An enthusiastic group of 5 young men joined Frank Bird and Pat Brophy on the latest edition of the Marist Hikoi. As you will be aware, this annual Hikoi is part of our vocations promotion strategy, which is, in summary; contacting suitable young men, giving them information about the Society and Marists, and at the right time, inviting them to consider a Marist vocation.From February 7th to the 15th we visited places of historical and contemporary importance for the Society and the Church in New Zealand. This enables the participants to reflect on life and their own place in the Church. Two young men made the decision to enter accompaniment during the hikoi.
For the last few years the vocations team has carried out this vocations strategy and it appears to be bearing fruit. At the moment we have seven young men in accompaniment. Other young men have indicated they are still considering entering accompaniment. This resurgence in interest in Marist Life is partly due to World Youth Day, but we must continue to personally invite men to join us.
Grateful thanks are due to the communities, individuals and places that hosted the Hikoi: Whangarei; Okaihau; the Seminary; Good Shepherd College; Logos; Little Waihi; Mission Estate; Feilding; Otaki; St Mary of the Angels and Kemp Street. All the participants remarked on the warm and helpful hospitality they enjoyed at all the communities we visited. Thanks too to those who supported us with their prayers and thoughts.
Please send in the names and contact details of any young men you have approached about joining us so we can include them in our vocational promotion and accompaniment activities.