The MAP meeting held recently was the initial “full” meeting of the new body which was constituted in Sydney 12 months ago and which is a development of what many of us knew previously as SMAZNO (Society of Mary Australia New Zealand Oceania).
Over the three days we considered a very full agenda, the main points of which were:
- Reports on the present situation in each Province and District
- Matters proposed for consideration to the General Chapter by each Province and District
- Discussion on common General Chapter issues
- Ongoing Formation of, and support of, Young Marists within MAP
- Tim Duckworth (NZ) joined the meeting for a time and there was a review and discussion centred on the Young Marists meeting in NZ last February
- Discussion on practical ways of supporting Oceania
- Discussion on the International English Language Novitiate
- Discussion on ways in which we can continue to support the Japan – Philippines connection
- Discussion on ways of responding to a request from the General Administration for MAP to facilitate the translation into English of the Anthology of Letters Received from Oceania
- Discussion on a collaborative effort to promote the Marist vocation within MAP
- Discussion on present inter-provincial projects
- Review of the welfare and ministry of men working in a Province or District other than their own
- A review of the Statement of Meeting of Leaders of Marist Asia Pacific with Members of the General Administration in Sydney in 2008
As a result of the three days’ work, there were a number of decisions taken, the major ones of which
were:
- There will be a “Common Vocations Initiative” which will bring together a vocations person from each region (and other necessary people) to prepare and produce common vocations material that is able to be used in MAP
- There will be a meeting convened of relevant individuals to evaluate what is currently happening in MAP in terms of ongoing formation and support of Young Marists and to develop a plan for the future
- The Province of Oceania will develop a separate plan (in collaboration with other MAP regions) to meet its needs for renewal of those Marists Finally Professed 5-10 years
- Clarification to be sought from the General Administration about the funding of projects within MAP and how that relates to Mission Funding.
- A proposal was sent to the General Administration with regard to the translation of the Anthology of the Letters Received from Oceania
- A plan will be developed with regard to numbers likely to be at Marist Seminary Auckland over the next four years
The three days proved to be a very positive and energising time with MAP acquiring a clear “character” and sense of direction. There was a strong sense of unity among the participants and a keenness to work together where possible to strengthen and support each region within Marist Asia Pacific.
The next meeting will take place in Davao, The Philippines from 15-17 June 2010.
Australia
Paul Cooney (Provincial)
Tony Kennedy (Councillor)
New Zealand
Brian Cummings (Provincial)
Philip Cody (Vicar Provincial)
John Murphy (Secretary)
Oceania
Paul Donoghue (Provincial)
Suni Halapio (Vicar Provincial)
Philippines
Larry Sabud (District Superior)
