July 2009 

• A vision of the future of the Society of Mary, understood as a global community:  presence, mission, lifestyle, structures....
  • Looking Ahead Toward the General Chapter of 2012
  • Orientation to General Assembly  by Manuel Cortés
  • Individual reflection and dialog
• Pranzo
• Meeting in General Assembly
• Celebration of the Eucharist in Spanish (José María Arnaiz presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo

29 July 2009 

• A vision of the future of the Society of Mary, understood as a global community:  presence, mission, lifestyle, structures....
  Discussion in small groups
• Pranzo celebrating the Birthday of the Superior General, Manuel Cortés
• Meeting in General Assembly
• Celebration of the Eucharist in French (Eugéne Côté presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo

28 July 2009 

• A vision of the future of the Society of Mary, understood as a global community:  presence, mission, lifestyle, structures.....

• Pranzo
• Meetings by language groupings
• Celebration of the Eucharist in Spanish (Pachi Canseco presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo

27 July 2009 

• Meetings by Zonal Conferences
• Pranzo
• Celebration of the Eucharist in English (Pragasam T. presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo

26 July 2009 

• Excursion to Assisi

25 July 2009 

• Celebration of the Eucharist in Spanish (Ramón Iceta presiding)
• Morning Session: Manuel Cortés presided at the session.  Fr. Josep María Abella, cmf, Superior General of the Claretians, addressed the Assembly on the topic of Religious Life in the "World Today,"  His major points included:
  • Introduction to the topic
  • Where and how we find ourselves today
  • The great challenges facing religious life today:
    • Revitalize the theological dimension of our lives
    • Our mission centered in our Consecrated Life
    • Our Shared mission
    • Community Life as a sign of the new Reign of God
    • Formation - a priority among priorities
    • New ways to organize ourselves
  • Some challenges by zones of the world:
    • Africa
    • North America
    • Latin America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Concluding remarks
  • Questions and comments
• Pranzo
• Time for retreat and reflection (Lorenzo Amigo)
• Fraternal Prayer
• Cena

24 July 2009 

• Morning Session: Report of the Office of Temporalities
  • Edward Violett presented his report covering topics such as:
    • Overview of the work and concerns of the Office of Temporalities
    • Accounting and Finances of the General Administration
    • Financial Situation of the Society of Mary
    • Formation Fund
    • Justice and Peace initiatives
  • After each main point, there was a pause for discussion and commentary.
• Pranzo
  • Afternoon Session: Report from the Office of Temporalities (continued)  Ed Violett continued his report.
    • Characteristics of Marianist Administration
    • General Finance Directory
    • Limits for Alienation of Property and Extraordinary Administration
    • Property Survey
    • Solidarity Fund
    • Formation Fund
    • Other considerations...
• Celebration of the Eucharist in English (Urs Schenker presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo.

23 July 2009 

• Morning Session: Report of the Office of Education
  • José María Alvira presented his report covering topics such as:
    • Overview of the work and concerns of the Office of Education
    • Meeting of Education Assistants in November 2008
    • Characteristics of Marianist Education
    • Education Assistants in the Units
  • After each main point, there was a pause for discussion and commentary.
• Presentation by Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, Superior General of the Jesuits.
  • Fr. Adolfo shared some of the priorities that the Jesuits have identified in their Congregation as well as in the Church today.
  • Members of the Assembly shared a dialog with Fr. Adolfo about questions he raised in his presentation.
• Pranzo
• Afternoon Session:  Report on the Chaminade International Seminary.
  • Topics discussed:
    • History and background of the international seminary in Rome.
    • Explanation of the results of the recent survey of past seminarians and their superiors.
    • Financial analysis of seminary costs.
  • After the presentation, there was time for questions.  Discussion will take place next week.
  • Report from the Office of Education (continued)  José María Alvira continued his report.
    • Initial and Ongoing Formation
    • Identity of our Educational Works
    • Our shared mission with the laity
    • Youth and vocation ministry in our educational works
    • Non-Formal Education
    • Educational networks
• Celebration of the Eucharist in English (Hans Eidenberger presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo.

22 July 2009 

• Morning Session: Report of the Office of Religious Life
  • André Fétis presented his report covering topics such as:
    • Overview of the work and concerns of the Office of Religious Life
    • Initial and Ongoing Formation
    • Celebration of the Chaminade Year 2011
  • After each main point, there was a pause for discussion and commentary.
• Pranzo
• Afternoon Session:  The Office of Religious Life report continued in the same way as in the morning.
  • Topics discussed:
    • Celebration of the Chaminade Year 2011 (continued)
    • The International Center for Marianist Formation
    • Mixed Composition
  • After each main point, there was a pause for discussion and commentary.
• Celebration of the Eucharist (Adalbert Muller presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo.

21 July 2009 

• Morning Session: Report of the Superior General
  • Fr. Manuel Cortés presented his report which included:
    • General Report and Review of the Response to the General Chapter of 2006
    • Structures and Restructuring in the SM
  • After each main point, the was a pause for discussion and commentary.
• Pranzo
• Afternoon Session:  The Superior General's report continued in the same way as in the morning. Topics discussed:
  • Structures and restructuring (continued)
  • The Marianist Family
• Celebration of the Eucharist (Luis Casalá presided)
• Cena on the Terrazzo.
  

20 July 2009

• Morning Session: Unit Reports.  Each Unit had 10 minutes to present its current situation.  There were another 10 minutes allotted for questions and clarifications.
• Pranzo
• Afternoon Session: Unit Reports.  The reports continued throughout the entire afternoon session.
• Eucharist in English (Jim Fitz presiding)
• Cena

19 July 2009

• Opening meeting
  • Welcome and Practical Points (Michael McAward)
  • Opening Prayer (Manuel Cortés)
  • Review of Schedule and Agenda (Manuel Cortés)
• Opening Eucharist in French (André Fétis presiding)
• Festive Cena on the Terrazzo.