PROVINCE “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

Title of the Programme:

Sharing Our Call

Objectives:

  • To give participants an understanding of Marcellin’s vision and charism and how that it practiced in Marist schools today

History:

  • The first session of Sharing Our Call was held in the United States in December 1998. Since that time, 20 sessions have been held with approximately 530 participants from US Marist schools. The US Sharing Our Call program is based on themes found in the similar programs designed by the Melbourne and Sydney provinces.

Its description:

  • The program begins with an overview of Christian spirituality and Marist spirituality. We look at Marcellin from a historical perspective and from a psycho-spiritual perspective. We examine everyone’s vocational call and how that can be lived out in a Marist context. We discuss the specific things that make a school Marist. We examine contemporary American youth culture and religious practice and the implications of these for Marist schools today.

Contents:

  • Marcellin Champagnat: the man of history; What is spirituality?; What is Marist spirituality; Understanding call and vocation; What does a Marist school look like; American youth culture and implications for Marist schools.

Methodologyof the proposal:

  • Our program has input from the presentation team, time for group discussion, personal reflection, and prayer.

Allotment of the Programme:

  • The program runs from 3:00 PM on Sunday afternoon through noon on Tuesday.

Principal recipients

  • Of the 530 people who have participated so far, about 75% are lay people and 25% are brothers.

Leaders:

  • The presentation team is made up of brothers and a rotating team of lay people.

Resources:

  • Are primary resource is “In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat: A Vision for Marist Education Today: our USA “Standards for a Marist Education,” as well as handouts on each of the particular themes.

Evaluation:

  • The program has received very positive feedback from participants and school administrators. Now that we have completed 20 sessions, it is clear that we have begun to create a “Marist culture” in our schools that was not there a decade ago. One claim that participants make is that they now have a “language” of Marist education that helps them in making important choices in curriculum and programs.

Other interesting observations:

  • The most interesting and exciting thing that has come from Sharing Our Call (and our Marist Youth programs) is a “Marist culture” and a “Marist language.” Faculty will use Marcellin’s phrase “the good and not yet good.” Students will talk about doing the ordinary in an extraordinary way. We now have a context, a foundation on which to build.

Sharing Our Call # 20

March 2007

Sunday, March 18

1:00 PM - 2:00 PMArrival in Esopus

3:00 PM - 3:45 PMWelcome and Introduction to Sharing Our Call

Ice Breaker

4:00 PM – 4:45 PMMarcellin Champagnat: The Man of History

5:00 PM - 6:00 PMMass

6:15 PM - 7:15 PMDinner

7:45 PM - 9:00 PMMarist Apostolic Spirituality

9:00 PMNight Prayer

Social

Monday, March 19

8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast

9:00 AMMorning Prayer

9:30 AM - 10:45 AMMarcellin Champagnat: The Wounded Healer

10:45 AM - 11:15 AMBreak

11:15 AM - 12:30 PMWhat does a MaristSchool look like?

12:45 PM - 4:00 PMLunch and Free Time

4:00 PMWho are today’s Catholic youth?

6:00 PMDinner

7:30 PM - 9:00 PMCall and Vocation

9:00 PMNight Prayer

Social

Tuesday, March 20

8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast

9:00 AMMorning Prayer

9:30 AM – 10:30 AMWrap-up

10:30 AMClosing Prayer and Commissioning

11:00 PMLunch

12:00 NoonDeparture

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