Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Europe

Something different, innovative, for London inner-city parish

A sold out film premier opened London’s 2016 Spirit in the City; a festival of faith.

The early-June innovative event was promoted by the Marist inner-city parish, Notre Dame de France, located in the middle of London’s West End.

Ave Maria Full of GraceThe idea of a film premier came from parish organisers who suggested hiring a local cinema for the UK premier of “Full of Grace“; a story about Mary’s last days on earth.

Looking to add further value, the organisers also arranged a panel discussion about the role of Mary, faith and films, art and evangelisation.

Over the other three days the parish developed the theme of mercy and used the opportunity to engage in street evangelisation.

More fun was had on Saturday when a rolling programme of live music on stage was accompanied by workshops and opportunities for prayer and personal encounters.

Throughout the Spirit in the City Event people also participated in more traditional Eucharistic adoration and catechesis held in the parish church.

Source: Euroinfo: Newsletter of the Marist Europe province

Europe province develops vocations strategy

15 Marists from throughout Europe met recently at La Neyliere, France to further develop the province’s vocations strategy.

The meeting was stimulated by Fr Alan Neville MSC who presented findings of his research.

Fr Neveille’s research shows that those thinking of a religious vocation want to belong to:

  • a community with a mission
  • a group confident in its identity
  • a religious congregation confident in its future.

europevocationsAll regions of the Europe province had already taken vocations initiatives, so the meeting was an opportunity to share what worked and what could be done differently.

The meeting also considered new strategies for focussing the attention of European Marists on the pressing issue of vocations.

The group offered five proposals to the provincial council as a way forward.

  1. Develop a presence on social media.
  2. Appoint a full time provincial vocation promoter and team.
  3. Organise an international volunteering programme.
  4. Engage communities in a process of community renewal.
  5. Develop a province-wide faith development programme for young people.

Source: Marist Fathers’ Europe

New Provincial for Europe

The Superior General has confirmed the election of Fr Hubert Bonnet-Eymard as provincial superior of Europe. Hubert is well known to most of the Society, having served as an assistant in the previous general administration of Fr Jan Hulshof; previous to that he had served as provincial of France. At the moment he is in the midst of a well-earned sabbatical period following his time in Rome.