IRELAND / SCOTLAND / THE NETHERLANDS / BELGIUM / GERMANY Being Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 | 1 DECEMBER | 2019 #04 Marist WEST CENTRAL EUROPE Chairpersons Reflection As Christmas approaches we may ask where did that year go? We are all busy and anxious about how we can possibly get everything done, with all the many demands on our time and resources. Given the sheer volume of activity we can easily be distracted from the true meaning of Christmas. We acknowledge the many acts of solidarity that take place in our schools and projects at this time. Let us also reflect on our own journey of Faith this Christmas. As Marists by reflecting on Mary’s journey of faith, we can find inspiration, encouragement and a desire to imitate her for our own distinctive walk with the Lord. All who heard wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart’ Luke 2: 18. Let us take some time to ponder like Mary the significance of what we celebrate at Christmas. P.J McGowan. F.M.S. 2 | Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 European Marist Solidarity Meeting Mindelheim Germany Oct 16th-19th 2019 Great gathering of representatives from also hope to complete this year, European also visited the CMI project and Bro the five European Provinces to reflect protocols for all European volunteers Michael gave a presentation on the and move forward plans for Marist wherever they work. programme and the plans for the new Solidarity in Europe. We are also working on an Education youth ministry programme. It was also a programme for the promotion of Children great opportunity to build up relationships The Directory for all Marist Projects in Rights and hoping to set up an Observatory with fellow Marists in Europe. I would Europe which will be a useful guide is for Children Rights and establish like to thank to wider Marist community almost complete. We are also adapting procedures to do this at European level. in Mindelheim for their tremendous the Congregation’s Solidarity Framework As you can see we have an ambitious hospitality. Document to a European context. We programme for the next few years. We P.J McGowan Marist Day Furth 18th October On Friday, 18.10.2019, "Marist Day" took place for 5th graders for the first time in the school history of the MGF. The aim of this day was to make it possible for the children to experience what it means to be part of our Marist school family. What is meant by the word "Marist", who was Marcellin Champagnat and what do the five "Marist" values mean? All these questions were explored that day in very different ways. With the support of many colleagues, and the student team - each of whom led a class through the day - and Fr Andreas Krupp - the prior of the local Marist monastery in Furth. Br Heinrich was also methodically moving around to several stations, to help explore the importance of the five Marist Order and the obligation to teach to build a house of cards for each other Marist Values "simplicity", "presence", children and young people and to bring at the station "Love for Work" - but only "love for work", "in the way of Mary" and them closer to the faith in God. with one hand. In doing so, they realized "family spirit". Afterwards, the classes wandered from that in addition to diligence, ambition The day began for all 5th classes together station to station during the following and concentration, above all, teamwork in the refectory, where they learned a lot four lessons, where they got to know one and a real desire for the success of a about the founder of the Marist Order of the five Marist values in more detail. job is necessary. In contrast, they have and our founder Marcellin Champagnat. The respective value was always briefly learned the value of "simplicity" here Important stages in Marcellin's life were presented first, before working with it. they were allowed to paint a mandala addressed as well as the founding of the For example, the students were allowed in the meditation room in a relaxing www.maristeu.com Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 | 3 atmosphere. It became more exciting in the monastery church. There they again at the stations for the values were allowed to write or paint a text of "family spirit" and "presence". For or a picture of the most beautiful the value of ‘family spirit’, the children experiences of the Marist Day as a used role-playing games and were able reflection on this day. This "letter" was to present respectful, loving and polite then packed in an envelope, given their behavior - as it should be in a family, name and collected. The aim is to give even in a school family. these students a taste of the journey to The value "presence", which is often L'Hermitage, which will probably take difficult to understand for students, was place in the 11th grade. These should be also brought to them in a playful way. In a a reminder of their start as a member of narrow corridor, they were invited to meet the Marist School family at the MGF. The in three ways: once with lowered head Marist Day 2019 ended with a common without looking each other in the eye, then Marian prayer and the song "Laudate with eye contact and finally with a smile omnes gentes". on the face. Afterwards they were able to Eva Alfranseder write down their own thoughts and feelings Maristen Gymnasium Furth of the situation in a short reflection, then they were invited to exchange these with the classmates. The range was from a feeling of loneliness in the first situation to a feeling of being true and accepted when you are smiled at by your classmate. "In the way of Mary" was again made calmer and more meditative. Gratitude and modesty as two aspects of this value, the children could experience in a walk in silence in the school garden: wonderment in the face of creation, gratitude for life and the world in which we live. To complete the Marist Day together, all 5th grade classes came together www.maristeu.com 4 | Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 Marist Week Ireland 2019 I was invited to write an article about our 2019 Marist week and I initially thought ‘Wow! We did so much - how will I get that all into this article?!’, yet sitting down and taking the time to reflect on the events and work we did, I can’t help but smile! The Moyle Park College Marist Core Team began planning events in September and the important decision of choosing this year’s theme. We welcome all new staff members and ‘less new’ to join our group. It has been a pleasure working with this team of people on events and creating memorable experiences for our community. We chose the theme ‘The Sky’s the limit’ this year linking with the school wide Art Project. The whole school Art project has now become an annual event, inviting everyone from the MPC community to come and be Helpful CMI Volunteers! involved in a collaborative experience, creating an Art piece for the school. a giant hexagonal kite, with each section Based from my trip to the International Youth representing a different parts of our Marist The completed Marist Masterpiece! Gathering ‘Weaving Life’ in Guatemala, I community in MPC. was inspired by the beautiful textile Kites Other annual highlights from this years A huge thanks to all of the Marist that are flown on the Remembrance Day of Marist week include, the inter-school Leaders who were involved with their Ancestors and their deceased loved History and Marist table quiz, daily presentations to the younger year ones. There is such a sense of community reflections over the intercom, tours of the groups about their Trip to L’Hermitage from this event and I wanted to bring this Brothers house hosted by Br Nick where and their role in the Marist Leadership back to Moyle Park College. Together, students learned the History of Moyle programme. The school corridors were with the help of many kind staff, Brothers, Park College, and the Staff Breakfast decorated with positive affirmations Marist lay people and students, we created morning (which is always a treat!). written by the students continuing the www.maristeu.com Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 | 5 theme of ‘Sky’s the Limit’, and this CMI Presentation to Students injected the communal spaces with colour and positivity! Ms Doyle and Ms Doonan have put trojan work into running this years leader group and have exciting plans for 2020, focusing on the theme of ‘Family Spirit’. They plan on kicking things off with a Hat and Scarf Appeal for the St Vincent De Paul this Christmas and appreciate all donations! Students had a special opportunity this year to attend a talk from Br Michael and young Marist Lay People from CMI, Mindelheim. Here they learned about work being done across the world and the various Marist projects students are welcome to get involved in. Moyle Park students really benefit from hearing first hand from Marist Lay people and these events allow them to ask questions and feel part of the Marist community. Br Coleman and Junior Students planting seeds of the future! www.maristeu.com 6 | Being Marist / DECEMBER | 2019 On Thursday, we celebrated World Mental Health Day and Junior Students with Br Coleman planted a commemorative tree and installed a new Buddy Bench. This will create a space for all to enjoy for years to come.