SNGR: Asia Commissions on Regional Senergies

ASIA COMMISSIONS COMMIT TO FOSTERING REGIONAL SYNERGIES

Following the Asia New Models of Animation Strategic Plan formulated by the different AU Leaders in Asia, the three Commissions on Spirituality, Mission, and Laity met last April 9-12, 2018 at Montfort Center, Upper Bukit Timah, Singapore. The Regional vision, strategic guidelines and priorities were reviewed and each Commission proposed enabling activities and programs to address the priorities in the next 10 years.

With the expertise and guidance of Mr. Luca Olivari, the commissions were able to define key areas of collaboration to be addressed at the Regional level.

The Spirituality Commission highlighted the importance of promoting the Marist spiritual patrimony alongside Marist Asian Spirituality. Considering the context of religious diversities, among others, the Commission proposed to offer joint opportunities for brothers and lay retreats on Indigenous People Spirituality, Buddhist-Christian Retreat and Zen Meditations over the next 5 years.

“There is an excitement for us in looking forward to the contribution of Asia in expressing the rich plurality of Asian spirituality. This is Asia’s contribution to the life of the Marist”, said Br. Alberto Carlos Rojas of the Mission Secretariat, who was present for the meeting.

The Asia Mission Commission for its part was mandated to look into the formation of Marist Leadership, networking among Marist missions, promoting Child Rights and Marist Missions, creating an integral ecological awareness and the development of a regionally balanced volunteering program.

For the Asia Laity Commission, the goal is to intensify in number and quality fully committed Champagnat Marists Lay, who are deeply rooted in the Marist Asian spirituality and who are co-responsible for Marist life and mission. Formation processes distinct for the laity and that of the joint formation with the brothers were planned to achieve the envisaged communion and co-responsibility in Marist life.

Foreseeing a future of partnership with the Oceania Region, particularly in the animation of laity, the Chair of the Oceania Partnership Commission, Daniel Dungery from New Zealand, was invited for the said meeting. His sharing of experiences and resources contributed greatly in charting the direction for Asia-Oceania Regional collaboration.

For the productive turn out of the meeting, the convenor of the event, Br. Ador Santiago, expressed his gratitude to participants and his hopes for more synergized and collaborative undertakings of Asia administrative units, making Asia more dynamic in its response to the call of “journeying together towards becoming a global family.”

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